Larkin Square

Fun atmosphere and space! Have been here for multiple events, food truck visits, and it’s adjacent to Bratts Hill by Chef Darian! Awesome stop for a family or uniquely romantic date night.

Great food, wonderful ambience. There is plenty of parking but the later you get there the farther you will need to park. And if it is your first time dropping by make sure to bring your own chair, seating is limited as well. If you don't bring a chair you will be standing while you are trying to listen to the music, balancing your drink, all while trying to eat your food.

Love going Larkin Square. Great music, good food. Excellent Summertime venue

Super fun location with lounge chairs and multiple levels. At the time I went there was nobody there, but in general there tends to be quite a bit going on. The chairs are modern and comfortable. The one I sat in had a large trampoline like seat. The lounge chairs would be really nice to have at a location like canalside, since the view here is not anything too exciting (in my opinion). Excited to go back when a few more things are happening.

Great food, pricing, and atmosphere. Open and relaxing to walk around. They had live music which was enjoyable too. Love it and definitely will be going back!

Lawn chairs, whimsical architecture, live music, colorful furniture, food trucks, beer.....hula hoops? Welcome to Food Truck Tuesdays at Larkin Square, one of many summertime traditions in Buffalo. Fun Fact: The square gets it's name from John D. Larkin who founded the Larkin Soap Company in Buffalo that no longer exists. Darwin D. Martin who was the Corporate Secretary for the company has a house in Buffalo that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright...the most famous american architect.

Very nice place! Love the atmosphere! Family friendly & easy access to bathrooms

First time at Larkin for Food Truck Tuesday but will definitely return this summer. Lots of food trucks, plenty of seating (or bring your own), and live music 🎶! Parking is tricky close to the area but I found free parking a short walk away. Summer Fun ☀️

I love the facts that they provide free concerts for the community. Having food trucks there is a bonus! I got dinner from the Falafel Bar and dessert from Luigi's Italian Ice. It always a good time. Great way to get out and spend time relaxing.

My husband & I went there for the first time to see the Beatles tribune roof top concert, it was fun! You can bring your lawn chairs to sit & find a spot on the grass. Suggestion, get there early for a good view! We parked in the ramp off of Exchange on Van Rensselaer for $5. It was fun and we saw a lot of friends we had not seen in awhile! We would definitely do it again!

Independent Health always does a wonderful job of holding Fitness in the Park every year. This year even though it may not have been my regular prefered park and place to go for exercise; it still was a great venue. The precautions and social distancing were appropriate outline for my choosen exercise class of Cardio Dance on Saturday morning from 10 am- 11 am. As you arrive you must wear your mask, check in and provide your name and contact information and select your spot by on an orange circle. My friend and I enjoyed the class, instructor was easy to follow, just wish the sun wasnt beaten down on us as hard. I would recommend if its sunny to bring a hat, only reason for it not receiving five stars. Cardio Dance @ Larkin runs through week of Sepetember 7.

This review is for Adrian Bryan's pop up Jamaican Market 7/31/21. Jamaican Jerkfest was great the food I tasted at La Verdad and Chef Krista Van Wagner were excellent. Music was provided by Olmstead Dub a local reggae group who crafted upbeat island and popular covers. I arrived later in the day and the line at Darian Bryans' Jamaican"Jerk Hut" featuring colossal Jerk Lobster Tail, spice filled Rasta pasta and Jerk Chicken the man and chef who was the person who created the festival was longest KT Caribbean Cuisine was sold out I decided on La Verdad and was pleased with my selection of smoked BBQ brisket with BBQ beans and slaw. They were sold out of the Ch with chicken and burnt ends. Chef Kristas has been around for about 30 years and her roast pork on a bun with mango chutney was also outstanding. There were many shops offering snacks, bakery items, clothing and apparel, balloon's and other items. Rum punch and red stripe was available at the full service bar. A large pleasant and happy crowd attended.

