Amazing staff and drink menu great vibes for an alternative crowd. Meads, beer, cocktails and more

The first thing you notice is the fitting music and then you walk in, amazing decor, the smell of incense, books, and couches. It does tend to be a bit cramped when there's an event but weekdays are super laid back with a few customers at the bar. I love the themed menu that not only offers DELICIOUS cocktails, but also cider, mead, beer, etc, wine, non-alcoholic, and even cannabis drinks so there's something for everyone. I especially love that there's some snacks but they also allow outside food (and there's pizza next door!). It's become my new favorite and I'll be going back at least once a week for the next couple months. read more

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I find this to be a neat concept for a bar... Spooky and based on the bar in the book Frankenstein; several variations of the book (as well as others) decorate the bar. The bar is quite small, but they have a decent amount of seating... 6 or so seats at the actual bar then two small tables by the front window and a loungey area with a sofa, some comfy chairs and a few other small tables. The have a full bar with themed specialty drinks as well as hot loose leaf tea and small plates for a little snacky snack. The service was friendly, but quite slow... Especially since the bar was not particularly busy when we ordered. My friend got one of the specialty drinks, Bee Sting, made with Meade & draft cider, I got a hot tea and we split a fruit plate & nut plate. The water given with my tea was not hot enough to steep the bag; the bartender thanked me for letting him know and returned quickly with a fresh, hot, Halloween-themed cup. The fruit & nut plates had a good selection including banana chips, dried apricot, mango, cranberries, almonds, pistachios and cashews. They were the perfect amount for snacking while having a drink & gabbing. The bathroom was very cooly decorated with a skeleton on the ceiling enrobed in spider webs and a crow that cawed at me when I opened the door. I wish I would have taken a pic! Would I rush back, probably not; but, I would go back again if I happened to be in the area. It's definitely a place to check out at least once! read more

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The ambiance is absolutely lovely. Everyone within is a delight, including the staff. I had a seasonal drink- the bumble. Hot cocoa with peppermint vodka. My best friend had the dirty satan and they loved it. read more

The Merry Shelley - the bumble and dirty satan - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Fun experience. Especially for October. Cocktails were divine. Atmosphere was creepy and fun. read more

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Cool bar, with a unique literary theme with a dark, moody atmosphere. They have specialty cocktails and an absinthe menu. They only carry limited types of alcohol, so they may not be able to make what you want. read more

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Very cool vibes here! A couple girlfriends and I met here for drinks after dinner one night. Very Absinthe-heavy cocktail menu to be aware of, which is great to make you branch out of your comfort zone from the normal classic cocktails. It felt like every cocktail that the bartender made was an experience rather than just mixing the ingredients together. Definitely a cool experience here! read more

I adore the Merry Shelley. Absinthe is delicious. And they do it well. Service is good and it's ALWAYS a cool vibe in there. read more

The Merry Shelley - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This is the kind of place I long for. When bars or restaurants pick a theme, I want them to go overboard, but the right kind of overboard. That is what The Merry Shelley is doing and it is working so well. This is the type of bar that you go for the fellow customers at the bar because they are ridiculously friendly, offer recommendations, are chatty and who you want to be best friends with by the end of your conversation. I wanted to order the kingslayer, but they could not make that drink the night I went, so I ended up getting a canned vodka soda cocktail because I didn't know what else to order under pressure. Their menu is extensive and next time, I will be getting an absinthe drink, because if you want an absinthe drink, this is probably the place to get it. There are games at the bar, tarot readings when we were there on a Thursday before 10pm, books and all around the vibes are stellar. Check this place out. I also like that the bar has water at the end of the bar, so you can grab and sit down without bothering the bartender. Tip: Go into the bathroom on the left, when you face the back of the building. read more

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Ambiance was amazing, bartender was a pleasure. She absolutely knows her menu. If you don't know what you want, describe the flavors and she will nail it for you! Small space, but quirky and fun! Chairs could be a little more comfy, but 100%, I am excited to go back! read more

