Let's Talk About It: Sunday Cleaning Coffee Club

Last Sunday, Downtown Syracuse came alive at the Forum Barbershop on West Fayette Street. It was the one‑year anniversary of the Sunday Cleaning Coffee Club, by Mike O’Leary, and it was everything you could ask for on a Sunday afternoon.

I feel like I’ve thrown around the word “great” in a few of these blogs, but that’s genuinely how I feel! As soon as I left the Forum on Sunday, I knew it was something I had to write about, so much so that it deserved its own post!

Mimosas were served in moderation, just enough to keep the energy smooth and fun. The vibe was classy, lively and intimate. Attendees were serving looks, belting lyrics with passion, and turning the shop into a vibrant stage. I just wish I brought a mini fan!

This was definitely the hottest function of the summer, literally and figuratively. People were drenched in sweat, walking in and out of the door trying to get even the smallest whiff of fresh air but no one could stay outside for too long. The entire lineup of DJ’s understood the assignment!

They played everything from afro beats to dancehall to heartfelt love ballads and even carved out a full moment for the All-American Rejects and, of course, the Beliebers🙌. No matter your jam, they had you covered and the transitions? Effortless. There was truly no shortage of talent being displayed and the crowd was locked in from beginning to end.

The one-year anniversary of Sunday Cleaning wasn’t just fun, it was heartfelt and inspiring. At one point Mike O’Leary opened up about starting Sunday Cleaning, not knowing where it would take him but knowing that he had to keep going anyway. That drive has since taken the Sunday Cleaning Coffee Club to multiple cities, racked up millions of views on YouTube, and built something way bigger than a local DJ set.

Mike wasn’t the only one celebrating though, he and DJ 40 took a moment at the mic to share what this club means to them. Each took turns congratulating the other in a beautiful, mutual celebration of their journey and vision. It felt real, raw, and deeply community‑oriented.

Mike humbly thanked his friends for sticking with him and believing in his creative journey and shared a simple message: do what you’re passionate about, and keep at it, because you never know where it’ll lead.

Sunday Cleaning started as a way to show that downtown Syracuse can pulse with life and positive energy, despite what people may say, and that's exactly what it did. Happy one-year to the Sunday Cleaning Coffee Club!