Buffalo Rising Online

Feb 6th 2007, 5:08am By Emilie Riester

With its iconic angel standing on the roof and clutching two flaming torches, Gabriel's Gate exudes a brooding, mysterious vibe from the onset. But enter through its wrought iron gates and you'll find this distinctly Allentown bar is every bit warm and friendly.

Gabe’s Gate has become a fixture on Allen St. for its great bar setting and reasonably priced food - the perfect marriage of liquor and chicken wings. The dark wood interior has detailed carved booths and several working fireplaces to keep warm beside in the winter. Above the bar itself, you can look up to its peaked ceiling, dimly lit by a chandelier and stained glass windows. The building was built as a row house in 1864 and still blends into the traditional neighborhood architecture.

The bar is centered in the midst of a long dining room area where two large TVs make it a great place to watch a Sabres' game. You can easily order a drink and the bartenders will serve you well. Though the fireplaces and the low lighting make it a comfortable place in the winter, Gabe's Gate actually has a lovely patio that opens up in the warmer months and gives the drinking space some extra length.

Notable on tap is Gabriel’s Brown Ale, an English-style nut brown ale brewed out of Honeoye Falls. The wine list includes a good Toasted Head Chardonnay and selections from Robert Mondavi, which are always winners.

Help yourself at the popcorn machine off to the side, but for something more substantial you'll want to order the chicken wings (extra crispy) as their some of the best in the city.

The bar attracts a diverse crowd of adults both young and old. Despite the restaurant you usually don’t see children in the dining area and especially not after the dinner hour. When Allentown is at its most crowded on weekend nights, Gabe’s Gate remains pretty low key. Aside from a Sabres game night, you’ll typically find a mellow crowd and cool alternative music playing in the background.

The only issue I might have is that the narrowness of the bar area puts drinking customers just steps away from the seated dining area and sometimes the space can seem cramped. But most diners are in Gabe’s Gate to enjoy the bar atmosphere and this doesn’t seem to take away from anyone’s experience.

With the wind blowing and the temperatures dropping, get over to Gabriel’s Gate for a drink, some good company and a welcomed dose of warmth by the fireplace.