Buffalo, New York is understood for its wonderful meals. However what else are Buffalonians presupposed to do within the winter? Have cocktails, after all!
With the entire unimaginable eating places in Buffalo, it ought to come as no shock that almost all of them characteristic unimaginable drink menus.
What most individuals don’t understand is that Buffalo is on the up and up… which means previously few years, Buffalo restored a lot of its beloved downtown and did some main renovations on the waterfront. Loads of these main upgrades got here within the type of some improbable eating and consuming institutions!
Yow will discover nice meals virtually anyplace in Buffalo so on this put up, I’m going to concentrate on the consuming! I’ve compiled a number of of my favourite spots to seize a drink. There are lots of, possibly even too many! If you’ve gotten a favourite cocktail place in Buffalo, be happy to go away a remark with any options.
Cheers!
1. Excessive Violet – 710 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Excessive Violet is the place the cocktails are as daring because the conversations. This bar doesn’t simply serve drinks; it serves experiences in a glass. The ambiance is as energetic because it will get, with a vibe that encourages you to let unfastened and luxuriate in.
Drink Suggestion: Strive the “Lavender Empress” – it’s a gin-based marvel with a touch of lavender that’s as regal because it sounds. It’s the proper drink to toast to the nice life, with a floral twist that’ll make you are feeling like spring, whatever the Buffalo climate exterior.
2. Britesmith Brewing – 5611 Foremost St, Williamsville, NY 14221
Now, I do know what you’re considering: “Brewery? I believed we had been speaking about cocktails!” However hear me out. Britesmith Brewery could also be identified for its craft beer, however its cocktail recreation is equally sturdy. Set in a transformed blacksmith store, this place combines industrial grit with artisanal finesse. They just lately opened a second location at 1250 Niagara.
Drink Suggestion: Order the “Britesmith Previous Long-established.” It’s a testomony to their capability to nail a basic, with a twist – utilizing a house-made syrup that enhances the bourbon like a dream. Excellent for many who recognize craftsmanship of their cocktails.
3. Tappo – 338 Ellicott St
Tappo is an area favourite for good purpose. Not solely is the Italian meals scrumptious, however this restaurant is understood for its $16 bottles of wine and the nice view from the rooftop patio. (Some locals take into account this an excellent higher view than the Curtiss Resort.) One factor is for certain, you possibly can’t beat this worth, particularly with 40 bottles to select from.
4. Ballyhoo – 211 South Park Ave.
This place nails the stability between laid-back neighborhood bar and severe craft cocktail spot, the place each drink feels prefer it was combined by somebody who really cares (stunning, I do know). The bartenders aren’t simply slinging drinks; they’re creating little artistic endeavors that by some means style even higher than they appear, and the vibe is effortlessly cool with out attempting too arduous. It’s the form of spot the place you possibly can settle in, sip one thing completely balanced, and instantly surprise why you don’t stay nearer.
5. Liberty Hound – 1 N Park Ave
Liberty Hound is situated proper on Buffalo’s beloved Canalside and is one other native favourite. This informal eating spot options a big patio overlooking the water, microbrews, specialty cocktails, and a good wine record. It’s the proper spot to hold throughout a day at Canalside through the hotter climate months.
6. Patina 250 – 250 Delaware Ave
Whereas Patina 250 occurs to be one other one among my favourite brunch spots, because of the bottomless Bellinis that include the prix fixe, it’s principally often known as being one of many hottest and latest upscale eating places on the town. They’ve an outside patio, however actually, the atmosphere inside is so beautiful that I’d relatively keep inside. The bar is attractive and I can by no means resist indulging of their Portobello fries and Margarita Reyes.
7. Duende – 85 Silo Metropolis Row
Tucked within the shadow of these large industrial silos, the place leans into its historical past with reclaimed-wood accents, rugged metal, and a bar that appears handcrafted from the bones of the location itself. Their cocktail record is simply as considerate — drinks just like the Valerie White, Gandy Dancer, or a Pickle Brine Margarita present they aren’t afraid to play with flavors. Add in stay music, the warehouse-meets-lounge ambiance, and the sensation that you simply’re someplace off the overwhelmed path (since you form of are), and it turns into a type of bars the place time slows and each sip feels earned.
8. Remington Tavern – 184 Sweeney St.
Overlooking the scenic Erie Canal, Remington Tavern is the go-to spot for many who recognize a facet of historical past with their drinks. This place has mastered the artwork of mixing a country, old-world attraction with the sophistication of recent mixology. Along with nice cocktails they’ve the very best oysters on the town.
Drink Suggestion: Dive into the “Canal Facet Mule” – a refreshing twist on the basic Moscow Mule, amped up with a splash of domestically sourced apple cider. It’s as refreshing as a brisk stroll alongside the canal itself, and twice as intoxicating.
9. VUE Rooftop Lounge on the Curtiss Resort – 210 Franklin St
The views of Buffalo from this rooftop bar are unimaginable… therefore the title VUE. You get a full panoramic view of Buffalo on this posh lounge whereas sipping cocktails. VUE is unquestionably the new place to be proper now. Enjoyable truth: Mikka had her Covid wedding ceremony right here!
10. Founding Fathers – 75 Edward St
Founding Fathers isn’t only a bar; it’s a Buffalo establishment. Famed for its patriotic decor and an encyclopedic data of American historical past, this place provides an training with each sip. The ambiance is unapologetically Americana, and the drinks are as sturdy because the nation’s forefathers meant.
Drink Suggestion: You’ll be able to’t go improper with the “Liberty Bell Ringer.” It’s a gin cocktail that’s as daring and revolutionary because it sounds, garnished with a slice of American historical past (and apple). It’s the form of drink that makes you wish to debate the finer factors of the Structure, or at the least fake to.
11. Fortunate Day Whiskey Bar – 320 Pearl St, Buffalo
If you’d like a cocktails-and-whiskey cocktail bar that seems like someplace value lingering, Fortunate Day Whiskey Bar in Buffalo completely delivers. Housed in a dramatic, historic former Masonic lodge (inbuilt 1904) in downtown, it’s acquired that dark-wood, moody vibe that whispers “keep awhile.” Their whiskey library is nothing to scoff at — over 650 bottles with rarities and crowd-pleasers alike — so whether or not you’re “simply” right here for a cocktail or deep diving into spirits, they’ve acquired you lined. And it’s not all severe: the bar leans into hospitality with an area, seasonal menu, mezzanine cocktail service within the late night, and completely happy hour to get the night time began proper. It’s precisely the form of place the place your drink tastes higher simply because the room feels earned.
12. Graylynn – 537 Foremost St, Buffalo
If you’d like a cocktail expertise that feels a bit elevated and loads distinctive, Graylynn is the spot. Positioned proper downtown, this gin-focused bar and European-style bistro takes its spirits severely, with a lineup that spans the globe and introduces you to bottles you didn’t even know you wanted in your life. The cocktails aren’t simply drinks—they’re fastidiously crafted experiments that stability botanicals, smoke, and sudden taste twists in ways in which preserve you guessing (and sipping). Add within the heat, fashionable ambiance that manages to really feel each trendy and timeless, and also you’ve acquired among the finest cocktail locations in Buffalo.
So there you’ve gotten it, the definitive information to Buffalo’s cocktail bar scene from a lady who loves an excellent drink and a greater story. Whether or not you’re within the temper for one thing floral, fruity, basic, or craft, Buffalo’s bars have gotten you lined. Simply keep in mind, the very best tales by no means begin with “that one time I ate a salad” – they begin with cocktails. Cheers!
