The Beer Keep

Restaurant · Elmwood

The Beer Keep

Restaurant · Elmwood

1

1002 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

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The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
The Beer Keep by null
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The Beer Keep by null

Highlights

Laid-back Elmwood Village bar with a massive rotating craft beer selection, tasty vegan-friendly pub snacks, arcade games, and a chill patio.  

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1002 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 Get directions

thebeerkeep.com
@thebeerkeep

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

1002 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 Get directions

+1 716 768 5912
thebeerkeep.com
@thebeerkeep
𝕏
@thebeerkeep

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve

Features

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Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Aug 1, 2025

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Raelynn Moskal

Google
I don't drink but the food keeps me coming back with friends. I hear the beer is good but I'm here to tell you the vegan hot dogs, vegan chicken tenders, and the curly fries are great! They have some arcade games and pool and it's a cool environment to meet up with friends..

R C

Google
This place offers a large selection of beers. In the back, there is free water along with a photobooth and some arcade games. There is a very hipster-y atmosphere. There are seats indoors along with a front patio where you can sit. The seats themselves weren't very comfortable. The bartender was very upbeat and friendly.

Abigail Wetzler

Google
Great vibes and wonderful staff. Markus truly went above and beyond with some chaos going on. Safe and fun environment!

Matt Rojas

Google
Great spot for all beer fans. They have a great 12 tap draft selection as well as a huge selection of can beer from really great breweries. They have a small food menu perfect if you're looking for a snack. Melissa was absolutely amazing bartender who gave great recommendations for things to do. If you're looking for a beer and a bite then I'd definitely stop here!

a nudler

Google
Very wide selection of beers and ciders, most of which seem to come from smaller breweries. Highly recommended. Food options are standard bar food but it definatly hits the spot.

Lyss

Google
Amazing vegan food & such great drink selections. The pricing is also very reasonable. The vibe and atmosphere is immaculate, and the workers were so friendly and attentive. Definitely will be coming back!! So happy to see more buffalo restaurants serving vegan food!

J H

Google
Elmwood knows what attracts people, and to welcome The Beer Keep to the neighborhood was genius. Yes they sell beer here, they actually sell very unique beers. But they offer wines, hard ciders and small plate (food) items. You have a choice of sitting at the bar, or sitting on the other side of the place at regular chairs. What makes this place unique is, it's not a restaurant and it's not a store. It's a place where you come to socialize, grab a drink to go or just hangout and enjoy your drink with friends. As for the food they offer hotdogs, hamburgers, and some vegan options. I really enjoyed the section where you can buy cans, and bottles of beers. Upon request you can even get growlers filled with your brew of choice. I enjoy stouts and there was a few I was interested in. I can see this place being a good chill spot for a older crowd. But it seriously depends on the time and day. For the most part, I see alot of younger ones coming here first, to get their weekend lit.

C. DeVico

Google
GREAT beer list. Great service and eclectic crowd/ atmosphere.

Sydney A.

Yelp
Love their vegan options! So glad they're on door dash Also love it there for a drink. They have THC seltzers
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Elizabeth F.

Yelp
Stopped by on a Friday evening and found the spot to be lively. Service was great and attentive. There are about 10 beers on tap and many More bottle/can options. There is a bar area and another room with games and seats. There's outdoor seating as well, where dogs are allowed.
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Calvin S.

Yelp
+.5 for service Was at the Jack Rabbit a few bars beside, and my friend who's a local dragged me over to The Beer Keep for their insane beer selections. Needless to say, the amount of beers on tap, plus the cans of beer available were astronomical. I mainly like IPAs or anything citrus-y, and the bartender was knowledgeable on which ones would suit my taste. There was a DJ that was playing some really trippy dance music when I was there. Neat little place overall!
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Rita J.

Yelp
What a great place! Loads of drink options to choose from. I had a cider that was so good. I'm typically am not a cider drinker but I went out of my zone and was so glad I did! Luckily we snagged a table on the patio and a perfect weather day. It brought me back to my days as a village resident.
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Allen W.

