Guide to Buffalo

[Spiders42]

There was a past post on this but I will give you my breakdown of the region. UR late 90s student, living in Buffalo for the last two decades:

HOTEL:
Ideal location is near chippewa st in Buffalo. Its about 0.75 miles from arena, HOWEVER there is a free above ground subway that runs every 10-15 mins. I would say the best hotels in that area are: Curtis Hotel (the newest, and nicest), Westin, Hyatt, Embassy. Ranked in that order. Visiting NFL teams usually stay at Hyatt, visiting NHL teams usually stay at Embassy. So they are all nice hotels. There are two marriots next to the arena but are most likely sold out.

Pregame bars:
The best spots next to the arena are: Southern Tier Brewery (at the time it was built had the largest Television screen in America), Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, Labatt Tap room (the headquarters for Labatt USA) and pearl St brewery. All are walking distance to arena. If you stay near Chippewa, the entire street is bars so you can have your pick. A good sports bar in that area is called Bada Bing. Lucky day is a nice whiskey bar located next to the hotels too. Weather will be fantastic for this time of year (mid 60s) and Hofbrauhaus, Pearl St and Labatt Tap room all have outdoor seating areas.

Restaurants:
Best high end restaurants are Hutch's or Left Bank. Would need to drive to. Near those hotels Tappo is a nice mid range Italian restaurant. Big Ditch Brewery is across the street from there as well.

Wings:
If you stay in the city you miss out on the Elite Buffalo wings. The BEST WINGS on the planet are at Duffs on Sheridan Ave in Amherst. There is debate that Bar Bill in Clarence or East Aurora are comparable. Each location is 20-30 mins drive. I warn you this....The hotel will send you to Anchor Bar in the city, it is where wings were invented. They are very very average wings when you compare them to the rest of Buffalo. A good alternative if you wish to stay in the city is Gabriels Gate. Not as good as Duffs but above average and located a quick drive from downtown.

Niagara Falls:
Niagara Falls is 25 mins away. It is better to go to the Canadian side. However, to enter Canada one must have a negative PCR test and pay for it. You can still get a great view of the falls on the American side.

Also, there is a casino right next to the arena that allows sports gambling. DANGEROUS....

Even more dangerous is that bars close at 4am, and alcohol can start to be served starting at 8am

Feel free to ask any questions if you need assistance....

 

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

Even more dangerous is that bars close at 4am, and alcohol can start to be served starting at 8am

TripAdvisor couldn't have given better advice than your writeup.

LOL but I can see with weather why indoor bar activities are popular. A bad pool player but always enjoyed shuffleboard, foosball, darts, bowling game? any others I'm missing?

 

[GKiller]

Thanks good write up

The Canadian side of Falls is well worth it imo but I've been there done that. For others I suspect the hassle of pcr test precludes it tho.

Is the casino right next to arena the Seneca Buffalo Creek? I'm aware of the Seneca Niagara one at American Falls but don't think I realized the other, it's been a few years.

 

[Spiders42]

Thanks good write up

GKiller....If you are staying at the Hyatt the "subway" is right across the street....its the easiest hotel for access to it. It could not be any easier. last stop for the line is the entrance to the arena. its a 5 min ride at no cost

 

[GKiller]

GKiller....If you are staying at the Hyatt the "subway" is right across the street....its the easiest hotel for access to it. It could not be any easier. last stop for the line is the entrance to the arena. its a 5 min ride at no cost

Awesome thx. I was editing/adding to my post above as you replied.

 

[Spiders42]

Thanks good write up

The Canadian side of Falls is well worth it imo but I've been there done that. For others I suspect the hassle of pcr test precludes it tho.

Is the casino right next to arena the Seneca Buffalo Creek? I'm aware of the Seneca Niagara one at American Falls but don't think I realized the other, it's been a few years

Yes the casino is right next to the arena. A large parking lot is all that is in between them. Its a full casino, black jack, etc. No table poker/No free drinks while gambling. Does have a sports book. Originally the sports book was not taking bets for these games in Buffalo but they reversed their decision last week. So you can bet on these games now

 

[Section9.RowD]

Yes the casino is right next to the arena. A large parking lot is all that is in between them. Its a full casino, black jack, etc. No table poker/No free drinks while gambling. Does have a sports book. Originally the sports book was not taking bets for these games in Buffalo but they reversed their decision last week. So you can bet on these games now

I need to find a poker room since I will try to mirror everything I did in DC in Buffalo ... seemingly in Niagara area I think I found one maybe ...

 

[Spiders42]

I need to find a poker room since I will try to mirror everything I did in DC in Buffalo ... seemingly in Niagara area I think I found one maybe ...

seneca casino in niagara falls has a good one

 

[Section9.RowD]

seneca casino in niagara falls has a good one

thx - arrive at noon on Wed so that should work well ...

