Nightlife in Buffalo

165 clubs, live music venues and late-night spots in Buffalo.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 165.

DoLive music venueAllentown and the Delaware District
Kleinhans Music Hall
Designed by the internationally-famous father-and-son team of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Kleinhans Music Hall is among the most architecturally distinguished buildings in Buffalo (it has served as a model for Festival Hall in London, among other venues), and boasts world-renowned acoustics. Aside from the several-times-weekly performances of the Buffalo Philharmonic itself, Kleinhans also features performances by other orchestras, small theatrical shows, and popular music acts — which have included Natalie Merchant, Johnny Mathis, and the Indigo Girls — performing either on their own or backed by the Philharmonic as part of the BPO Rocks! concert series.
DoTheatreDowntown
Shea's Performing Arts Center
Located in a dazzlingly ornate former movie palace that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Shea's Performing Arts Center has been the cornerstone of downtown Buffalo's Theater District since the late 1970s, when its opening thwarted plans by civic leaders to demolish the grand old building. Today, Shea's is Buffalo's premier venue for lavish Broadway-style musicals such as Dreamgirls, The Lion King, and Wicked, as well as live music and performances such as Sesame Street Live and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ, installed in the theater in 1926 to provide musical accompaniment to silent movies, is also occasionally dusted off for performances of various types.
Wheelchair accessible
EatRestaurantDowntown
Chez Ami
Back in the 1940s and '50s, the original Chez Ami on Delaware Avenue was Buffalo's hippest, swinging-est supper club, and today the Curtiss Hotel pays homage with its identically named restaurant, featuring a replica of the original's revolving bar (which, fun fact, was the first in the U.S.) "Casual upscale" is how the website describes the place, and the latter is certainly accurate vis-à-vis its ambience, price point, and culinary ambitions (a moderately creative take on the steak-seafood-pasta template). As for "casual", that seems more like a euphemism for inconsistent-quality food (burrata salad is a hit at lunchtime and the "Chez Burger" is said to be among the best in Buffalo, but many of the heartier mains tend to be bland and unimpressive) and mediocre-at-best service.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, dinner: Sun-Thu 5-10PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM$25-85
DrinkBarNorth Buffalo
Colonie Lounge
The Colonie Lounge is not the most highly-regarded strip club in the area, but if you'd rather not make the trek out to suburbia or across the border to Canada, it's a lot less skeevy than the other options within Buffalo proper. As a licensed cigar bar, the Colonie is one of the few establishments of any kind in Buffalo where it's legal to smoke inside, so feel free to puff away while watching the dancers.
Closed · opens 5 pm
EatRestaurantElmwood Village
Forty Thieves
While it can't hold a candle to Blue Monk, Forty Thieves still delivers when it comes to reasonably priced, down-to-earth pub grub. On the menu is a decent selection of appetizers and salads including mountainous nacho platters and a not-half-bad chicken bacon avocado Cobb salad, but almost inarguably the dominant feature is sandwiches, sandwiches and more sandwiches: classics like turkey club, fried bologna, and grilled chicken come with just a hint of upscale foodie pretension. Dim lighting, dark tones, and framed historic photos of old New York on the walls (an homage, like the restaurant's name, to Manhattan's first street gang which terrorized the Five Points slum in the early to mid-1800s) bring character to the dining room.
Kitchen open daily 11AM-midnight, bar stays open until 2AM$15-35
EatAmerican restaurantNorth Buffalo
Lake Effect Diner
Lake Effect Diner is a 1950s-style affair located in one of the last remaining "diner cars" in America, carefully restored under the direction of local restaurateur Tucker Curtin. With oldies on the jukebox and waitresses dressed in '50s-style pink skirts, Lake Effect Diner is as authentic as it gets. Decent diner fare — burgers, club sandwiches, french fries, milkshakes and malts — is available here for reasonable prices. Lake Effect Diner has been featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network television series, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Daily 7AM-10PM$10-25
EatRestaurantNorth Buffalo
Més Que
Opened in April 2012 with a name that echoes the slogan of FC Barcelona, Més Que is the first establishment of its kind in Buffalo: a sports bar and restaurant dedicated entirely to soccer. The owners of Més Que have been fans of Buffalo's NPSL club since its foundation, and the state of affairs at this official bar of FC Buffalo is lively indeed. The menu is small in size but outstanding in quality, with elegant pizzas, panini, pasta dishes, cheese and charcuterie plates, and heartier entrees that represent the cuisine of the Mediterranean, and Spain in particular.
