Ballyhoo

Wow—my sister-in-law raved about this place, and we finally went to check it out… and let me just say, it did not disappoint! I’ve passed by so many times without realizing that this spot is a true hidden gem right here in Buffalo. It’s in the perfect location, totally walkable if you’re in the mood to bar hop and explore the neighborhood. The food? Fresh and absolutely delicious. The drinks? Incredible. They truly redefine versatility anything you can dream up, they’ve got it, and they do it right. How delightful… with a side of happy! Can’t wait to come back again. This place has earned a top spot on my go-to list!

This is a popular spot for drinks and cocktails. They also have good non-alcoholic beers. They have a great outdoor patio area, also with a TV. It is a perfect place to hang out at in the summer. Unfortunately, this place is not handicapped accessible as you have to walk up stairs to get in.

Ballyhoo is a solid spot if you're looking for great food, a chill atmosphere, and a place to hang with friends. The creamy shell mac & cheese was super comforting, and the TJ Dawg (a chorizo, pork, and bacon sausage topped with pico, crema, cotija, and avocado) was packed with flavor--definitely a standout. We grabbed a table on the patio, watched the Bandits game, brought our own card games, and just hung out for a few hours. It was relaxed and fun, perfect for a weekend evening. The cocktails were great, but the jam cocktails were next level--sweet, unique, and dangerously easy to drink. Also, the ice cream sandwich? Absolutely massive. Like, split-with-a-friend big. Overall, highly recommend if you're looking for good eats, good drinks, and a low-key place to enjoy both.

OK, didn't know this was a thing here in Buffalo. Amazing cocktails (and menu to guide your choice) made by true professionals. And HOME MADE SAUSAGE artisan style - so good! Easy, comfortable, conversational space. Love it!

Stopped in here before a concert for a bite and a drink. Food was delicious and worth the wait, even with the small menu. Drinks were exotic and well-made. Staff was friendly and helpful. Only miss was the price tags - everything was a bit expensive per person; otherwise wonderful experience!

A great little “dive” bar in Buffalo and a must go to if you’re in the area. My wife and I stumbled upon this spot while looking for parking along the waterfront. It was a spot recommended to us by relatives but we hadn’t really planned to stop but we were glad we did. Our bartender was a blast. Drinks were great and she even made us a Painkiller for my wife’s birthday. Sausages are made in-house and are very good (and I’m picky about that stuff). We had the chicken sausage which was really good and juicy.

Fantastic bar! The bartenders are great, the food is amazing. The pickles are perfect! Shout out to Shelby for being awesome. We stop here every time we come to buffalo now and it’s a must. 10/10

My daughter and I went here for a drink after her appointment at Roswell Nice little celebration I had the chili which was very good and she had the vegetable sausage with chips. The drinks were extremely good we had the gin old maids 12.00 each. There is outdoor seating we sat at the bar and there was no wait when we arrived approximately 5:00. They have a private parking lot that you can pull in and park with no effort. There are stairs going up to the second floor where you order your food so I would not say this is an easily accessible place for handicap patrons

Drinks were top notch. Beer and wine good selections. Cocktails is where they shine, had the jam session with bourbon and a daiquiri and a paloma (on draft). All were crazy good. The bartenders were super quick and friendly. The most recent time we went was before a bandits game and it was busy but they were still churning out drinks. The sausages were awesome. Had the steakhouse and the veggie one and both were so good. Easily top three Mac and cheese in the city. Don't sleep on the salad the dressing w the blue cheese and pickled shallots is so great. Also they have a side of a shitload of pickles and that warms my pickled heart. Top notch.

Mac and cheese is one of the best I've ever had. Aside from dino BBQ which is my all time fav this would be my second favorite Mac and cheese I've ever found. Sadly did not like the TJ dawg. I was so excited for it too. Idk, just didn't hit the mark. Will def come back to try another kind of sausage cuz hopefully I just didn't like that one and the other ones are better. Service was fast, we picked it up. Ambiance is a fun bar scene, was BUMPIN before the Sabres game!

