GS Steamers Bar & Grill
Summer in Oswego is something special. With Lake Ontario sparkling in the sunshine, the River lined with boats, and warm evenings that seem to last forever, there’s no better place to soak it all in than Steamers Bar & Grill, located at 70 E. First Street. 
Offering spectacular waterfront views, outstanding food, live entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere, Steamers has become one of Oswego’s must-visit summer destinations. Steamers is open Sunday 11:30am to 9pm; Monday through Friday 4pm to 9pm; and Saturday 11:30am to 8pm. Visit gssteamers.com to view the menu or order online, and follow Steamers on Facebook for live music schedules, weekly specials, and upcoming events! You won’t want to miss out!
Our family recently visited on a beautiful Thursday evening, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we had found the perfect place to spend a summer night. As the sun danced across the water, we were seated on the outdoor patio overlooking the river. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, with families, friends, and visitors enjoying dinner while a talented live band entertained the crowd for Irish Night. Guests sang along, children danced, and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. My husband Kyle, Maggie and Johnny, and I found ourselves wishing the evening would never end. Then the food arrived. 
We started with the Irish Nachos, and they were the perfect beginning to an incredible meal. Crispy tavern chips were layered with creamy Swiss cheese sauce, tender corned beef, crisp lettuce, creamy coleslaw, tomatoes, green onions, and Thousand Island dressing. Every bite was packed with flavor and quickly disappeared from the table! Our awesome server Sarah told us people regularly travel an hour just for these delicious nachos and we could see why! Choosing an entrée wasn’t easy. The Calamari Tzatziki (which is admittedly an app but who makes these rules anyway!) and Crispy Perch Basket both sounded outstanding, while the colorful Summer Burrata Salad nearly tempted me away from my final choice. Instead, I ordered The Steak House Salad, and it exceeded every expectation! Fresh greens, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and crumbled bleu cheese were topped with an entire perfectly seasoned entire sliced steak cooked to temp (rare of course) and finished with balsamic vinaigrette. 
It was fresh, filling, and surprisingly light, the perfect meal for a warm summer evening overlooking the water. Kyle couldn’t resist the Seafood Mac, a rich and creamy pasta overflowing with lobster, jumbo shrimp, and tender sea scallops beneath a blanket of sharp white cheddar. Every bite was loaded with actual fresh seafood, making it a standout entrée for anyone who loves seafood. Meanwhile, Maggie and Johnny happily enjoyed cheeseburgers and French fries from the kids’ menu. They were briefly tempted by the chicken tenders and baked ziti, but the cheeseburgers won out! Steamers’ children’s meals include a drink and ice cream for dessert, making them one of the best family values around. Even though we were full, dessert was impossible to skip. We shared the S’mores Cheesecake Cookie, a warm, gooey combination of chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker, and creamy cheesecake that was the perfect ending to an already outstanding meal!
As other dishes passed our table, we couldn’t help planning our next visit. The towering Brew-Pub Burger, loaded with bacon, mushrooms, crispy onions, steak house aioli, and beer cheese sauce, looked incredible. So did the colorful Mexi-Cali Bowl, proving that Steamers truly offers something for everyone. From fresh seafood and handcrafted burgers to pizzas, lighter Friendly Fit Menu selections, vegan dishes, gluten-free options, and an excellent children’s menu, every guest is sure to find a favorite! The weekly specials make Steamers even more appealing. Thursday’s Irish Night features favorites like Shepherd’s Pie, Reubens, and Irish Egg Rolls, paired with live entertainment that transforms dinner into an experience. Tuesday’s offer a Fiesta Menu with Mexican favorites and margarita specials, while Monday’s Family Night features half-price kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée; another great reason to bring the whole family (who wants to cook in this heat anyway!) Outstanding service completed the evening! Our server, Sarah, was upbeat, attentive, and knowledgeable, keeping our drinks full, checking on us often, and making us feel right at home. Maggie adored her so much that she insisted on drawing Sarah a picture before we left, a small moment that perfectly reflected the family-friendly atmosphere Steamers creates while still being a place where adults could have a great meet up with friends or even a perfect date night!
Steamers is also conveniently connected to the Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront, making it easy to turn dinner into a weekend getaway! It’s also attached to Splash Indoor Water Park, where Steamers prepares the food served at the park! Our family loves Splash, and we visit every few months (we were actually there the previous Saturday). It’s the perfect size for families, large enough to keep the kids entertained for hours, yet small enough that parents can actually relax!
Great restaurants offer delicious food. Exceptional restaurants create experiences you’ll remember long after the meal is over and Steamers Bar & Grill does exactly that! Whether you’re enjoying dinner on the patio, listening to live music, watching the sunset over the river, or simply gathering with family and friends, Steamers delivers everything you could want from a summer evening in Oswego (and its absolutely worth the drive from Syracuse and beyond). Add in outstanding food, generous portions, creative weekly specials, refreshing drink specials, and genuinely warm hospitality, and it’s easy to see why this waterfront favorite keeps guests coming back. This summer, make time to visit Steamers Bar & Grill. Come hungry, stay for the music, enjoy the view, and discover why it’s one of Oswego’s favorite places to dine, stay and play!
