Buffalo, New York is known for its amazing food. But what else are Buffalonians supposed to do in the winter? Have cocktails, of course!
With all of the incredible restaurants in Buffalo it should come as no surprise that most of them feature incredible drink menus.
What most people don’t realize is that Buffalo is on the up and up… meaning in the past few years Buffalo restored much of its beloved downtown and did some major renovations on the waterfront. A lot of those major upgrades came in the form of some fantastic dining and drinking establishments!
You can find great food almost anywhere in Buffalo so in this post I’m going to focus on the drinking! I’ve compiled a few of my favorite spots to grab a drink. There are many, maybe even too too many! If you have a favorite cocktail place in Buffalo, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions.
Cheers!
10 Best Places For Cocktails In Buffalo, NY
1. Cecelia’s– 716 Elmwood Ave
If you’re looking for a great Italian spot to brunch, or a classy yet relaxed dinner to start your evening, this is your spot. They feature an extensive martini menu to satisfy anyone’s taste plus killer flavored mimosas to nurse that hangover after a night of conquering the rest of the places on this list! Meagan is obsessed with their June Bug Martini!
2. Acropolis – 708 Elmwood Ave
Speaking of brunch, Acropolis happens to be one of my favorite spots to grab a Bloody Mary in Buffalo (which happens to be right next door to Cecelia’s). Their menu offers a variety of Greek classics and traditional brunch items amidst a cool, contemporary atmosphere.
3. Tappo – 338 Ellicott St
Tappo is a local favorite for good reason. Not only is the Italian food delicious, but this restaurant is known for its $16 bottles of wine and the great view from the rooftop patio. You can’t beat this price, especially with 40 bottles to choose from.
Toutant
4. Toutant – 437 Ellicott St
Toutant offers southern style food and drinks. The atmosphere is self-described as industrial chic and it really is something to see. My favorite thing about Toutant is its extensive cocktail list. You know the drinks are good with names like “Hanky Panky” and “Champagne Problems”. If only all my problems were champagne problems!
Liberty Hound
5. Liberty Hound – 1 N Park Ave
Liberty Hound is located right on Buffalo’s beloved Canalside and is another local favorite. This casual dining spot features a large patio overlooking the water, microbrews, specialty cocktails, and a decent wine list. It’s the perfect spot to hang during a day at Canalside.
Patina 250
6. Patina 250 – 250 Delaware Ave
While Patina 250 happens to be another one of my favorite brunch spots, thanks to the bottomless Bellinis that come with the prix fixe, it is mostly known as being one of the hottest and newest upscale restaurants in town. They have an outdoor patio, but honestly, the environment inside is so lovely that I’d rather stay inside. The bar is gorgeous and I can never resist indulging in their Portobello fries and Margarita Reyes.
7. Vera Pizzeria – 220 Lexington Ave
I love the vibe I get when I walk into Vera. Think upscale hipster and cozy. I dig their seasonal cocktail menu and their modern twist on traditional flatbread pizza.
8. MTK – 451 Elmwood
MTK is one of my favorite bars on Elmwood. It’s not only a great place to start off the night, have a couple of drinks on the patio while you play games like Cornhole and Jenga, but it’s also a great place to really let loose and dance all night to a DJ. I haven’t been for brunch yet, but I’ve heard it’s the closest thing you can get to a day club here in Buffalo!
9. VUE Rooftop Lounge at the Curtiss Hotel – 210 Franklin St
Vue is a very new addition to the Buffalo Bar Scene. The views of Buffalo from this rooftop bar are incredible… hence the name VUE. You get a full panoramic view of Buffalo in this posh lounge while sipping cocktails. VUE is definitely the hot place to be right now.
10. Angelica’s Tea Room – 517 Washington St
Angelica’s is another new, great addition to Buffalo. They pride themselves on using exotic liqueurs, Amari juices, and herbs to craft specialty cocktails. Not to mention the cool atmosphere. It’s like having a really hip tea party, but with booze instead of tea.
Have you found a super cool bar in Buffalo? We would love to hear about it in the comments below!
You HAVE to experience a brunch at MTK. One of the best Sundays you will have for sure! As far as unique cocktails…Vera all the way!! I’ve never heard of Angelica’s so I will have to check it out! Great list :)