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By far one of the coolest bars in Buffalo! I've been wanting to stop by for awhile and was thrilled to finally be in the area and have some free time. I was pleased to find a tiny gothic literary themed spot with amazing and interesting drinks. You might have to be patient when ordering or getting a seat but it's well worth the it. This spot is decorated to the nines with Halloween-ish, gothic, spooky stuff and it's fun to check it all out. We tried the tepache which was alcohol made from a fermented pineapple and the watchdog cocktail. The tepache was super interesting and new to us. Was very sweet and pineapple-y. The watchdog was perfect for a cold dark night. It warmed me up and had hints of orange. Lots of neat and different kinds of drinks here and some bar snacks as well if you are hungry. Bartender was friendly and helpful with menu questions. They also serve absinthe and it's fun to watch them put it together. I also learned that this place serves as a community library. There are books all over and you are welcome to take or borrow some to read. They also make it clear they are LGBTQ+ friendly so all are welcome to come and enjoy. read more

The Merry Shelley - The watch dog and Tepache Pina y Canela - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Overall had a great time here! The vibe is so cool and the drinks were really good. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR BILLS! My only complaint is that the bartender charged us for 3 shots we didn't get. He was insisting one of us ordered the 3 shots but eventually took it off the bill and then asked if we wanted the gratuity adjusted too... well obviously! He changed the bill and as we were gathering our belongings and getting ready to leave he came back over and said one of the people in our group definitely ordered them and told him to put it on the tab.... We knew no one had shots and it was done and over with and really bothered me he kept saying that... so please please double check your bills!!!! read more

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Love this weird little bar. It's got a goth literary vibe and a great chef in residence who loves vegetable forward dishes and cresting vegan food. They have lovely cocktails, a nice selection of teas they serve with a timer, and a changing menu of delightful creations. They're testing out Waffle Wednesdays about twice a month. It's not always vegan, but when it is, I plan to be there. read more

The Merry Shelley - Waffle Wednesday with a vegan sweet potato waffle, pimento cheeze, and impossible nuggets. - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Most recent visit was about a month ago, we walked in and they had a DJ playing a variety of 80's music, mostly rock. It was a nice vibe and most of the other patrons were friendly. The decor is pretty cool. The bartender was nice and introduced me to Mezcal shots lol, she warned me that it's very smokey and boy was it. We came here twice before, those two visits were a little lackluster but this time made up for it, we'll definitely visit again! Would like to see some additional snacks on the menu. read more

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this bar sooner. This place is the go-to when you just want to be your real self. The owners and staff are extremely friendly and clearly have a passion for their business. They have an unparalleled absinthe collection and various non-alcoholic beverages and snacks so that everyone is accommodated. I strongly recommend the Modern Prometheus- absinthe and root beer. There is a library as well as fun fidgets at the bar. The music and aesthetic perfect for the moody darkling in your life, and it is small enough to feel intimate. Overall, there is no reason anyone couldn't be comfortable here- even the regulars are welcoming. They host a variety of events as well, which they advertise on their social media. One time I came here to struggle through homework and found two other nerds with experience in that area that helped me through it. The ambiance of this place is perfect for anything- parties, dates, studying, meeting new friends. Cannot speak more highly of this bar, it's now the only one I patron. read more

I've been dying to come here forever. They make fun and effective use of the space, and the Bride of Frankenstein mural on the outside is a great touch. The music sets a relaxed vibe. I think we even caught trip hop like Portishead in the mix. Bar service is stellar. I tried a couple of absinthe, and it's the whole works, flaming sugar cube and all. They also have mead and beer, some local, other exotic liquors and soda, but they are not a full bar. Their focus on absinthe and mead is what drew me in. There's a couple of bookshelves in the shape of coffins, and some elegant seating around the perimeter. I look forward to coming back. read more

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This small bar is very fun! I came here last night for a close friend's 41st birthday. I wish the bar was larger. The website states that it has room for 40 but it was a tight bar. There is a picture of Mary Shelley behind the bartender, at the bar. The drinks sounded interesting. I tried a few. My favorite was The Witching Hour. It is a red chai tea with Krupnik. It had a timer so I knew when the stop letting the tea steep. I wasn't in love with my other drinks but the bartender, bathrooms, and decor were great. I didn't take any pictures of anything. I should have. (I stole this photo from my bestie.) The place has a great vibe and was fun to visit. I'd like to return in the warmer months, to check out the patio. read more

