Because of its massive size and grid-sectioned streets, Buffalo can be a confusing place, expecially for new residents. Hopefully, these maps will, at least, help you find out where to get a burger at 4 a.m. in every one of the city’s unique neighborhoods.
Key
Allentown
Elmwood Village
University
Key Locations
MAIN STREET A.K.A. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Ziad Market II 3292 Main St.—Don’t really know much about this place, but they have an ATM out front and it’s conveniently located between the South Campus bus stop and the bars.
Third Base 3264 Main St.—Typical college sports bar. Often frequented by UB Men’s Rugby team—don’t start any brawls. Tuesday night is Flip Night, play heads or tails with the bartender to score a free drink.
Shango 3260 Main St.—Upscale Cajun cuisine. Entrees are inspired by Creole/Cajun cuisine—perfect for spicy food aficionados. If you’re not into fiery dishes, stop in for a glass of wine (15 varieties by the glass) or one of the many microbrews. Be prepared to share the Bananas Foster—it’s fucking massive.
Pavilion International 3234 Main St.—Looking for that perfect piece to expand your collection of smoking paraphernalia? Pavilion will have you covered.
Amy’s Place 3234 Main St.—Hangover breakfast heaven. Make it before 9 a.m. and enjoy a $0.99 meal. If you stumble in around mid-afternoon, try one of their many Middle Eastern specials like lamb kebobs, falafel wraps, or their famous Lentil-Berry sandwich. CASH ONLY!
Greeks and Sneaks 3230 Main St.—Cheaper textbooks and Greek goods. Goods, not gods.
University Hots 3225 Main St.—The only place to get an authentic Rochester garbage plate. Don’t know what a garbage plate is? Picture every drunk food combined to create one delicious 4 a.m. meal.
Renaissance Tattoo 3223 Main St.—Whether you’re in the market for a portrait of your baby cousin on your arm or a custom back-piece, the artists at Renaissance will exceed your body art expectations.
Parkside Candy 3208 Main St.—Chocolate and ice cream and sponge candy—oh my! When the sweet tooth hits, hit up Parkside for all your sugary needs.
Queen City Comics 3184 Main St.—Number one spot for comic book fanatics and anime fans.
Just Pizza 3172 Main St.—75 varieties of pizza. They’re not shitting you either—think Jamaican jerk chicken pizza or spinach omelette breakfast pies.
Sal’s Pizzeria 3171 Main St.—If you’re from downstate, this might be the closest thing to New York City’s famed slices. I said might be. Nonetheless, it’s yummy.
Room 101 3160 Main St.—Replacement party bar. R.I.P. PJ’s.
Talking Leaves 3158 Main St.—Great selection of hard-to-find art and music magazines. Look out for open readings and book signings.
Mojo’s 3148 Main St.—If you’re not in a frat or sorority, be cautious—this place can get a little cliquey. They throw a hell of a beer pong competition, though. Girls Gone Wild showed up once—WOO!
Lake Effect Diner 3165 Main St.—Hooray for 2-4-1 milkshake Tuesdays!
The Steer 3151 Main St.—The zenith of University Heights nightlife. It’s almost impossible to fight the crowd to get a drink on a Thursday night—so bring any and all your catlike reflexes, or breasts. Those work, too.
Doctor Bird’s Rasta-Rant 3104 Main St.—Fried plantains and hot patties stuffed with beef, chicken, soy or veggies beat McDonalds any day.
Jim’s Steakout 3094 Main St.—Mmm…steak hoagies and chicken finger subs. Open until 5 a.m. They see drunk people.
Broadway Joe’s 3051 Main St.—Yea, they’ve been trying to spiff up the joint with new siding and all, but don’t despair. They still have $0.25 PBR drafts, free wings on Friday evenings, and Guitar Hero night on Thursdays.
Duke’s 3053 Main St.—The newest bar on the block. It sports a dance floor and lots of TVs for all your NFL viewing pleasure. Bar food, too.
ELMWOOD STRIP
Albright Knox Art Gallery 1285 Elmwood Ave.—Check out their current exhibit showcasing artists from Western New York and surrounding areas—and don’t expect paintings on the wall. One piece involves a video of a floating head dancing to New Order’s hit “Everytime I See You Fall.” Oh, art you jokester, you.
2-4-1 Pizza 1122 Elmwood Ave.—Like the name says, two for one slices all day, everyday.
We Never Close 24 Hour Store 1054 Elmwood Ave.—Seriously, they don’t.
India Gate 1116 Elmwood Ave.—Reasonably priced Indian specialties like various fried samosas, chicken tandoori, and a smorgasbord of curries.
Hand of Doom Tattoo 1115 Elmwood Ave.—Another place to get inked in Buffalo. Hip, clean shop and artists who do good work. I know firsthand.
Mr. Goodbar 1110 Elmwood Ave.—A celebration of all things beer. They host a Goodbeer Club every other Wednesday to sample craft brews from around America. If that’s not your thing, catch a game or groove to some live music every Friday.
Cole’s Restaurants and Bar 1104 Elmwood Ave.—Purveyor of fine food and even finer beer selection. This is a place you can take your parents to for a nice dinner out, and then show up later to enjoy some brewskis.
Pano’s 1081 Elmwood Ave.—A diner that proves it can serve up more than just eggs. Come before 11 a.m. for great breakfast specials and enjoy a steak dinner or pasta later on. It has been there for 27 years so you know it’s good.
Half and Half Clothing 1088 Elmwood Ave.—Women’s clothing you won’t find in the mall. Shoes and accessories, too!