Mon-Sat 5PM-11PM, Sun 5PM-10PM$20-30
EatAllentown and the Delaware District
Savoy
First of all, don't be fooled by the fact that this place is in the "Budget" section — though the low prices reflect the light fare on offer, the Savoy experience is a decidedly upscale one. The small menu is divided about equally into appetizers (from classy takes on Buffalo standbys like chicken wings, stuffed banana peppers, and "loaded potato bites" to exquisitely executed truffle frites and a luxurious cheese plate) and delightful sandwiches, flatbreads and main-course salads. "Free Chicken Wing Fridays" pack the house (not a difficult thing to do at a place as small as this) until 8PM. But the real attraction here is the bar — see below.
Wed Thu 5PM-midnight, Fri Sat 5PM-2AM$10-20
DrinkBarWest Side
Rohall's Corner
Amherst Street's roster of bars includes a wide diversity of places, from scruffy dives full of hardscrabble working Joes to hoity-toity establishments where trendy hipsters congregate. And then there's Rohall's, the best of both worlds: a hipster dive. (Don't misinterpret that: the ambience is not seedy, but it definitely feels like you've gone back in time to an old corner tavern from the 1950s or '60s.) Belly up to the bar for a beer list that splits the difference between obscure imports, local microbrews, and workmanlike PBRs and Genny Cream Ales, or else head to the back room to shoot some pool, play a tune on the upright piano, or take in some live music.
Closed · opens 4 pm tomorrow
EatRestaurantAllentown and the Delaware District
The Terrace at Delaware Park
Delaware Park's Marcy Casino has played host to a restaurant throughout most of its history — records date all the way back to 1875 — and nowadays it serves an upscale menu described as "contemporary global cuisine", an understatement if there ever was one. Aficionados of cuisines the world over will probably find something to their liking, whether it be the Cantonese baozi on the small-plate menu, Argentinian skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and fried patatas bravas on the side, or Belgian-style duck frites. All this is served in a swanky supper-club ambience that really brings the rich history of the building into focus, but on summer days you can also enjoy one of the loveliest settings in the city on the namesake terrace overlooking Hoyt Lake.
Tue-Fri 4-10PM, Sat Sun 11AM-10PM$35-60
DrinkCaféNorth Buffalo
Daily Planet Coffee Company
"Good enough but not exceptional" is a phrase that sums up the Daily Planet experience in many ways: the selection and quality of drinks, the trendy-but-not-too-trendy vibe (very much in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood), the service (once reliably cheerful, now hit-or-miss), the food menu (ranging from usual coffeeshop fare like pastries and breakfast sandwiches up to more elaborate stuff like panini and wrap sandwiches, and including several vegan items), and the prices. If you're a live music fan — especially offbeat genres like folk, bluegrass, and Eastern music — check out their website to see what's on.
Mon-Thu 7AM-9PM, Fri 7AM-10PM, Sat 8AM-10PM
EatDowntown
Fera's Electric Tower Café
The menu at Fera's is as old-school as the Electric Tower's Art Deco-styled lobby, if not nearly as dazzlingly opulent: a selection of sandwiches, soups, and other simple lunch fare that's as comfortable and familiar as an old shoe, served to you nice and quick for decent prices by a superbly friendly staff that seems like they've been here forever. The turkey bacon club is a particular favorite, but consensus says stay away from the salads, which are overpriced for what you get. In the morning, breakfast sandwiches and piping hot coffee are a hit with the nine-to-five office crowd.