 

[Wood Hall]

There is a great little bar called The Union on Swan Street, just across the street from the third base side of Sahlen Field, very close to the arena. Pregamed there many times while attending Bisons games.

My favorite Buffalo bar has always been Cole's, up on Elmwood Avenue (1104). It looks like a hike but really nothing in Buffalo is very far from downtown.

And speaking of dangerous, beware of the Canadian Ballet over in Fort Erie.

 

[Spiders42]

There is a great little bar called The Union on Swan Street, just across the street from the third base side of Sahlen Field, very close to the arena. Pregamed there many times while attending Bisons games.

My favorite Buffalo bar has always been Cole's, up on Elmwood Avenue (1104). It looks like a hike but really nothing in Buffalo is very far from downtown.

And speaking of dangerous, beware of the Canadian Ballet over in Fort Erie.

both great suggestions for a quieter/real Buffalo bar experience....Blue collar, worn down bars filled with good down to earth people...no comment on Fort Erie, imagine getting a PCR test just to go to the "ballet"? Thats about as low as it gets (unless they are offering their buffet? haha....vomit)

 

[GKiller]

Richmond's open practice is 1145-1225 on Wednesday

 

[WCUR11]

There was a past post on this but I will give you my breakdown of the region. UR late 90s student, living in Buffalo for the last two decades:

HOTEL:
Ideal location is near chippewa st in Buffalo. Its about 0.75 miles from arena, HOWEVER there is a free above ground subway that runs every 10-15 mins. I would say the best hotels in that area are: Curtis Hotel (the newest, and nicest), Westin, Hyatt, Embassy. Ranked in that order. Visiting NFL teams usually stay at Hyatt, visiting NHL teams usually stay at Embassy. So they are all nice hotels. There are two marriots next to the arena but are most likely sold out.

Pregame bars:
The best spots next to the arena are: Southern Tier Brewery (at the time it was built had the largest Television screen in America), Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, Labatt Tap room (the headquarters for Labatt USA) and pearl St brewery. All are walking distance to arena. If you stay near Chippewa, the entire street is bars so you can have your pick. A good sports bar in that area is called Bada Bing. Lucky day is a nice whiskey bar located next to the hotels too. Weather will be fantastic for this time of year (mid 60s) and Hofbrauhaus, Pearl St and Labatt Tap room all have outdoor seating areas.

Restaurants:
Best high end restaurants are Hutch's or Left Bank. Would need to drive to. Near those hotels Tappo is a nice mid range Italian restaurant. Big Ditch Brewery is across the street from there as well.

Wings:
If you stay in the city you miss out on the Elite Buffalo wings. The BEST WINGS on the planet are at Duffs on Sheridan Ave in Amherst. There is debate that Bar Bill in Clarence or East Aurora are comparable. Each location is 20-30 mins drive. I warn you this....The hotel will send you to Anchor Bar in the city, it is where wings were invented. They are very very average wings when you compare them to the rest of Buffalo. A good alternative if you wish to stay in the city is Gabriels Gate. Not as good as Duffs but above average and located a quick drive from downtown.

Niagara Falls:
Niagara Falls is 25 mins away. It is better to go to the Canadian side. However, to enter Canada one must have a negative PCR test and pay for it. You can still get a great view of the falls on the American side.

Also, there is a casino right next to the arena that allows sports gambling. DANGEROUS....

Even more dangerous is that bars close at 4am, and alcohol can start to be served starting at 8am

Feel free to ask any questions if you need assistance....

Absolute gold. Wow--will have lots of options coming from NYC Wednesday evening...and hoping to stay through Saturday!

LFG SPIDERS!!!

 

[ur-2005]

To those going or thinking about going to Buffalo

I was coming back on a plane from Colorado to Richmond and was streaming the Richmond vcu quarterfinal game. When Gilyard hit his ridiculous step back heat check 3. All I could think about was the memories I had watching him in the robins center. Watching him make the game winner as a freshman against jmu. The steal and bucket to tie the game against vcu. His 31 point showing against iupui. I realized I needed to go watch this team one last time. I texted a few buddies and said if we win this game we are driving to dc no questions asked. It ended up being the best decision of my life. There is nothing more fun than being as loud as possible supporting the spiders. I thought it was over watching us go down by 15 against Dayton. My friends decided we just needed to get 3 stops in a row. The next 3 defensive possessions we got stops. And then the next 3. And we ended up having 8 straight stops. And then Matt grace hit the most cold blooded 3 in the history of the a10. I have never been more happy. I would like the claim that “let’s go spiders” chant as one me and my friends started after that shot. Then onto the championship. The crowd was loud. The players ate that up. Was truly one of the most emotional moments of my life watching 3 straight and 1s and a stop to win that game. I was having heart attack after heart attack. It was a very teary moment when that clock hit zero.

unfortunatly, being a high school student, I am unable to go to Buffalo. I wish with all my heart I could. I would like to tell all those that are thinking about going, do it you will not regret watching this team play for maybe the last tBe loud and make those around you loud. The team feeds off of it.

