Chanticleer — Restaurant in City of Ithaca

As a long-time customer, a large part of what made the atmosphere at Chanti was the bartenders. This place was like Cheers for many of us, where everybody knows your name.

Now all of those friendly faces, some of whom I had seen behind the bar or working the door for 15+ years, are gone. Their dedication was rewarded by being fired with no notice. And for what? To become a third Moonies location. And their reopening advertising talking about it being "the same bar you know and love" is sickening when what we knew and loved included the bar staff with familiar faces. Trying to build off a 70 year reputation that those employees really helped build when you've changed the place fundamentally is certainly a choice. The Chanti isn't the Chanti anymore. Times change and reformats happen, but there would be a lot less backlash if they had treated the long-time employees with respect in the process. Like, at least give them a few weeks notice so they can line up other work, that's just basic courtesy for people who have been part of the fabric of the place for so long.

Oh, and hire an actual graphic designer or at least someone who can spell for your social media instead the AI garbage you're putting out now. I certainly will "leve" the new place, I'm not feeling the "cloan vibes" the AI is giving off.

Can't block us here like they're doing to anyone who has even mild criticism...

Ithaca's official dive bar. (yes there are other 'dives' in town, but the Chanti (as it's called locally) is special.

Almost its own caricature of a dive bar. It's actually a pretty well kept place and a very big step above the true dive. Pretty large liquor selection and several taps. The crowds can range in every direction. A couple locals will be at the quiet bar earlier and college kids tend to fill it in after 11. Really is a must-stop-tour-stop to get a taste of Ithaca.

Yes, the same Chanticleer in the song by X-Ambassadors, yes that place with the giant glowing rooster outside, yes to that weird Walking Dead pinball machine, yes to the downloadable jukebox playing some odd songs, yes to that blood red billiards table and yes to some of the cheapest drinks in Ithaca. Just no food and if you've been there enough, you would be...

This is where hipsters that say they like dive bars are truly tested. This is a fantastic dive of terrible bass based music pumping as you play pinball and sip Miller Lites. Frowny faced bar tenders add character and make you feel like you've made at least a few right decisions in your life. The wood panelling on the walls match the raw wood bar, chairs, stools, and tables and compliment the cock-inspired motif. If the giant neon rooster on the outside wasn't enough for you, they hammer the theme home by being the only place this side of Kentucky that has decided upon chicken wallpaper.

It's a true gem among piles of hippie head shops and ping pong...