Wow, the homemade sausages are DELICIOUS! the coleslaw was very good as well I usually don't care for Mac n cheese when eating out (I make it myself) but the Mac n cheese here is fantastic. So good! Worth every bite. I had the short rib sausage. My husband had the chorizo sausage. Both were excellent. Run don't walk. They also have outside seating if you have your dog with you as we did. Super nice staff as well

Visiting from Florida and stopped in based on Yelp reviews. Place hit the mark on all levels. Great vibe! Fast service. I can see this place being the spot before/after a Sabres game. Cocktails are top notch and they have a solid beer selection. Food wise - do yourself a favor and order the Mac n Cheese! The TJ Dawg and Short Round were both amazing

I alway enjoy whatever cocktail I get from Ballyhoo, and my last visit there was no different. One of the best bars in town in my opinion with very reasonably priced drinks and excellent customer service. Not a very large bar space, but definitely worth checking out. They do serve a limited food menu as well, but I have not tried any yet.

Really cool bar, parking is hard to find, had to park in a neighborhood down the street and walk over. Bar gets lively and lit and crowded on game days and game nights. Ordered the Short Round (Korean BBQ link) and it was pretty good! It also comes with some chips. Also ordered some drinks, drinks are pretty decently priced $8-9 for spirits on the rocks, $10 a cocktail, $2-8 for beers.

Massive hotdogs, idk if worth for $16(?). Texture was a little wack but tasted fine, could use more kimchi tho. Mac was good too

Another great visit to Bally! The service- great. The vibes- great. The clientele- great. My favorite bar in Buffalo. Time for a link and some Mac!

This is the best (link) I've ever had in my life ever. I dream about it. I'm going to have all of my best friends here for my birthday, so we can all eat these hot dogs (My best friend says "they have the best pickles in town").

+.5 for service Went here twice during my recent visit to Buffalo. Was satisfied both times. I was fortunate enough to stay nearby so I walked here both times from my hotel. I was told to try their sausage links, and managed to try them both times. The first time I had their short round links, and the second time I had the curry lamb bam links. The first time I had slaw on the side, the second time I had the mac n cheese, after hearing how famous it was in my first visit. I liked it! The portions are huge, honestly for most folks the links + chips is good enough, no need for sides unless you're hungry. Top marks to the mac n cheese for sure, that's the side you must have if choosing one. Service was good here. They also have cheap beer here, so have at it too!

How is this place even still in business? The food is trash the service is trash, the "security" is all trash. Do not waste your time here when there are several other surrounding places with good food and friendly staff. Ballyhoo is just gross.

Went her for a couple hours before a show at Key Center. The place was packed, but we had space at the bar. Drinks were great and the (limited) menu didn't disappoint. The may not have had a lot of food options, but everything we tried was phenomenal! We'll definitely be back! Highly recommended!

This review is for Danny, our bartender who eventually realized we were more fun than we looked to be! He was attentive and friendly, and we were delighted to drink anything he mixed up for us. Thanks for the great time, Danny--Mint enjoyed the boomerang (I guess--they did not reciprocate),

Ballyhoo is a must to eat at if you live in Buffalo or just visiting. Sausages, Mac and cheese, and ice cream sandwiches are amazing and filled with flavor. The bar staff will make you a great drink to enjoy while you wait for food. Nice patio atmosphere as well.

Ballyhoo has become one of my favorite stops, thanks to my boyfriend. We stopped here on a Friday night at the perfect time, following dinner downtown. It was the perfect time because there were many open spots at the bar and half way through my drink, the place started to fill up. I ordered a jam session cocktail - grapefruit jam with tequila. My boyfriend ordered a fancy concoction he came up with. On this particular visit we ordered the homemade ice cream sandwich. It was humongous and I highly recommend splitting this with at least another person, but it would probably be ideal for a group of 4. That ice cream sandwich is girthy. Be prepared to not have a big enough mouth to take one complete bite. I needed to take 2 to get through the sandwich. Try this ice cream sandwich. You will enjoy it too much. For me, it has all the elements I shouldn't be eating - gluten and dairy.