Mon-Fri 7:15AM-3PMUnder $10
DrinkBarAllentown and the Delaware District
Fugazi
Off the main drag and not very well signed, Fugazi is where you go if you want a classy gay bar experience in Allentown — but that class comes at the expense of character; with no dance floor, karaoke, or any of the fun diversions of its competitors, the place comes off as bland and a bit pretentious. Still, Fugazi is clean, the staff and customers are actually friendly, and they'll pour you a nice stiff drink.
DrinkNorth Buffalo
Lloyd Taco Factory
At Lloyd's, you can wash down your tacos at a cocktail bar pouring the best selection of mezcal in town, plus a wealth of specialty cocktails that are a bit pricey but worth it.
DoLive music venueDowntown
Mohawk Place
Famous for boasting the "Finest in Underground Rock Since 1990" until its closure in January 2013, Mohawk Place is back and better than ever. Or, perhaps better said, it's just "back" — aside from a new floor, a few touch-ups to the original tin ceiling, and a bar that's more consistently well-stocked than before, new owner Rick Platt has kept the place true to its divey, eccentric roots, to the delight of the local musicians and fans who considered the place almost a second home. Mohawk Place's previous iteration was known to book the occasional nationally-known touring act and was beloved for such annual events as the Irving Klaws Halloween Party, the Annual Joe Strummer Tribute Show, and The Smiths vs. The Cure Dance Party; at this early date there's no word on whether any of that will continue to be the case, but the punk, metal, and hard rock scene in Buffalo is glad all the same to have the place open again.
DoJazz barAllentown and the Delaware District
PAUSA Art House
This combination café, art gallery and boutique concert hall opened in February 2013 in a beautifully restored Italianate cottage on Wadsworth Street. Presented here is an exciting range of music that is more adventurous than the typical Allentown fare, with chamber music, Latin jazz, tango, and a diverse range of other artists sharing space on the schedule. The work of local artists hangs on the walls, and the bar features a selection of fine wines and a limited menu of light meals.
DrinkBarNorth Buffalo
Sidebar
Sidebar doesn't commit to the "lounge" aesthetic with quite the same level of gusto as Joey's Place, but its tinted windows, chilled-out clientele of neighborhood regulars, and live jazz music on the first Friday of each month combine to create a relaxed and mellow vibe all the same. This is the place to go on Hertel if you want to drink and hold a conversation with your friends without having to shout. Choose from a decent but not overwhelming selection of beers to enjoy at the wraparound bar, or opt for a competently-made mixed drink — and if bar games are your thing, check out the shuffleboard table!
DrinkNorth Buffalo
The Little Club
With the same owners as Ristorante Lombardo across the street (and the same upscale vibe and prices to match), The Little Club is a "come-as-you-are neighborhood wine bar" offering a rotating list of creative and unusual vintages from small independent winemakers, a food menu with options in the realm of cheese and charcuterie, seafood conserva, and Spanish-style tapas, and a knowledgeable staff to walk you through everything. If wine isn't your preferred drink, choose from a short list of specialty cocktails or beers. Just don't expect to be able to carry on a conversation without shouting.
DrinkBarNorth Buffalo
Wine on Hertel
Wine on Hertel is not an experience for know-it-all connoisseurs with a very specific idea of what they want. It's more for those who are newbies to the wine world but want to be really wowed, or perhaps for folks who are just extraordinarily prepared to put their trust in the owner's wine-list curation skills. That is to say: the selection is miniscule, but you'll never be steered wrong. If you're really lost in the woods, opt for a flight of four for $16 (the pour is generous enough that this may be a better value in any event); otherwise, kick back and enjoy drinks and tapas-style snacks in a quiet, chilled-out ambience (alternatively, live music on Friday nights presents a somewhat livelier scenario).
DoWest Side
Gypsy Parlor
Grant-Ferry's live performance venue of choice. From indie rock bands and acoustic troubadours, to DJs spinning cutting-edge electronica, to big-band jazz, to such exotica as drum circles, belly-dancing and poetry slams, there's really no rhyme or reason to the array of local acts that take the stage at the Gypsy Parlor. Open-mic night is held every Tuesday at 8PM.
