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    Buffalo Traders Lounge

    4.4 (82 reviews)
    PriceyBars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Buffalo Traders Lounge Photos

    Business Info

    BUFFALO TRADERS LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Buffalo Traders Lounge

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    Winter B.

    Went here with a few friends on a Friday night to catch up. The place wasn't too busy and the decor reminded me of cocktail lounges in New York. I got the bartenders choice drink and asked for something spicy and smoky. My drink was amazing! You could tell the bartender put a lot of thought into it. I definitely recommend if you want a quality cocktail and upscale lounge experience.

    Bri B.

    Cool atmosphere. Fun and cozy. Games to play, including darts and pool. Cocktails are approximately $15 and good tasting. Service was swift and friendly.

    Karsen L.

    Buffalo Traders lounge is a total VIBE. It's definitely how you think of how a cocktail bar ought to be. Maximalist design, dark and moody - leather couches and stiff drinks under candlelight. The cocktails are so creative and curated, the service was friendly and fast for a Friday night. The hole in the wall bar boasts a cute back patio, and a glass door that connects it to a natural wine bar "Post Off." I would love to see some better snack offerings. But if you catch them on the right day, they host local pop ups with local chefs and curators in the area. HOT!!! The rundown: Have I had better cocktails at a lower price? Yes. Do I appreciate the work of the staff at BT's? Absolutely. Will I visit again? Of course.

    The service was absolutely wonderful, a great set of gentlemen. Unfortunately the drink menu of house drinks was in the process of being remixed. However the bartender was very willing and happy to make almost anything. Small but wow the trendy sophisticated style with great music added to the laidback atmosphere.

    Drink
    Tony K.

    8.2832 out of 10. Solid knowledgeable staff. Cool vi es and music. Difficult to get a seat sometimes, but well worth the wait.

    Back patio area
    Katy C.

    Buffalo Traders Lounge is still a great go-to cocktail bar in the Midtown area. We recently stopped in to grab a drink and I loved the back patio, which is dreamy and secluded. I could see it being a great spot to hang out on a summer evening. I'm super happy they have stayed open this long. It's definitely a great addition to this neighborhood as it's the only bar in the immediate area. The menu is large and quite varied, with something for everyone, including beer, non-alcoholic options, and all types of drinks. Our server told us that the rabbit hole is the current best-seller, and he recommended the Barbie for me when I told him I wanted something fruity and refreshing. They also have a "dealer's choice" option where a bartender will come up with something for you based on your preferences, which I think is really cool. Our drinks were pretty strong and not overly sweet, and they were presented nicely. I am curious to see how their menu changes in a couple of weeks as they start doing more fall drinks. I like it when cocktail bars switch things up! Our server said that only the old fashioned and espresso martini would be staying and everything else will rotate out. There's paid street parking available but on busy evenings you may have to park in some adjacent neighborhoods and walk a bit as they don't have a designated parking lot.

    Austin G.

    Out of the cocktails I've enjoyed in Grand Rapids, among the best are at Buffalo Traders Lounge. The bartenders carefully curate the menu, organizing drinks between $14 classic cocktails and $15 specialty cocktails from the staff. There's also a $15 bartender's choice. My drinks were good, but the best I've had. No. If you're from a larger city like New York, L.A., Chicago, etc., set expectations. My first drink (the bartender's choice) was too sweet and unbalanced. The appletini was also not mixed super well. Both tasted good, but not to the level of a NYC. The atmosphere is great, though. There's plenty of space with a beautiful bar. They do play loud music so if you're sensitive to that, keep it mind.

    Spearmaiden
    Joseph H.

    I have many friends who all say this is their favorite bar. I finally decided that I had to try it considering that it's not far from the house. We went on a weekday at 8pm, and it was packed. We got lucky and there were 2 seats left at the bar so we swooped. We sat and admired all the amazing art while waiting for the bar tender to get us a menu. Lots of nostalgic pop culture on every wall. We ordered a few drinks, and found every one to be delicious. The bartender made some good recommendations, and really seemed to know what he was doing. We really enjoyed our evening, and can also highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for an amazingly mixed cocktail. Place has a trendy, hipster vibe, and very popular on the weekends for the younger crowd according to the bartender. We noticed that over half the people in the bar were wearing overly large and unique hats. I guess that's the new hip thing. Watch your face, if you encounter this new phenomena, and you're walking through the brimmed crowd.

    Joeita M.

    Ever since watching "Drink Masters" on Netflix, I have a new appreciation for local bars and cocktail spots, and the art of mixology. Buffalo Traders Lounge has never disappointed for a classic cocktail, or something more fun and unique off their updated menus. They craft their drinks like an art! I have also had friends just ask their waiter for something off-menu that hasn't been created yet, and they always follow through. The lounge is on the smaller end, which makes it cozier and more intimate. However, even when I have gone in smaller or larger groups, we usually haven't had trouble finding a spot to sit. But even during the times I have had to wait, the wait was really not too long.

    Gee R.

    Really nice spot to grab drinks in east town. The ambiance is similar to a speakeasy. Bartenders know their drinks and are super friendly. Definitely will come back, especially when the patio opens for the season! Overall a great experience.

    Bourbon Smash
    Steve B.

