There was a time when this bar/eatery was a hopping place to be. This was the place that required a buzzer to let customers in. It was a bit of a mystery for some... and a reliable watering hole for others. It was a notorious pub when Buffalo was booming, and the stories that circulated were infamous... the people, the late nights, the mid-afternoon liquid lunches. The Rendezvous was a legendary establishment for sure.
I'll never forget when Tim O'Leary re-opened the doors after being closed for so many years. It was like walking back in time. Tim's Rendezvous quickly became the place to be again. The cozy, vine-laden back patio was one of the best places to be during the warm months. And in the winter the atmosphere oozed out of the walls - red neon lights and the smell of po’ boys being grilled up at the end of the bar. Even the live music was popular. People dug themselves into the old wooden booths, tracing the hundreds of carved names with their fingers while waiting for their gumbo to arrive.
The bar/restaurant made another recent attempt (under new ownership) to recapture the glory days... to no avail. Now the joint is back 'on the block'. The Rendezvous is for lease at $1500 a month, and although it would be great to see the location remain its infamous self, the building's owner has said that a new concept would be welcome. Can a business with so much great history regain its glory... or is it time to pass the torch to another business concept.
If you're looking to open up a pub/eatery on (520) Niagara and this sounds like the place for you, call Pierre Wallinder at 716-432-6589.