Yelp
I finally got the chance to check out The Beer Keep and all I can is ...SPECTACULAR! As a vegan in Buffalo finding good spots with vegan options is such a blessing. There is an added bonus when they're super affordable :D. Bar Keep checks off all of the boxes. The atmosphere is very relaxed with several options for good bears. I ordered the impossible sliders and incognomeato chicken tenders buffalo style. Many people might complain about the limited menu options, but personally I disagree. There are more than enough options. It is also disappointing when you see bars with extensive options and long wait times. Conveniently located in the heart of Elmwood Village with lots of other shops and dining experiences. Plenty of street parking nearby. There is a patio out front to chill and relax. When I think of the perfect place to go for chilling, studying, happy hour with friends, or just to get food with friends this is ideal spot.
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Greg G.

Yelp
Its time here in my old neighborhood and I enjoyed it. I picked the KCBC Brain on brains and wow did I feel it. A strong delicious beer.. Nice small menu. Very nice place for a beer. As of tomorrow fish fries are available. Haddock curly fries slaw looks good. I had a genny spring block it's a genny buff said but it wasn't bad. I have to return for the food portion of the menu.
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Greg O.

Yelp
Good beer variety including draft, cans and bottles. Good amount of seating with a couple of tvs over the bar. There is a dart board in the back.
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Jennifer H.

Yelp
Definitely love the vibes in this place. Chill atmosphere, great beer selection (for here or to go), and garbage plates! There's more I'd like to try on the menu, too so I'll be back. The pudding was a standard chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos on top. Could've used more gummy bears lol. Good item to get if you want something sweet, but in that case, I'd just recommend a tasty stout or porter. Street parking, in the heart of Elmwood Village. During nice weather, you could take your to go items to Bidwell Park across the street. And they're dog friendly!
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Xiao L.

Yelp
Justine is goated (she's the best) that is literally all I have to say. Good beer, fantastic service.

Paul S.

Yelp
In search of the holy grail of the finest Guinness Stout on tap - or can - led me to The Beer Keep on a recent Saturday night. Nestling up to the bar, a bartender quickly asked what I was going to have. Although I was wearing a Guinness rugby shirt, with a Guinness baseball cap which may have been clues to what I was going to order, I smiled and asked for a glass of the black stuff. While waiting while the bartender did a proper two-minute pour, I took in the scenery and the crowd. Mainly a mid 20s to mid 30s seemed to be the mix. While most everyone was young enough (or me so old) that they could be my kids, the bar crowd seemed to be just chillin. And I only felt a little out of place because of the age differential. As the 2-minute pour ended, I smiled as the barkeep smiled and offered me the beer. It was refreshing as usual. It seems the lines were clean - the Guinness tasted as good as anything I've sampled lately. Its temp was cold but not too cold. The Guinness glass it was poured into was a nice touch. The only criticism I had of the bar had nothing to really do with the bar. The price was $8, which isn't that bad of a price. But...with Coles located just down the block, which offers a 22-properly poured Guinness draft at the same price for at least an extra 6 ounces of black gold - Coles will get my business. Call me cheap - people have - yet the laid-back atmosphere wasn't that much of a draw to warrant an immediate re-visit.
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Sarah D.

Yelp
The Bar Keep is a great utilization of the space that used to be Asker's Juice Bar. I came here last week Sunday with a friend for their Pajamas and Pints event. My friend and I didn't wear our pajamas but for $30 we had pancakes, meat, a small fruit cup and alcohol. Tax and gratuity were included in that fee. She had mimosas. I had a Grape White Shark dry cider from OSB and a Nemesis 2021 Imperial Double Pastry Stout. It looked like chocolate milk and was great!!! The staff were kind and pleasant. This place is decorated very well. The two photos after my food were near the bathroom. The Harambe photo and the pictures near it were in the bathroom and the Mario and beer guy ones were outside the bathroom. I had a great experience here and would love to return soon for different beers that they weren't offering during the event and for some food off of their normal menu.
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Tara K.

