Did you ever wonder what happened to the old Third Room on Chippewa in Buffalo's Entertainment District. I mean after it closed, what became of the space? When the Third Room turned out the lights, it opened up an incredible opportunity for its neighbor, Bacchus, to expand. Over the past few months the new addition, along with much of the existing restaurant, has been undergoing a significant transformation that will ultimately position Bacchus as a fine dining and banquet destination in what was once the city's red light district. As you can see (lead image), the renovated private dining room

"Food, like water, is a basic necessity and a human right."
Think for a couple of minutes about the last few meals that you've eaten. Have you cooked for yourself and your family? If so, what sort of food did you prepare? Or if you have gone out to a restaurant, where did you go and what did you eat? Have you visited a local market? If so, was it a corner store or a supermarket? Were you on a budget, or was money no obstacle? Was there fresh produce? 
I am sure that you are well aware that people facing poverty have

It's time to get ready to gear up for Buffalo's 17th annual Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday celebration. Each year Artvoice 'goes to town' by delivering a city-wide party at a bunch of your favorite watering holes. Before the post parade revelries come to pass, a host of partygoers take to the streets on their bicycles and form a bike brigade parade that leads the 30+ Mardi Gras floats down Elmwood Avenue. Although there is still a nip in the air, many people consider the outdoor event a precursor to the Saint Patrick's Day festivities that take this city by storm soon after.
On

I'm really liking this idea. On March 31, Acqua Restaurant will be transformed into blues headquarters and Buffalonians will enjoy 9+ hours of amazing live music. The day will be dedicated to the blues. If you think about it, Acqua is the perfect spot for a music festival. It's right on the water, there are tons of patios and banquet areas, lots of parking... I would think that this would be the first of many music festivals if it's a success. In order for it to be a success blues lovers from all over the region must support the the musicians - especially if they want to see more of these types

It was four years ago when Buffalo Rising first covered Go Veggies, a sprouting business that many people had discovered at the Elmwood Farmer's Market. Since that time (see article), owner Genga Ponnampalam has been expanding his product lines at the local farmers' markets, selling his products online and at small brick and mortar grocery markets while apparently looking for a permanent location on Elmwood Avenue. With items like gluten free spinach and black bean burgers as

By Rebekah Williams

We need your help getting Buffalo to recycle because our region needs the cash.

According to a policy brief by Partnership for the Public Good (PPG), the City of Buffalo pays every time people throw their garbage in a trash can.  That means that when we toss stuff in the garbage, there is a cost to our community.

The problem: Buffalo residents recycle only 8% of curbside waste each year.  Compare that to the national average of 27%, or compare that to other local municipalities that report a

A new health concept is coming to Elmwood - one that combines the outer body strength and toning benefits of indoor cycling (or spinning) with the inner body health benefits of juicing. It's called Bike Or Bar, and owner Alexandra Saia is putting together a concept that she feels will benefit those who like the idea of spinning and juicing, but don't necessarily want to join a health club or juice at home. 
What may look like a small Elmwood storefront actually features a large back room that not many people are aware of. That's where the cycling studio will

We all remember the Memorial Auditorium. But before that Aud, there was another Aud. 
And it's this other Aud which the New York Times declares the oldest extant building to have hosted professional hockey. 
It's the former Broadway Auditorium. WNY Heritage Press

On Wednesday, New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan introduced a bill (A.09297) in the Assembly to amend state law to add the Buffalo River to the list that defines inland waterways. Currently, the list does not include the Buffalo River, which means it is not eligible for grants under the New York State Environmental Protection Fund's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Important and well known waterways such as the Mohawk River, the Hudson River, and Chautauqua Lake, just to name a few, are currently on the New York State List of Designated Inland Waterways. The Buffalo River has somehow

It's been a while since I ran a post asking readers to help a brother Buffalonian out (even if he's not originally from Buffalo). But I figured that by helping one person by answering a burning question (who asked for some help), others might also benefit from the end result. So here's the ask... David T. moved away from Buffalo 20 years ago and is coming back with his new wife in tow. Ever since he met her he's been talking about the time that he lived in Buffalo, and although he's been paying attention from a distance, he's looking for an insider's 'to do list' upon arriving to the

