HotelDowntown
Curtiss Hotel
💲💲💲 · $200-350/night
🏟️ 0.8 miles — 15 min walk
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Buffalo, NY
KeyBank Center
Wings, pints, and a city that punches way above its weight.
HotelElmwood Village
The Richardson Hotel
💲💲💲💲 · $250-400/night
🏟️ 2.0 miles — short ride
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HotelDowntown
Aloft Buffalo Downtown
💲💲 · $130-220/night
🏟️ 0.4 miles — 9 min walk
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HotelDowntown
Hyatt Regency Buffalo
💲💲 · $140-250/night
🏟️ 0.7 miles — 14 min walk
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HotelDowntown
Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo-Downtown
💲 · $100-170/night
🏟️ 0.7 miles — 14 min walk
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HotelDowntown / Allentown
Lenox Hotel and Suites
💲💲 · $150-220/night
🏟️ 1.1 miles — short ride or 20 min walk
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Downtown / Canalside
0 miles from KeyBank CenterRevitalized waterfront energy. This is where game day happens.
Areas: Main Street, Pearl Street, Canalside, Cobblestone District, Chippewa Street
Best For: Game day logistics, pre-game and post-game food and drinks, waterfront walks.
💡 Pro Tip: The Cobblestone District (South Park Ave) is the under-the-radar move. Hartman's Distilling Co. and Ballyhoo are right here, steps from KeyBank Center, with none of the Chippewa Street crowd.
Allentown
1 mile from KeyBank CenterBuffalo's bohemian heart. Victorian homes, independent shops, and some of the best bars and restaurants.
Areas: Allen Street (from Main to Elmwood), Virginia Street
Best For: Night-before dinner, late-night bar hopping, weekend brunch, eclectic vibes.
💡 Pro Tip: Allen Street after midnight is the move. The bars stay open until 4 AM in New York State—Buffalo takes full advantage.
Elmwood Village
1.5 miles from KeyBank CenterTree-lined streets, boutique shopping, and an upscale-casual restaurant scene.
Areas: Elmwood Avenue (from Allen to Forest)
Best For: Pre-game upscale dinner, cocktails at High Violet, morning coffee walks.
💡 Pro Tip: High Violet is hidden down a cobblestone alley off Elmwood. Look for the gap between Bureau menswear and the next building.
Black Rock / West Side
2 miles from KeyBank CenterBuffalo's culinary frontier. James Beard-nominated chefs are setting up shop here.
Areas: Amherst Street (Black Rock), Connecticut Street, Rhode Island Street (Five Points)
Best For: Serious dining, food-obsessed visitors, a neighborhood that feels like the real Buffalo.
💡 Pro Tip: Book Waxlight Bar à Vin for dinner one night, Las Puertas the other. Two James Beard-nominated kitchens in two meals.
Night Before Games
Splurge: Waxlight Bar à Vin — three-time James Beard nominee with a seasonal, technique-driven menu. Upscale Casual: Hutch's on Delaware Ave. Casual: Adolf's Old First Ward Tavern for the best wings in Buffalo, then Allen Street for nightcaps. After dinner: High Violet for cocktails or Billy Club for whiskey.
Day of — Morning
Breakfast at Betty's in Allentown (Chilaquiles Casserole + Bloody Mary) or Sunday brunch at Southern Junction. Coffee at Remedy House in Five Points.
Pre-Game
Start at Southern Tier Brewing Company for the 36.5-foot screen (catch early tournament games while you pregame), or Pearl Street Grill & Brewery for the full brewery experience, or Big Ditch Brewing for Hayburner IPA. When it thins out, it's time—5-minute walk to KeyBank Center.
Post-Game
Walk to Hartman's Distilling Co. for a post-game Old Fashioned with house bourbon. Dinner at Marble + Rye (pizza + whiskey) or Las Puertas (tasting menu). Late night on Allen Street—Billy Club, Allen Street Hardware Cafe, whatever catches your eye.
⏱️ If You Only Have Time for One Thing
🍽️ Food: Adolf's Old First Ward Tavern — skip the tourist wing spots, this is where Buffalo locals go for the best wings in the city. House bleu cheese is legendary.
🍺 Bar: Pearl Street Grill & Brewery—the full downtown brewery experience, one block from the arena.