Negative 0 1 star is tooo generous At 7:15pm, a group of female friends & myself went to Ballyhoo (for the first time) to grab a drink before we started our pedal tour at 8:00. The female "security" guard checked everyone's I.D. I was last in line with one friend, we handed her our I.D.'s and asked her if we could leave our bags outside the door, as we had a pedal tour soon. The security guard looked us dead in the eyes and said "bye! you can get the fuck out". WHAT?! still in shock and very confused we asked what she was talking about, could she be confused? She then said "we don't take pedal tour people here, so tell your friends they can go too". (mind you, they were already inside placing their drink orders). At this point we realized she wasn't joking. I tried explaining to her that we had just gotten to Buffalo and didn't even go on the pedal tour yet (clearly she was confused?). Instead of listening, she yelled over me and said, "I told you we don't take pedal tour people, go over to the Swannie House, they'll take people like you!" People like me? A female, a professional, a mother? A customer? She then proceeded to say, "there is a sign on the wall, you should read it!" The "sign" she was allegedly referring to was a very small sign on the side of the building stating "no pedal tour groups allowed". Then she said, "I'm kicking your friends out too. Get the fuck out". The security guard went inside and literally pulled my friends out and completely embarrassed them by yelling and telling them to "get the fuck out". (mind you, they have no idea what is going on) Thinking this terrible encounter was over, we were wrong. As we were walking toward the sidewalk, a bartender/barback (who knows), came to the top of the steps waving a bar rag yelling "bye! Bye! Bye!" Now, I have been to some bad establishments, but this one took the cake. Never in my LIFE would I speak to someone that way for literally no reason. The terrible attitude of this security guard was incomparable to any "customer service" I have ever encountered. The entire incident was BEYOND inappropriate, embarrassing, and demeaning. The way they spoke to us was absolutely disgusting. I share this with you, because I am one to support local businesses. I want everyone to know what we experienced at Ballyhoo. My FIRST experience there. The best thing we did was take her advice and went to the Swannie House . We had a great half hour there before our pedal tour. It is an awesome dive bar and I highly recommend it. if you're looking to have a nice, casual, fun time, go to Swannie House. Cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, and overall good people. I hope the owner of Ballyhoo reevaluates the face front of his business, a security guard with zero respect for individuals. Please don't waste your time or money at Ballyhoo. I promise you, it won't be worth it. Go Bills!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fQizLXZRpTCoarya/?mibextid=WC7FNe. This needs a answer

I came in sat down ask for a beer menu she said you got to get up and walk all the way around to look at it instead of saying what kind of beer do you want what? Lazzzzzy! What's the point, if you yourself as a bartender can't give a suggestion off of seven beers on tap based on what a customer likes. I guess just expects tips based off the tab not service. I ordered a mac and cheese but instead she was just talking with a customer the whole time while my Mac and cheese sat. No big deal I guess. I get my mac and cheese and there's bearly sauce I'm just eating pasta.... it's just grease and broken cheese sauce and the cup itself got about 30% smaller with not including the bottom lip of the cup takes up at least a half inch I'm sorry but just simply pasta and cheese does not cost much literally 75 cents. ......and $7 I'm sorry for a little tiny thing of mac and cheese just doesn't seem very worth it to me when it's this quality. Sure it's seven bucks, but you can't pay me to eat greedy noodles, but I can name 10 places to grab a beer and a bite to eat for 18 bucks that have better value and service. I literally had to use my napkin to soak up all the grease on the bottom. Sure the mac and cheese was very good at one point pre-pandemic (years agol but it seems like the workers that are now working are not of any value or you could say could care less.... so why am I taking paying top prices for bottom tier service and bottom tier food. Being in the food industry for 20 years I do not recommend coming here unless you have money to kill and are used to you wife's crappy cooking. Highly disappointed in the changes and lack of service. I understand things cost more but when service and food get downgraded tell me how it's justified?? Just a cash grab for sabres games. Yikes how sad, I won't be ever coming back nor recommending this place anymore.