Yelp
I didn't come for the beer. IMHO, beer is blech. No hate to the beer lovers, though. If you like beer, they have more than a few options here. I can't give you more beer details, because I came for the vegan fish fry. Yes, you heard me right--VEGAN FISH FRY! :-D Regarding the vegan fish fry ... WOW. ABSOLUTELY. YUM! It was crispy and greasy, with a fresh golden batter. The "fish" innards had a fantastic texture and flavor that tasted just like a meat fish fry to me. It was entirely delicious! The nice waitress told us it is made mostly out of Hearts of Palm. Whatever they do to prepare the innards, my hat's off to the chef, WELL DONE! The vegan fish fry is served with vegan sides of french fries, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and tartar sauce. Maybe since the vegan fish was so good itself, I was underwhelmed by the sides. The portions were small. It was all served in a pile on a piece of paper in plastic wicker basket. The paper in my basket was cockeyed, and some of my food was oozing out of the plastic basket. I did not like the presentation, but everything tasted fine enough. The vegan tartar sauce was my favorite flavor in the sides, had a good tartness. My husband had the meat fish fry. If you are looking for a traditional gluttonous WNY fish fry, The Beer Keep is NOT the place. A WNY fish fry should hang off the plate. This was a small rectangle fish patty. My husband said it tasted good enough, but no way worth the $15 price tag, compared to other fish fry platters out there in the 716. One other cardinal-sin-omission from both fish fry platters--no bread. A WNY fish fry must have a piece of bread, even if it's just a slice of white bread tossed on top. That's just how we roll in the fish-fry-716. At $15 for the meat fish fry, and $16 for the vegan fish fry, both with pretty small portions, it really needed that bread. Beyond the fish fry platters, the menu at The Beer Keep is small, a typical limited bar foods menu, but with a vegan twist. For most things, each dish is served either meaty or vegan. There were burgers, hot dogs, and chicken, all with the option of meat or vegan. There is also a meat or vegan Garbage Plate! About a half-dozen appetizers or so round out the short but satisfying menu. You sit at a table, fill out a menu card with the pencils provided, and bring your order to the bar. A bartender will bring your food when its ready. We dined in on Friday evening. The space is split in two, with the bar and some booths on one side, and a dining room with some small and larger tables on the other side. The Beer Keep is definitely a fun hang out for anyone who likes a youthful crowd in a starkly lit and really loud atmosphere. I am old, and my eyes and ears fail me a bit more each day in my old'ing age, so definitely not my scene. It was so dark I could barely see my dinner or read the menu. But I get it, I used to appreciate dim bulbs and beer goggles, I know what the goal is here, haha. After 20+ years of togetherness with my husband, it's just not for me anymore. :-D I'm still completely flabbergasted and WOWED by the hunk of vegan fish fry I had at The Beer Keep, and am hoping to make it in at least one more time before the end of lent to get it again. But this time I'll definitely go sometime during the light of day, so I can actually see my delicious fish. :-P
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Shauna R.

Yelp
Delicious! One word is all that I need to describe The Beer Keep! Great food, great people, and especially great drinks. They have beers on tap and plenty of beers in the cooler to choose from. Enjoyed a hot dog, fries and a plate which is their version of a "garbage" plate. Not going to lie, the chili they use on their plate has a sweet and sour almost taste to it but it's good, different but good. Definitely will be back!
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Lou M.

Yelp
This is the bar for beer nerds. Hold up. This used to be what!?!? What a transformation from what used to be an old run down Ashkers location. The crew here really took their vision and RAN with it. Awesome color concept. I know it's not easy on elmwood, but they were also able to add seating for a sidewalk patio/fire pit. The bottle shop idea seems to be a very successful concept (ie. fattey/magic bear/etc) but the beer keep just honestly does it so much better than anywhere else. Between their exclusive MORTALIS taps and the constant rotation of some of the most sought after breweries in the north east (suarez, hudson valley, other half, kcbc, threes, soon to be much more i'm sure.) On top of their (what seems like) thousands of available beer options, they also have ciders, wine, craft pop and even NA options. It's obvious that they are constantly going out of their way to bring in beers that nobody else in the area can get. The food is also no slouch. Great all inclusive menu full of finger foods with vegan options if you're into that thing. My favorite has to be the handmade chicken nuggets. They are fucking BOMB with the zippy sauce. Want to watch a sporting event? They have a projector in their dining area and multiple TVs at the bar. Want to bring a client to a hip spot with literally anything they would want? They have a cozy corner booth in the bar area with space for a presentation. Want to drink 17 beers and fall asleep in a patio pew? Maybe don't do that, but i'm sure they could help you out. Extremely well thought out from top to bottom!
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Tammy J.

