Blues, Brews, and Cigars
Bar Review - Alternative Brews
(4.5 out of 5 G's)
by Lara Nardone
Alternative Brews opened in June 1995 under the ownership of Paul Madsen. Their slogan announces: “150 brews, blues, and cigars. It doesn’t get any better!” They receive their beer from about 12 to 15 different sources worldwide and their cigars are from the Cigar Factory of Rochester. It is a lively, entertaining bar with excellent attributes, great service, and plenty of room to sit back and relax. Besides, where else are you allowed to puff on a cigar inside?
The full beer menu is separated into many different categories including ales, choice lagers, amber brews, light beers, porters, wheat beers, flavored brews, seasonal beers, rare and special beers, and more. Bottled beers are typically priced around $3.75.
For those who are overwhelmed by how many different beers there are to choose from, a good idea to get accustomed with them is to begin with the draft sampler available Monday through Thursday. For $5.00 a tray, patrons can sample five different brews of their own choosing.
Sampling from the draft menu is an enjoyable and stimulating experience. Some draft beers on the menu right now include the Gargoyle Pale Ale, Woodpecker Cider, Paulander Oktoberfest, Spaten Hefe Weiss, and the Alternative Brews Hazelnut Brown draft.
With 150 different beers to choose from, there is a taste for everyone to enjoy. Typical Canadian and American beers are still on the menu, however, experimentation is encouraged. But, even so, there is the obligatory assortment of liquors and bitch drinks if you’re not man enough to diversify.
Alternative Brews also supports local blues groups by having several different bands perform four times during the week. There are about 18 different bands in all that rotate performances. Customers can catch the blues Wednesdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (the blues matinee). There is also an additional performance at night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
There are many upcoming events and performances that would be great to check out. On Wednesday, October 26 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., Alternative Brews has their own house band play, with an open mic (only professional) for other blues bands. On Friday, October 28 the JJ Swing Big Band will be performing at 6 p.m. On Saturday, October 29 at 1:30 p.m. there is a blues matinee with the Alternative Brews house band and Patti Parks performing at 9 p.m. And be sure to stick around on Saturday for Alternative Brew’s Halloween party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be specials on Halloween beers and a costume contest with prizes to be won.
Alternative Brews is a great bar for heavy and casual drinkers alike. The atmosphere is friendly and very entertaining. The crowd is somewhat mixed; some are younger and some older, but that’s a good thing because it’s far from the usual. Furthermore, the bartender, Darryl, is perhaps one of the most exciting, eccentric, funniest people in the area (just ask him to tell a couple jokes). Alternative Brews is a great bar with a convenient location, and once you find out for yourself, you’ll agree that it doesn’t get much better.
Alternative Brews is located at 3488 Sheridan Drive between Millersport and Sweet Home Rd. For information call 446-0424.
Good Beer, Good Times, No Bullshit
Bar Review - Hemingway’s
(5 out of 5 G's)
by Raph Tombasco
For those students who have grown tired of maneuvering through oceans of writhing, drunken flesh to get a cold beer at Molly’s, the Steer, or any of the other overcrowded bars that grace Main Street, Hemingway’s offers the perfect escape. Located downtown on Pearl Street, it is the antithesis of the ever-popular bar/club scene that has clouded the minds of the alcoholic youth on campus.
Upon entering the hardwood surroundings of this low-key establishment, those who prefer taking their meals or ingesting their brews in the company of good friends, an amiable staff, and minimal distractions will feel right at home. Also, when the weather allows, customers can relax and enjoy their food and drinks outside on the spacious back porch, which is complete with its own bar.
Since 1987, Hemingway’s has been serving the Theatre District with a wide variety of fresh food and spirits. Whether you crave a fat, juicy steak, an old-fashioned American cheeseburger, a gigantic garden salad, or any of Buffalo’s signature dishes like beef on weck or wings, they have it. Hemingway’s also has a large selection of imported and domestic beers and lagers as well as an intimidating list of wines and liquors. And on a personal, albeit important note, they are one of the few bars that serve bottles of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Bar manager Joe Liddy says, “Local hotels often send their guests our way instead of the Anchor Bar because they know our wings are better.”
In response to a question concerning drink specials, Liddy continues, “There are your daily drink specials, but here, every hour is Happy Hour—if you come in looking for good times and something to drink, we’re here to hook you up.”
The location adds even more to the clutch factor of Hemingway’s. The bar is a five-minute walk from Chippewa, so if you grow tired from a night out at the clubs, it can easily become a place of solace and late-night merrymaking.
