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    The Merry Shelley

    4.4 (48 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    The Merry Shelley Photos

    Business Info

    THE MERRY SHELLEY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Merry Shelley

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    Bee sting, hot tea & fruit and nut small plates
    Monica K.

    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!

    the bumble and dirty satan
    Amanda N.

    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.

    Churchyard
    Mary S.

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

    Shannon R.

    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.

    Ivy Y.

    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.

    Nikki G.

    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.

    Wayne B.

    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!

    The watch dog and Tepache Pina y Canela
    Crystal G.

    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.

    Courtney M.

    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!!!!

    Waffle Wednesday with a vegan sweet potato waffle, pimento cheeze, and impossible nuggets.
    Rebecca H.

    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.

    Mural
    Aly W.

    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.

    Sarah D.

    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.

    This place is amazing
    Leah S.

    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

    How it arrived wrapped

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    4 years ago

    Honestly my favorite bar I've visited outside of LA. I feel welcomed here and the staff is amazing.

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    4 years ago

    The most amazing different bar in Buffalo, highly recommend. Great staff, owners. And great vibe!

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Merry Shelley

    Review Highlights - The Merry Shelley

    The bar offers a selection of wines, ciders, seltzers, ipa/craft/sour beers, and Absinthe.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Sterling Place Tavern

    Sterling Place Tavern

    3.6
    (17 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    I guess I understand why the owners number is on the yelp page, the staff don't seem to ever answer…read morethe phone in the restaurant for to go orders. I've tried to place one twice now ( the food is really good, the only reason I would do this insanity twice).. the first time I was told to call back and had to call multiple times just to get an answer (the phone rang and rang and went to voicemail), the second time months later I tried calling multiple times to place an order to no avail....sadly...I was really looking forward to their cutlet sandwich. I do recommend this place, but I guess you just need to go in person :(

    I've only been here twice and not long each time. It was just a stop for one beer type thing and…read morethen go to the bar that you're planning on staying at for the night. It was nice and big in there. I like the way that there was room to move. It's not real small like most bars I end up going to. The bartender was OK, it was very, very crowded, so they were low on seats. Like I said, I wasn't there very long. I didn't spend a lot of time there so I don't really know much about the place. I didn't even so much just use the restroom there so I don't know about those. I don't know if they have food or not. I just like the fact that it's spacious.

    Photos
    Series of our cocktails morning Joe the Sterling spritz in the hot and dirty
    Series of our cocktails morning Joe the Sterling spritz in the hot and dirty
    Chopped cheese
    Chopped cheese
    Good morning Joe Martini and the hot and dirty martini

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    Good morning Joe Martini and the hot and dirty martini
    The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill

    The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill

    4.1
    (214 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Living in Buffalo several years now, I've never been out to Hertel Ave to grab food and drinks -…read moreSurprising, I know! Thanks to a Yelp Elite event on Hertel Ave., I FINALLY changed that with a fantastic late dinner at The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill. One of the main reasons I don't like to go out in Buffalo is parking - I'm always anxious about finding a spot that's close to where I'm going, as well as not having to pay for it. It was 7:45pm on a Tuesday, so street parking was free so one obstacle down, and amazingly, I managed to park right in front of The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill, but across the street - I'll take it! Upon walking inside, there were a few tables outside full of people having dinner and drinks with one waitress managing all of it. I walked in and was surprised how big, spacious it was. First order of business though was hitting the restroom, which was on the small side, but clean. After that, I grabbed a seat at the bar. The bartender was a young, pretty woman who was very personable. Unsure of what to grab for a drink, she asked what beers I usually go for and with that, she was fired off a few beers on draught I might like. I settled on the Jack's Abby Post Shift Pilsner and enjoyed sipping on that the rest of the night. She handed me the food menu and took care of a few other customers while I figured out what I wanted. I got it down to two items and I asked her for her recommendation, which was excellent and how I'd order, if and when I make it back. But similar to what other reviews on Yelp say, the atmosphere was very much like a neighborhood bar and grill, where everyone knows each other and if they don't know you, they're still more than willing to let you hop in and out of the conversation. I felt very comfortable sitting and listening to the "regulars" chat, watching a baseball game on the TVs behind the bar. So for dinner, I decided on ordering their Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich which is topped with lettuce, tomato, sriracha mayo, and cheddar cheese, with pickles underneath between a soft, brioche bun with a side of hand cut fries and a pickle spear on the side. The bartender recommended swapping out the cheddar cheese with pepperjack cheese, an awesome swap! The size of the fried chicken breast was HUGE by itself! I was so impressed how the well the sandwich held together as I devoured it. The chicken was hot, not greasy at all. The lettuce and tomato tasted fresh and looked crisp, there was plenty of that pepperjack cheese on top the chicken and pickles underneath. The sriracha mayo was excellent, albeit I would've liked more of it, I think more would've made the sandwich messy and hard to handle, so it really was the right amount on there. The hand cut fries were great as well; Crispier on the ends and softer in the center but plenty hot and not over seasoned. If you've seen other reviews of mine, you'll get the sense I have a pretty big appetite so I was able to demolish the sandwich but I couldn't finish all my fries, so that should be enough to tell you the portions here are HUGE and AWESOME! At first glance, the prices look expensive but I think they're justified as the quality and portions are phenomenal, I certainly felt I got my money's worth. I'm so happy that after several years of living in Buffalo, I made it over to Hertel Ave. finally! I'm also glad I chose The Burning Buffalo Bar and Grill for dinner. The quality and quantity of food, the friendly neighborhood atmosphere, the personable staff, what more can you ask for? I can't wait to come back and grab another Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich or maybe give their North Buffalo Cheesesteak a try!

    I came here on a Thursday night and my experience was alright. We had to order at the bar so I…read morecan't blame the bartender for taking a long time as he was tending the bar and grabbing everyone's food. I ordered the burning buffalo club which included smoked turkey, bacon, stuffed banana pepper spread, lettuce, tomato, and cajun remoulade on grilled sourdough. It was overall pretty tasty and the portions were huge.

    Photos
    The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill
    Chicken tacos
    Chicken tacos
    Paloma Sour

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    Paloma Sour
    Més Que

    Més Que

    4.1
    (149 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at this Spanish restaurant…read more The ambiance was perfect for me--soft lighting, just the right amount of music, and a touch of romance permeated the air. Here, people could converse naturally, and time seemed to slow down. The food was exceptionally well-cooked. Classic Spanish dishes were prepared to perfection, with fresh ingredients, distinct layers of flavor, and rich complexity. Paired with a glass of red wine, it felt less like a dinner and more like a savorable experience. The service was warm and attentive, yet perfectly balanced, without making me feel intrusive, which I always appreciate. If I had to nitpick, a few dishes didn't quite impress me, but overall, the restaurant's atmosphere and the experience made up for it. I'll definitely bring my friends here next time! LOL

    I'm giving them 3 stars to be generous. The drinks were pretty good but expensive. The service was…read morepoor, understaffed and slow. The owner was socializing instead of helping his staff out. Worst of all was the food. They don't have a proper kitchen, they are literally cooking food on hot plates behind the bar. I was shocked and unsure how they could possibly have passed any inspection or get a permit. The refrigeration and freezer is across the room so the staff has to continually go across the room to get ingredients for drinks and food. There was a power strip swinging from the bar to provide power for decorative lights. It seemed like an accident waiting to happen. The food quality was terrible. Soggy pizza, soft flavorless pasta but again they don't have a proper cooking area. They need to either stop selling food or build a real kitchen with proper refrigeration and that the customers can't see into.

    Photos
    Watching Spain-Netherlands Women's world cup
    Watching Spain-Netherlands Women's world cup
    Més Que
    Mes Que Tom and Jerry, spicy

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    Mes Que Tom and Jerry, spicy

    The Merry Shelley - bars - Updated July 2026

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