Welcome to the first annual Reader Appreciation Edition of “Words to Drink By.” I think it’s time for your loyalty to be rewarded. Therefore, hidden within today’s column is the secret to making $30.
Our series on the Parlor City continues with an introduction to a fixture in Binghamton’s one block long drinking district: Tom & Marty’s Town House. Situated at 89 State Street, between Court and Hawley, is this institution of food and drink. Founded decades ago by two guys (Can you guess their names?) who are now quite dead, Tom & Marty’s is noteworthy for two things, which I will describe in order: mashed potatoes and Connect Four.
They’re not served every day, but when they are, these mashed potatoes will change your life. Smooth, yet chunky, as only real potatoes can be, these are a handmade delight. They go great with a chicken spiedie sub, the regional delicacy of Broome County. Think chunks of chicken, marinated in ranch dressing, on a toasted sub roll. With mashed potatoes. Can you feel your life changing?
On the topic of drinking, though, the best time to visit is any Tuesday night. At 11 pm, Tom & Marty’s hosts a Connect Four tournament. If you had no childhood, you may be unfamiliar with this two player game. The goal is to drop colored checkers into a 7x6 grid. Four of your color in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) wins.
The Tom & Marty’s tournament is single elimination, free registration. First four places receive prizes, with the top prize a $30 cash bounty. Connect Four is a fairly easy game to figure out. If you’re in at least your third year of an RPI engineering education, you should be able to figure out how to consistently beat drunken Binghamton University fraternity brothers and take home the $30 every time.
Be careful, though. The last time I played, one of these drunken fraternity brothers decided to cheat. I’m pretty sure he was in collusion with the organizer. He shanked me out of my 30 bucks. I was not happy about this, but as I had not brought a posse with me, I judged it best not to discuss it further. You may want to bring an independent observer to ensure the fairness of your tournament games. Just a thought.
Tom & Marty’s is located in the center of Binghamton’s State Street drinking district, directly across from the Clarion Grand Royale Hotel. Take Hoosick Street down the hill and stay on Route 7 West toward Latham. Exit for I-87 South and follow it to the Thruway (I-90 West). Take exit 25A for I-88 South. Stay on I-88 all the way to Binghamton. Exit onto I-81 South then almost immediately take the US-11 Front Street exit. Stay on US-11 South for just over two miles to the Court Street bridge. Turn left onto Court Street and go over the bridge. Turn right after three blocks onto State Street. Tom & Marty’s is on your right.
