Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill
Buffalo, NY · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
A Hertel Avenue bar and grill that puts real work into its pours. The cocktail menu changes with the seasons and lists eight builds, from a Heaven's Door Old Fashioned to a mezcal-heavy Seedy Situation. The draft list rotates through 16 lines, leaning on New York names like Thin Man and Lucky Hare, and flights make sampling easy. Bourbon hunters will find Van Winkle and George T. Stagg on the spirits page. Customers single out the Espresso Martini and Paloma Sour.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Heaven's Door Old Fashioned, a $15 pour built on double-barrel whiskey, angostura, and orange peel. If you want something brighter, the Paloma Sour—Mi Campo reposado, grapefruit, egg white—gets regulars' votes. For beer, order a flight and pick four of the 16 rotating taps, like Thin Man Pills Mafia Light or Stoneyard's chocolate porter.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who like a menu with range will find plenty: cocktail traditionalists, fans of fruit-forward tequila drinks, and beer explorers chasing local New York drafts. Bourbon enthusiasts have a list that names Van Winkle and George T. Stagg. Customers praise the bartenders for friendly, welcoming service, though one older review notes inconsistency.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Craft cocktails run $11 to $15; most sit at $12. Draft beers are $6 to $8 per pour, and a four-beer flight costs $13. Bourbon prices are not listed online.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail menu rotates seasonally with creative, specific builds—think sesame oil and tajin in the Seedy Situation or cucumber in the Hendricks spritz. The draft list leans into New York breweries like Thin Man, Lucky Hare, and New Trail, and the spirits page calls out allocated bourbons. OpenTable lists craft cocktails and craft beer as the specialties.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A seasonal, creative cocktail menu with eight named drinks spanning whiskey, tequila, gin, and mezcal. The Espresso Martini and Paloma Sour receives consistent praise. Pricing is moderate, and the menu shows real range from a classic Boulevardier to a strawberry-basil smash.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal menu with eight named cocktails, showing breadth across spirits and flavor profiles.
- — Customers specifically praise the Espresso Martini with orange peel and the Paloma Sour as a go-to.
Standout selections
- — Heaven's Door Old Fashioned – $15 – Heaven's Door Double Barrel Whiskey, simple syrup, angostura, orange peel.
- — Paloma Sour – $12 – Mi Campo reposado, lime, grapefruit, egg white, orange peel; a customer go-to.
- — Espresso Martini – $12 – Lockhouse Coffee Liqueur, Wheatly Vodka, Punt e Mes, cold brew; customer favorite.
- — Seedy Situation – $12 – Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, sesame oil, pineapple, lime, tajin.
Pricing: $11-$15 per cocktail.
Beer
A rotating 16-tap draft list with a strong local presence: Thin Man, Lucky Hare, New Trail, and others. Bottles and cans expand the range, including NA and gluten-free options. Flights let you sample four 5-ounce pours.
Menu strengths
- — 16 rotating drafts plus an extensive bottle and can list, including local and national names.
- — Flight option of four 5oz pours encourages sampling.
Standout selections
- — Beer Flight – $13 – choice of four 5oz pours.
- — Thin Man Pills Mafia Light – a New York craft lager on the draft list.
- — Lucky Hare Blood Orange Gose – a fruity, tart option from a New York brewery.
- — Stoneyard Chocolate After Midnight Porter – $7 – chocolate porter for darker tastes.
Pricing: $6-$8 per draft pour; $13 for a four-beer flight.
Nonalcoholic
The official menu states that bottled and canned offerings include non-alcoholic options, and the Spirits & More section mentions seltzers and cannabis beverages. Specific NA names and prices are not listed, but the category is acknowledged.
Menu strengths
- — Menu notes non-alcoholic options among bottles and cans.
- — Seltzers and cannabis beverages appear in the Spirits & More section.
Standout selections
- — Spirits & More section mentions seltzers and cannabis beverages.
Pricing: Prices not specified.
Spirits
The Spirits & More section highlights a deep bourbon and whiskey list, naming Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, Bardstown, and Weller. The menu also mentions any spirits, seltzers, or cannabis beverages. No detailed list or prices are provided online.
Menu strengths
- — Bourbon and whiskey selection includes highly sought-after brands like Van Winkle and George T. Stagg.
Standout selections
- — Spirits & More section highlights many bourbon and whiskey selections including Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, Bardstown, Weller, and more.
Pricing: Prices not specified.
Community reviews
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