DrinkBarDowntown
Lucky Day
It's in the historic Ancient Landmarks Masonic Lodge, so architecture buffs can drink in the majestic Beaux-Arts splendor before drinking in one of literally hundreds of varieties of whiskey, scotch, bourbon, and rye, as well as classic cocktails smartly crafted from same. Or maybe you're hungry, in which case you'll find something to your taste no matter what your favorite cuisine is: from Polish pierogi platters to Southern-style chicken and waffles to samosas garnished with green chutney and curry ketchup, the food menu is all over the map. Either way, service is impeccable, the mixologists work their art with aplomb, and live music and other events are frequent.
DoTheatreWest Side
Showplace Theater
It was scarcely possible to be a rock fan in Buffalo in the 1990s and early 2000s without having an intimate familiarity with the old Showplace — it was a linchpin of the local scene, with a list as long as your arm of punk, alternative and indie bands who graced the stage at this former silent movie palace just before reaching megastar status. Then in 2019, after a twelve-year hiatus, the marquee lights flickered back to life and the Showplace went back to doing what it does best. Nowadays, rather than up-and-comers, new owner Joe Roxbury has a penchant for booking 1980s and '90s throwback acts, especially in the glam-metal genre: recent shows as of this writing include Slaughter, Ratt, Bret Michaels, Aaron Carter, and the Ying Yang Twins.
DrinkBarSouth Buffalo
Lockhouse Distillery
The drink selection at Lockhouse Distillery's tasting room begins with a line of creative specialty craft cocktails featuring the same vodkas, gins, and liqueurs distilled onsite, but by no means does it end there. Here in this hipster-friendly but not intimidatingly trendy barroom you can also sample a well-curated selection of other quality spirits sourced from across New York State, a short but oddly eclectic beer list (blue-collar quaffs like Miller High Life and Genny Cream Ale mix incongruously with obscure microbrews), or even take in the occasional live music performance or DJ set.
DrinkBarDowntown
Soho
Back in the very early 2010s, Soho was one of the first spots on Chippewa to make the transition from hedonistic dance club to a more sophisticated and mature nightlife experience. Gone are the bouncers, velvet ropes and thumping music, and in their place you've got a relaxed vibe, a pricey-but-worth-it food menu centered on some of Buffalo's most renowned burgers (try the "Gold Standard Burger" with arugula, garlic chive aioli, and tomato confit), and a lounge-style bar area where the specialty is classic cocktails made with top-shelf whiskey and tequila. Service is hit and miss, though.
DoTheatreDowntown
Town Ballroom
Once a Prohibition-era speakeasy that was Al Capone's favorite Buffalo hangout, the Town Ballroom has been reborn as one of the city's premiere venues for nationally famous pop, rock and hip-hop acts to strut their stuff. The upcoming concerts at the Town Ballroom as of this writing — hip-hop veterans Cypress Hill, Canadian alt-rockers Billy Talent, metalcore favorites Killswitch Engage, and jam band Umphrey's McGee — are indicative of the caliber and range of groups that perform there.
DoComedy clubSouth Buffalo
Helium Comedy Club
Buffalo's scrappy clique of stand-up comics, whose acts were long shoehorned between local bands at random bars scattered across town, finally have a place to call their own and has played host to greats like Charlie Murphy, Dave Attell, Brian Posehn, and, on opening night, Rob Schneider. This is a small club, which cuts both ways: the intimate atmosphere is perfect for comedy shows and it's pretty much impossible to get a bad seat, but they pack folks in like sardines (especially when a big name is in town). Also, you're required to order a minimum of two food or drink items from the bar.
Wed Thu 4:30PM-10PM, Fri Sat 4:30PM-midnight
EatRestaurantDowntown
The 31 Club
The 31 Club began in the 1940s as Buffalo's premier supper club; though its original incarnation closed in 1983, it has now reopened in its original historic brick building on Johnson Park at the north end of downtown. The style and sophistication of the original 31 Club has returned, but with a contemporary twist. Freshly prepared Continental cuisine, such as Australian rack of lamb and filet mignon au poivre, is the rule at the 31 Club, as well as martinis and other specialty cocktails. Brunch and lunch are also served.