I know this is a long post but I wanted to share the memories these past few days created.

Roll spides

 

[Section9.RowD]

To those going or thinking about going to Buffalo

I was coming back on a plane from Colorado to Richmond and was streaming the Richmond vcu quarterfinal game. When Gilyard hit his ridiculous step back heat check 3. All I could think about was the memories I had watching him in the robins center. Watching him make the game winner as a freshman against jmu. The steal and bucket to tie the game against vcu. His 31 point showing against iupui. I realized I needed to go watch this team one last time. I texted a few buddies and said if we win this game we are driving to dc no questions asked. It ended up being the best decision of my life. There is nothing more fun than being as loud as possible supporting the spiders. I thought it was over watching us go down by 15 against Dayton. My friends decided we just needed to get 3 stops in a row. The next 3 defensive possessions we got stops. And then the next 3. And we ended up having 8 straight stops. And then Matt grace hit the most cold blooded 3 in the history of the a10. I have never been more happy. I would like the claim that “let’s go spiders” chant as one me and my friends started after that shot. Then onto the championship. The crowd was loud. The players ate that up. Was truly one of the most emotional moments of my life watching 3 straight and 1s and a stop to win that game. I was having heart attack after heart attack. It was a very teary moment when that clock hit zero.

unfortunatly, being a high school student, I am unable to go to Buffalo. I wish with all my heart I could. I would like to tell all those that are thinking about going, do it you will not regret watching this team play for maybe the last tBe loud and make those around you loud. The team feeds off of it.

I know this is a long post but I wanted to share the memories these past few days created.

Roll spides

Great post … my high school daughter and my wife are all in for a Fri evening or early Sat morning trip to join me to see our 2nd round in Buff … go spiders

 

[SpiderDad75]

There was a past post on this but I will give you my breakdown of the region. UR late 90s student, living in Buffalo for the last two decades:

HOTEL:
Ideal location is near chippewa st in Buffalo. Its about 0.75 miles from arena, HOWEVER there is a free above ground subway that runs every 10-15 mins. I would say the best hotels in that area are: Curtis Hotel (the newest, and nicest), Westin, Hyatt, Embassy. Ranked in that order. Visiting NFL teams usually stay at Hyatt, visiting NHL teams usually stay at Embassy. So they are all nice hotels. There are two marriots next to the arena but are most likely sold out.

Pregame bars:
The best spots next to the arena are: Southern Tier Brewery (at the time it was built had the largest Television screen in America), Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, Labatt Tap room (the headquarters for Labatt USA) and pearl St brewery. All are walking distance to arena. If you stay near Chippewa, the entire street is bars so you can have your pick. A good sports bar in that area is called Bada Bing. Lucky day is a nice whiskey bar located next to the hotels too. Weather will be fantastic for this time of year (mid 60s) and Hofbrauhaus, Pearl St and Labatt Tap room all have outdoor seating areas.

Restaurants:
Best high end restaurants are Hutch's or Left Bank. Would need to drive to. Near those hotels Tappo is a nice mid range Italian restaurant. Big Ditch Brewery is across the street from there as well.

Wings:
If you stay in the city you miss out on the Elite Buffalo wings. The BEST WINGS on the planet are at Duffs on Sheridan Ave in Amherst. There is debate that Bar Bill in Clarence or East Aurora are comparable. Each location is 20-30 mins drive. I warn you this....The hotel will send you to Anchor Bar in the city, it is where wings were invented. They are very very average wings when you compare them to the rest of Buffalo. A good alternative if you wish to stay in the city is Gabriels Gate. Not as good as Duffs but above average and located a quick drive from downtown.

Niagara Falls:
Niagara Falls is 25 mins away. It is better to go to the Canadian side. However, to enter Canada one must have a negative PCR test and pay for it. You can still get a great view of the falls on the American side.

Also, there is a casino right next to the arena that allows sports gambling. DANGEROUS....

Even more dangerous is that bars close at 4am, and alcohol can start to be served starting at 8am

Feel free to ask any questions if you need assistance....

This is great info...thanks. My wife booked us a hotel in Niagra Falls...How is the drive from there to the arena? Traffic wise, I know you mentioned the distance but can we get away with staying there and not being bogged down in traffic to and from arena? Never been that far north but wanted to make sure we left in time for game and it wasn't a bad traffic area traditionally.