The Merry Shelley - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

My brother and I had the best time at The Merry Shelley. There was a DJ and it was Cedric's birthday, and the place was packed! We enjoyed ciders, absinthe, dried fruit, and a pretzel. I can't wait to go back and highly recommend. Everyone was fun and friendly, and the place is so perfectly outfitted read more

The Merry Shelley - This place is amazing - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

So we picked up our meat board yesterday. We loved it Since presentation can make or break the experience I'm going to tell you about ours. When you arrive your bag is clearly marked with your name. It's an easy bag with handles, which were nicely tied shut, with black string, because, well, its a goth bar. When I arrived home I opened the bag. There were two boxes, and for a moment I thought perhaps I'd ordered 2 (in error), or they made a mistake and gave me 2. Basically, I assumed one of us made a mistake. And THAT was the mistake. Instead the order came in two takeout cardboard boxes because its so carefully wrapped up. We had the meat board, cleverly named, and it included: 2 types of meat 2 types of cheese 2 sizes/types lives 2 types nuts Bread I feel like I've forgotten something, but its all been eaten, so I cant tell you. This could stand alone. But that's not what we did. We sliced the bread a little thinner (basically each piece we carefully sliced in two), added some mustard to the meats and a little fig jam with the cheese. We also added some of our own olives, we found the olives they offer good, but not quite as piquant as we we expected from a "Spanish influence" board. While we had no complaints, we had a few tweaks, and the olives would be one. This was great, a nice change from our usual meal, and fun to see this new place on Hertel. Update 10 2021 read more

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A review of this particular place is highly subjective, but here is my opinion: Pros: It's evident a lot of time and effort went into the decor. There are a lot of interesting pieces and a great spooky vibe is definitely achieved. There is an eclectic drink list to choose from, as well as food options. I enjoyed the mead. I also appreciated that the crowd was diverse. Cons: I would personally have liked a cocktail however they do not currently offer any. There is a baby coffin with a photo of a dead baby, which just made me sad. The following is written on the menu, which I felt was in poor taste- "Now, please, for the love of goth, drink! [slashes wrist]" read more

The Merry Shelley - Cheese and crackers - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I read about this place on Step Out Buffalo and it sounded interesting. We have so far been here twice, and both times we had a wonderful time. I will say this first, this type of bar might not be to everyone's taste. If you don't enjoy dark lighting, occult or goth style images, the quiet sounds of bands like The Cure playing in the background. Does not have a full bar, and limited food options. Then maybe you would enjoy a more traditional bar down the road. Now that is out of the way and you are not scared off, then I must recommend you stop by this establishment. You do not need to be dressed in black clothes, dark lipstick and eyeliner to feel welcomed inside. You can show up in regular clothes, someone else's clothes, costume, whatever your feeling, and I am sure they will still be happy to have you. My wife and I own enough black shirts with Halloween/Spooky theming to stuff a dresser. It is nice to have somewhere to wear them outside of Sept/Oct and not feel weird. The space is small, with about a dozen stools at the bar, and chairs and small tables to seat a couple dozen more people. But it does not feel cramped or tight to move There is also a few seats out front if you wanted some fresh air. The space inside is beautifully decorated with wall murals, decorations, prints and pictures. Coffin shaped bookshelves full of books line one wall, you can sit and read as you sip on a cider, or take them home to finish at your leisure. The bar offers a selection of wines, ciders, seltzers, ipa/craft/sour beers, and Absinthe. This is not a full bar, so if you enjoy a Bud Light or Margaritas then they might not have what you like. We both enjoy ciders and sours, so we find plenty to drink. There is a small selection of food, but it is more snack style foods like cheese and crackers, nuts, dried fruits, etc. Something to pick at while to chat and drink. The atmosphere is quiet, so it is easy to talk to the staff and fellow patrons. We both are not good at socializing, but both times we found it easy to have conversations with the staff and others. No blasting music or sports game on a tv to distract you from having a pleasant evening. They are accepting of all lifestyles. I know we will be visiting The Merry Shelley many more times, if we could walk there we would probably be there even more haha. Hopefully you will give them a try. It is nice to have a place that is not your typical sports bar, or hole in the wall gin joint. It may be dark inside, but still feels warm and inviting. P.S. at this point in time (Oct 2021) they are checking vaccination status at the door. I'm not here to debate the topic, but if you chose to not get it, then maybe enjoy another establishment. read more