I discovered Larkin Square when I switched jobs last summer. I went from working downtown and thought to myself "Now I'm going to miss being right there with everything." Little did I realize, there's so much more in the Larkin area than I thought! Everyone knows Larkin Square for Food Truck Tuesday, but it's so much more than that. In the summer and fall you can also find food trucks popping up occasionally on Wednesday evenings, and even during lunch hours throughout the week. There's a stage where bands play live, performing various genres of music. You can bring your lawn chairs, take advantage of the seats around the outside bar and around the stage, or relax in the loungers along the lawn. In the colder months they still host events and bring out the heat lamps because, why should a little cold weather stop the fun? I love how the local restaurants collaborate with eachother to help bring the best experience to those coming to larkin square. Whether it's to shut down the whole block for Beetles Weekend (a block party where a live band plays Beetles tunes on the roof of Hydraulic). Having food and drink specials at each restaurant for a big event. Or just knowing what's going on in the square by having information posted and informed bartenders inviting you to upcoming events. With the continued remodeling old buildings in the area, larkin square is definitely not done growing. And I can't wait to be a part of the new entertainment to come.

I love what they are doing to this area! I've been down a few times for various things like to stop into Hydraulic Hearth or come to Food truck Tuesday. The area is great. Parking usually isn't too terrible. I was able to come down recently for the NOLA night to see Buffalo Brass Machine. They had a few food trucks lined up and the bar was open. This just has a great vibe about it with all the chairs and it looks kept up with the flowers and stage. Keep it up Buffalo!

Should be 4.5....very clean, great atmosphere Google schedule for bands playing and come and enjoy! All age groups Food truck Tuesday But Wednesday's also have food trucks Kiosk offers wine and beer....prices are so so Food trucks offer great food at very reasonable prices Love the music....love the beautiful flowers Kids are very welcome

Food Truck Tuesday.. Yeah! If you like to people watch and like crowds this is the place to be. Meeting my friends for dinner after work this was pretty great idea. Being the first time, we weren't prepared for the volume of people and lines for food. Including a place to eat. I had a great time listening to the music while waiting in lines for our food. Once we received our food we found a spot to stand and ate. Unfortunately for my friend she had trouble eating her chicken and waffles because she really needed a table and chair to sit and eat. We did enjoy this but some things we need to do next time: Get there earlier, so I might have to leave work early. Bring our own chairs, so we can stay a little longer and enjoy the ambiance and music. Make a game plan before we get there on what we want to eat and get our food as soon as possible. These key things will make our experience a much happier one. PS Parking wasn't too bad, we found a spot on the street. Plenty of food and drink. If you want beer and wine you have to show ID before going in but be prepared to wait in line to drink.

The pigeons and seagulls totally took over the town square, so this place has been campaigning to have larks (from all over the USA) not only introduced into the square, but accepted as equal birds alongside the pigeons and seagulls, who have long discriminated against larks. The first time a lark was able to stay in the square without being chased out, the Buffalo News ran the headline "LARK IN SQUARE", and it stuck, which is how this square got its name. Honest. This is really, really impressive, even by my lofty "I've been everywhere, and seen everything" standards. I can compare it to the Chicago Food Truck festival which my gorgeous, stunningly sexy friend Samantha told me about... where they charge you an arm and a leg just to get in (and not in a cute way like Airport Plaza Jewelers), and they have way less food trucks than here at Larkin. Or perhaps Butantan Food Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which all of the yuppies are cray-cray about, but which is overpriced, with really average food. And then there is the Buffalo Food Truck Days at the local malls, which usually have about 10 trucks... which is nice... but it's nothing compared to Larkin. Larkin has like 30 or 40... yes THIRTY OR FORTY food trucks, from all over the 716 and 585, which means, to the non-WNY-ers, that it's all the top trucks from Buffalo and Rochester. All in one place, side by side. Wow! Yes a lot of them are really poor quality (mainly the Buffalo ones... which are tremendously disappointing compared to Rochester, Columbus, NYC and other food trucks), and yes some of them are overpriced... and yes there are very very very long lines for the more popular trucks, especially towards the end of each Tuesday night (like after 6pm). But, there are some great quality ones too (a couple from Buffalo, and plenty of the Rochester ones)... and some of them are pretty good value... and if you get there nice and early (like right at 5pm), there will be almost nobody in line for any truck. So that is what I recommend everyone does, in order to avoid waiting forever and ever to try what you want to try. It's free to get in, there's live entertainment, there's cover in case of the rain, and there's an AMAZING selection. And it's EVERY Tuesday all summer. Buffalo is absolutely spoiled by this thing, and everyone should check it out and be very grateful!