Saigon Café 1098 Elmwood Ave.—Upscale Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
Mister Pizza 1065 Elmwood Ave.—Pizza sold by the Monopoly Guy.
J.P. Bullfeathers 1010 Elmwood Ave.—Affectionately called “Bullys” by regulars. Great wings.
Falafel Bar 1009 Elmwood Ave.—Fried chickpeas at their finest.
Sweet and Dirty 585 Potomac Ave.—Women’s boutique carrying unique brands like Gentle Fawn, Soundgirl and Grass Jeans. Closest thing to shopping in NYC’s West Village.
Sunday Skate Shop 587 Potomac Ave.—Hard-to-find Nikes and all your skating needs.
Sahara Grill 976 Elmwood Ave.—Buffalo’s only hookah bar. Puff, puff, pass for around ten bucks.
Café Aroma 957 Elmwood Ave.—Attached to Talking Leaves. Expect lots of literary types sipping cappuccinos. Serves sandwiches and lunch.
Elmwood Tacos and Subs 925 Elmwood Ave.—Mighty Taco’s biggest rival.
Stache 830 Elmwood Ave.—Same owner as Sweet and Dirty. Expect the same quirky, hip finds but for the boys.
Shoe Fly 822 Elmwood Ave.—Get your kicks here. Nice selection of funky, dressy and casual men’s and women’s shoes.
Lexington Co-op 807 Elmwood Ave.—Large organic and healthy food market. Delicious prepared foods, too.
Delish 802 Elmwood Ave.—Bakery serving massive, delicious cupcakes and pastries. Weekly cooking classes.
Brodo Soup and Wine Bar 765 Elmwood Ave.—Soup is the perfect food for Buffalo winters and this place offers about five types a day. Entrees, appetizers and lots of wine are also on the menu.
Spot Coffee 765 Elmwood Ave.—Hipster coffee! Wear your Ray Ban Wayfarers or fedora hat and sit and watch other people trying to be cooler than you. Chai lattes are banging. Not as banging as barista Andrew Blake.
Globe Market 762 Elmwood Ave.—Counter service eatery serving many different salads, sandwiches, and baked goods.
Kibarashi 752 Elmwood Ave.—Sushi served in a Zen garden atmosphere.
Urban Clothing, Inc. 736 Elmwood Ave.—Men’s and Women’s clothing. Specializes in Burton snowboard apparel.
Merlin’s Restaurant and Bar 727 Elmwood Ave.—Lovable dive bar where many local bands perform.
Cecelia’s Ristorante 716 Elmwood Ave.—Martinis and Italian food unite.
ALLENTOWN
Off the Wall 534 Elmwood Ave.—Kitschy, retro style restaurant that often holds dance parties.
Toro Tapas Bar 492 Elmwood Ave.—Ole! Sangria and Spanish appetizers.
Cozumel 153 Elmwood Ave.—Mexican food and bar serving over 30 tequilas. Who wants the worm?
Coulter Bay 561 Delaware Ave.—Large bar with outside patio for people watching.
The Stillwater 481 Delaware Ave.—The inside looks like you’re outside. Kind of like some Disney World shit. Good late night menu but drinks are a little steep.
Hero Design Studio 93 Allen St.—Limited-edition gig posters and vinyl toys like the Smorkin’ Labbit Series.
Cathode Ray 26 Allen St.—Gay bar with tons of drink specials like 2-4-1 drinks every Friday and Saturday after nine.
Miss Kitty’s Martini Bar 948 Main St.—Strictly for the girls, if you know what I mean. Drinks sport names like Pink Pussy and The Gentle Touch. Purrrrr.
Frizzy’s 140 Allen St.— You might have to drink beer out of a plastic pint glass.
Gabriel’s Gate 145 Allen St.—Torches on top, free popcorn in the back. Yummy food, wine, and beer. The bathrooms ain’t bad either.
Two-Two-Three Allen (The Old Pink) 223 Allen St.—This bar has a dart board, pool tables, and video bowling. Considerate bartenders shout out last call, last last call, and SERIOUSLY, last call. Doesn’t get packed until 3 a.m.
Hardware 245 Allen St.—Huge beer and wine selection—come ready to try something new and delicious. If you’re lucky you’ll meet the human iPod outside, a super friendly Allentown character who may or may not have a home. He’ll sing any requests he knows for a buck or two.
Mulligan’s Brick Bar 229 Allen St.— It’s another bar! Great porch area.
Towne 186 Allen St.—Greek diner food. ‘Nuff said. Open 24 hours.
Jim’s Steakout 194 Allen St.—At 3 a.m. the veggie burgers are like an orgy in your mouth. It might be crowded, but their lines move pretty fast.
NY Pizza 160 Allen St.—New York style pizza—they aren’t bluffing. Also serves Jamaican beef patties.
Rust Belt Books 202 Allen St.—Eclectic book store.
Steel Crazy 191 Allen St.—These guys create custom-made industrial art out of various materials, using a water jet. Don’t put one of those babies in your hot tub! For some odd reason they also sell crepes…
La Tee Da 206 Allen St.—Italian food fancied up.
Sample 242 Allen St.—Serves tiny food or “samples.” Think silver dollar sized beef on weck or shots of delicious corn chowder. Great drinks…try the roasted pineapple mojito if it’s still on the menu. Go with a bunch of people, this dining experience can get pretty hilarious.
Staples of Allentown 253 Allen St.—Bar up front, green-walled back room for live music. Good acoustics, nice art—and deli sandwiches.
