Binghamton. Ithaca. Two areas with very similar aspects. We both have gray skies, colleges, State Streets and ale houses. But go to Ithaca and you’ll notice something … different. There’s a certain magic in the air that only a true college town could have, something Binghamton, a once prosperous industrial city which just happens to have a college in its vicinity, lacks.
State Street
Binghamton:
A stretch of bars, usually filled with drunk college students on any given night. There’s a catering hall and a vintage store, some restaurants and some art galleries. Live music fills the street on some nights.
Ithaca:
A part of the Ithaca Commons, it’s filled with trendy shops including vintage stores, used bookstores, taverns and head shops galore. Live music fills the streets.
Ale House
Binghamton:
Known for its wide variety of beers, 36 on draft, it’s a favorite of older students. While it’s a bit cramped, it’s still charming. Diane Sansone of Binghamton’s Ale House said the patronage is generally skewed older. “We have some faculty and graduate students,” Sansone said. Even though it’s located on Vestal Parkway and is very close to Binghamton University, Sansone said the bar is frequented by Vestal residents. “We’re a neighborhood bar.”
Ithaca:
A bistro-style cafe, but not as much beer to pick from. However, Ithaca’s ale house boasts a better menu than Binghamton’s. Angela Feedor, a server at Ithaca Ale House Grill and Taproom, said that their establishment is also mostly frequented by locals. “Most of the students stick to the college town bars.”
Weather
Binghamton: Crappy.
Ithaca: Crappy.
Moosewood
Binghamton: Sometimes served in the dining halls.
Ithaca:
Moosewood Restaurant, the birthplace of the food the dining halls serve, has been in Ithaca since 1973. Melissa Bergman, manager of Moosewood Restaurant, said it was “founded before vegetarianism was what it is now.” The menu changes every day for lunch and dinner. “We came up with a very creative, unique way to serve vegetarian,” Bergman said.
—Brittney Bothwell contributed to this report.