The Merry Shelley - Sitting area with "little library" books to read and take. - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Decided to do a last minute Birthday/Friday the 13th celebration here this past week . I got there early (right when they opened at 6pm ) as I knew it was a cozy, tight space and wanted to get a good seat at the bar . The bartender waited on me right away , really friendly guy and was patient with all the questions . They have a vast menu ..... several cocktails, beers, wines,, ciders, meads, even absinthe ! Prices are quite fair, $9 being the average price. Some I liked better than others -my favorite was a hot chai tea with a shot of krupnik! Watching the demonstrations of the absinthe cocktails was fascinating -although the drink itself isn't for everyone. I would have liked to see 2 bartenders serving us . It got really busy at times and some of my group had to wait up to 20 minutes to order another round or close a tab . Also , they do have a small plates menu, but it is quite limited . The pretzel was tasty and my friends liked the onion dip (that's not my jam) but if you are looking for a more substantial meal , go elsewhere for that ! By the way , it is hard to overlook the decor ! Spooky stuff everywhere to be seen , there was even a guy doing a rock reading (like tarot cards, but with rocks! ) Overall , I had a blast of a night and I will definitely be back , I do hear the patio out back allows more room to mingle! read more

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Very cool vibe. The service was incredible. The bartender was very friendly and helped us choose drinks. He offered suggestions after asking us what kinds of flavors we enjoyed. The clientele was very chill. The bar is smaller than I expected but I'm actually ok with that...makes it cozy. Loved the atmosphere, and the eclectic collection of mismatched furniture, and decor. The drinks were delicious (I had the mead). I also had the "Lasher" flight, and liked all of them except the one in the middle. But it was fun to try. Loved all of it, except the food. We ordered the pickle plate, chips and mixed nuts. The pickles, while flavorful, were kind of soggy (I love a crunchy pickle). The olives were good, but be aware that the seed was still in them. Not bad, just something to know. Chips were decent. Nuts were nuts like you would get anywhere. We wanted to try the onion dip but we're told they didn't have it. So I took a star for the food. Wish they had better offering on that. It's hard to drink without a good nibble on something, and I felt that part was the only thing lacking in this place. But loved the vibe so much that I will definitely be back. read more

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Quite a fun place. The bartender was very nice and informative. I enjoy that the menu is different and has things like absinthe. That's hard to find in many places. The seating is cozy and a variety of chairs/seats. It's an intimate space and I was there on a very quiet night, so it felt like hanging out in a living room. Extra points for mood music that is not too loud to drown out all conversation. Dark, but you can still see. That's a nice balance. read more

Was looking forward to stopping by this Gothic/horror themed bar, but did not have a very good experience. The bartender was drunk/awkward and wouldn't stop talking about generic and divisive BS. His close minded attitude left my group with a bad impression and it clearly didn't fit the bill for an establishment that prides itself on acceptance. read more

the male bartender told me he didn't like me for no reason and I cried :') so I'll never go back again. Great ambiance, cool decor but why be so rude to a paying customer for absolutely no reason???? read more

Such an amazing, different bar that Buffalo needed! Everything from the thoughtful decor, ambiance, service, and crowd was out fo this world. A cozy, spooky place that will make you feel at home and proud to be an outcast. Bae provided many selections of hard cider, beer, wine, mead, and even absinthe. A definite go to! read more

The Merry Shelley - Local ciders (on tap and can) - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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This place is the best!! The owners are the kindest people and make you feel so welcomed and at home. I look forward to spending so much more time here!!! read more

The Merry Shelley - Bars Near Me - Buffalo, New York

The Merry Shelly is a hidden gem that surpasses all others. It has everything - a great ambiance, a fantastic aesthetic, amazing music, an impressive beer selection, and a fantastic staff! I highly recommend giving it a try. read more

Funky atmosphere, very welcoming environment and staff, great drinks and music. Wish I lived closer, I'd be there regularly.