The atmosphere is casual and relaxing. Normally, this would be surprising if anyone were to consider the surrounding bar scene, but Liddy and staff are adamant about keeping it that way. There is no DJ blasting “Living on a Prayer,” there is only a jukebox. There are no flashing lights, nor is there a disco ball. Simply put, it’s a hell of a good bar.
After all, as Liddy says: “It’s all well and good if you want to get fucked up, just don’t come in here acting like an asshole and you’ll find yourself in good company.”
Hemingway’s is located at 492 Pearl Street in downtown Buffalo. For reservations, call 852-1937.
Easy to Miss, Hard to Forget
Restaurant Review - Amy’s Place
(4 out of 5 G's)
by Audrey Odhner
Amy’s Place is easy to miss, nestled in along Main Street near the University at Buffalo’s South Campus (3234 Main Street at Sutton Lane). With no prominent sign or other advertisement of its existence save the black and white “Amy’s Place” painted one-dimensionally on the brick above the restaurant’s entrance, the average passerby would have no idea what they are missing. Those who are drawn to the unassuming nature of the eatery’s exterior will not be disappointed by its interior, which presents an equally laid-back atmosphere.
At first glance one might be concerned that the relaxed vibe may reflect a similarly lax approach towards customer service or food preparation at Amy’s Place. This is both true, and untrue. Nonetheless, one need not worry.
The casual street dress and friendly demeanor of the servers is certainly akin to the feel of the small, somewhat haphazardly organized dining space with its straightforward décor and booth tables that remind me of Subway. Yet, it is very cozy. What the servers lack is that over-stressed, over-worked, aggressive apathy so often found amongst wait-staff at many larger, more commercial establishments. Indeed the friendly waiter who served my friends and me was knowledgeable about the menu and just attentive enough to make us feel unforgotten but far from accosted or pushed out.
In similar fashion, the well-worn, photocopied pages of the menus don’t do justice to the quality and great variety of dishes offered at Amy’s Place. They are crowded with many different options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are quite a few traditional Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes, including hummus, falafel, and beef and lamb dishes.
One of the menu’s particular strengths is its uncommon range of vegetarian and vegan meal options. I am used to resigning myself to ordering a salad or portabella mushroom sandwich (often the only meatless options at restaurants), but at Amy’s Place there were so many that I could not choose. So, in a move of something like bravery, I asked the server to surprise me with anything vegetarian.
The surprise was deliciously pleasant. I believe what he brought me was called Mary’s Masterpiece from the “Crew’s Creations” corner of the menu, which consisted of a grilled vegetable and cheese quesadilla-like sandwich. At the same time my friends equally enjoyed pancakes and a falafel pita sandwich.
Overall, the Amy’s Place experience was a very positive one—for many options, fresh, tasty food, great service, and (not least of all) very reasonable prices (around $6 a meal). However, be forewarned that they do not accept credit or debit cards, so don’t come sans the green. If you can get yourself together early enough they even offer a 99-cent breakfast. For anyone enticed by a laid-back atmosphere and great, wholesome food at prices friendly to college, Amy’s is the place.
Not Your Average Joe
Bar Review - Average Joe’s
(5 out of 5 G's)
by Justin Touretz
Are you finally getting bored with the handful of Main Street bars? Average Joe’s, which will be celebrating its one-year anniversary November 9, 2005, is the perfect bar for a relaxed night among friends without all the usual dance club crap that is often mistaken for bars these days.
What makes Joe’s so different from the rest of the pack is the atmosphere. There is a sense of community here, a feeling that is lacking in many bars frequented by University at Buffalo students. And although Joe’s is currently attracting an older crowd (mid to late ‘20s), it can hardly be considered an old man’s bar.
The afternoon crowd is full of regulars, many of whom may or may not have a diagnosable drinking problem. If you are fortunate enough to be at Joe’s while the sun is up, you can expect to hear some entertaining stories. Whether they are comparisons of various near-DWI tales or fanciful yarns of spontaneous parties with Rick James’ band in Vegas, there are plenty of quality shenanigans to hear about from the regulars.
As with any bar, the night crowd gets rowdier, but what makes Joe’s so remarkable is the potpourri of customers. The crowd ranges from college kids to the youthful working class, soccer moms to softball dads, as well as the occasional grandparent. This mix of clientele allows Joe’s to be what it is, a great bar for anyone looking for a good time.
Joe’s has ten beers on tap but makes up for the small number by having Guinness as one of the choices. Liquor-wise, they have everything you could expect. There is nothing too fancy, but their impressive assortment of vodka will leave any hardened alcoholic in awe.