Love the sausages here! Super delicious, BUT the bar does get paaaacked during crazy times and it was hard to place a drink order for a while.

Came from Jersey and decided to try them by all the good reviews I read. Definitely loved the hot dogs and cocktails. Good service. Good food. Good ambience. 10/10

I have been dying to try the mac and cheese here! I have heard it is the best in Buffalo! I liked it... I don't think it is my favorite in Buffalo to be honest. The links were also very tasty. A couple times I chewed on something a bit hard but there is one but that just made me stop eating altogether. I took a picture of the piece I could have possibly broke a tooth on! The bartender was very nice. The drink I ordered - hemmingway daquiri was great but I'm not sure I'll come back.

Homemade sausages are amazing! I'm always trying to get people to go to Ballyhoo. Service is always great

Ballyhoo is a hidden gem. "Links and drinks" is not something I ever imagined myself to crave yet here I am. I've tried a few of the links and have enjoyed them all but the veggie one is hands down my favorite. All sides are great but the mac and cheese is a must-try if you haven't. You can't go wrong with the cocktails because they are all good. Their special jam drinks that you can make are one of a kind. It's pretty spacious indoors and has a typical bar vibe. The patio seating is perfect for a nice day and dogs are allowed! There is private parking which is nice but when it's busy you may have to park on the street because it tends to get full quickly.

Don't waste your time or money at this place. Awful food and rude staff..Don't waste your time or money at this place. Awful food and rude staff.Don't waste your time or money at this place. Awful food and rude staff.

Ballyhoo has a wonderful vibe and the food is delicious. All the sausage is made inhouse and everyone was happy with their orders. The drinks were also pretty good and the price wasn't too bad at all. Having a dedicated parking lot is also a big plus!

Extremely rude people. Will spend my money elsewhere. It's a shame but the Mac and cheese is not worth being treated so poorly

We've been meaning to go to Ballyhoo basically since they opened and somehow kept overlooking it. Earlier this week we decided it Was the perfect place to grab a bite before heading over to the Blue Jays game. We got there at 4:30 and had the place to ourselves until after five. If you time it right you can definitely get in and out if that's what you are looking for (like we were). It was starting to get pretty busy once five hit. Our bartender changed midway through our meal, but both were fabulous. Super friendly and welcoming. The cool that was on was also super friendly, she brought our food out and checked on us as well. Even though we were new to the place and they knew many of the people that came in after us, we felt right at home. No drinks for us, but the jam cocktails look like a lot of fun. They also have a large selection of spirits behind the bar. All of the links are house made a d you can tell. They are also very large. My husband is doing Keto and thought about getting two as he wasn't getting a bun. One was definitely enough for him. We both ended up with the TJ Dawg which is a chorizo and bacon link topped with pics de Gallo, crema, cotija and avocado. Beautiful to look at AND very, very tasty. I would order the same thing next time, but we are eager to try the rest out. All links come with chips and pickles. We also ordered "lots of pickles" as a side which was a good amount for $5 and we polished them right off. Love the decor here as well. If you are someone like us that still hasn't tried Ballyhoo out, stop by, you'll be pleased you did.

We had a lot of fun at Ballyhoo! The staff was very welcoming and friendly. It was a beautiful evening and, because we had our favorite teenager with us, we were advised to sit outdoors. My cocktail was fancy and the perfect refreshment after a long day of fun in the Buffalo area. The cereal factory nearby provided an aroma of baking cake which we all thought was amusing. The sausage sandwich was huge and delicious and the mac & cheese was really good! Ballyhoo provided a great alternative to the usual pub fare.

Awesome cocktails! Some of the best bar tenders in WNY. Also I highly recommend the kimchi sausage sandwich.

Everytime I go to Ballyhoo, I know that everything will be amazing! Time and time again, the jam cocktails are to die for, I've tried probably 4 of the sausages, all more incredible than the next! The Mac and cheese is out of this world! Definitely get an xl so you can take some home. And the pickles, wow! Dog friendly patio is a huge plus for me. One of my core favorite spots!