Lunch Wed-Fri 11AM-2:30PM & Sun (brunch) 11AM-3PM; Dinner Mon-Thu 5-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-midnight$35-60
EatAmerican restaurantWest Side
The Dapper Goose
Though best known for its wine and cocktail bar, the food menu at the Dapper Goose is no afterthought: diverse influences from Continental, Asian, and (especially) Latin American cuisines make their mark on a short but sweet, vegetarian- and locavore-friendly menu that's New American cuisine at its best. Shareable small plates abound — favorites include crispy golden-fried cauliflower drizzled in a dill-rich Green Goddess dressing, as well as snapper ceviche with coconut broth and hot peppers (deliciously fresh and not as daunting as it sounds for those who can't handle spice) — but easily the most popular item is sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken over kimchi fried rice and spicy pickled cucumbers. Best of all, you won't break the bank on the bill that comes at the end of the meal.
Tue-Sat 5PM-1:30AM, Sun 11AM-5PM$20-45
SeeHistoric siteDowntown
Main St. Gallery
Opened in January 2016 in the former home of MAIN(ST)UDIOS, the Main St. Gallery represents a proud continuation of its predecessor's dedication to the downtown arts community that has coalesced around the 500 Block of Main Street. In this large, two-story combination art gallery and performance space, curator Cole Pawlowski hosts a diverse range of temporary art exhibitions as well as live music, poetry readings, and even film screenings and theatrical pieces.
Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM
EatBreakfast & brunch restaurantNorth Buffalo
The Kitchen Table
The Kitchen Table moved in July 2014 to a larger location in West Hertel, but otherwise it's the same deal as before: they still serve up classic, unpretentious, all-American comfort food in a downhome atmosphere described in Buffalo Rising as "a mix between a greasy spoon and a country kitchen". Burgers (served with heaping sides of fresh-cut fries that customers rave about), club sandwiches, fish fry, and multitudinous flavors of Turkey Hill ice cream can be had, but the Kitchen Table's true claim to fame is their hearty, homestyle all-day breakfasts. The staff here really goes out of their way to please, and they treat customers like family.
Mon-Fri 8AM-3PM, Sat Sun 8:30AM-4PM$10-15
DoBowling alleyDowntown
Spare Room
"Spare" room... get it? Dad jokes aside, 500 Pearl Street's onsite bowling alley is a thoroughly hipster-ed up affair with a retro-chic vibe: eight lanes furnished with midcentury-inspired seating and settees, an arcade with '80s- and '90s-era video machines, a bar where smart craft cocktails abound, and a dimly-lit, LED-imbued ambience more redolent of a chic nightclub than a bowling alley. You pay by the hour rather than per game, and there's one distinct downside that comes with that: regardless of how much time you pay for, the lights and scoring machines cut out after every hour and have to be turned back on manually, so time your games accordingly (or keep score on pencil and paper).
Mon-Thu 4PM-10PM, Fri 4PM-midnight, Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-10PMCheck website for detailed rate structure
BuyNorth Buffalo
Her Sanctuary
Sharing the same positive vibes and life-affirming ethos of Her Story Boutique (the now-closed Elmwood Avenue shopping destination owned by the same mother/daughter entrepreneurial team) but taking things in a somewhat different direction, Her Sanctuary does double duty: on the shelves you'll find anything and everything to do with health and wellness — think locally-sourced kombucha, yoga mats, and handmade healing crystals — while the pleasant, peaceful event space is where you can hear prominent women from around the community share inspirational stories about their lives and accomplishments during the "Her Story Hours" the shop hosts periodically.
Tue-Sat noon-7PM
DrinkNightclubDowntown
67 West
As you've read time and again in this article, Chippewa is much different than it used to be: what was once a monolithic strip of thumping dance clubs now offers a more diverse range of experiences catering to an older and more sophisticated clientele. But if you're nostalgic for what once was, head to 67 West, which is as accurate a replication of the clubland of old as any you'll find here nowadays. The drinks are cheap, the music thumps, the lines are long, the clientele is diverse and youthful, and the dance floor is packed: just like back in the day.