    Cool chill place. Pretty low key joint with some pretty eclectic decor. Good selection of bourbon and craft cocktails. Total for our two drinks was over 30 bucks, but you immerse yourself in the old school/shabby chic atmosphere and it seems worth the price. We perched ourselves on a little leather chair and sofa. Could have stayed and relaxed for hours. Also, buy the giftcard "coins" for your friends. VERY COOL!

    Menu
    Theodore B.

    Buffalo Traders Lounge is an exquisite hole in the wall bar with exceptional decor and service. They do not serve food and ever since they changed the menu the drinks are now subpar. I would recommend with caution as prices are astronomical and the menu is limited.

    Lime fizz.... was amazing if you like limey (is that a word?), sweet,  refreshing, and tropical!
    anne h.

    Went on a Wednesday night, got a seat at the bar right away! Staff was amazing, quick to greet us, took the time to figure out what we liked and offered amazing signature drinks and the drinks did not disappoint!

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    You cannot beat the vibes in here! The space is so cozy and chic - it's a great place to start date night or end a GNO!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great place to grab a drink. Cool loungey vibes. Wonderful cocktails and non-alcoholic options. Recommend going with the dealer's choice.

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great customer serviceL. Fantastic wings! Great sauces to go with the wings.p and they even have carryout available...

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    2 years ago

    Drinks and service were great. Isn't cheap by any means but you don't feel ripped off when you get a cocktail here.

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    2 years ago

    SO good! The people are amazing! Atmosphere is great. A great place to hang with friends

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    fantastic Ambiance. excellent service. amazing drinks. you gotta get in here!! love love LOVE IT!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Awesome vibe. Love the decor, I came for one of their patio pop up menus and the food was amazing! Michael Segard's food was incredible

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Extensive selection of bourbons, whiskeys, and other liquors. Very cool atmosphere. Staff was great and onowledgeable.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Buffalo Traders Lounge

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    I've known about this bar for a while but finally went for the first time recently and it wasn't…read morefull! To find the entrance, go down the stairs towards Big O's Pizza and instead of turning right, take a left and you will see Sidebar's subtle entrance. It's dim lit and quite cozy in there. Limited seating and some spots at the bar were open and we took a seat up there. We did notice to the right of the bar there is a small additional area with more seating but still not a lot. I really enjoyed the espresso martini from here. The drink was so smooth and had the perfect balance of flavors. Highly recommend. We only stayed for one drink but I would definitely come back for another sometime. The bartenders were also really kind and having a good time with everyone in there! Really loved the atmosphere and our experience while we were there.

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    General Wood Shop is such a fun spot on Bridge Street. They are LGBTQ owned and have tons of events…read moreall throughout the week, like drag shows, watch parties, dance parties, etc. I think the vibe is more "party" on weekends and evenings, but the times I've gone earlier in the day have been more my speed. Nate and I recently stopped in to try some of their new food menu and seasonal drinks. The new drink menu is Japanese themed, so we were excited since we went to Japan earlier this year. I got the alpenglow and Nate got the spicy margarita. Both were delicious and beautiful. We also got some happy hour snacks - the dijon sesame salad and the savory cream cheese wontons. Their happy hour is a great deal and I'd love to come back soon for that again. The salad was fresh and a big portion to share. The raw diced onion wasn't my favorite addition to the salad, but I did love the overall flavors. The savory cream cheese wontons were absolutely delicious - definitely very savory and crispy. I'd get these every time! The vibe inside at happy hour was pretty quiet but it can get packed as it's not a huge space. I am so glad that General Wood Shop is here and I'm looking forward to my next visit.

    The General Woodshop, you will ALWAYS be famous…read more This bar is near and dear to my heart, when it first opened last year I made an effort to bring anyone with me that would come along. As a queer person, we have to protect our spaces by supporting them. The care that the staff lures into this place truly shows. The rotating menu, the affordable drink options, the ambiance and the way they truly take suggestions from their patrons. They have a new patio addition which has made the smaller spot feel larger aswell. Last fall, I came in on a whim by myself. Callie was my bartender (love), and they were deciding what to do with some Sloe Gin. Thus the "Femme Fatale" was born, there's something magical about watching a craft cocktail come together. Something even more magical about being able to NAME a cocktail at your favorite watering hole. GW is truly a beautiful addition to GR.

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    i have been attending the Pyramid Scheme for years now. I absolutely love all of the staff and they…read morereally become like friends and family after constantly seeing them when attending shows. The lineups are often pretty diverse, now offering more local music and the addition of more free events to bring together the community. They've added vintage nights, trivia, and free pinball days which I think is a very important and necessary community good. The venue has a front half with a bar, pinball cabinets, and even some outdoor seating. The back hosts the concert venue with interior bar, seating, and elevated stage. I'm allergic to alcohol so I can't speak to the drinks nor the prices but they have free water jugs readily available which is a lifesaver during shows and is just such a small, nice feature to have access to. I definitely would recommend coming here for a concert, finding some new local music, or establishing a new hang out for your friends.

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    Pursuit of Happiness Co is the girl she says she is!…read more The atmosphere is modern, chic, and makes me want to hang around for hours. I was personally impressed mostly by the Spritz menu. The cherry spritz, mama I dream of it still . My only qualm is that I am a stickler for good glassware ~ I would like to see the beverages with a stem. And based on the aesthetic I know the owner could find some classic glassware. We need more places like this in GR, and I need more POH in my LIFE.

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    Buffalo Traders Lounge - bars - Updated May 2026

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