I've tried the Food Truck Tuesdays about 4 times now. So far, three times were EXTREMELY disappointing, and one time was just disappointing. The food is overpriced. I love the selection, and this gives me hope, until I order something. The Thai food was the worst. I tried the regular Mac and cheese from the Mac and cheese truck, and it was so tasteless, I may as well have just been eating lard out of the container. Every time I've gotten chicken, it's been horrible. If you include my partner, who always gets something different than me, and we share, then that's 8 meals that suck. He has also hated every single meal. You can't leave without spending over $20 per order, seemingly no matter what or where you get. The ONLY thing I ever enjoyed was fried dough, and that truck is not always there, only takes cash, and charges $9 - JUST FOR FRIED DOUGH. Also, the music is so loud, it can actually make you nauseated. We order at 5 pm on the dot, and leave. There's no good parking, forget handicap parking, it's crowded, and too expensive. We keep going, hoping for a better experience, but we've learned our lesson, the hard and expensive way. No more.

I've been to Larkin Square in the past and this previous Tuesday, I went again to enjoy some Food Truck Tuesday. I love that Larkin Square exists in Buffalo. It's certainly a multipurpose area as there are several different types of events. From Food Truck Tuesday to the author series to Live at Larkin on Wednesdays, there is something for everyone. Not only are the events free but there is also free parking! While I'm looking forward to more visits to Larkin Square this summer, it isn't just a summer venue. There are events into the fall and winter months! Check out larkinsquare.com for a list of current events! Stop by to relax on the chairs, grab something from a food truck, or play some pickleball!

Food Truck Tuesdays. That's really the only time I ever get the chance to head down to Larkin Square, and as we should all know by now, those events are usually packed throughout the evening (to quote my dad, "it's like herding cattle!"). But even though I still haven't had the chance to fully appreciate the square without the massive crowd, I still give the Square a thumbs-up. The way they designed the whole area is very impressive; with the Filling Station in the center, the pavilion with shade, lounge chairs and the loft with seating -- it doesn't get any cooler! Still haven't had the chance to actually sit and enjoy the place because of the crowds, but...you know. I appreciate the gesture. Larkin holds other events besides FTT, such as music on Wednesdays during "Live at Larkin" and "Fitness in the Parks," which is really pretty cool. It can definitely keep people coming in and supporting local business! But seriously, there are so many different and cool things to do at Larkin throughout the year (yes, even during our chilly Buffalo winters), it's probably wise to check out their website every now and then, see if something happens to catch your eye. I'll be visiting Larkin at least a dozen more times before the summer's out (and we're actually going there tonight!). If you're not a fan of the Food Truck Tuesday crowd, then there are certainly a dozen more opportunities to check out this venue.

Another terrific Spree event. This one was to celebrate the " Best of". We were given a wristband and a medium-sized shopping bag when we turned in our tickets. I had a nice sampling of pasta with a light chunky tomato sauce from Ilio Di Paolo's, and was already feeling that I'd had enough to eat. Onward to Curley's where there was a lovely chicken salad served on a leaf of Boston lettuce and a pork slider. Giancarlos served colorful macarons and chicken sliders. Roast beef sliders from Eckl's. Community Beer Works, Buffalo Brewing Company had nice servings of their beers. There were also several wine and liquor representatives offering their wares. Several restaurants offered raw tuna in different ways from sushi to a small square served on a slice of cucumber ( I am not a fan of raw tuna). We only had a slight problem with one taster. It was a piece of grilled( and quite delicious) chicken on a bed of seasoned quinoa. The chicken was bigger than one bite and we only had forks. Knives are pretty much not a choice in a stand up and taste venue, so one had to pick up the chicken as finger food. I do not know which restaurant served this. Very good, but a little messy. The post V.I.P. party opened at 7. We left at 8:30; some of the restaurants were running low or completely out of tasters. The band was still playing. I assume it played until 10. I wonder if all of the merchants who had beer, wine or hard liquor to sample stayed until 10? I am already looking forward to our next Spree Happy Hour and next year's "Best of" party.

Ever since I discovered Larkin Square a few years ago, I was in disbelief (the good kind). This is Buffalo?! They did such an amazing job renovating this completely destitute space and making it into a destination. Kudos to all involved in this massive project. It's the perfect place for an outside festival. There's a stage area, bar and a lot of comfortable furniture to hang back and relax. During the day, you can come outside and hang back with free Wifi. During the spring and summertime, they began organizing Food Truck Tuesdays. Every Tuesday, about 30+ trucks gather here and thousands of people come by for an evening of food, music and deliciousness. Trucks from Rochester even drive down for the event. I love it. Overall, I'm absolutely psyched that this space exists in Buffalo. They even do a few winter events (with heated lamps!) and are constantly hosting festivals: from markets, to car shows, to bike festivals, FT Tuesday and more. Next time you see an event at Larkin, don't miss out!

