SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Adam Sandler’s “You’re My Best Friend” tour brought a surge of energy to downtown Syracuse Wednesday night, drawing a near-capacity crowd to the Oncenter for a show that mixed standup and music, and sent fans to nearby restaurants and bars before showtime.
Some attendees made it a full night out. Pamela Marlowe drove about four hours from Malone, N.Y. to be there.
“I’m from Malone, New York that’s about four hours. I’m just excited to get in there.”
Friends Angela Roach and Tracy Ladouceur traveled roughly 2 1/2 hours, grabbed dinner downtown, and then headed to the venue.
“Adam Sandler Adam Sandler!! We just ate at Shaughnessy’s Irish Pub right down the street. It was very good food, nice margaritas, and great atmosphere.”
For many, the appeal was part comedy, part nostalgia.
“My favorite Adam Sandler movie is Happy Gilmore and my favorite quote would be ‘the price is wrong, Bobby!’” Roach said.
Across the street, Ale ’n’ Angus Pub expected the rush.
“Tonight will be a pretty busy night, line out the door, people waiting to come in, three deep at the bar. It’s shows like this that we really strive on,” said owner Matt Beach.
Tour stops like Sandler’s deliver more than laughs. Visit Syracuse estimates events of this size can bring around three-quarters of a million dollars of economic activity to the area. With Hamilton also running at the Landmark Theatre this week, businesses said downtown felt especially lively.
Whether for the jokes, the songs, or the throwback movie memories, fans said the night made downtown Syracuse a “happy place.”