Dockside Bar & Grill
There is simply nothing like a Central New York summer on the shores of Lake Ontario. The warm sunshine, sparkling blue water, gentle lake breeze, and endless waterfront adventures remind us why we wait all year for this season! Dockside Bar & Grill captures everything we love about summer in CNY, creating the kind of destination that instantly makes you feel like you’ve escaped on vacation without ever leaving home! Located at 24 East First Street in Oswego, Dockside Bar & Grill is open Wednesday through Sunday (Bar Hours: Wednesday 3-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 3-11pm, Sunday 12-8pm; Kitchen Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 4-9pm, Sunday 12-8pm). For reservations (easy to make on the website!), private parties, or events, call (315) 343-5050 or visit www.docksideoswego.com. Be sure to follow Dockside on Facebook and Instagram for live music schedules, exciting specials, and upcoming events!
From the moment we arrived on a beautiful Thursday evening, we knew we had found one of the best places to spend a summer night! We grabbed a table outside overlooking the Oswego River, harbor, and Lake Ontario, where boats cruised by while the kids happily ran off to explore. One of Dockside’s greatest features is that it truly has something for everyone! You can dine inside, enjoy the expansive outdoor patio, drive in by car, or arrive by boat and dock right outside. Even better, Dockside offers boat-side service, allowing guests to enjoy a full meal without ever leaving their boat as the waitstaff comes directly to you! The outdoor turf area is an attraction all by itself, complete with Adirondack chairs, mini golf, cornhole, giant Connect Four, and plenty of room for kids of all ages to play while adults soak up the sunshine and waterfront atmosphere. If you’re looking for the perfect after-work destination, don’t miss Riverfront Social at Dockside, offered Wednesday through Friday from 3-6pm. Enjoy outstanding deals on small bites, draft beer, bottled beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails while taking in what may very well be the best waterfront happy hour in Oswego. Throughout the summer you’ll also find live music every Friday and Saturday, along with additional performances during the week, creating an atmosphere that feels festive from afternoon into the evening. Check Dockside’s Facebook and Instagram pages regularly for entertainment schedules, themed events, and seasonal specials. Planning a celebration? Dockside also hosts private parties, corporate gatherings, and holiday events in one of the area’s most beautiful waterfront settings.
One thing we loved about the Dockside is that the menu immediately transports you somewhere far from Upstate New York with creative coastal-inspired dishes that seafood lovers will absolutely adore. Families will especially appreciate the outstanding kids’ menu (complete with new crayons to keep little ones entertained). Kids can choose from favorites like chicken tenders, fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, burgers, or hot dogs, each served with a side, a drink, and even ice cream for dessert! It’s one of those thoughtful touches that makes dining with children so much easier and truly shows that Dockside is about every guest having an amazing experience! We had so much fun discussing the vacation inspired menu while we made our dining selections. We started with the Ship Chips, a warm assortment of seasoned pita, tortilla, and wonton chips served alongside fresh pico de gallo and southwest guacamole. The variety of chips made every bite different, and both dips disappeared quickly around our table. For my entrée, I chose the Maritime Grouper Tacos featuring two large perfectly Cajun-seared grouper tucked into soft flour tortillas, topped with crisp mango apple slaw, finished with a drizzle of Sriracha aioli, and served alongside curly fries. Every bite tasted fresh, vibrant, and tropical, making me feel like I was enjoying fish tacos somewhere along a Caribbean beach! Kyle ordered the enormous Surfside Cheesesteak loaded with shaved ribeye, sautéed onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, black pepper aioli, and topped with an incredible three-cheese sauce. The sandwich was packed with flavor, and that rich, creamy cheese sauce absolutely stole the show. We also loved the awesome portion of curly fries that accompanied each entrée! This was an incredible meal with an unbeatable atmosphere!
While we were completely satisfied with our meals, there were plenty of menu items already calling our names for our next visit! The Gator Bites, crispy fried alligator served with bayou aioli and Cajun remoulade, looked like a fun appetizer to share. The Conch Fritters with tangy Calypso dipping sauce sounded like another tropical favorite worth trying, while the Ahi Poke Nachos piled high with sushi-grade tuna, avocado, jalapeños, sesame seeds, cucumber wasabi aioli, and sriracha crema looked absolutely spectacular. The fresh salads were equally tempting, especially the Strawberry & Peach Burrata with candied walnuts, peaches, cucumbers, and creamy burrata, along with the Roasted Beet & Mandarin Orange salad featuring goat cheese, candied pecans, and honey balsamic vinaigrette. Both can be topped with grilled shrimp or chicken or keep them just as they are! We also found ourselves eyeing the Boatyard Burrito with tortilla lime-crusted tilapia and the Lower the Boom Po’Boy loaded with crispy shrimp tossed in sweet and spicy boom boom sauce. I guess we have no choice but to come back to the Dockside soon!
Summer only lasts a few precious months in Central New York, and every sunny day deserves to be celebrated somewhere special! Whether you’re arriving by car or by boat, relaxing with friends over cocktails, enjoying dinner with the family while the kids play, listening to live music as the sun sets over the water, or simply soaking in one of the most beautiful waterfront views in Oswego, Dockside Bar & Grill delivers the kind of experience that reminds you why CNY summers are simply unbeatable. Grab your sunglasses, call ahead for a reservation, and head to Dockside. Trust me, once you spend one evening there, you’ll already be planning your next visit before you even leave!
