Buffalo Rising Online

Jan 11th 2008, 10:44am By Adam Fix

“Goodbye ladies!” was the cry I heard as I exited Doc Sullivan’s, a little happier and more intoxicated than I had planned. I learned much earlier that you’d better be ready for some good-natured ribbing if you’re a conspicuous newcomer at this bar.

“I’m going to write an article on you, Adam,” exclaimed the man sitting next to me after discovering the motive behind my presence. “Where do you live? How old are you? Let me take some notes of my own here.” And just like that, I had a friend.

OK, so maybe it’s a little corny to put it that way--I mean, our paths will probably never cross again, and if so, likely infrequently--but for an evening, I was just a part of the bunch, drinking beer and downing wings with the old boys. That’s not an every-bar experience, even in a city high on the “friendly-scale” like Buffalo.

This seems to be a common thread that binds the taverns around “The Creek” (or is it crick? Depends on which side of Seneca Street you live on, of course). They all know each other, and they all want to know you. Come around here a few times and you’re bound to find yourself a new family.

Of course, there is more to a tavern than just the characters you’ll meet inside it. Doc Sullivan’s (474 Abbott Road, 14220) features a small food menu full of Buffalo favorites (Beef on Weck is $6.95) and a fully stocked, rectangular bar that dominates the center of the pub. Come out on a Monday night for the football game and get yourself some 15 cent wings. Chef Angela cooks them up right- crispy, spicy, and even a little sweet, for a surprisingly unique flavor. I paired them with a couple pints of Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale (colloquially referred to as “Smitticks”) and left fat and happy.

“And don’t forget, Monday is the only night of the week that’s co-ed,” yelled the owner, Jerry Sullivan. Even he got in on the joking. Real funny, Jer.

Charlie O’Brien’s (865 Elk Street, 14210), a quick trip from Doc Sullivan’s, has been around since 1995. This is a “don’t judge the book by the cover” joint. The place is deceptively large with a surprisingly comprehensive menu. The long, straight bar is dominated by multiple flat screen HDTV’s. The dining room is homey and inviting. There is also free wifi service.

Perhaps most importantly, Charlie O’s sells pints of Yuengling for $1.50 all day every day. That is pretty refreshing on multiple levels. Sometimes, paying 4 bucks for a domestic Big Beer Company draught just stinks. Grab a Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger ($4.75), served on a home-baked roll, to go along with your beer, and you’ve got yourself a veritable bargain of a classic pub meal.

Chef Joe Shanahan has been serving at Charlie O’s for 12 years, and his most popular dish, without question, is the Fish Fry ($6.95), which is served both Wednesday and Friday. During Lent, expect a wait if you come for dinner on either of these days.

Nine-Eleven Tavern (11 Bloomfield Avenue, 14220) is located just off South Park avenue. It’s much smaller than Doc Sullivan’s and Charlie O’Brien’s, and the atmosphere has a little more of a family feel to it. It’s been owned and operated by Mark Gress since 1981, and the walls are lined with the Buffalo sports memorabilia he’s collected over the years. This isn’t the kind of place to go if you’re looking to rage the night away. This is the kind of place to go if you’re looking for a killer Corned Beef Sandwich ($6.45) and a pint of Sam Adams Boston Lager.

Nine-Eleven Tavern doesn’t mess around with specials or gimmicks. Just hang out and drink your cheap beer (draughts of Labatt Blue are $2.50), eat your wings (10 for $6.45), and watch the Sabres game- or whatever is on the NHL Network that night. I get the feeling hockey players love this bar. Plenty of Cazenovia Chiefs alumni frequent it, and the place screams hockey.

As a matter of fact, all three places scream hockey. The patrons at Charlie O’s lamented the most recent Sabres loss and reviewed game statistics. Conversation at both Doc Sullivan’s and Nine-Eleven turned to local boys-done-good Patrick Kane, Tim Kennedy and Mike Ratchuk. It’s obvious that residents of the area around The Creek/Crick are extremely proud of (but never boastful about) their homegrown talent.

Even if you’re not much of a hockey fan, you’ll still enjoy yourself at these bars. I came away with a renewed sense of community and brotherhood among neighbors. There are times when my faith in the kindness of strangers fades while dealing with the dregs of work, school, and the endless bureaucracy that comes along with it. Sometimes, a simple trip to the local pub is all you need to remember that there are others out there like you, no matter how different your lifestyles are.

Enough with the sensitive introspection! Steel yourself and take a trip to one of these joints. If you find pleasure in the simple things in life, chances are you’ll walk (or stumble) away happy.