There are two bartending stations, but on busier nights, expect there to be three bartenders on hand. The bartenders are almost all female, which is clearly a bonus for those with testosterone. Even though they aren’t the usual jailbait-aged drink pourers, these older women are sexy enough to make you fork over a few extra bucks and get away with calling you a pussy for nursing your beer.
The bar is also equipped with nine TVs (two of which are big projectors) which always show sports and, of course, the NFL Ticket. There are also two electronic dartboards, a jukebox, Golden Tee 2005, and a pool table if you can maneuver your cues amongst a crowd. There is also a side room for private parties and frequent Texas Hold’em tournaments.
Average Joe’s is the ideal bar when you aren’t in the mood to get dolled up (jeans and a t-shirt is fine). It’s affordable, and you don’t have to worry about spew in the bathroom; they are remarkably clean.
Located on 2350 Sweet Home Road, Joe’s is a stone’s throw away from North Campus. It opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends and it doesn’t close until 4 a.m.—facilitating alcoholism at almost any hour.
The Beer House of Buffalo for College Students
Bar Review - Mr. Goodbar
(3 out of 5 G's)
by Michael Dedek
Some believe a home takes on the character of those who occupy it. This is true with Mr. Goodbar, if you can consider a bar a home—and indeed you can. They’re more accommodating than that shit-hole you live in with three other guys with rotting meat stacked upon piles of bacteria-infested dishes in your greasy, grimy kitchen. In fact, Mr. Goodbar is kind of like your home, if you’re a collegiate male living in the University Heights.
The decorations in Mr. Goodbar urge patrons to drink cheap beer and a lot of it, even though they possibly have the best beer selection in Buffalo. Molson and Labatt posters plaster the walls—“Everyday $2.00 pints and $7.00 pitchers of Labatt Blue and Light.” String pennants, which encourage customers to have a Budweiser Halloween, circle the interior, and here and there architectural ornaments are missing, such as displaced balusters from a wooden platform that functions as a stage. There are 28 beers on tap and since they claim to have the largest selection of on-tap beers in Buffalo, it can easily be considered the perfect destination for anyone in search of variety.
On any given Saturday, there is roughly a three to one ratio of men to women. So, if it’s Saturday, you’re a horny chick—or guy, though these Goodbar dudes seem to like a lot of football and that kind of stuff, so the sails of their mighty masts probably aren’t going to be filled by that kind of wind—and you’re looking for some drunk, masculine booty, head out to Mr. Goodbar.
Inside, the bar is long and easily accessible, affording a comfortable, personal space and some air to breath. The men’s bathroom differs greatly; it’s too personal—you have to piss in a trough, while your in-pants privacy is violated.
Unlike many bars that are as congested as a cluster of ants scrambling on a lump of sugar, Mr. Goodbar is spacious with enough seating for a group of you and your friends to enjoy the night in isolated and sedentary relaxation. And for those who enjoy their drinks in the open air, there is a patio area that droops onto the sidewalk from the front of the bar with numerous tables.
With a frat house feel (without the swarming drunkards) and an abundance of beers on tap, Mr. Goodbar makes any college drinker—especially one making the transition from underage drinking venues to real-deal bar hopping—feel right at home.
Mr. Goodbar is located at 1110 Elmwood Ave. near Buffalo State University. For information, call 882-4000.
Put Some Pork on your Fork
Restaurant Review - Fat Bob’s Smokehouse
(4.5 out of 5 G's)
by Jared Dobbs
Deep in the heart of Allentown lies one of Buffalo’s hidden jewels. Located off Delaware Avenue downtown, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse serves genuine Texas-style barbecue in a cozy southern atmosphere. Winner of 2005’s “Buffalo’s Best BBQ” award in Artvoice magazine, Bob’s barbecued meats are cooked for hours in an eight-foot smoker which leaves the food tasting authentic and saturated with flavor.
Bob’s offers multiple settings for your enjoyment, with a full bar, dining room, and outside eatery. The environment is very relaxing and low-key offering multiple televisions, pool, darts, video games, and, of course, air hockey. The service isn’t anything to write home about, but you can relax and listen to some great jazz and blues tunes while you wait. Even though it takes a while for service on the busier nights, there is plenty of entertainment. Besides, it’s definitely worth sacrificing the time for such mouth-watering food. Bob’s also offers a great selection of tasty beverages and the best in live music every Wednesday through Saturday, not to mention 30-cent wings on Tuesday nights.
