Looking for some of the best patio bars Buffalo Niagara has to offer? Check out our list below to find a great spot near you.

by Max Fisher

Display your mighty gaffaw on one of Buffalo Niagara’s patio bars

Go to the Real Deal

The sun’s out. Time to crack open some beers! But wait, you suddenly realize all you have for your “outdoor patio” is a lawn chair and the sprinkler system (at least you know if it gets too hot, you can cool off immediately, provided that the sprinklers work, because you never know). You think to yourself, “this is it?” You look at the cold beer in your hand as if it’s a small mirror in which you reflect not only on the small reflection of your face, but on your life choices that lead you to this point in time.

Before digging yourself deep into a pit of despair, you make another sudden realization as you sit on your lawn chair holding the beer bottle to your head as if it will soothe some invisible ailment. “I don’t have to drink this on my boring nonexistent patio! I can go… (you stop yourself for a moment as the words slowly but surely enter your mind) I deserve to go to a patio bar! Tears start to form (we’ll just say it was the condensation from the cold beer bottle that traveled to your eyes). You grab your car keys and get into your car with one thing in mind: “It’s a nice day out, and I’m going to drink a beer in a place with some outdoor style!”

If you can relate in some way to this little tale, hang on because we’re about to tell you about Let’s get to it!

Sunset Bar & Grill

Photo from Sunset Bar and Grill Facebook

Sometimes, the name fits perfectly with the place, and that sure is the case for the Sunset Bar & Grill. What’s the appeal? Eating an assortment of delicious seafood from the Steamer Basket Dozen- steamed clams piled high and served with drawn butter, to more creative creations like the Tuna Nachos Ahi tuna served on fried wontons accompanied with a seaweed salad, sesame seeds and finished with a wasabi aioli and chili sauce. You can enjoy this wonderful food while sitting on their large patio overlooking the harbor.

Add in another great selection of beverages and a constant stream of great live music, and it’s really not hard to see the appeal of the Sunset Bar & Grill.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen

Photo from Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen Facebook

It’s not hard to see why Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen’s food and drink have reached folkloric heights—known for their pizzas (among other things like their pasta and signature small plates, I’d list it all, but I only have so much space) charred to perfection in their 1000 degree oven with a great selection ranging from Margarita Pomodoro, Romano, fresh mozzarella, olive oil & basil to Salciccio bechamel, mozzarella, sausage, artichoke & Calabrian peppers.

Then there’s the Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen rich and varied drink selection which includes signature cocktails like The Real Slim “Shandy,” which has apple cider and pumpkin beer (is it just me, or do you feel like not putting M&M’s in The Real Slime “Shandy” is a real missed opportunity?) or specialty beers like the domestic which has Budweiser, Bud Light, Yuengling, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Molson Canadian, Sam Adams, Labatt Blue, Blue Light, and Bud Light seltzers.

If you’re looking for a patio bar that’s food and drink is so good you’ll think to yourself, “there must be some type of magic to this” … check out Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen.

Breezy Burrito Bar

Photo from Breezy Burrito Bar Facebook

Have you ever wanted to get with a group of friends after a long day at work and just relax eating some good food drinking a few drinks, and having a few laughs as you and your friends enjoy the summer weather? If that interests you at all, I’ve got just the place for you! The Breezy Burrito Bar is the type of patio bar you go to for one of those little parties we all need from time to time when we need a little break from things.

Besides Breezy Burrito Bar’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, how doth we forget its delicious tacos sucheth as the Street Taco, which has ground beef, chicken, braised beef or roasted pork, grilled flour tortillas, crispy melted cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, cabbage, pickled onion, and chipotle crema to its signature dishes like The Hex, which has crunch wrap folded with layers of melted queso, your choice of protein, crunchy corn tortilla, pico de gallo, sour cream, lettuce, and shredded jack cheese, grilled golden brown and served with chipotle crema. Or the Ace! Which includes shredded chicken and bacon burrito rolled with Mexican rice, black beans, jack cheese, red cabbage, lettuce, and jalapeño ranch, served with chips + salsa.

Not to mention their selection of beers and Margarita pitchers, which include passion fruit, raspberry, and more. If you’re looking to have a much-needed “little party” this summer to relax and enjoy yourself, the Breezy Burrito Bar should definitely be on your list.

Don’t be Authentic

There’s just something special about a nice patio bar. A good one mixes that bit of intimacy you may find in your regular old solid nuts and bolts bar and combines it with all the wonder of the outdoors (by this, I mean the tables aren’t too close to the sun, and you won’t burn in a ball of fire as you’re trying to enjoy your beer).

It’s this subtle combination that attracts people to patio bars, and since the last two years or so have been rather touch and go on public gatherings, it seems like the patio bar is poised to make a real comeback this summer! So if you’re looking for some great bars this summer, hopefully this list helped you out … and please don’t be one of those people that has to be inside the bar for the sake of “authenticity.”

It’s ok to be one of the crowd.

In this case, you won’t lose any cool points. Plus the sun is out; you can always use some vitamin D.

Let's do this again, shall we?

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