36 Best Cocktail Bars in Buffalo

“We're from Indiana and It was great stopping in to see our cousin who owns Mint. It was such a great time catching up and seeing what a great place she has put together. Wonderful food and perfect atmosphere. I would love to bring my acoustic duo from here and play for an evening in Buffalo sometime. This would be our kind of place!“

“Hand crafted cocktails, great atmosphere, and even better people.“

“Amazing food and drink!!!!“

“In the heart of Buffalo, soft lights aglow,
There’s a bar where the dreamers and night owls go.
Matinee—where the reel still spins,
And every quiet corner feels like a win.

With shadows flickering black and white,
Old films dancing in gentle light,
Each sip feels steeped in vintage grace—
A whiskeyed hush in a velvet place.

For lovers of theater, it’s perfectly cast—
A pre-show sip or a nightcap at last.
With curtains and cocktails, the timing’s just right,
To toast to the stage and the city’s bright lights.

Their menu's a marvel, a lover’s delight,
With bottles of bourbon aged just right.
But don’t overlook the star on the tray—
That flatbread pizza steals the play.

Crisped to perfection, with toppings divine,
And “Pizza of the Week” deserves its own sign.
Each slice a surprise, each bite a refrain,
Of flavor that sings and lingers like rain.

And oh—the bathrooms! What a surprise,
The cleanest in town, a joy for the eyes.
Stocked with the things you may have forgot—
From hairspray to gum, they’ve thought of the lot.

So here’s to the nights that drift and swell,
To stories on screen and cocktails that tell.
Matinee, my heart you keep—
A Buffalo gem where the spirits run deep.“

“I stopped in to Hartman's while I was visiting Buffalo for the weekend. The brunch was amazing! Now that I'm back home I'm wishing we had a brunch restaurant like that in my town!“

“Fugazi is one of my favorite bars in Buffalo! They have such a large variety of cocktail options and wonderful bartenders! Frankie and Dustin always have great recommendations for drinks and are so sweet and welcoming to everyone, you can tell they’re very beloved by all patrons. I typically go on nights they’re working because I love the atmosphere they provide, they have excellent music choices and make the whole bar feel like a room full of longtime friends getting together even if it’s full of people coming for the first time! I feel so honored to have this bar and it’s employees in Buffalo and in the LGBTQ+ community ♥️“

“This place is hands-down one of the best cocktail bars I’ve ever been to! The vibe is cozy yet lively, and every drink feels like a little work of art. Huge shoutout to Meg, the bartender—she’s not only incredibly skilled but also makes every visit fun with her energy and top-notch recommendations. I tried The Locker Room, and wow… it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or just looking for a great night out, this spot is a must-visit. Can’t wait to go back!“

“Service above and beyond! Best home fries I’ve had in forever. Many choices for brunch. Flavors were delicious!“

“Intimate vibe. lovely decor. food was delicious- loved the wonton starter, scallop fettuccine, and braised short ribs. Service was great! Will be returning!“

“The atmosphere is beautiful and elegant. The drinks are just right. The salmon was great. The creme brulee was delightful..“

“Such a hidden gem, the cocktails were amazing, atmosphere was very suave, it's what I imagine the now defunct Playboy Lounges of the 1960s were like back in their hayday, and the service was fantastic. Our server was Amira and she made our stop so memorable. The idea of the hiddenness of the High Violet helps promote the speakeasy atmosphere.“

“So delicious!!! We enjoyed every single thing we ordered. Highly recommended!“

“Service was excellent (thank you David) Food and excellent, the bartenders were excellent. 10 out of 10“

“Best food in buffalo hands down !“

“Best sandwich I’ve ever had! The pickles are amazing too! Cute spot for lunch, definitely will be back!“