✨ Experience: Walk Canalside at sunset, then hit the pre-game scene in the Cobblestone District.
☕ Breakfast: Betty's in Allentown. Chilaquiles Casserole, coffee, no rush.
🌙 Late Night: Allen Street. Pick any bar. You'll figure it out.
Getting There
- 🚗 From New York City: ~6 hours via I-90 West. Budget $15–20 in tolls.
- 🚗 From Toronto: ~2 hours via QEW to Peace Bridge. Have your passport ready.
- 🚗 From Cleveland: ~3 hours via I-90 East.
- ✈️ Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF): 20 minutes from downtown. Ride-share to downtown runs $15–25.
🅿️ Parking Strategy
Street parking is free downtown after 5 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. M&T Bank lot on Ellicott Street runs $3 after 4 PM. For KeyBank Center events, arrive 90+ minutes early or use the Metro Rail from University station ($2 each way).
At the Arena
- 🚇 Buffalo's Metro Rail runs from University Heights to Canalside. $2 each way, drops you right at the arena.
- 📱 Drop-off at Canalside (near Naval Park lot) is your best bet—3-minute walk to KeyBank Center. Surge pricing kicks in after games, so walk a few blocks before requesting.
- 🏟️ Gates open 1–1.5 hours before tip-off for NCAA tournament games.
- 👜 Clear bags only (12" x 6" x 12" or smaller). Small clutch purses (4.5" x 6.5") permitted. No backpacks.
- ✓March in Buffalo: Expect 25–45°F with potential snow and wind. Layer up. The wind off Lake Erie is no joke.
- ✓Book Waxlight Bar à Vin, Oliver's Restaurant, Las Puertas, and Hutch's at least a week ahead—especially during tournament weekends.
- ✓Gabriel's Gate is cash only—hit an ATM first. Adolf's Old First Ward Tavern is the locals' wing pick — skip the tourist traps. Most other spots take cards and Apple Pay.
- ✓Download Tock and Resy for reservations. Uber/Lyft for rides. NFTA Metro app for rail schedules.
- ✓Buffalo AKG Art Museum (free admission) and Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House are world-class cultural stops.
- ✓Last call is 4 AM in New York State. Buffalo takes full advantage. Allen Street stays alive deep into the night.
- ✓Must-try local foods: Buffalo wings (obviously), beef on weck, and sponge candy.
- ✓The Cobblestone District is the under-the-radar neighborhood near the arena—Hartman's Distilling Co. and Ballyhoo with none of the Chippewa crowd.
- ✓Buffalo is one of the friendliest sports cities in America. Wear your team's gear. Talk to the person next to you. This city rewards engagement.
What are the best restaurants near KeyBank Center?+
Top picks near the arena: Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (1 block away), Big Ditch Brewing, Ballyhoo in the Cobblestone District, and Hartman's Distilling Co. For upscale options, Waxlight Bar à Vin and Oliver's Restaurant are a short ride away.
Where should I go before a game at KeyBank Center?+
The best pre-game spots: Southern Tier Brewing Company (36.5-foot TV screen, perfect for catching early games), Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (1 block away), Big Ditch Brewing, Ballyhoo in the Cobblestone District, and Hartman's Distilling Co. Arrive 90+ minutes early for parking and to soak up the atmosphere.
Is parking free near KeyBank Center?+
Street meters are free after 5 PM and on weekends. Multiple garages within walking distance run $10–20 on event days. The Metro Rail has a stop at Canalside (free in the downtown zone) if you want to park further out.
What food is Buffalo known for?+
Buffalo is famous for Buffalo wings (obviously), beef on weck (roast beef on a kimmelweck roll with horseradish), and sponge candy. Try all three while you're here.
What drinks is Buffalo known for?+
Buffalo's craft beer scene is booming — Hayburner IPA from Big Ditch Brewing is the signature local pour. Hartman's Distilling Co. houses New York State's largest still and makes bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin on-site. The city also embraces the Loganberry drink (a sweet berry soda unique to Western NY), and cheap domestic beer with your wings is a time-honored tradition.
How late are bars open in Buffalo?+
New York State bars can serve until 4 AM. Buffalo takes full advantage—Allen Street and downtown stay alive deep into the night.
Got a Spot We Missed?
Know a restaurant, bar, or hidden gem in Buffalo? We're always looking for local recommendations.