The area’s newest Celtic hot spot, Shamrocks boasts 90 international beers and live music. Among the hard-to-find brews are Weyerbacher Brewing Company’s Insanity, Unibroue’s Maudite, Belhaven Scottish Ale and Wichwood. Standard bar fare is served, alongside the not-so-standard Angus beef burgers. Since opening last October, Shamrocks attracts 30-somethings and younger patrons to its mix of good food, good beer and good music. You’ll find it at 109 E. Taft Road, North Syracuse, between South Bay Road and Route 11 in the former Martin’s Pianos location. For more information, call 218-6615.

Warmer weather is back and Bridge Street Tavern's tiki bar is open! Friday starts the weekends with karaoke and local bands. The kitchen features fresh fish, with daily lunch specials. Two pool tables, dartboards and four outdoor volleyball courts provide athletic entertainment, and leagues bring competitors together. Big East Extreme Sports features volleyball leagues Mondays to Thursdays with big money tournaments on the weekends.

Be prepared for indoor beach volleyball and winter beach parties when we enclose the courts during the colder months. BST’s new look and atmosphere is the newest thing when it comes to sports bars. Check it out at 109 Bridge St., Solvay. For information, call 488-0936.

The brewing facility is housed in a glass-enclosed work area enhancing the dramatic visual effect of the massive stainless steel brewing vessels. The food is prepared in a handsome open performance kitchen allowing patrons clear visibility of the chef and his assistants.

The interior decor at Empire Brewing Co., 120 Walton St. (475-2337), highlights the industrial elements of the microbrewery, and the drama of the performance kitchen as well as the existing architectural nuances of the structure, such as exposed brick walls, wood beams and columns. The goal is to create a warm and inviting environment of unique yet simple style and long-term viability.

The menu can be best described as innovative American with regional influences. The microbrewery operation creates a unique ambiance, engendering ardent interest since patrons can actually view the brewing process. The brewery is capable of producing a wide array of ales and lagers with six to eight styles on tap at any particular time. Four flagship brews will be available year-round: Skinny Atlas Light, Empire Amber Ale, Black Magic Stout and Hefe Weizen. We also serve a diverse selection of special seasonal brews such as a springtime bock, a robust Oktoberfest and spiced winter ale. www.empirebrew.com

Singers, 1345 Milton Ave. (484-SING; www.singerskaraokeclub.com), is Central New York’s premier karaoke venue, the only bar around that offers karaoke seven nights a week, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Offering a full bar menu with nine beer selections on tap including Guinness, Blue Moon and Woodchuck Cider, Singers is known for doing karaoke right! A state-of-the-art Bose sound system and a large song selection attract karaoke enthusiasts as well as people who enjoy nightly entertainment and drink specials. Electronic games, darts and our "fuzzy" pool table plus singing bartenders, full stage and lighting add to the party atmosphere. Come let your rock star shine at Singers!

It’s new. It’s exciting and it’s close to everything. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, 246 W. Willow St. (579-0400), has opened a new room, logically called “Upstairs,” and it’s available for four-hour private parties. The Main Room seats up to 130 guests, while the Willow Room, which includes a private balcony, can accommodate 50. A stage with full sound system and lighting makes it easy on the band.

As for the menu, it’s tried-and-true Dinosaur offerings. Passed appetizers or appetizer displays set the tone, while main dishes such as ribs, beef brisket, barbecued leg of lamb, bronzed catfish and two vegetarian entrees keep the party going. Homemade sides, as well as seasonal offerings, round out the meal, while desserts bring it to a sweet conclusion. Pricing is either for a buffet or sit-down family-style service.

Since 2000, Heroes & Legends has provided the food and beverage during the musical event that is Islandfest, at Paper Mill Island, behind the historic Red Mill Inn in Baldwinsville. The season gets under way on Saturday, May 23, with Bud Brews, Blues and BBQ, and continues through the summer with weekend dates. Hot dogs, burgers, pizza and sausage sandwiches accompany soda as well as locally brewed Anheuser-Busch beers. On July 10 and 11, come out for Seneca River Days, a family event that includes rides, food, a duck race and an anything-that-floats race. Fireworks illuminate the sky on July 10. A complete schedule of bands and ticket prices can be found at www.island-fest.com.

Turning Stone has set the stage for your all-time summer concert series. We have prepared the ultimate summer playlist full of great performances including Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago, No Doubt with special guests Paramore and Janelle Monae, Styx, REO Speedwagon and .38 Special, and the Moody Blues. New additions will be uploaded to our playlist throughout the summer. Be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming Playlist Promotions for your chance at winning hot prizes including iPods, memorabilia, iTunes, gift cards, VIP packages, celebrity meet-and-greets and more! It’s all part of Turning Stone’s Ultimate Summer Playlist.

Consider the Gathering Lounge, 7871 Oswego Road (Route 57), Liverpool (652-9870), your home away from home. We have the best drink specials around. Join us for happy hour with a huge, free buffet every day or for free pool every Wednesday night. Every Saturday night is Team Annie Night, starting at 1 a.m. Come see what the fun is all about and get free stuff. Or join us the last Saturday of each month for our all-you-can-eat barbecue.