“The food was The bomb, the drinks was the bomb, the waitress was the bomb !!“

“The food at Beacon Grille is amazing, we love the charred octopus every time, The duck was outstanding as well. We both had 2 rounds of the downtown cheerio which was a fun nod to the city, what really stood out to me, though, was the attention to detail, I watched the restaurant manager meticulously measure each table with a tape measure to ensure they were perfectly spaced, and even the placement of the silverware and napkins were exact. That level of care is shown with every part of the dining experience, you can tell this team takes pride in what they do.“

“5/5. I cannot say enough about my recent experience hosting a get together for 12 people on Sept. 7th. We used the private room, great for an intimate gathering of our size. The food and drinks were perfect and the staff made it all the better. Thank you and we will see you soon.“

“I love this location. The owners/bartenders are very friendly. Matt that used to dj at Encore is there Dj’ing. Good pizza also. Very clean location. Try them out ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“the food, service and environment were top notch. Great smoked wings, tender brisket and melt in your mouth ribs. the beer menu is expansive. we will be back“

“Best location! Top brunch place ever!“

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“I alway enjoy whatever cocktail I get from Ballyhoo, and my last visit there was no different. One of the best bars in town in my opinion with very reasonably priced drinks and excellent customer service. Not a very large bar space, but definitely worth checking out. They do serve a limited food menu as well, but I have not tried any yet.“

“Love the atmosphere/vibe of this place! As a huge whiskey fan this place is a new favorite!! My husband had the burger and i had the steak which was awesome and the fried pickles were delicious too.“

“My girlfriends and I have not been to Iron Tail in a while, but we decided to go on a whim the other night and it did not disappoint!! The drinks were fabulous, food was great and the staff was on point!! Definitely recommend this place 👍🏻“

“The team here operates like clockwork… smooth, precise, and on point. Every drink is more than just a sip, it’s a full sensory experience. From the stunning presentation to the captivating aromas and a playlist that nails the vibe, this place sets the bar high.“

“Great Food Great People Great City“

“Went there before a play for dinner at Shea's Buffalo. This place is on the Chippewa bar strip, so we were not expecting much. Walking inside, it looks like a typical party/cocktail bar, brick walls, long bar, and tables opposite the bar with plastic chairs and Formica tables, so you are sitting in the bar. At 5:30PM on restaurant week before a nearby playing of Hamilton, we were the only diner's there (and only 4 others at the bar). Now the good part.... one of the best meals I have had in a long time!!!!! Waitress/bartender was prompt, attentive and friendly. The special for restaurant week that we had was $35 for soup/salad (I had soup), Duck with asparagus, yams, sprouts and and pie for dessert. This meal was fabulous! Perfect portion and perfect flavor. The caramel/peanut butter pie was luscious! On top of all this, we were there during happy hour, so $3 a beer. I highly recommend trying this place to eat, just don't expect a cozy, intimate atmosphere. You won't be disappoints, and you won't be broke.“

“Great Place before or after Sheas!“

“What a blast. Good food, good fun and good conversations.“

“Went to brunch today with my 8 month old daughter and mother and the staff was more than accommodating. Gloria,Gracie and Glory were all beyond helpful and kind. They were full of smiles and had positive attitudes the whole time. I am actively nursing and they offered a banker room for me to pump so I can do it comfortably. The restaurant was clean,neat and the food was also delicious. 10 out of 10 recommend and will be coming back!“

“This place is phenomenal, beyond that the service was out of this world. I think her name was Emily or Emma or something like that but she madey whole party feel completely at home and the experience here was unlike any other. Will recommend this place to any of my friends, and Wil definitely be returning again.“

“Huge shoutout to Rio, the bartender at Falley Allen 🍸🙌 Hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had — great vibes, perfect drinks, and service that makes you feel like a VIP the second you sit down. If you’re ever in Buffalo, you’ve got to stop by and see Rio — you’ll thank me later. 😎 #MakingMyComeback“

“Still my fave restaurant eversince I moved to Buffalo“

“Ash had the absolute best service for our bachelor party event.

Ash was great she had an everything we ordered to us right away and the service was great and timely.

Everyone should come to Patrick’s rooftop and request Ash as their server!“