Black Oak Tavern

The Black Oak, Oneontas' Favorite Tavern

Zach Vaccaro-- ONEONTA, NY

Down on the corner of Chestnut Street and Water, lies the widely renowned Black Oak Tavern.
Owned by Robert "Shelly" Shelton since 1974, the Black Oak has remained a local favorite and attraction to many of the many music inclined peoples of Oneonta. Over the years, other bars in Oneonta have failed to instill tenure within the city.

Concert goers arrive early to the Black Oak on March 4th for a show

Shelly and his employees shared the secrets to why "The Oak " has remained intact for so long. Throughout it's existence "The Black Oak Tavern has always been diligent in trying to  obey city and state rules and regulations" notes Shelly.  "When the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 [it] created an "underage drinking problem" which had previously been non-existent.  

To comply with the laws without having any effect to the attendance at The Oak, Shelly says "We created SUNY jazz/funk night and its 18 and over policies to enable more students to experience and create music in a public venue".   His technique has proven effective and Shelly believes "that our local politicians and legal authorities have faith" in The Oak to perpetually instill these diligences.

Bassist for Glass Skeleton Death March rocks out on March 4th 

Bar-back Zach Sanford, who has worked at The Oak for 4 years, says the +18 policies help promote to younger patrons "how to act at a bar" and that younger patrons "get a bar experience without drinking underage". Sanford also noted that "if they're drunk and under 18 we don't let them in" regardless of wether they consumed the alcohol somewhere else. 

So there you have it folks. The key to success is following the laws with no exceptions. No real secret there. If your feeling to get your groove on, or just have a great drink made by the expert Black Oak Tavern bartenders, head on down to Water Street this weekend for good people, good music, and good times.