Yelp
The beer keep has an awesome and welcoming feel to it. The food was really good. I'll be honest, I took a few bites and my plate was already half gone. Oops, guess I have to go back there.
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Shauna R.

Yelp
Our first visit here was so much fun! The decor, table options, bar seating options, and overall vibe were amazing for a Sunday afternoon so I can only imagine how much better they can get here. The bartenders were super helpful and they had many cans, drafts, ciders and even some wine options with bottles available for wine too. This is a fun spot and I definitely want to come back soon to try more drinks along with some delicious looking food. Really cool place to check out in the area.

Cadie C.

Yelp
This place is a neighborhood gem. Great beer, friendly service, and an outdoor patio. Just tried the vegan finger wrap with hot sauce and it was awesome!!! Plus a good selection of hard to find beers/seltzers in cans to go. Love this place!
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Emily L.

Yelp
I loveeee this new Elmwood Village spot. The ambiance and decor inside is cozy and cool. The bar is in a room sort of separate from the main dining area, and I could definitely settle into one of those extremely comfortable bar stools for a while. They have booths in the main dining area too, again, making this a nice spot to take a deep breath and chill. My friend and I sat out on the patio to enjoy warm Buffalo weather before it's gone, and it has a nice view of the heart of Elmwood Village and Bidwell Parkway. The bartender was super helpful and incredibly patient as we decided what natural wine to drink (yes, I'm that person at a place called The Beer Keep, but how great is it they have natural wines!?). We made our order at the bar, and took our drinks outside to the patio. The bar menu is like the menu at Ballyhoo - you check off what you want and turn it in. If you are looking to go somewhere that will give you all nostalgic feels, serving up your fave frozen childhood foods (except not frozen, really freakin good, and with dips that are a huge upgrade from plain ketchup) - here it is. We got chicken nugs, falafel, and curly fries with an assortment of yummy dips. Now, I'll be honest, I am new to falafel, I've only had it a few times, but omgggggg this falafel was SO GOOD - perfect crispy outside and soft, almost creamy on the inside. The nugs made me happy, and so did the curly fries. This will def be a new go to spot for drinks and snacks with friends!
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Gladys S.

Yelp
Very cool place with a nice chill ambiance. I went here this past weekend with a group of friends - about 8 to 10 of us and there was plenty of space for us in the dining area. The bar seemed pretty packed but we were able to order drinks ASAP. The bartenders are super friendly and they were extremely attentive to all of their patrons. I did not get the try out the food but judging by it's service, I'm excited to come back here again sometimes for a late lunch or dinner!

Michael B.

Yelp
Poor health. The service workers touched their faces and noses after sneezing and coughing and still served drinks. The bartender, Melissa G, was so drunk she kept trying to check out people that had just set down and argued with them about their checks sloppily. Amusing to watch but terrible to encounter as a patron. Disgusted with the professionalism of this establishment. Never coming back and telling everyone also to not bother with this joke hire of a job venture. Gag on a spoon.
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Leah R.

Yelp
Great place for causal beers with friends. Haven't tried the food yet but definitely a great atmosphere to hang out in and catch up with friends. I've been here twice, good experiences both times. The bartender was outstanding too.
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Pre A.

Yelp
My friend suggested this place to me, and it's fantastic. Great vibes, friendly staff, great apps and awesome variety of beer. I had a guava seltzer, tasty. Definitely will be back!
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Jeech N.