As far as the food is concerned, it is worth every penny. Prices are moderate and range anywhere from eight dollars for a sandwich with one side to fifteen dollars for a dinner platter with two sides. If you want to start off with an appetizer, you can order anything from catfish fingers, cornmeal fried rock shrimp with Cajun mayo, shrimp BBQ quesadillas, cornmeal crab cakes with Creole mayo, chili-seasoned fire roasted mussels, shrimp gumbo, and Texas chili. You can enjoy a huge variety of sandwiches and combo platters, which include a great selection of savory smoked chicken and turkey, St. Louis pork ribs, sliced beef brisket, grilled BBQ chicken, chili-seasoned catfish, or pulled pork. All of these are served fresh with tasty sides like sweet potato fries, collard greens, cornbread, baked beans, homemade mac ‘n’ cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, fried onion rings, potato salad, sausage gravy, grilled vegetables, and hush puppies.
Fat Bob’s is also available for any catering event ranging from office luncheons to charity events and in-home parties. Depending on your request or the size of the function, Bob’s is happy to bring to you their own famous smoker for your personal use. Bob’s large catering and takeout menus can be seen at fatbobs.com along with pictures, events, specials, directions, and any other information you might need.
Fat Bob’s may not provide the best atmosphere for a date, and the parking isn’t that great, but the food is first rate. Come hungry and you will leave satisfied beyond your wildest dreams. Fat Bob’s Smokehouse is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. So, take a night off from your diet and try some good old-fashioned southern cooking.
An Education in Dives
Bar Review - Broadway Joe’s
(4.5 out of 5 G's)
by Evan Smith
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my four years as an English major at UB it’s this—always start your papers off with a dictionary definition of the topic you will be discussing.
The Merriam-Webster Pocket Dictionary defines a “dive” as a “disreputable bar or place of amusement.” With that out of the way, I had a place to start with my review of Main Street’s self-proclaimed dive bar, Broadway Joe’s. But to my confusion, as I perused a 2003 issue of Stuff Magazine I found that it named Broadway Joe’s as one of the best dives in America. I began to think to myself: Isn’t that an oxymoron in itself—a reputable, non-reputable, place of amusement? My education had not prepared me for enigmas such as this.
Thankfully, when I walked down Main Street, passed The Steer (something I previously did not know one could do), and entered the front door of Broadway Joe’s, I was able to immediately close the case on this mystery.
Right inside the entrance, I examined some dirt on the floor and said “what a dump,” but then I walked up to the bar and drafts of Pabst Blue Ribbon were dirt-cheap and I exclaimed, “this is the greatest dump ever!” A-ha! So, this is a “dive.” There were pool tables, electronic dart boards, touch screen games, and a well-lit corner containing the crème de le crème of all barroom pastimes—foosball. And then something happened. There was a live band playing on stage. Live music in the University District? Gasp!
In a quest for truth, I spoke to Todd, vocalist/bassist for Swagger (theswaggershow.com), one of Buffalo’s most kick-ass rock bands. Todd informed me that he is in charge of open-mic night every Tuesday at Broadways Joe’s. He said, “We try and bring out some good local talent. Anyone’s welcome to play, whether you’re a seasoned musician or just playing on stage for the first time.” Not only does Broadways Joe’s provide its customers with generous 25-cent drafts of PBR, but they also provide the necessary amplification equipment for anyone that wants to perform on stage. Throughout the night, I lay witness to everything from a blues/rock three-piece to a stand up comedian to a solitary man with his acoustic guitar. And that’s just the beginning.
Besides open-mic on Tuesdays, Broadway Joe’s has great local musicians performing almost every night of the week. On Wednesdays, all their premium drafts including Guinness, Sam Adam’s, and Flying Bison & Ithaca Ales are only $2. On Thursdays, Babysteps Hip-Hop (babystepshiphop.com) presents one of Buffalo’s most entertaining nights of local hip-hop, bringing in a slew of emcees and DJs for all you beat-loving cats out there. Friday and Saturday? Try $1.75 bottles of Blue and Blue Light during Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. before you rock the night away with a variety of local bands while $2.50 bottles of Saranac flow.
The next morning, I woke up in a ditch, but it was worth it. I had discovered the comfort of a great local dive in our own backyard, and I recommend that if you haven’t already, you do the same. Forget doing shots of Jägermeister at the Steer or singing along to “Pour Some Sugar On Me” at Molly’s. Broadway Joe’s is some real fucking USA shit, bringing in some of the best local music in Buffalo and nearly giving away beer as if holding on to fermented hops causes cancer.
Broadway Joe’s is located on 3051 Main St. across from Aldi in the University Heights.
