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| Kitty and Notsky are ready for the big night! (AI) |
Now in my tenth year of finding a prom in my area (even in 2020 when even the kids were out of luck, and I'm doing this for those who were deprived in 2020-21 as well as those of us of every vintage who are looking to either make up or redo like it's a test we had to take in order to earn it). While I was able to find something I could go to with just one days notice, I'm still determined to get this done, especially since Singers Karaoke Club have now decided that they won't have it this year after all because of other events being planned, even after last years revival following a long, long pause. A pride prom in Rome not just for young people has raised money, and it's on a Saturday this time, which is free if you live right in the area, but not if you have to pay more money getting there than being there, even if it's less than some events back home or starting from scratch. Going even further from town is out of the question for me and many others, even if they can drive. I wrote the list offline first before copying it here. I just wish this could be done in my backyard when they are held in one-horse towns as much as the big cities. Can't even get concerts to come here every time anymore (that's more for the sister blog). I also found where to have it in other Upstate metros, but it'd be more sporadic because I wouldn't know them all combined as well as my own backyard, of course, which is why I stay there. I went to Rome since I could absorb that cost, as that was my only option for the time being thus far, but I ruled out another prom in the Mohawk Valley, being held a hotel in New Hartford in July on a Tuesday, which is rare. The town (Utica) is small, but not that small (even if you do have your own way around). Because of poor bus scheduling in Rome, I didn't want to make the same mistake twice in Utica and New Hartford, even though there'd be better chance of a bus turning up, I will stay close to home for these events in future because I had to be picked up and lodged a complaint to one bus company.
I haven't ruled out holding adult prom in Syracuse, even if it's not in the springtime or this year, although I found a more exclusive event at short notice similar to a couple I went to several years ago. That place closed months after not long before COVID and is still vacant, yet I would buy it and use it as a small event space to let, but until then, here are the numerous options in and around the city I can come up with. Price, parking, ADA compliance and bus lines all are factored in to each venue.
Someone else in my area said that they're planning on having one this Labor Day Weekend (5 or 6 September), so that saves having to go two counties away again just for that. They'll most likely book one of the larger spots downtown. Might be a different lot than the other two this year, but one must keep an open mind. Just hope tickets are reasonably priced. A charity ball in Jefferson County charged $25 for singles, which would be doable here. Comes before the start of school and homecoming season in the Northeast. Other places are considering, but this is the only one half-confirmed thus far in Syracuse, so that saves me the trouble of navigating (as everyone says these days) this on my own.
Downtown/Armory Square
Palladian Hall; N Salina & E Water Sts (former OnBank/M&T Bank; part of the Treasury)
Maxwells, Hanover Square; E Genesee St (formerly Elbow Room)
The Rail Line; S Clinton St (may not have hosted a prom, but there's a first time for everything)
McCarthy Mercantile; S Salina & E Fayette Sts (Victorian-era building with local businesses at street and lower levels that hosts events down cellar)
Sky Armory; S Salina & Clinton Sts (has hosted some proms before, but not in a period)
Marriott Syracuse Downtown (has several regular proms and may be too expensive); E Onondaga, Harrison & N Warren Sts; formerly Hotel Syracuse; I only went to a charity prom for terminally ill little girl in March 2019 (didn't even need to get dolled up for it)
OnCenter/Pirro Convention Ctr (same, even though it's taxpayer property); US 11/S State, E Adams & Harrison Sts. I've gone on occasion over the past three decades since it had opened in 1996; most recently for RetroGameCon in October 2025
Landmark Theatre (has hosted a few of these in the corridor and lobby); S Salina St; formerly Loews State (from studio system era under MGM); was unavailable during the summer because of renovations and when there are residencies. Not sure if the stage would be used like in Rome, which is smaller.
Salt City Bar; S Salina & W Onondaga Sts, Salt City Market (official event held by coffee bar on New Years Eve only, fulfilling both events for less. They can be booked for private events, however, as can the markets own community room in the back, which I've only gone to for Centro/SMTC seminars)
Hotel Onondaga; E Fayette & S Warren Sts (future luxury Hilton franchise with pending litigation that could hold it once cleared by court and built)
Liverpool
Randolph House Hotel, Electronics Pkwy & 7th North St off I-90 (Traditions of Wyndham franchise; formerly Ramada [sister chain]/Sheraton/Holiday Inn. No regular proms this year. Have gone for CD Record Fair and Easter buffet in the past)
Cicero
Carnegie Conference Centre, E Circle Dr; Drivers Village (former Penn-Can Mall in old Denbys wing near clock tower; also no run-of-the-diploma-mill proms in 2025; went for festive do last and this year)
Mattydale
VFW Post 3146; Truck NY 298 & leMoyne Ave (went for late Lent chippy and when moms car once broke down and we needed to ring for help)
Maplewood Bar & Grill, US 11 (former Zebbs); Mattydale Plaza (former kmart plaza; formerly at Holiday Inn & Suites in Liverpool [previously Maplewood Inn & Suites and Days Inn]; opening in 2026)
East Syracuse
American Legion Post 359; NY 290 (Halloween parties and fundraisers held there; other venue I wanted up the street has closed)
Onondaga Hill
SRC Arena, OCC, NY 173 & 175 (where I used to go around the corner closed in 2019)
Camillus (in name only)/Onondaga
TK Tavern on the Hill; Howlett Hill Rd, Taunton (original location off NY 5 that is becoming Byrne Dairy had Salt City Collective prom twice; no relation to TK99/105)
Tipp Hill
Emerald Cocktail Kitchen (suggested to them and they will consider); W Fayette St & W Wilbur Ave
Ukrainian National Home (SCC prom moved there after old TK closed from a fire); W Wilbur Ave
Eastwood
Palace Theatre; NY 290 (has no lift to get upstairs at this time unfortunately if held upstairs, being older and smaller, even though it may be in violation of ADA regulations. Could be held in theatre and lobby, but I was told it might be $3,000 to let for the day when the floofs researched a venue for a separate event, but that's for another day)
American Legion Post #1276; NY 290 (former Friendlys; not sure if they even do this at new location)
Brewerton
Brewerton Centre for the Arts; US 11 (former church turned rental hall and community center; hosted one two years ago, yet may be too far for some people)
Syracuse (east side)
Harveys Garden (floofs had back room, yet prom could be held upstairs); E Water St
Syracuse (west side)
Singers (last resort during the day if booked as a private event since nights are ruled out for right now)