Food truck Tuesday. Excellent idea for the space. I like that it is free to get into, unless you want premium parking which only costs $5. We walked through and seen many food trucks, some were interesting and some were okay. Anyhow I tried a couple of trucks because the serving with small. First-lazy Pierogi from Polish villa. Pretty good it was the highlight of food truck night for me. I never had ricotta cheese in mine, but hey who doesn't love cheese. Second-Ru's Pierogi. These were a miss for me. I wanted to mix a couple different varieties but you can't, if you visit their brick location your able too is what I was told. I got the chicken wing Pierogi. They were (3) little Pierogi and filled with mushy chicken and hot sauce, a couple of fries for $7. Not worth it in my opinion. Third-was a buffalo steak sandwich from Buffalo's Best. Basically chopped steak on a round roll with blue cheese/hot sauce mixture spilled on top. Good flavor but again $9??? Four-this was the worst part for me Chicken wrap. Dry as ever, no dressing. The name of this truck isn't worth mentioning so just choose wisely when you see it. Last-for an old fried dough. I just about threw up because it was full of oil and was greasy. Lastly- I like the live music, the seating was very small so your stuck standing and eating and drinking wherever you can find space. The lines weren't too bad, a younger crowd. Overall I don't live here anymore, but if I did I would most likely go back.

Citizens of Buffalo, please find this amazingly lively, bright and wholly unexpected community space hidden amidst the abandoned buildings of deindustrialized Buffalo's East Side. Say what??? I guess by now, almost a year after I first discovered its existence, it's not so surprising and unexpected anymore. But I haven't ventured out here until recently, so until now a place this amazing smack-dab in the middle of the East Side seemed more like a dream. Colorful chairs are arranged across vibrantly green grass and cute tables fill a giant gazebo. This is surrounded on one side by a spacious courtyard and on the other by an open space that is home to a Square 1 Sandwiches and a couple other cafes. From what I know, this place is also home to a variety of market stalls on weekdays and a venue for concerts during the warmer half of the year. The food trucks often frequent this spot during lunch hours, and the ever increasing number of food trucks convene here on Tuesday evenings during the summer. Yay!! I haven't been here during the day yet, but if it's anywhere near as awesome as it is in the evening hours....I can't wait to explore more this summer!

A pleasant surprise in the downtown area. I'm not sure how often the concert series is, but I highly recommend checking this out. It's just a really nice setup for a relaxed night out with friends. And free parking! Drinks are cheap. It's $5 for a glass of Lucky Star Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. They are served in plastic cups, which is less than ideal... but, it's a picnic type setting so it does make it a little better. They have Rusty Chain and Coors Lt drafts for $5 as well. The uniform pricing seems a but high for a Coors Lt, but it does speed up the lines to get drinks since everything is the same price. There are awesome couch-like circular covered "huts" that you can snag if you get there early enough. Otherwise, you can bring a blanket and sit in the grass or bring your own chairs. The band that was playing last night was so chill that it was kind of a snoozer, so maybe bring a sleeping bag? If you do find yourself being lulled to sleep then I encourage you to use the numerous hula hoops laying in the grassy areas to get up and get moving. Another major draw of this event is the shops and food trucks set up alongside the park. Everything from produce to jewelry is sold by vendors renting space in the area. Amy's food truck had a line that stretched past the snow cone and biscotti vendors. It was a veritable playground for the taste buds. This is a fun event for the whole family. Challenge your co-workers to a game of pickle ball. Let your kids pound of the keys of the pianos on the wooden decks leading to the concert area. Cuddle in the grass with your sweetheart with an ice cream cone. Buffalo summers demand this kind of outdoor venue, so go check this place out!

So many great things going on in Larkin Square these days. From Food Truck Tuesdays to all the new restaurants and things that keep opening, this is a nice open air spot in the newly revitalized downtown Buffalo. Looking forward to seeing what's on tap for next year.

