Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
www.openairbuffalo.org
, $25) gives tours of Buffalo's notable architecture in a school bus
that has had its roof removed.
Haunted History Ghost Walks
(21 S. Grove St., East Aurora, 716/655-6663,
www.hauntedhistoryghostwalks.com
,
$15) explore the paranormal haunts of Buffalo and
surrounding suburbs. Based on more than 10 topics on local spirits by Mason Winfield,
these walks blend history, folklore, and firsthand ghost stories. Tours are available in sum-
mer and autumn.
Buffalo History Tours
(92 Pearl St., 716/222-2432,
www.buffalohistorytours.com
,
$5-20)mixhistoryandhumorforengagingpubcrawlsandheritagewalkingtoursofdown-
town Buffalo. Daily downtown brewery tours are available.
Buffalo is a city that works hard and plays hard; bars here stay open until 4am. There
are four primary districts with clusters of bars and clubs—downtown/Chippewa Street, Al-
lentown, Elmwood Avenue, and Hertel Avenue.
Sportsmens Tavern
(326 Amherst St., 716/874-7734,
www.sportsmenstavern.com
,
noon-1am daily, cover $5-40) is not in any of the entertainment districts, but it is the best
live music venue in the city. Nestled in the aging working-class neighborhood known as
Black Rock (10 minutes north of downtown), Sportsmens is owned and operated by mu-
sicians. Owner Dwane Hall has created a space where local musicians can play and also
listen to some of the best traveling acts in country, blues, folk, and indie rock. It's easy to
believe you are in Austin or Memphis at an authentic honky-tonk. There is no bohemian or
dive bar pretention here—just honest music in a perfectly comfortable venue. The kitchen
is surprisingly good, serving more than just pub grub. This is truly one of the city's best-
kept secrets.
Downtown
For many years, Chippewa Street was
the
entertainment district for Buffalo. Some of its
luster has faded, but the Chip Strip still draws the college-age crowd, especially on Friday
andSaturdayevenings.BusinesstypesemergeonFridayafterwork,butgenerallyclearout
by 7pm. Although most venues are open until 4am, this district can get somewhat rowdy
and unsafe after 2am.