Yelp
This place has great beers and I really like their curly fries. Curly fries in general are delicious but better with a fancy beer on tap. They always have fancy beers and some come from a tap that makes fluffy foam. Would go back.
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J B.

Yelp
Superb spot within the Elmwood village serving the finest beers the northeast has to offer. The staff... flawless! They run that bar like a fortune 500 company that constantly hits their projected quarterly earnings. Simply put, they know their stuff and how to cater to their cliental. I've met a number of great individuals in "The Beer Keep." Never once have I had a disappointing experience. I'll always recommend this place to anyone visiting or living in Buffalo. Please, keep up the great work, Beer Keep staff. I'll be there again soon...very soon! - Yelper God
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Jurel H.

Yelp
Elmwood knows what attracts people, and to welcome The Beer Keep to the neighborhood was genius. Yes they sell beer here, they actually sell very unique beers. But they also offer wines, hard ciders and small plate (food) items as well. You have a choice of sitting at the bar, or sitting on the other side of the place at regular chairs. What makes this place unique is, it's not a restaurant and it's not a store. It's a place where you come to socialize, grab a drink to go or just hangout and enjoy your drink with friends. As for the food they offer hotdogs, hamburgers, and some vegan options. I really enjoyed the section where you can buy cans, and bottles of beers. Upon request you can even get growlers filled with your brew of choice. I enjoy stouts and there was a few I was interested in. I can see this place being a good chill spot for a older crowd. But it seriously depends on the time and day. For the most part, I see alot of younger ones coming here first, to get their weekend lit.
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Michael M.

Yelp
Boogeyman IPA [ flavorful and light ], curly fries and one of their house made chili cheese dog with onion and yellow mustard. I wasn't able to order for myself but spicy mustard would be primo
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Mark F.

Yelp
Great addition to the Elmwood neighborhood. My friends and I were at a nearby restaurant and noticed The Beer Keep (we hadn't seen it before!) - it had a cozy patio out front with artificial turf if you wanted to just sit and hang out with your beer in the warm weather. When you walk in, you immediately notice this isn't your typical Elmwood bar. There are two large rooms - one with your typical bar with plenty of seating (including booths) and the other room has more seating. If you want to avoid a crazy crowd, this is the ideal spot. I liked the dim lighting too. The bar is kept very clean, including the restrooms, which is always appreciatd. The menu is essentially all beers (yes, CRAFT beers) and the drinks served on tap come from breweries all over, including local ones. They also have a large selection of canned beers you can purchase. Let's welcome The Beer Keep to Buffalo!
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Shel L.

Yelp
Always new and different beers, ciders, wines and non alcoholic options to choose from. They even have kombucha drinks. The staff is the friendliest and it is very dog friendly! Their vegan stinger is to die for
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Allison F.

Yelp
Went back..again ..and finally got food. The fries are the best, who doesn't like curly fries! And I was pleasantly surprised at how good the falafel was. I'd highly recommend it, and will be getting more on my next trip in. Oh we also got the Buffalo dip, mouthwateringly good. So yeah great beer and great food. Go go go!
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Katie P.

Yelp
Stopped by for a drink with friends and had a great time! There are so many beer options to choose from. The bartender was helpful and gave us good recommendations. It has a nice patio area out front on the sidewalk, with artificial turf and benches to sit on. This is a cool addition to Elmwood Village. I'll be back!

Dylan H.

Yelp
whatever dj was there on new years needs to not be a DJ anymore ruined the night I'd rather walk down the street in the cold

Thomas L.

Yelp
Served raw chicken. It's pretty heinous, picture attached. Poor service. Would not recommend
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Jeffery B.

Yelp
Amazing beer list that constantly changes. Staff is very knowledgeable and the atmosphere is super chill.

John D.

Yelp
Just stopped in for the first time, the place is great! The bar and building is super clean, and actually has some of the BEST food I've had, that food was so good I will be back for sure !!

Justine P.

Yelp
Incredible selection of beers and natural wines. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you pick out something you'll enjoy.