Barhopper: Westside

From left, Brock Samson of Rochester, Adam Cassano of Greee, Jaret Schug of Fairport, Chris Cassano (Adam's cousin) of Irondequoit and Patrick Lincoln of Webster at Westside Sports Bar and Grill. (Credit: Gretchen Lee Carletta)

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Westside Sports Bar and Grill

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On most Friday and Saturday nights, Westside Sports Bar & Grill is alive with the sounds of Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Sublime and Bush. "We usually have cover/rock bands (and) some original (bands) once or twice a month," explains owner Peter Guerrieri. "And once a month we'll get an out-of-town band."

The place
The bands play on the stage in the corner of the bar. Band posters and Buffalo Sabres logos are prominent fixtures in the room. Twelve televisions (mostly for watching sports), including a projector screen on the wall across from the stage, are scattered throughout the place. Since opening around Thanksgiving, the bar has used this combination of sports and live entertainment to draw a crowd of regulars.

The crowd
On the Saturday afternoon when we visited, it was made up of a rotating cast of blue-collar guys partaking of pitchers of beer. A cute bartender kept things lively while a Syracuse basketball game played on most of the TVs. At night, I was told, the sports talk gives way to the ear-ringing sounds of a cover band, and the bar fills with men and women of varying ages.

The entertainment
Guerrieri's bar has hosted the Ozzy tribute band Blizzard of Ozz, Metallica cover band Battery and such Rochester favorites as Whatever's Clever, Catch 22 and DILF. Up next: Pyle's Gun, Ruby Shooz and Wisconsin rock act Caged.

Good to know

What: A sports bar with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Where: 1600 Lyell Ave.

When: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Cover: Occasional cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights, ranging from $3 to $5, depending on the band.

Drink specials: $2 well drinks, $2 pints and $6.50 Coors Light pitchers from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; $2 well drinks and $2 domestic bottles from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Food: A variety of grilled and deep-fried items ranging from mozzarella sticks ($4.75) to a combo platter of three mozzarella sticks, two potato skins, two chicken fingers and five wings ($11.75).

Music: In addition to live bands, there's an online jukebox.

Games: Pool, darts, Quick Draw and Golden Tee.

Parking: Lot in front of the bar.

Contact: 458-7888 or www.westsidesportsbarandgrill.webs.com.