WELCOME TO FORGOTTEN BUFFALO

An Urban Explorer's Guide to the Buffalo-Niagara Region: Unique Landmarks, Historic Gin Mills, Old World Neighborhoods, History and More!

Welcome

Experience the Tour

Departure Board

Arrival Board

Tour Polish Buffalo

Buffalo Ethnic Tours

Tour German Buffalo

Tour Italian Buffalo

Tour Irish Buffalo

Last Fine Time Tour

Buffalo Brewery Tour

Classic Taverns-Awards

Classic Taverns-Buffalo

Dill's Tavern

Top Hill Grill

Talty's

Daren's Tavern

Scharf's Schiller Park

Pristach's

G&T Inn

Gene McCarthy's

Ulrich's Tavern

Artys Grill

Dick's Eastside Inn

East End Tavern

Sportsman Tavern

The Malamute

Taverns of Polonia 1910

Dalys

Eddie Brady's Bar

Ten-O-Won Grill

Classic Taverns-Travels

The Concertina Bar

Mels Bar

Club 505

Steve's Lounge

Classic Taverns-Last Call

Felong's Tavern

Billy O's Golden Swan

Big Joe Dudzick's Tavern

The Broadway Grill

Bramer's Grill

Concord Restaurant

Messner's Aero Bar

Ray Flynn's

Kutas Warsaw Inn

McBride's Pub

Strusienski's Restaurant

Private & Ethnic Clubs

Adam Mickiewicz Library

American Serbian Club

Corpus Christi AC

Croatian "Cro" Club

Dnipro Ukrainian Center

Dom Polski - N Tonawanda

Eldredge Bicycle Club

Polish Cadets

St. Stan's Athletic Club

Third Warders Club

Ukrainian-American Center

FBTV Video

Historic Polonia District

Central Terminal

Polish Home Museum Project

Broadway Market

St. Stanislaus Church

Corpus Christi Church

St. Adalbert's Basilica

Superman Corner

Polonia Views

Eckhardt Department Store

Polish Union of America

PPS Broadway Mkt Report

Polskie Kolo Spiewackie

Lucki Urban

Buffalo's Polonia History

A Polka Moment In Time

Vintage Polka Posters

Pulaski Parade 1962

Pulaski Parade 2006

Pulaski Parade 2008

Broadway Fillmore

Polonia Stories

1910 Maps of Polonia Buffalo

Buffalo Polonia - 1910

Preserve a Polish Home

Kaminski Meats

Polonia Scrapbook

Polonia On Parade

1965 Polka Convention

Polish Paintings

Power To Polonia

Beer Murals Nielsen

Forgotten Bflo Features

Kids & Wigilia Traditions

The Simon Pure Brewery

Lost Bflo Train Stations

New York Central at War

Pennsylvania RR at War

Talkin' Proud!

Buffalo Union Station

Bayliss-Oshei Residence

Niagara Falls Steak Sub

Buffalo Heights

The Statler Hilton

Metro Rail 1973

Bflo Before & After

Retro Chip Collection

Melody Fair - N Tonawanda

Buffalo Courier Express

History in Your Pocket

Corner Store Experience

The Fair

Most Endangered Sites

Re-Light the Rand

Pierogi @ St. Nick's

Whammy Weenie

Skateland - East Ferry

Jimmy Griffin 1929-2008

Jack Kemp 1936-2009

Sattler Theater

Masonic Lodge #846

Broadway Grill Reunion

Vintage Xmas Cards

Bocce Club- Clinton St.

Smiling Ted's

Buffalo Snow

Edsbyn, Sweden

Buffalo Drive-In

Buffalo 1969

Ray Bennett Lumber Co.

