by Tim Nekritz | nekritz@gmail.com
It’s a brisk Saturday in May and a trio is just starting to cook at a jazz club as a crowd gathers in an intimate club atmosphere.
But it’s not New York City. Or Rochester, Buffalo or even Syracuse. Instead, this homage to America’s distinctive original art form is a newer part of the scene in nearby Sodus Point.
Nestled between Lake Ontario and Sodus Bay, this town in northern Wayne County is full of surprises.
Like The Trestle, where the jazz stylings of Mike Melito Trio smoothly puts smiles on faces.
Or, right across the street, the evolution of the legendary Captain Jack’s Goodtime Tavern, still bringing the fun while continuing to reinvent itself in two decades under that name.
Jennifer and Dewayne Evans became the newest owners of Captain Jack’s in 2024. They had previously operated Sodus Bay Outfitters and after the purchase, moved the store — filled with souvenirs, clothing, collectibles, camping goods, fishing supplies and more — into the same building.
A waterside location that first hosted Joe’s Place around 100 years ago, the current iteration of Captain Jack’s feels like a community gathering place as much as it does a bar and music venue. It seems like the beating heart of Sodus Point, but there are certainly many parts of the community with a rhythm worth enjoying.
Go west
Sodus Point is about as near to Oswego as Syracuse, which is why it’s surprising more people don’t drive west to check it out.
Heading down 104, it’s around 50 minutes if you’re not stuck behind slow traffic (entirely possible) but worth the drive. Take a right on Route 14 north, past the landmark Alton Hardware, a couple more twists and turns as 14 does some shimmying and you’ll end up in this oasis.
Admittedly, a lot of people who make the trip do so by boat and gain access to one of the many marinas that seem to be everywhere on Sodus Point’s shoreline.
A good analogue nearer to Oswego County would be Fair Haven. Similar year-round populations (760 for Fair Haven, 822 for Sodus Point, according to census data), ample waterfront, big seasonal population increase and known for sensational summers. Both are also becoming increasingly known for year-round offerings.
Grieg Street, Sodus Point’s main entertainment district, extends along a peninsula like a bony finger pointing east into Sodus Bay. This stretch also includes a couple distinctive eateries on its west end in the Sabor Jalisciense Mexican restaurant and Hot’s Point, a seasonal ice cream and burger place that remains open but up for sale at presstime. Drive past Jack’s and The Trestle and you’ll find the seasonal Docks Waterfront Restaurant and Lounge presenting another summer option.
Just west of the peninsula along the main streets, you can find plenty of other eateries and entertainment options, including The Bay Street, Franklin House Tavern and Rubino’s at the Point. You could stay here a weekend and never get anywhere near running out of options.
You can see why it’s a great destination by geography: The peninsula is ringed by docks and marinas inside a breakwall. To the south, even more marinas and plentiful docks stretch along the coast of Sodus Bay facing east.
On the north side facing Lake Ontario, you can find the historic Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum, featuring tours and a summer concert series and Sodus Point Beach Park, with sandy beaches that also wrap around behind a breakwall into the bay.
Like many a port town on Lake Ontario, Sodus Point had an industrial past. In the 19th century, the port did a lot of business with coal freighters bringing in cargo to go overland by train. The decline in the rail business led to Sodus Point leaning into its newer role as a resort and tourist magnet.
Eat, drink, be merry
Some long-time residents let me know how much Captain Jack’s has evolved over the years. They recall it as more of a biker bar once upon a time … not a bad place but one that some people might have avoided on appearances.
According to the business’ website, in 2006 the couple Tom and Brenda Frank saw enough in the location to transform what was then a small pool hall into the destination it would become through two decades.
There’s a good chance you’ll see Steven (Stevie) Buchwald behind the bar and running the show. T-shirts in the gift shop note that Stevie has been a part of this place’s story for 25 years and on a busy day he can masterfully work a solo shift behind the pine while taking care of every patron around it while making them feel seen and appreciated.
Captain Jack’s has an amazing musical lineup, with many bands from Rochester, that really takes off in the summer with doubleheaders on Saturdays that include high-energy bands getting the party going in the Tiki Bar. But even the main bar hosts a magnificent variety of local and regional talent, many of whom you might not otherwise see this far east of Rochester, throughout the year.
As a community cornerstone, it also morphs into a sports bar. Jennifer told me that the place is packed for Buffalo Bills games, serving as a Bills Mafia home base especially during its playoff runs. Jack’s patrons — like many in Upstate New York — were also pleasantly surprised by the Buffalo Sabres resurgence in the NHL, hosting gatherings for the NHL playoffs.
But whatever’s happening, Captain Jack’s has evolved into a family-friendly place. Customers of all ages flock there for food, beverages, entertainment and magnificent waterside views.
Just south across Greig Street, The Trestle is the new kid on the block and while a bit more niche, nonetheless adds fine flavor to the local scene. It’s a cozy place, where owner Charles Straubling and other staff spin vinyl jazz records (generally from Charles’ massive personal collections) when a band isn’t playing. One way or another, you’re going to hear some magnificent jazz music while you’re here.
The Trestle references the village’s industrial past — when train trestles welcoming coal ruled the place — but also provides something new and different than a lot of what you’ll find along this stretch of Lake Ontario.
A lifelong fan of jazz and bebop, Charles was pleased in May 2025 to bring something he loves to the community — and that affection is reciprocated. It’s incredibly friendly; even as a visitor, I will often find myself in conversations with almost any and every other customer on a variety of topics. You can relax and borrow a book, puzzle or game (while visiting with my teen, he routed me in Uno, edged me in Scrabble and we played to a stalemate in chess). A nice sampling of beer and cocktails accommodates a wide range of tastes.
As summer rolls in, I hope to check out even more places that reopen and thrive with the warmer temperatures. This is a love letter to Sodus Point but one that comes with apologies in realizing this place has so much more depth than I could easily cover in this column.
I welcome you to visit, explore and let me know what surprises you find.
Tim Nekritz is director of communications at SUNY Oswego, where he spearheads telling the stories of the campus community.
