Drinking in Buffalo: Founding Fathers
One step off Edward St. and you'll find yourself in drinking in the company of America's most prominent fore-fathers, all while eating nachos and watching playoff football. It's Founding Fathers, tucked away in a slim brick building off Delaware Ave and housing a bar that's one part gentlemen's drinking hole and one part traditional pub.
Everywhere in Founding Fathers you can find homage to American history whether its portraits of presidents, newspaper clippings of important events or flags celebrating old election slogans. The building itself dates back to 1874, when it was a livery, and upon closer inspection you can find old hitching posts still nailed to the brick wall.
Sitting at the bar you can keep company with the bartender and owner Michael Driscoll. Michael serves out almost as many facts about American history as he does drinks, something that makes a night in his pub enjoyably social. Whether you're a regular or a stopping in for the first time, it's quickly apparent that you've walked into a bar where you're welcomed.
Aside from its historical charm, Founding Fathers has fantastic service and an impeccably clean bar. The beers on tap are limited (though Guinness and Yuengling are among them) but most anything else is available in the bottle. They also keep their patrons stapled to their seats with free popcorn and nachos. If you're looking to order food though, the fried bologna sandwich, which I admittedly use as a barometer to measure how much I like a place, is very good in itself.
With the warm lighting and soft rock playing in the background, you're going to want to head to Founding Fathers to hang out with a beer, some friends and conversation. Yes, you'll be able to actually hear what your companions are saying. And you can all play an informal game of American history trivia.
According to Michael, the pub gets a good number of international visitors, drawn in by the array of flags at the front door. However, it's an easy place for Buffalonians to drive right by. So make it a point to stop in and enjoy this uniquely Buffalo, uniquely American bar.
Founding Fathers 75 Edward St.
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Comment Options
Julie Z.
LOVE THIS PLACE! And Michael is the best bartender in Buffalo. Bar none!
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Manfred
I've always wanted to go to F.F. but this article wasn't too inspiring. Hopefully further tavern reviews will be filled with a bit more substance. Thanks
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Parkstreetwoman
Manfred, the burgers are excellent and affordable. Does that help a bit?
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dumb jeff
Manfred,
What exactly are you looking for in a write up on a bar... the Terry Fox Story?
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viking
Longevity and popularity are the two hallmarks of an institution, while I'm not a regular, every infrequent visit has been pleasant. Mike goes all the way back to the original Mother's , certainly an old father at best.
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eac
Actually- what FF has on tap that's interesting is McSorleys, from NYC. It was once not often seen outside of the bar it was made in, but it is now brewed by Pabst/Heileman and gets wider dirtribution- for example, also on tap at The Anchor Bar. As beers go, it's along the lines of your Killians (by Coors, btw), a non-assertive APA that makes a great session beer- see here. And, it happens to pair quite well with the blackened blue burger they serve over there. Founding Fathers is a great bar.
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Manfred
Nothing about the patrons (what are they like? a mixed crowd?), one poster mentioned the blackened blue burger, that sounds much more interesting than a bologna sandwich and popcorn. So no I'm not expecting an epic novel smartass, but I got more info from the posts here than the article itself.
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Irish PR girl
I love this bar. Anytime I have friends who are not from around here I bring them there and I have not had one complaint. I'm not a regular either but everytime I have gone to this bar, I've had a lot of fun. Michael's trivia is great and very entertaining. Grab a few friends, have a seat at the bar and test your trivia knowledge. It's also some of the best bar food around.
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mike
FWIW here are some shots I took during the recent FF State of the Union party (which was great fun!).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calanan/sets/72157594497596971/detail/
- mike
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RichmondWUtica
The bar is great, and Mike is a fantastic bartender, an institution really.
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sbrof
It is not like poppy, jumping.
It is a very relaxed and friendly place, On several occasions I have gone alone (sad I know) but ended up having a great time talking and having real conversation with people around the bar. The crowd ranges from older people wishing to relax to younger professionals meeting up with friends. It isn't the place for raucous body shots or dancing.
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vgs
Manfred,
If you have always wanted go here than just get off your ass and go. Why do you have to be told by someon else?
Be an independent thinker and an adventurous spirit.
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Manfred
i will go there this weekend damn you! So there. But if I don't have the best time of my life you're all in trouble.
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tanner
great story , you have got to do Annacones on Bailey Avenue. Take your father with you to protect you when you go
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Jack - North Buffalo
The owner is engaging... if you need to take a someone on a first date this is the perfect place. There is always a decent crowd and everyone is always extremely friendly.
At first the bar might seem a little intimidating and the trivia might remind you of Jeopardy but once the owner gets a feel for you he adjusts the questions to get everyone involved.
This is the only place in Buffalo that you can eat a decent steak dinner for 10 bucks. Each item is served with TLC - sometimes you will catch the owner skipping out from the kitchen to present you with a little heaven.
Prices are just right and there is plenty of parking. Pull in the parking lot off of Delaware right next to the bar.
Lastly, for the single folks... on any given night with an ounce of initiative you can find another single folk and have a pretty decent conversation. People come in waves... just when things are starting to clear out - a new wave will come in.
The nachos come with a cool bean dip that you will undoubtedly start making at home in due time. There are TVs and a dart board if you can find enough room.
The owner will even treat you to a round of drinks if timing the is right... he remembers those that are always giving a tip verse most bartenders that barely say thank you.
When in doubt try Founding Fathers.
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