Counting on Cole's
BRO reader submission by Jefferson
Rarely does a restaurant in WNY sustain the long term stability and success of the legendary Cole's on Elmwood. The beloved Irish Pub will celebrate their 75th anniversary next year with no signs of ever slowing down. Surprisingly, a trip to the bar last week was cut short thanks to a sign on the door stating that they would be closed all week for renovations.
Renovations? No doubt several Cole’s diehards were stunned by this. Much of their history and charm is due to the fact that the bar rarely ever changes. The idea of a massive interior overhaul seemed odd for a place that seems like a throwback to days passed. My wife and I stopped in Friday night just a few hours after they reopened and upon first glance it didn't appear that anything other than a new floor had been installed. Longtime bartender Jed informed us that they not only put in a brand new floor, they installed new coolers behind the bar, refinished the entire bar top, and totally remodeled the men's bathroom. Clearly the latter seemed to make a biggest impression on the Happy Hour crowd.
Bar owner David Shatzel was holding court with friends at the end of the bar as a non-stop flow of patrons came up to him to marvel at the white tiled and more spacious bathroom. Why all the fuss over a bathroom? Well by all accounts the (formerly) ultra tiny Cole's bathrooms have not changed since the 60's, longer than many of that nights crowd has been alive.
Not many establishments in Buffalo boast such a devoted group of followers as Cole's, one of very few places where a 65 year old couple can stand arm in arm with college kids and everyone has a great time. The bar and restaurant area are almost always busy especially after dark and on the weekends. Thanks to their spacious and unsung 3rd floor, Cole's is also a great place for private parties, stags, and graduations. The food on the vast menu is always served with a smile, the bar area boasts HD TV’s at every possible angle and Buffalo’s rich history is celebrated on every wall. If you haven’t been to Cole’s lately stop in for some great food and even better spirits. There’s no place like a classic Irish Pub in the winter.
Shown above is the bars brand new T-Shirt sporting a cool vintage Cole's Irish Cream Ale logo. Available at the bar.
Cole's Restaurant 1104 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo - (716) 886-1449
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Comment Options
viking
Cole's has always been and continues to be one of Buffalo's must successful establishments, almost everyone I know has a Cole's story. Dave going back to Laughlins is the consummate bar keeper and is like Griffin never forgets a face.
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icecreamsub
totally remodeled the men's bathroom? sweet, they replaced the toilet seat and changed the ice in the urinal.......
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gaustad
icecream - don't you think you are being a little negative here?
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icecreamsub
I guess you're right.....but at least a place like the Flamingo has an excuse for having a "trainspotting" like bathroom...it's suppose to be a dive....but old people and children eat at Cole's
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BetterThanDetroit
I wish I was 17 again - I'd go there, too!!
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Martin
When I was a wee barn I had great times at coles.Oh, those Bidwell days...anyone remember that bar acrooss from the old no-names...book store now.
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icecreamsub
Toon's then Rayzor's.....it was Chippewa before Chippewa..ain't it though
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sancor
I often drive over from Canada just to go to Cole's. No place like it.
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NBJOHN
One of the greatest selections of beers....
Great Bloody Marys too.
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crc
Cole's rocks. Awesome beer selection. Best selection of Belgians in the city.
Ever since Mike took over the kitchen a couple years ago, the food has been awesome. Can't beat the atmosphere either!
Oh yeah, they also plan great trips to Europe.
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Spaulding97
Great beers, and killer buffalo chicken wrap. I just wish they didn't always have to play Neil Diamond
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UnionAMG
Don't lie Spaulding! I've seen you put money in the jukebox and, sure enough, 5 minutes later...
"On the boats and on the planes They're coming to America Never looking back again They're coming to America!"
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Spaulding97
LOL, "Union" I only play that for you... Butthead! What can I say I love the Diamond
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TBone
Coles was once my favorite place to go out have a bite and get some drinks, that all changed about 2 weeks ago, when I had a group of college buddies up for the weekend. It was a long night- we had spent a substantial sum eating and drinking at Coles, and it was near closing time, when out of no where a Coles employee began yelling at the group of us, using extremely crude terms. At no time had anyone in our party acted inappropriately- rather this was the employees way of asking us to leave so they could close early. I was absolutely stunned, I asked the gentlemen if this is how he treated customers, especially those who come to Coles frequently, and spend decent amounts of money there. His response "this is a multi-million dollar operation we dont care about you here, we dont care if you come back".
I dont know if I will be able to go back to the place I have enjoyed going to for some 10 years... I am still furious over the way myself and friends from out of town were treated... Everyone should know how Coles really feels about you and your business.
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mpitman
Great place. But man, they gotta do something about the front of the dining room in winter. FREEZING up there with all that uninsulated glass. Great in the summer but miserable when it's < 20 deg on the street.
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UnionAMG
TBone... it's funny that you say that, because unfortunately my friends had a similar experience there 3 weeks ago. I really like the bartenders and the owner at Cole's, so this is in no way biased bc I have some vendetta against them. My friends have been going to Cole's pretty regularly for the last 3 years, we usually spend a good amount of money there, and have (had) a good relationship with the bar.
About 3 weeks ago, one of our friends was drunker than he should have been (it happens to the best of us). To make a long story short, the bouncers tried to get him to leave, my friend said a few words of disagreement, and the bouncers jumped him hitting him in the face a few times. It was a completely unprovoked and unnecessary attack. My friend had to go to the hospital to get some cuts/scrapes checked out. Needless to say, we've been boycotting the place since then. I don't know why, but the bouncers there seem to have a serious power trip. I hope it gets sorted out bc I like that place alot.
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Spaulding97
WHO!?^^^
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UnionAMG
Scotty M.
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ChocolateShake
Do they still have the Adult Friend Finder swinger mixers there on Tuesday evenings?
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SCottyM
Then I said hey why not go back I like the place and I'm tough. So I went back and the bartender wanted me to apologize to him and the bartender for getting my face beat in......def wasn't gonna happen and so goes the story of my life :-(
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UnionAMG
Haha... nice one "Scotty M"
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