More and more, urban farming is looking like a smart, practical and sustainable way to increase productivity in urban areas that are in need of 'stabilizing' land use initiatives. Urban farming gives people the tools that they need to reclaim neighborhoods, as demonstrated by Massachusetts Avenue Project's 'Growing Green' on the city's West Side. At the same time, the fruits of the labor give underprivileged families opportunities to obtain fresh and healthy food choices. Whether demonstrating land use initiatives, educational and labor opportunities or implementing 'green' practices, farming

By Jeff Baines:
For one final weekend, the Buffalo & Erie Botanical Gardens will be illuminated with the creative "NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens." The show is definitely a way to see the gardens in a different light, as the plants and glass structures are bathed in colorful and interactive lighting. Don't wait too long to experience NIGHT LIGHTS, as it closes this weekend. It will be open tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday night from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The percussion group Gahu Drum Ensemble will give a performance on Friday

By Eric Lander:
Following 60 years of economic decline and the loss of nearly 319,00 residents the City of Buffalo is now in the unenviable position of owning thousands of vacant residential and commercial properties.  The City's housing vacancy rate has climbed from 4.4 percent in 1970 to 17.2 percent by 2010.  Much of the urban landscape is now in decay and once vibrant neighborhoods are approaching extinction and others are at risk to follow suit.
The likelihood over the next couple decades of Buffalo regaining its population

At first, when I saw this concept (just moments ago) my initial thought was, "No way!" Then, the more I thought about it, I wondered about parts of town that might actually benefit from such a marketing tactic - house advertising! After all, would you rather see a house that is rotting, with the owners moving out... or would you rather see the house turned into a billboard with happy people inside? From David Le at Brainiacs from Mars:
"I work for Brainiacs From Mars. We're doing something a bit out there.... we're turning homes into billboards.  In

After receiving an email this morning from a BRO commentor, asking if there were any new updates on Dinosaur BBQ's search for a prime location in Buffalo, I noticed that the Wall Street Journal also posted on that exact topic. Encouraged that Dinosaur was still actively seeking a location in Buffalo I decided to reach out to a couple of developers regarding the process, and apparently the major hold up is 'size concerns'. One developer recalled that they were looking for something between 8,000-10,000 sq.'.

By Rachel Gottlieb:
If there's one thing Buffalonians get really excited about, it's food. BRO readers know it, and so do the members of Social Media Club Buffalo. 
That's why they knew that hosting a Buffalo Web Foodies event would work. The people in this town love eating food, talking about food, cooking food, writing about food, sharing food, and even Tweeting about food. 
More

While attending the Powder Keg festival on Saturday I finally got a chance to spend some time in Statler City's Lobby Bar. The lounge-style bar is located just inside the front entrance, off to the right and up a short flight of stairs. Thanks to the festival there was a good crowd inside - the bar was four deep and the oversized couches were all occupied. 
I was surprised to discover just how big Lobby Bar was. It extended all the way to the end of the building with views onto Delaware Avenue and Niagara Square. Some of the windows incorporated window seating into the

While rogue property owners feel the urge to dismantle original commercial facades, I would like to point out one business owner who went the opposite route. You might remember this past July when I ran into Dr. Bob Hornberger as he was fixing up this shop front at 902 Main Street. At the time, Bob had been considering painting over the transom windows because he figured that it was a quick fix and an easy means to an end. After discussing

While the conditions at the Erie Basin Marina may not have been suitable for pond hockey, Labatt Blue was able to pull off a successful street hockey tournament this past weekend. The lead photo (seen here) ran in the picture page of the Washington Post on February 11, showing the determination of organizers and participants alike. "There is nothing predictable about the Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament," said Brett Carlsen, associate brand manager, Labatt Blue. No matter what form we play - pond or street, we're always going to be at the mercy of Buffalo's winter

One month ago we featured a property for sale at 408 Amherst Street that was in need of a caring owner. I'm happy to say that that property recently sold, and shortly we'll have some updates on who the buyer is and what he is planning on doing with the commercial space. In the meantime, we have another property on the market that, although much larger in size, is ready for a new life. This building is located within eyeshot of the Peace Bridge and The Armory. It could play a major role in the advancements