Ray H. Bennett Home

Ultra Cool: 70s Buffalo

Buffalo Bowling Shirts

Great Northern Elevator

Pullman / Wagner Complex

Pierogi Capital of US

North Park Theater

Zywiec Brewery

Buffalo Beer Trays

1964 Campaign For Pres

Heritage Discover Ctr

Tale of Two Roundhouses

Brand Names Catalog

Trolley Lobby BCT

Mentholatum, Hyde, Smythe

Chez Ami 311 Delaware Ave

Schreiber Brewery

Forgotten Buffalo Sounds

Sounds of Buffalo Beer

Sounds of Buffalo

Sounds of the Hound

Utica Club Beer Song

Forgotten Buffalo-Lost

Gramza's Cigar Store

Burczynski Bakery

St. Gerard's Parish

The Polish Village

Rudas Record Store

Tondrowski's Shoe Store

The DL&W Terminal

Buffalo Gas Works

S.S. Aquarama/Marine Star

Aquarama - Final Chapter

Sattlers 998

Rivoli Theater - Broadway

H-O Elevator

Riverside Men's Shop

Mastman's Kosher Deli

Crystal Beach

Department Stores

CLASSIC PHOTOS

Bevador/Beerador Coolers

Parkside Candies

Buffalo's Last Roundhouse

Wildroot Factory

Buffalo Stockyards

Chicago Iron Works

Spolka Clothing

Forgotten Ontario

Tim Hortons #1

TH&B Train Station

Ivor Wynne Stadium

Canadian National Station

Minojijikum Island 1076

Forgotten Rochester

Retro Wegmans

Polonia Rochester

Spittoon Water Troughs

Forgotten Buffalo & Genny

Genesee Brewery Tour

Forgotten Bflo Roadtrips

Perreca's Bakery

F.X. Matts - Utica Club

Forgotten Buffalo-Media

Ch. 2: WGR & WGRZ-TV

Rocketship7

Commander Tom Show

Dialing for Dollars

Ed Tucholka

Polonia Media

Greg Chwojdak, WXRL

Tour of Bflo Broadcasting

WKBW Radio

WKBW Top 40 Celebration

KB Goes Kaboom! WKBW

1430 Main St - WKBW RADIO

A Thing of the Past 2006

WKBW's Tommy Shannon

George Hound Dog Lorenz

1420 Main St - WKBW TV

Forgotten Bflo Orchestra

R & L Lounge, 23 Mills St

Union Stock Yards Bank

The Think Bank

The Natural Tour

Preservation Corridors

Broadway

Fillmore Avenue

Lombard Gibson Mktplace

Project Paderewski

Forgotten Buffalo News

Despensata Corporation

Marketplace Kitchen

Buffalo Broadcasting

Forgotten Buffalo's Classic Tavern Awards


Empty Bar Stools - Our Grill, Amherst Street, Buffalo - Closed 1994
Empty Bar Stools - Our Grill, Amherst Street, Buffalo - Closed 1994

What makes a CLASSIC a CLASSIC?


Each year I highlight a special tavern that evokes memories and feelings of a different time. These operating business still performing the role for which they were initially intended: To serve as community meeting places for hard working men (and in modern America, women). To be considered as a “Classic Tavern,” the establishment must meet the following criteria:

Curb Appeal – Genesee Beer neon sign or signage from a defuncted brewery in window…usually the first sign of great things to come.  

Location – Neighborhood setting. Located on corner of block. No parking lot…time to show off ones parallel parking skills.

Name –Includes the bar owner’s first or last name….Ulrich’s, Bramer's, Gadowski’s, Arty’s, Frank’s, Wolski's. Sometimes includes the tavern’s location: Edge of Town, Marilla Grill, Shannon Bridge.  Better yet… when it includes both.. Dick’s Eastside Inn.

Atmosphere – How’s the “craic?” This is an Irish term used to describe the atmosphere of a good pub -- the food, drink, music and conversation. In a classic Buffalo tavern you might hear conversation about the unions, the Holy Name bowling team or energetic debates about the Sabres and Bills.

Layout – Bar and men’s room upfront, tables for dinning and women's room in back. Sometimes the men's & ladies rooms are near a phone booth built into the wall near the kitchen. Separate door on side of building for access to restaurant portion. Small square tables...used for cards or a place for the kids to sit and drink pop. 