 

[GKiller]

This is great info...thanks. My wife booked us a hotel in Niagra Falls...How is the drive from there to the arena? Traffic wise, I know you mentioned the distance but can we get away with staying there and not being bogged down in traffic to and from arena? Never been that far north but wanted to make sure we left in time for game and it wasn't a bad traffic area traditionally.

30 minutes. I'm not a local so 42 can provide expert analysis, but used to go up there here & there for work and have made that exact drive. Haven't run into much traffic ever. Of course u should give yourself more time to be safe. But unless someone jumps in a barrel on the niagara river or drives into it (that happened quite recently unfortunately) then I would not expect problems. It will be warm this week, go see the American Falls while nothing like Canadian side still cool to see & I guess its a bubble team for the 7 wonders of the world haha.

 

[Spiders42]

This is great info...thanks. My wife booked us a hotel in Niagra Falls...How is the drive from there to the arena? Traffic wise, I know you mentioned the distance but can we get away with staying there and not being bogged down in traffic to and from arena? Never been that far north but wanted to make sure we left in time for game and it wasn't a bad traffic area traditionally.

Buffalo has no real "rush hour" Niagara Falls to Buffalo will almost always take 25-30 mins. (But DO NOT RISK IT, COME EARLY) Since we are the early session I don't think it will be a problem with traffic, especially if you plan to arrive after the start of the providence game. Parking can take some time however if you want to park near the arena. There is a lot of price gouging near the arena for special events like this. Sometimes its best to park near the Hyatt, pay $5-8 for the day and then get on the Fountain Plaza stop for the subway to the arena. A ton of people going to Sabres games park at the lot between Washington St/Ellicott St on Chippewa and walk to the fountain plaza station. The reason why I always suggest this for Sabres or arena concert is gridlock leaving the arena is always terrible. If you park that far away you can just hop on the subway, be out of the congested area and drive back to NF without any traffic. I've been caught in post arena traffic for hours sometimes when we park at the arena. Additionally our game will prob end at 5pm which means "rush hour" for people leaving the city for work. (I could be wrong with this prediction because there are so many games I'm sure a lot of people just stick around the area for the second session)

(Note: This parking plan is what I will be doing, and have always done....haven gone to hundreds of events at the arena...)

 

[SpiderDad75]

Buffalo has no real "rush hour" Niagara Falls to Buffalo will almost always take 25-30 mins. Since we are the early session I don't think it will be a problem with traffic, especially if you plan to arrive after the start of the providence game. Parking can take some time however if you want to park near the arena. There is a lot of price gouging near the arena for special events like this. Sometimes its best to park near the Hyatt, pay $5 for the day and then get on the Fountain Plaza stop for the subway to the arena. A ton of people going to Sabres games park at the lot between Washington St/Ellicott St on Chippewa and walk to the fountain plaza station. The reason why I always suggest this for Sabres or arena concert is gridlock leaving the arena is always terrible. If you park that far away you can just hop on the subway, be out of the congested area and drive back to NF without any traffic. I've been caught in post arena traffic for hours sometimes when we park at the arena. Additionally our game will prob end at 5pm which means "rush hour" for people leaving the city for work. (I could be wrong with this prediction because there are so many games I'm sure a lot of people just stick around the area for the second session)

(Note: This parking plan is what I will be doing, haven gone to hundreds of events at the arena...)

This is awesome info and extremely helpful 🙏 🕷️ 🏀

 

[SpiderDad75]

30 minutes. I'm not a local so 42 can provide expert analysis, but used to go up there here & there for work and have made that exact drive. Haven't run into much traffic ever. Of course u should give yourself more time to be safe. But unless someone jumps in a barrel on the niagara river or drives into it (that happened quite recently unfortunately) then I would not expect problems. It will be warm this week, go see the American Falls while nothing like Canadian side still cool to see & I guess its a bubble team for the 7 wonders of the world haha.

Apprecitate it, this helps!🕷️🏀

 

[gcarter52]

Great post … my high school daughter and my wife are all in for a Fri evening or early Sat morning trip to join me to see our 2nd round in Buff … go spiders

Absolutely great post!

 

[SpiderK]

Don’t look homeless up in NY.

 

[SpiderDad75]

Yeah...they def need to hurry up and catch that guy

 

[SpiderRick]

Locked him up in DC last night...

 

[SpiderK]

Locked him up in DC last night...

Ok great. Hadn’t heard that.

 

[Section9.RowD]

If anyone else other than me was planning to come to Seneca Niagara casino to play poker, heads up poker room closed at COVId time and seems they don’t plan to reopen.

 

[Section9.RowD]

Where all folks in Buffalo watching games today … not quite sure what our plans are but likely to end up somewhere with lots of tvs etc