The Best Bars in Buffalo
For decades, Buffalo was home to several corner pubs and a handful of breweries, but as the population shrank, so did the bar count. Thankfully, with the city’s resurgence came a slew of local taverns, high-end cocktail bars, cozy coffee shops, and late-night clubs that, together, have created a better-than-ever drinks scene. From Elmwood Village to Hertel, there’s no shortage of places to imbibe in Buffalo these days.
55 E Huron St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
When Downtown's Big Ditch opened in a converted garage in 2014, it helped turn a formerly sterile area into a hot spot for locals. Today, it continues to draw fans with a range of pints brewed in-house, plus a two-level taproom with seating for...
228 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA
Billy Club opened in Allentown toward the end of 2015 in a formerly boarded-up apartment building turned contemporary hideaway. From the start, owners Dan Hagen and Jake Strawser focused on cocktails, in part inspired by the speakeasy that...
333 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Located in Buffalo’s booming Theatre District, Buffalo Proper is a great place to stop before or after a show. Guests can look forward to nearly 30 specialty cocktails, plus seasoned bartenders ready to mix all the classics. Favorites...
75 Edward St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
If you find yourself at Founding Fathers Pub, you should know it’s going to be a late night. Open since 1968, the hole-in-the-wall tavern is a local favorite, but generally flies under the radar of travelers visiting the area. It’s the...
73 Hamburg St, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA
Opened in 1963, Gene McCarthy’s is a Buffalo institution. Nestled in the shadows of towering grain silos next to long-abandoned railway tracks, it’s a snapshot of the city as it once was, done up in pub tables, Irish tchotchkes, and...
1503 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216, USA
While Lloyd may be best known for its inventive Mexican fare, it’s also one of the most forward-thinking cocktail spots in Buffalo. What started as a food truck catering to the business lunch and weekend festival crowds became a North...
220 Grant St, Buffalo, NY 14213, USA
Housed in an elegant Victorian building, this bohemian coffee house sits in the heart of the Grant Street corridor—one of Buffalo’s most diverse neighborhoods, with a community of immigrants, scholars, and artists. Since opening in...
492 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA
Among the small shops and restaurants that line Elmwood Avenue, Thin Man Brewery stands out in more ways than one. In a literal sense, its second-floor balcony extends over the street, offering guests the perfect place to sip pints in the sun....
128 Fargo Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA
Opened in 2015 in the Lower West Side, Tipico brought a new kind of coffee shop to Buffalo. Complete with industrial-chic decor and huge windows that open onto the sidewalk, the spot is bright and airy, with a coastal California vibe not found...
674 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
The oldest tavern in Buffalo, Ulrich’s has been serving up pints since 1868—and continues to be the ideal spot for an afternoon drink and quick bite to eat. Decorated with an eclectic mix of vintage pieces, the historic watering hole...