Food Truck Tuesday is always a great time as long as you don't mind a crowd. It starts at 430pm and if you want a chair or table space, you should get there at 4pm and stake out your spot. You can bring folding chairs and blankets in and make your own area to eat. The food truck line up changes from year to year. As long as you go with an open mind on what you are willing to eat, you won't have to wait long. Some trucks have really long lines, while others have no line at all. There are multiple stations to purchase beer and wine, just make sure to get your wristband from security on your way in. Most food trucks have bottled water and pop. There is a truck that just serves tea also. Usually there are dessert trucks with anything from cheesecake to gelato. A live band plays while you eat and mingle and most patrons are very friendly.

I went to Larkin Square this past week for Food Truck Tuesday. It was $5 just to park which is crazy if you want the suburbanites to visit the city. It was nice to see an adequate police presence to bring your family downtown. It was very crowded after work around 5pm. I would recommend bringing your own portable chair so you have something to sit on. Otherwise it's standing room only to eat, drink and listen to the band. The live music was great. We only had the pasta but the lobster mac n cheese and the caprese mac n cheese were fantastic. Bring cash or credit because 2 macaroni dishes and 1 bottled water and 1 coke set us back $28! It was a hot day so we were full after that. Many other food trucks to sample and long lines for many of them. Great for all ages.

So many great things happening at Larkin Square now that it's summer! Food Truck Tuesday is my favorite day of the week. Tons of food trucks come out and there is live music and it's just a fun time! Wednesdays are Live at Larkin, another free live music event, and normally there are a few food trucks. The Filling Station, a permanent year-round restaurant is Larkin Square is also a great choice, especially in the winter. If you're coming to an event, ride your bike and bring a camp chair as it can get quite busy.

Pickle ball courts are fun/awesome, especially since they provide the paddles/balls. Lot's of seating and the landscaping/flowers look great. The filling station (restaurant) was disappointing though.

This place owns my night every Tuesday during the summer for Food Truck Tuesday. Several food trucks with foods and desserts of all kinds merge to create a food extravaganza! They come from Buffalo and Rochester so you get a detour from the same local trucks or enjoy the local flavour without chasing a truck down the street in a blind hangry panic. There is huge entertainment area with live music and big comfy chairs, but it can get crowded. But back to the food. I recommend the Macarollin, 716, flaming fish, amys place (no bias, I swear), and whole hog; but I am open to all suggestions. For a little treat try the crepes truck! There are also bars adjacent to the festivities if you feel like keeping the party going. Come early if you don't like lines but keep in mind, these are food trucks so the lines move very quickly, don't be discouraged.

Absolutely love food truck Tuesday's! There are so many great options and the live music is always wonderful. Limited seating options, so bring your own if you can

Larkin Square has become our default destination for summer nights when we're wondering what to do. A well-programmed lineup of music, food, and other activities makes it a hotspot for relaxed, family entertainment. Even when the weather is not-so-nice, the massive covered pavilion makes it a great spot to hang out--and, honestly, gives it great utility almost year-round. One of our favorite events there is Robot Holiday, a local-music spectacular with non-traditional holiday songs. Even in December, space heaters and sidewalls keep it nice and toasty. Outside the pavilion are lawn seating, hula-hoops, beer and food stands, food trucks, and sometimes boutique vending from shipping-container shops. A great sound system lets you wander around and mingle without missing any of the music. And the wonderful surrounding architecture, in the midst of a serious renaissance, makes it lovely to peruse the whole area. The only two drawbacks are the direct results of the popularity of the space: 1) Parking can be a challenge. Prepare to a pay a few bucks or circle for a while. 2) At events, the lines for beer and food can be (in my opinion) objectionably long. Eat first, or plan to hold off on getting food until past peak dining hours.

This is my fave summer hang out place. They have everything from food truck rodeo, live concerts, markets in the summer and winter with great vendors, you name it. It get CRAZY crowded for food truck rodeo, so get there early or don't expect a seat. Their selection and quality of chairs they have in the summer is unparalleled. Everything about this place is wonderful. So much energy, great layout, they have a mini golf right next door, and 3 walkable breweries and a distillery right nearby! They're right across from Hydraulic Hearth so you can grab a late night drink or eat after you hang out at Larkin. I can't say enough good things about this place. They did SUCH a great job of revitalizing the area and making this a destination.

This place is absolutely gorgeous and reminds me of a hotel resort. Brightly colored comfortable furniture scattered about grassy areas and an enormous gazebo, I'm going to go ahead and call the Larkin Square the coolest spot in all of Buffalo. There are tons of food options w/ Square 1 Sandwiches, the Grill Station, and the Filling Station all there. And now they have an enormous big screen to play the Olympics from 11A-11P w/ speakers scattered throughout the park so you can basically watch from anywhere. There are little market stalls which are open MWTh and a pickleball court in the back. I WANT TO LIVE HERE.