DoLive music venueDowntown
Asbury Hall
Ani DiFranco is the locally-based musician and record company honcho who was responsible for saving the historic Asbury United Methodist Church from demolition in 1996 and transforming it into "Babeville", a complex that encompasses the headquarters of her record label, Righteous Babe Records, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center's gallery and screening room, and the concert venue Asbury Hall. Located in the sanctuary of the former church, Asbury Hall is a 1,000-capacity venue that hosts live performances of music that trends heavily toward folky indie singer-songwriters, in many cases from Righteous Babe Records' stable of artists. Comedy, variety shows, and other events are also held regularly at Asbury Hall.
DrinkAllentown and the Delaware District
Billy Club
A more relaxed alternative to the usual Allentown party bars and dives, catering to a decidedly older and more upscale crowd. Owners Jake Strawser and Dan Hagen claim to be going for a "modern speakeasy" vibe, a nod to the real-life one that operated in the basement of this same building during Prohibition. But in reality the sleek lines, pastel tones, minimalist decor, and spherical hanging lights say "midcentury" much more than "Roaring Twenties", a perfect match for the Mad Men-worthy range of top-shelf whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch poured here.
DrinkWest Side
Free Street Tavern
Although it dates back only to 2019 — and although the drink list is as heavy on craft microbrews as any other Buffalo-area watering hole these days — there's something very old-school about Free Street Tavern. That's very much by design: from the cozy dimensions of the place, to the exposed brick walls covered with old "Jimmy Griffin for Mayor" swag, to the hearty comfort-food menu, to its very name (an homage to childhood days spent at his grandma's house on the namesake Portland, Maine street), owner Joshua White is aiming to hit customers in the nostalgic feels with a chilled-out, carefree ambience. If beer isn't your drink of choice, check out the cocktail menu, which sticks to the classics but does so with skill and verve.
DrinkCocktail barDowntown
Matinee
If you want a nightspot that truly lives and breathes the Theater District — one where you stand a good chance of rubbing shoulders with an actual performer after a show at Shea's or the Alleyway — Matinee is your place. Beer is the libation of choice; the selection encompasses over 100 varieties (with obscure imports and craft brews from across North America represented) curated by a knowledgeable staff more than happy to serve as tour guides for newbies. And the chilled-out ambience, with vintage Broadway show posters on the walls and indie rock on the soundsystem, says "theater-geek hipster" in big bold letters.
DoLive music venueDowntown
Rec Room
Now that the boom-boom dance clubs up and down the strip have mostly gone the way of the dodo, Chippewa's newest identity is as a venue for live music. Opened in 2018 in the former The Lodge nightclub, Rec Room is a mainstay of this transformation. The place is owned by Chris Ring, the mastermind behind the sadly missed Waiting Room on Delaware Avenue, and it's pretty much the same deal here as at the old place — mostly mid-tier punk, hardcore, and heavy metal bands with a few clubbier acts thrown in from time to time — in a classed-up ambience lit with Instagrammable neon art fixtures. If you've arrived early or the opening act is boring, there's also a game room upstairs with dartboards, electronic basketball, and arcade marchines.
DrinkBarDowntown
The Cowboy
Country-and-western themed nightclub with line dancing and occasional live music. If you're looking for a throwback to the tawdry Chippewa of old, the giant naked-lady mural paintings that cover the entire back wall will let you know you're in the right place.
DoLive music venueDowntown
Venü
Another of Chippewa's new breed of live music venues, Venü is where Timothy Walton brings a "Vegas-style concert experience" to the former Lux nightclub at the heart of the strip. A ground-level dance floor plays host to a full schedule of DJs, rave and electronica musicians, and the occasional rock band, while a second-floor balcony accommodates live music fans looking for a less kinetic experience. Themed dance parties and other special events are also frequently held.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Buffalo (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.