Quite possibly the coolest bar in Buffalo or Western New York for that matter. Obviously a gothic vibe. Sort of like if Mary Shelly and Lord Byron opened an intimate nightclub. Did I mention the absinthe? They are also one of the few absinthe bars in these here United States. They have a wide selection of that legendary beverage and have got the whole preparation ritual down. Great people behind and at the bar. Very relaxed atmosphere. If you feel Halloween should be a national holiday and your house looks like its decorated for Halloween 365 days out of the year, this may be the place for you. The green fairy awaits. read more

Best place good vibes! The bartenders are v nice and very open to my question and requests! Will go here again

Last night I went to the merry Shelly for the first time. Upon arrival the decor was on theme and fun, especially for Halloween weekend. The bartender was helpful and the seltzer chosen was delicious. However... when the co owner "Cedric" walked in and saw my and my friends boyfriend sipping drinks and casually (and quietly) watching the bills game on their phone he immediately spoke his opinion. He made groaning comments and when I said excuse me? He said "this is not a TV bar!" And I said so? Cedric looked me dead in the eye and said "do you want to throw down?" And then proceeded to call me a bitch. When my friend went to talk to him, him and the bartender sent her back to our group in tears and we promptly left. I am incredibly disappointed by the service and outwardly rude and unwelcoming comments made by the OWNER. I will not be returning. read more

Definitely a cool place. The aesthetic is dark and literary based. They serve absinthe and other very cool cocktails. Will definitely go back read more

I waited months to check this place out until a friend who would appreciate it came to visit. It's a great vibe, great crowd and fun ambiance. We ordered absinthe and the bartender did a nice show of serving it from an absinthe fountain. We aren't goth kids but my friend is a horror fan and I love gothic lit. We felt right at home with the other nerds and weirdos (lovingly) hanging out here. Super friendly bartender. read more

The perfect most incredible, beyond gorgeous welcoming bar that felt better than home. I'm a goth from Los Angeles and have been to several, if not all goth bars. This place tops them all with their ambiance, aesthetic, music, vibes, and staff. The two bartenders, who happen to be the owners, were sensational. They treated me like absolute gold to the point where I felt like a princess in a dreamy dark castle. The woman behind the bar (co-owner), is phenomenal! She was amazingly attentive, kind, was on top of her shit, and definitely kept creepers out by letting them know when they were out of line. I felt safe there not just as a customer, but as an individual, a woman, a goth, and as someone who suffers from anxiety. This my most favorite bar thus far. Thank you, The Merry Shelley!!! read more

The bartender was super nice as we came in and very attentive. The drinks were so good and I really enjoyed them I got a modern Prometheus which was right up my alley as a root beer lover! My boyfriend who doesn't drink got tea which the bartender showed us their large selection. Such a great time. The vibes inside were also amazing fun but not kooky. Really great night read more

I'm so glad I found the Merry Shelley; My favorite bar in the Buffalo area! Their absinthe selection is one of a kind in WNY! They also have a unique wine and mead menu. Spooky atmosphere, aroma of incense, classic horror and goth themed books, dark wave music, amazing bartenders and drinks...i couldn't ask for more! read more

I'm not a bar person but I love this place. It's cozy, quiet, and the gothic theme is so, so fun. I always feel safe and welcome here, which I can't say for most other bars. If you're someone who doesn't like the loud, overwhelming bustle of other bars but wants something to do in the evening, this place for you. read more

Definitely a fun little bar to check out. The atmosphere's cool. Their drink list is awesome! I had quite a lot of fun. You really want to keep in mind though, that it is just a bar. While they have some little snacks, they don't really have food so eat before going. And while I loved the dried fruit I wouldn't bother with the bread and olive oil/vinaigrette. read more