My new favorite place in Buffalo! I can't believe this place even exists, just a couple miles outside downtown. Walk into the square and you will forget you're even in Buffalo - I felt like I was on vacation. How to define it? Music venue with great performers, marketplace with rotating vendors in cute little stalls, recreational area with hula hoops and pickleball court, bar and food area with multiple options (Square 1, Filling Station and the Grill). Comfy, eclectic chairs and sofas are everywhere - there are a couple covered areas where you are protected from the elements but still feel like you're outside. Words don't do this area justice - just get your butt down there and check it out. Well done, Buffalo!

Wow! I can't believe the amount of food trucks that come out for Larking Square on Tuesdays. My husband and I got there early, but the trucks were already open and accepting customers. I just wish they had more seating. There's such a huge selection of trucks that I think I spent the majority of my time there walking around looking at the menus. It really is a nice evening out though, but does get pretty crowded

I had absolutely no idea that this was here. And in driving around the area, I realized how many gorgeous brick buildings are in this area. Why aren't they converted to AFFORDABLE loft apartments yet?! :) Anyway, I came here for the Tuesday Happy Hour and was pleasantly surprised. My friend Missy and I got here right at 5pm and there was PLENTY of parking on Hydraulic Way, behind the venue, in a couple of huge gravel lots. I would recommend getting here close to 5 if you can. 30 minutes later, there were lots of people, and at 6:30 when we were leaving it was PACKED. At 5pm, I was able to walk right up to the 2 food trucks I wanted to try out. No lines. LOVE. There is actually a ton of seating here, and tables too... The problem is, people will plunk down their stuff and Grandpa and go walk around while 10 chairs (oh actually 9, not counting Grandpa's seat) and 2 tables are taken up with no one sitting there! I hate when people do this! I see why you do it, but it's totally unfair. By the time you decide on your meal, my friend and I could have finished ours, in the shade at an actual table. UGH. Missy and I sat on the ledge of the patio for a bit, and my noodle bowl was a chore to eat in this position. A couple were getting up at the table near us and offered their seats to us before they left. That was really nice. So we finally got a table! The cool thing I realized though while sitting on the patio edge was that there were fresh basil plants growing behind me! I kept getting a sniff of basil but thought it might be my noodles. A dude was cutting some for "making sandwiches" he said. He was affiliated with the event somehow since there were professional photogs taking his pic while he did this. I just hope they didn't get my love handles in the shot. HAHA! But if they did, well good for me. HA! The only thing I would have loved to see is more recycling options. I put my water bottle in the garbage and didn't get a warm feeling from that but I couldn't find a recycling bin. Anyway, I love this place. I love the Happy Hour concept. I hope this continues forever.

This is what Buffalo has been waiting for forever. In my opinion. It's a draw to bring people downtown, and outside. I'll admit, I only frequent this place on Tuesday nights when it's loaded with food trucks and people. Given that however, it is a brilliant time! I was here last Tuesday (5/13) and was surprised at all the trucks that were there! It was hard to chose which items to taste, and even harder to wait in line. There was a live band playing some relaxing country tunes, a few types of beer and wine available, enough parking, and plenty of people to talk with. The city truly comes to life down here on a Tuesday night. Even if you're not a fan or frequent guest of some of Buffalo's amazing trucks, this is a great place to bring friends or the family just to get outside and enjoy some of what the city has to offer in terms of hospitality and good fun. It was remeniscent of nights in Carolina where you can almost forget about the fact that we were dark and snowy for the last 8 months. :)

In the midst of an industrial landscape laid out along Seneca Street, Larkin Square is a lovely manmade oasis. It's fed, I'm told, by ample streams of money and hope. And it's blooming like whoa. This place is nearly perfect, from the free and easy parking nearby to the reasonably-priced food and quality entertainment. If Seamus Gallivan of the Good 'Hood weren't already one of my favorite people in Buffalo, he would have become so after my first Live at Larkin concert here. This one featured Gruvology, one of his commonly-booked local bands. Watching parents and kids swinging and swaying to Bob Marley covers from a comfortable chair in the grass, eating a fancy sandwich from Square 1 Sandwiches and sipping on locally-brewed Flying Bison Beer, I was about the happiest I've ever felt in this town. This place attracts all kinds of people, from boomers to millenials and every generation in between. While the Wednesday events certainly showcase the space, Larkin Square also seems like a great lunchtime destination, as you've got three sweet spots to choose from: - The Grill, an open-air gathering place smack dab in the middle - The Filling Station, a cafe built in an old gas station serving healthy, upscale fare - The Square 1 Sandwiches, a kind of stationary food truck of sorts serving Stumptown Coffee and tasty gourmet sandwiches in the $5-10 range. Another big win for New Buffalo. I'm so, so excited to see what happens to this space, and how Buffalo's best and brightest put it to good use.