“The Book” – A registry of daily patrons. Still a common practice in many “classic” Buffalo bars. Each day the “regulars” sign “the book” and throw a dollar in the monthly pool. At the end of the month a name is chosen to win a sizable jackpot which generally is spent at the establish purchasing countless rounds for the bar. 

Décor – Signs from defunct breweries: Simon Pure, Iroquois, Manru, Pabst, Blatz, etc. Pictures of patrons and or old politicians. A “classic” tavern will have missed the modernization movement of the 60’s & 70’s. An authentic wooden “bar back” is a must. These finely crafted edifices are the single most important piece of the environment. Listen to the sound of the wooden doors and steel latches being shut. If not an “ice box” style cooler… look for a classic Bevador refrigerator (shaped like a beer bottle) near the bar (Swannie House, Bflo).

Entertainment – shuffle-bowling machine, jukebox featuring songs from our parent’s generation, old men at the bar with plenty of colorful stories. A good Irish Pub will have live music. 

Food – small grill behind bar or tiny kitchen tucked off to the side. Good supply of chips and pretzels on display behind bar. Does the bar serve fish on Friday and beef on weck during the week?

Beverages – Look for a fully stocked bar of inexpensive regional brews: Genesee, Utica Club and Miller High Life. If Irish….a well used Guinness tap.

Glassware – Draft beer served in short 4 ½ inch glasses. If Irish...uses of Imperial Pint glasses.




2012 -  To be Announced
2010 - CHEEZIE's LITTLE VEGAS, Kane Street, Lackawanna
2009 - PORKY'S AMBER LOUNGE, Clinton Street, Kaisertown, Buffalo



2008 - SCHARF'S SCHILLER PARK
Margarete Scharf came to America in the early 1950s from Nuremberg, Germany. Cooking was in her blood as she was the niece of the owners of Troidl’s, another famous Buffalo German located on Olympic Ave near East Delavan. After learning the trade at Troidl’s, she decided to start her own restaurant by purchasing the former Schiller Park Tavern in 1967.
Owner Margarete Scharf came to America in the early 1950s from Nuremberg, Germany. She decided to start her own restaurant by purchasing the former Schiller Park Tavern in 1967. Click image above to learn more.
Tucked away in a forgotten neighborhood, near Buffalo’s Schiller Park, is one of Western New York’s most storied tavern restaurants. For over 41years, Margarete Scharf and family have been serving up authentic German delicacies that include rouladen, sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel and the area’s BEST potato pancakes. It is a family owned feast that is worth the trip to the city line. More than just a restaurant, it’s a uniquely Buffalo experience not to be missed.


Address:
 34 South Crossman Street, Buffalo  
 

Food Service: Traditional German Dishes


Hours:
Open 7 days a week, 12Noon till close


Owner:
 Margarete Scharf and son Jerry




2007 - Daren's Tavern
Located deep in Buffalo's former meat packing and stockyard district, Daren's is a true forgotten icon of the classic tavern age. If you love old taverns, make a special trip to Daren's. They will meet you, greet you and treat you nice! Click image above for more information.
Located deep in Buffalo's former meat packing and stockyard district, Daren's is a true forgotten icon of the classic tavern age. If you love old taverns, make a special trip to Daren's. They will meet you, greet you and treat you nice! Click image above for more information.

Daren’s Tavern, located at 514 Howard Street at Metcalf, represents one of the best-preserved, classic taverns in Buffalo. According to City records, the building was built in 1900 as a tavern sponsored by the Magnus Beck Brewing Company and has served as a tavern/restaurant ever since (107 years). Don’t let its “museum” quality interior fool you; Daren’s is a workin’ man’s joint, in a historic workin’ man’s neighborhood. 