If I could give zero stars... I would. Have been a loyal customer for years. My husband and I have NEVER EVER been so disrespected in my whole life. Being in the food industry I have never talked to even the worst customer the way I have been talked to today. I will never be returning ever.

The prices have definitely gone up since we last visited a year ago. As delicious as the lamb sausage might be, $12 is a little steep for a sausage with chips. The mixed drinks are $10 and up. The canned beers are about $3. The ambiance is pretty decent and its always been busy while we were there. This might not be my cup of tea any more, but Id still consider visiting before heading to any shows or functions in the area.

A trip to Buffalo isn't complete without a stop in at my favorite bar, Ballyhoo! Came around 10:30pm on a Saturday evening with a few friends. Enjoyed a whiskey smash and good conversation with good people. See you soon, Ballyhoo!

Drinks are fantastic, Mac and cheese is fire, service was fantastic and the variety of the sausage options makes me want to come back and try more

Still fantastic. I must visit anytime I come home. Food is always top notch, portions are huge for the price & you'll be hard pressed to find a better cocktail. Get a jam session, trust me.

Hands down, the best place in the area for their hot dogs and Mac and cheese. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the bartender and was able to order a drink immediately. They have a great variety of whiskeys, beer, tequila, etc. We ordered some old fashioneds and they were delicious! We ordered a couple of Mac and cheeses and they came out from the kitchen in less than 5 minutes. The service here is incredible and the atmosphere is very chill. Highly recommend this bar on any given weekday or weeknight!

UPDATE: I used to have this place as an easy 5 star all day for food alone. Recently however, prices have gone up and quality has gone down. Sausages are now $10 each and they seem to have gotten smaller. Mine was charred just shy of being burned and the flavor just wasn't there. Pickles are now a smaller portion, and if you ask for extra pickles its a $4 upcharge! It's the same sad story. Cost goes up and quality dips down. Sides also went up $1. Oh well. So sad. Might be back, might not.

One of my favorite cocktail spots in Buffalo. Tentative bartenders. Plenty of options of spirits of all varieties. I recommend the Jam Sessions. Your choice of jam/preserves, and a spirit of your choice. Base flavors plus usually 1-2 seasonal flavors, so be sure to ask! You won't be disappointed. July was Mandarine Basil. Mixed with vodka. Was wonderfully sweet and a touch of savory. And the Singapore sling is among the best I've ever had, anywhere.

Had a blast at Ballyhoo. Been here many times; finally leaving at review. The drinks are carefully crafted; the food is creatively enacted. We loved our time caught up in this crowd; so happy that our orders could be heard aloud. Thanks so much to the boys of Ballyhoo; for shaking up good times and all that you do Leah recommends: Jam Session drinks (cherry & bourbon is a personal fav) and the Reggie Veggie

Fun place. Not as fancy as Lucky Day and Graylynn. Much more of a neighborhood feel.

Great way to start or end your night downtown...this is at the cusp of downtown on South Park past cobblestone/riverworks neighborhoods. "Old school chill" feel (picture Phife the five footer & 20 year old Common playing in the background). For $9 you can stuff yourself with a "link" which is a sausage style sandwich served in an overstuffed roll with homemade potato chips & pickles. Sides are $4, pictured is the hot, spicy, gooey mac & cheese. Drinks are tremendously varied, highly recommend the Jam drink-choose a sweet jam & a spirit, custom yummy cocktail. Each month they feature a charity drink, so you can help make the world a better place while getting a little more relaxed than you were when you walked in.

This is a perfect spot to grab drinks before events downtown. We went before the blue jays game last night. They have a great cocktail menu with a ton of liquor options. They are also known for their sausages which are all great. Side note: be sure to order the side "a lot of pickles." You won't regret it. You can enjoy the casual inside or take in the fresh smell of Cheerios on the patio out back. Had a blast and will for sure be back.