So there is this new really cool outdoor space in Buffalo. Where? On the Eastside. No really, where? Really on the Eastside. C'mon, what is this some kind of joke? No joke, it's a super well designed public outdoor space off Seneca street by the Larkin building. Where's that? Behind the first Niagara Building you see from the 190. Oh, really? That is how I imagine the conversation with people will go when I tell them how sweet this place really is. I went to Larkin Square for lunch today to check out Lloyd's Taco truck. They were busy so I headed over to Square 1 Sandwich. (which is good by the way) While waiting for my sandwich I scoped out this Larkin Square I keep hearing about and noticed how really awesome this place is. I mean it had quite a bit of people chilling out enjoying their lunches outside. Some good options to eat at (Lloyds was there, filling station, square 1, a hot dog cart vendor, the grill) Plenty of cozy seats. Nice flowers and vegetation lining the sidewalks. I mean nothing you would expect to be on the east side of Buffalo. Felt like I was in L.A. or San Diego enjoying public outdoor space. Totally wanted to just sit down for a while and soak up the vibe. Might have to come back and see what this pickleball court is about too.

"Whimsy amongst the Warehouses in Larkinville" That's the "Larkin Square" catchphrase I heard. I thought it was indeed "catchy". I learned this last week at "The Filling Station", a food venue here. The Filling Station is one of the restaurants there. Its open year round I understand, and in the summer has the ability to open doors and have outside seating etc. They also host a number of events here, and are "rentable" if you have an event of our own. Open to the public are the "Larkin Square Author Series", which is free, although you can purchase a drink & snacks while there listening to the author. Larkin Square partners with Talking Leaves for this monthly event, which I don't think runs in the summer, but does the rest of the year. They have many local authors come in, but also national ones. The Filling Station is host to many small events, and its great for them. The layout is open and easy to have speakers in. Everyone can see speakers, the traffic patterns are good. I've been to a number of events in the space and each one has been terrific. All different, all good. Hydraulic Hearth just opened across the street. I have not done more than poke my head in, so leave it up to others to review. But its nice to have another option here, and I understand they will be doing some of the author readings there as well. During the summer months there is Larkin Market, open Thursdays in the summer. It is another Farmers Market, and the location is great for those in the area. They have a large space and plenty of vendors. So are some food trucks. And of course the seating here is great if you want to snack a little before you take your finds home. They do carry some of the "non perishable" things too, Coops hot sauce, various card makers, soap makers and other crafters are here. Food Truck Tuesdays has become a "rite of passage" in Buffalo over the past few summers. It is quite the gathering of food trucks, many coming from Rochester to show off their food. This can get super busy, but if you are able to arrive around 5, you can park and eat easily before the crowds, which are well formed by 5:30 or so. But its a perfect venue for this type of thing, open, has seating, has cover if the weather is not great etc. The music events in the summer (Live at Larkin) are also terrific. Again, the space is so versatile and pleasant for all types of patrons that it really is "fun for all". Larking Square is available for private events as well. Weddings, parties and more. They can work with all sizes, and there is plenty of parking for most events, especially on a weekend. This is a terrific venue. They continue to improve it as well. Adding new things. Improving on older ones. Changing some things up. I do think its a "destination" place, and look forward to when its more blended with the local area and neighborhood. Parking can be easily found in the area (although you may walk a block or two), except when Food Truck Tuesdays draws a huge crowd and you get there at 6pm.

I enjoyed a Wednesday night happy hour here and had a great time. It was a very relaxed setting and it wasn't all "crazy drunk people" like Thursday at the Square used to be. There is a small outside bar that sells beer, wine & soda. It had menus laying on it too with some food options but I didn't really pay much attention to them. I opted to order from the Amy's Truck which happened to be there that evening. On the night I was here, there was a band playing in the main stage area - which is covered so you're safe if it rains. I was lucky enough that someone in my party arrived early and got me one of the cushioned chairs underneath. Other people stood or even brought chairs with them. The whole set-up of this is super convenient. There is free parking in the ramp and an ATM right in Larkin Square.