Address:
 514 Howard Street, Buffalo  
 

Food Service: Traditional tavern lunches. Chili, Beef-on-Weck, Burgers, etc


Hours:
Open 7 days a week, 12Noon till close


Owner:
 Renata




2006 - PRISTACH'S (CLOSED 2009) 
It’s location in an industry nook of Buffalo, a well preserved bar and back bar, a history dating back to the repel of prohibition and a Polish owner in his late 80s...all add up to make Pristach’s the “Classic Tavern of the Year” for 2007. 1634 Bailey Ave at Pullman near Broadway.
Located in an industry nook of Buffalo, a well preserved bar and back bar, a history dating back to the repel of prohibition and a Polish owner in his late 80s...all add up to make Pristach’s the “Classic Tavern of the Year” for 2007. 1634 Bailey Ave at Pullman near Broadway.

Located at the Corner of Bailey Avenue and Pullman Street in Buffalo. Pristach is one of the best Prohibition era taverns still in operation in the region. The establishment has been in operation at the address by the same family since 1937. One television, a jukebox with polka music, Rolling Rock splits for $1 and one of the best bar and back bars left in use. It’s located in a part of the history surrounded by industrial history. Don’t miss this tavern as it is one of the last of its era.

Address: 1634 Bailey Ave, Buffalo (Near Broadway)

Food Service: Not since the Regan Administration

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 12Noon till close

Owner: Eddie Pristach


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2005 - ULRICH'S TAVERN
Located in the heart of Buffalo's original "German" neighborhood, Ulrich's is the place to be for both St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest! Click image above to learn more!
Located in the heart of Buffalo's original "German" neighborhood, Ulrich's is the place to be for both St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest! Click image above to learn more about our 2006 winner!

Ulrich's Tavern has the distinction of being Buffalo's oldest documented tavern. Little has been done over the years to its interior which gives it an old-world atmosphere. The tavern is named after German Michael Ulrich who owned the tavern from 1906 to 1954. In 1954, Jim Daley from Buffalo's First Ward and his Bavarian wife Erika took over the business. In 2006, their son Jamie Daley runs the tavern and keeps the tradition alive with live music, a full German kitchen and a wonderful selection of premium imported and locally brewed beers.

Address: 674 Ellicott Street, Downtown Buffalo, New York

Food Service: Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 8AM till close

Owner: Jamie Daley


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2004 - EAST END TAVERN
Located at 881 Oliver Street in North Tonawanda, New York. Click on image above to learn more about our 2005 winner
Located at 881 Oliver Street in North Tonawanda, New York. Click on image above to learn more about our 2005 winner

East Avenue Tavern ranks high in all “classic tavern” criteria including fully restored art deco back bar, the working man’s Genesee Beer on tap, men’s room up front, dinning area (for Friday Fish) in the rear. Located on Oliver Street in North Tonawanda, New York.  

Address: 881 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, New York

Food Service: Fish Frys Friday only

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 8AM till close

Owner: Leonard Wudyka


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2003 - JONFRE'S TAVERN
Located on Niagara Street in the City of Niagara, Falls. Click image to learn more about our 2004 winner
Located on Niagara Street in the City of Niagara, Falls. Click image to learn more about our 2004 winner.

JONFRE'S TAVERN, Niagara Street, Niagara Falls - Winner of the 2004 "Classic Tavern Award" for the most authentic gin mill in Buffalo-Niagara. Ranks high in all "classic tavern" categories: location, curb appeal, decor, layout... Jonfre's is a living museum of popular culture.

Address: Niagara Street, Niagara Falls, New York

Food Service: Lunches and Fish Frys

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 9AM till Close


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2002 - GENE McCARTHY'S
73 Hamburg Street, Buffalo, New York
73 Hamburg Street, Buffalo, New York. Click image to learn more

GENE McCARTHY'S is nestled among industrial buildings, multi-family homes and a network of railroad tracks in Buffalo's First Ward. McCarthy's is still a favorite of grain workers (General Mills), fire fighters, police and politicians. Watch-out of the "live" train tracks only feet away from the front door! This pub was one of the first to set the standards of "Classic Taverns."

Address: 73 Hamburg Street, Buffalo, New York

Food Service: Daily from 11 to 1:30 p.m.; dinner is served Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 8AM till close

Owner: Gerhardt Yaskow (Gene McCarthy retired in Spring 2006)


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