Who knew that you could walk by this gem dozens of times before trying it? Super dog friendly which is important to me as Brody doesn't like missing out! Hard to find lunch spots open on a Monday and this place was a short walk from the dock. Didn't know what to expect with a variety of sausage on the menu. When they came out I was floored by the flavor and presentation. Absolutely delicious!! I went with the steak sausage which was juicy and charred beautifully topped with greens, onions and some crunchies make it a solid meal. House made chips, the side of dill pickles compliment the sausage perfectly. And don't forget to try the Mac and cheese, rich and creamy it's a winner.

Great bar. Delicious sausage and great margarita. Large bar with several stools, a few large tables and stools at a long wall counter too. Parking lot and looks like outside seating in the summer too. Tried the short round sausage and it was excellent, came with a ton of chips and pickles too.

This is a true dive bar that you MUST try!!! Owned by the same people as Lucky Day their cocktail menu does not disappoint. And their food is an added bonus. I came here for lunch and it wasn't crowded which was great. Their menu is simple so you dont have to worry about going through pages of what am I going to eat. From their links to their drinks you will find something to fall in love with. I got the TJ Dawg which was a chorizo pork sausage on a deliciously soft roll with bacon, pico, sauce, and avocado. It also came with chips which made it filling. They also have sides. You can get a salad, pasta (mac n cheese), slaw, or soup. Now let's get to this drink menu.....that's the extensive part. You can get anything from a $20 whiskey to a $3 can of beer. I got a cider because unlike other places, they had one I've never heard of before. Typically places have Redds, Angry Orchard, or 1911. They had one on tap from UFO and it was very refreshing. The staff was very attentive and really nice. They were able to answer any questions we had as first timers and made sure our experience there was a nice one. They have 1 bathroom for females and 1 for males. They also have a patio where you can hang out while it's nice out; it's attached to the free parking lot. I will definitely be back here to try out their other links. This is a great place to go if you just want to hang out, going to Riverworks, or the casino.

Still the best hot dog in town because it's so much more. From the welcoming bartender who helped me find a drink while pregnant (lemonade with jam!!) and helped us decide on two delicious dogs even though the Korean dog was sold out, to the addictive chips and comforting Mac and cheese. There was plenty of outdoor patio space to social distance or soak up the sun. The smell of cereal and the picnic tables were great and our bartender brought us our food so we could enjoy the sun while we waited. Although they were showing speed walking on the olympics inside at the bar--soaking up the sun in Buffalo was the call we made.

Great ol bar with outdoor seating. Frickin AMAZING house made sausages with killer toppings. Im picky on my Mac n cheese... and finished Every Bite of this heaven in a cup! The beer selection was also good- but honestly that is way easier yo find than THIS GREAT BAR FOOD! Get on over here and share it eith friends

went with a group for a drink at 7pm BEFORE our pedal tour. Security screamed vulgarities at us and yelled "bye! You can get the F out!" When we asked what the problem was she said "we dont take pedal tour people here". We tried explaining we didn't even go on the pedal tour yet, however, she continued to curse at us. She yelled at us to "read the sign". There was a small sign saying "no pedal tour guests during or after pedal tours". Again, this was prior to us going on the pedal tour. After she dragged us out, she continued to curse at us. When we got to the sidewalk a female bartender came out swinging a bar rag yelling "bye bye bye!" After this incident, I learned of many similar incidents others have encountered at Ballyhoo. It's too bad that a place like this clearly doesn't value their customers or how they are treated. Save your money and skip this place, they'll probably scream at you too for something irrelevant. This place deserves to close after all the incidents that have taken place there.

This place was POPPIN' after a Sabres game! First off, can I talk about how the air outside this magical bar smells exactly like Lucky Charms? The General Mills factory across the street is divine. I could imagine ordering a nice gin cocktail in the summer and enjoying it on their patio, mixed with the sweetness of the cereal in the air. Anyway. It was packed after the game we attended. There were a couple bartenders doing their best, but drinks still took quite a while based on sheer volume. Their menu of classic craft cocktails are all $9, which is reasonable. The drinks were worth $9 and the wait, that's for sure. I would love to spend more time in this bar in future visits to Buffalo. I'm bummed I wasn't able to enjoy it fully without the "game-day" atmosphere.