Food truck Tuesday.!!!!! Franks dogs, at front, chili dogs, nice taste on chili and pickle onions. Whole hog truck, quoia salad w feta. A+, Mac & cheese as good as always. Worth the trip and wait. I will be back next Tuesday.

Stopped in for Food Truck Tuesday and not only enjoyed some great food (Brick -n- Motor from Rochester-- excellent pork steam bun, great Gelato from Gelato Gypsy, and pulled pork Mac -n- cheese from Macarollin'), but also took the open-air auto bus architecture tour, and saw parts of Buffalos industrial past I never knew existed! Great information provided by our guide. Loved the vibe at the Larkin District. Great new entertainment space in Buffalo!

The efforts of reviving downtown Buffalo certainly has brought a pleasant face lift to Larkin Square. It has become a hub for outdoor food and music activities that sure to bring the social life back to downtown Buffalo The first time I went to Larkin Square after its renovation was for the Urban Market this past summer. Although the selection of the vendors was a bit small, it has vast potential for growth in the years to come. The urban market is meant for a variety of ethnic food and crafts vendors to come together and share with the locals the abundant amount of diversity that's right in the heart of Buffalo. We tried Indian, Ethiopian, Burnese and Mexican food all in the same place while enjoying some wonderful live sitar music. The second time I went was for Food Truck Tuesday. The variety of the food trucks are ample and plenty. It was packed, which was a great indication of how well Larkin Square has been transformed. Literally every single food truck in all of WNY was there and it was every foodie's dream! Although the lines were super long and confusing sometimes since it intertwined with other food truck lines, the experience of being in the midst of all the excitement on a Tuesday is well worth it. The design of the square is great! Right across the street is a giant lot filled with free parking spots on event nights. The square is a wide open space with a pretty garden and pavilion in the middle filled with, you guessed it, wide open spaces for vendors to host their products in case of weather changes. In the pavilion, there are a great number of comfy couches and ottomans for groups to share and relax in while enjoying the food and the atmosphere. There is also a separate pavilion area towards the back of the square with a second story filled with picnic tables and benches that's great for a group outing. Throughout the lawns, there are also color chairs for people to sit are that brighten up the space. The events in the seasons to come are sure to continue to make Larkin Square a destination stop for the city of Buffalo!

Nice relaxing venue. Wednesdays are dedicated to music which include some food trucks. Beer/wine is available. This evening I ordered a $7 Cuban pork sandwich from the Whole Hog food truck. Excellent choice, well worth the price. The pork was hot and tender with the right mix of extras all on a 6 inch hogie roll. If you enjoy good music, good food and an outside relaxing venue then Larken Square is the place for you to be on Wednesday from 5-8 pm. Enjoy.

First time here for food truck Tuesday- ate at the Thai truck, order the fried potstickers and pad Thai it was awesome, it had fresh ingredients, nice slaw on top with a lot of chicken- the lines are longs, but the food is totally worth it.

This place has been fixed up really nice into a great area for outdoor events and concerts. They have a new large wooden pavilion on site with nice wooden lawn chairs. There is a large free parking lot nearby off Hydraulic Street or if you're lucky enough to find a spot you can park on the street. My favorite event here is Food Truck Tuesdays held on Tuesdays from May through October. There is no better way to have all of Buffalo's great food trucks in one spot for you to try. If you're not familiar with this spot it is located where Swan and Seneca Streets converge a little over a mile or so east of downtown Buffalo. They have tons of events going on here in addition to the Food Truck rodeo. Check out their website for more information.

Larkin Square is truly a gem in Buffalo. Every once in a while I bring my toddler with me after work to meet up with my husband for various events. They usually involve food truck Tuesdays and Live at Larkin on Wednesdays for various music performances. Both are very family friendly and enjoyable, especially after a long day at work. The whole set up from outside furniture, food/drink vendors and over all pleasant atmosphere make this place a go to place from spring to fall.

Would give 0 stars. Went to the showing of the LAST Tragically Hip Concert. Show tickets were 7pm to 1130pm. Half the speakers were busted and they cut the show off at 11 as their final farewell song was playing!!! Took over an hour to get a drink as well! Overall just a horrible setup for something so special to many...