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24 Hours in Buffalo is a new monthly series we’ve launched to give our readers the rundown on places to explore and things to do in the coming month – whether you’re here for a quick visit and are hoping to squeeze in a mini adventure or two, or you’re a local looking for ideas on where to take your out-of-town guests, or you’re simply stumped on what to do with an upcoming free weekend.
Each month will be a little different, but look for features on a variety of urban adventures – from history tours, to arts exhibits, places to grab a bite, festivals, and more. We hope you discover something new to love about the Queen City!
Featured: Misuta Chow’s
Misuta Chow’s is part bar arcade, part Japanese alleyway restaurant, part 80s throwback, brought to you by local musician and artist, Johnny Chow, and his partner Christi Allen and executive chef Dunbar Berdine. Whether you’re here to visit for the weekend or you’re a local who hasn’t made your way to this unique spot yet – you must!
Walking into the main entrance fronting Main Street, you’re greeted by a busy bar space aglow with neon colors. Venture further back on the first floor and you’ll see lots of cozy tables adjacent to an open air kitchen graced with Japanese lanterns and Tokyo City décor. If social media is any indicator, there is an unspoken rule that guests have to grab a pic in the already-famous rear staircase leading up to the second floor in all its neon pink, glittery glory.
Make your way upstairs to find a second bar and full arcade packed with all your old-school favorites: Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Centipede, among many others. If video games aren’t your style, they’ve got pinball and ski ball, too! Make sure to bring your quarters!
Misuta Chow’s will also be hosting a four-week pinball league, beginning Tuesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. Check out their website or Facebook page for venue hours and other upcoming events.
Misuta Chow’s | 521 Main Street | Buffalo, NY 14203 | (716) 259-8228
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
Buffalonia
September 14
5:00-10:00 p.m.
Buffalo Iron Works
Tickets: $25-30
The Matt Urban Center’s big annual party is headed to Buffalo Iron Works this year. They’ve got the Tim Britt Band and DJ Ryan Howze on the music lineup, as well as basket raffles, a photo area, and games on the patio. Cost of admission includes all the beer and wine you can drink, entertainment, and parking. Ru’s Pierogi and Sassi Cakes food trucks will also be on site to feed hungry partygoers.
Presale tickets can be purchased for $25 online or in person at 1081 Broadway or Buffalo Iron Works (49 Illinois Street), or $30 at the door. All proceeds from the event will go to support programs at the Matt Urban Center, which has been serving the East Side of Buffalo for over 40 years, helping over 20,000 Buffalonians in need every year. Contact Sarah Maurer at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x232 for tickets or more info.
Curtain Up!
Friday, September 14
5:30 p.m.
Theatre District
Celebrate the opening of theatre season at Shea’s 37th annual Curtain Up! event in the historic downtown Theatre District. The evening begins with cocktails and a black-tie gala dinner at 5:30 p.m. under the tent at Fountain Plaza. At 8:00 p.m., curtains will rise at 12 different productions at venues throughout the district. With shows ranging from dramas to comedies to musicals, there will be something for everyone. After the shows let out, Main Street will come alive once again with a free after party including food trucks, cash bar, and live entertainment.
Tickets to the black-tie gala dinner are $100 and can be purchased online here or by phone at 716-847-0850. Tickets to indivdiual performances can be purchased through their respective theatres.
Buffalo Comicon
September 15-16
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
Tickets: $10-21
If you’re a comic book junkie, this is the event you don’t want to miss! You’ll have the opportunity to see work from comic book illustrators, painters, crafts, Manga and Anime, as well as genre product from hundreds of vendors. They’ll have guest speakers and the chance to meet professional and local comic book authors. Guests can also enjoy food, drinks, live music, and Cosplay contests for adults and youth.
Tickets can be purchased on the Buffalo Comicon website.
Borderland Music Festival
September 22-23
11:00 a.m.
Knox Farm State Park
Tickets: $65-$259
The scenic grounds of Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora will play host to this two-day music festival paying homage to our region’s Borderland identity. The festival has drawn a variety of national and local acts, with performances taking place on multiple stages. See performances from The Revivalists, Sam Roberts Band, Dr. Dog, John Oates & The Good Road band – just to name a few.
In between acts, check out the artisan fair and fill up on locally-sourced grub and craft beverages from a variety of restaurants and breweries. Check out the website for tickets, music lineup and schedule, a full list of artisans, and food and beverage vendors.
Chalkfest Buffalo
September 22-23
Noon-6:00 p.m.
Buffalo Riverworks
Buffalo’s beloved chalk art festival is making its triumphant return at a new location! Artists will have the opportunity to chalk up the blacktop and walls inside the GLF grain silos and outside underneath Riverworks’ urban zipline course. Best of all – after completing their artwork, artists can hop on the zipline to get a birds-eye view of their masterpieces!
There will be a simultaneous art show under the hockey pavilions, as well as facepainting, live music, street performances, rock climbing on the grain silos, urban ropes course, sweet treats, kayaking, paddleboarding, and a free “Touch-a-Truck” area for kids. There will also be a designated community art zone for little artists to draw alongside the chalk artists. Admission to the event is free.
Explore & More’s 2nd Annual Incredible Hunt: Grownup’s Day of Play
October 2
5:00-9:30 p.m.
500 Seneca Street
Who said Explore & More is only about fun for the kids? Grown-ups are the focus at their upcoming “adults-only” scavenger hunt. Registration takes place at 5:00 p.m. at 500 Seneca, with the hunt kicking off at 6:00 p.m. The adventure will take you around the city on a hunt for clues and hometown trivia, making your way to the finish line back at 500 Seneca.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Explore & More Children’s Museum. Cost of admission is $250 per car, and registration is limited to 50 cars. Get your tickets here. Contact Kristin Scholz at 655-5131, ext. 16 or kscholz@exploreandmore.org for more information.
Lead photo, “Buffalo Sunsets” by Buffalo Drone Photography
Interested in having your business or event featured in 24 hours in Buffalo? Contact Kaitlyn Filippi at kaitlyn@buffalorising.com.