Funk 'n Waffles

Funk ‘n Waffles is a downtown Syracuse restaurant, bar and live music venue that has paired waffles with original and touring music since 2006. It was founded by then-Syracuse University students Adam Gold and Kyle Corea, whose late-night waffle-and-music parties grew into a full venue with a kitchen that runs deep into the night on show days. Gold’s own funk band, Sophistifunk, shaped the venue’s artist-first identity from the start.

Atmosphere and Setting

The room sits in the Armory Square area of downtown Syracuse, with restaurant-style seating that doubles as concert seating several nights a week. Venue staff have described the goal as building “a safe space to share their art judgment-free,” and that ethos shows in how the venue treats its recurring community nights — the tables clear for a headline act, but they're also where a nervous first-time open mic performer gets a warm reception.

Sunday Jazz Jam and Open Mic

Every Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Funk ‘n Waffles hosts a Jazz Jam built around a house rhythm section, giving improvisers of any level a chance to sit in. The room then turns over in the evening, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for an all-genre open mic hosted by Attamizk & Friends that welcomes singer-songwriters, full bands, poets and first-timers alike. Both events are free to attend and sign-up happens in person at the venue.

Other Programming

Funk ‘n Waffles is also home to the monthly Sucka-Free Sundays hip hop showcase, run by promoter Ian LaRochelle, and hosts an annual MusicCares benefit open mic with guest performers. Outside of its community nights, the venue books a steady stream of touring indie, funk, hip hop and jam-band acts, making it one of the anchor stages of Syracuse’s original-music scene.

For Performers

Both the jazz jam and the open mic are drop-in, sign-up-in-person events, making them approachable for musicians new to Syracuse as well as regulars. The venue’s house PA and drum kit mean solo performers and full bands can both plug in without hauling their own backline.

Good to Know

Funk ‘n Waffles is located at 307-13 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13202. Check the venue’s online events calendar for the current week’s lineup, since special ticketed shows occasionally take over the Sunday schedule.