Tomorrow, bored Buffalonians have a brand new reason to get out of the house.
Skip a night of doomscrolling and touch grass, or booze, if you prefer. Le Social Club launches at Marble + Rye.
Le Social Club is a low-pressure opportunity for people to go out solo and meet new friends or potential romantic partners during the Buffalo winter. It’s free, no registration, no app, no obligation to stay longer than feels comfortable.
“In the middle of a Buffalo winter, in an increasingly online world, creating opportunities for real engagement at some of the city’s most people-centric restaurants feels more important than ever,” said organizer Christa Glennie. The Buffalo Spree food editor previously ran Nickel City Chef, Buffalo’s live cooking competition, whose 10-season run ended in 2018.
“Guests arrive at a select location on their own, take a seat at the bar with other solo guests, order a drink, and let the night unfold. The only rules? Be nice and tip your bartender.”
“As a downtown restaurant owner, I’ve witnessed the decline of the ‘Let’s just grab a drink and talk’ crowd that once defined the Buffalo bar scene,” said Michael Dimmer, chef and owner of Marble + Rye, which will host Le Social Club on Mondays.
“Le Social Club is about bringing people back to that. We get to experience it now when we get together for a game or a special event, but Le Social Club is more like it used to be, when we would all just show up, hang out, and meet new people.”
Four host bars offer Le Social Club the same night every week, January through March. Here’s Glennie’s schedule, posted at lesocialclub.xyz.
Mondays at Marble + Rye, 112 Genesee St.
Marble + Rye is a bar and lounge offering the highest level of creative cocktails in WNY. Its eclectic and fun atmosphere is paired with a concise, thoughtful, and scratch-made menu of burgers, Detroit-style pizza, seasonal salads, and small plates.
Tuesdays at Extra Extra Pizza, 549 West Utica St.
Neighborhood hangout and wine-forward pizzeria, Extra Extra is known for its high-quality New York–style slices, and an easygoing, casual atmosphere. With natural wines, craft cocktails, and a space designed to feel approachable and social, it’s a comfortable place to show up solo and settle in.
Wednesdays at Mint Cocktails & Kitchen, 1225 Niagara St.
Mint is a celebration of all things bright and fresh—a place for people to gather and enjoy each other’s company as much as its quality food and drink.
Thursdays at Equal Parts, 149 Elmwood Ave.
With a focus on craft cocktails, owners Maritza Rocha and Ben Jeffers are San Francisco transplants with pedigrees who’ve brought an interest in pre-Prohibition cocktails and community building to Allentown’s newest hotspot.
REVIEW: Over 17 years, Five Points Bakery has grown into an essential third space in its Five Points neighborhood on Buffalo’s West Side. Melissa and Kevin Gardner harnessed the goodwill and faith of their customers to prove that investing in Five Points could be a smart move. Now their crew manages a bustling two-story community center offering deliciously adorable toast tableaux, scrumptious breakfast sandwiches and more based on its fortifying breads, just like a panaderia – except the cinnamon buns are whole wheat. (For patrons, later this week.)
BUFFALO HIVE MEMBERSHIP MEETING
What stories are going untold in Buffalo?
Give The Buffalo Hive a piece of your mind as the non-profit community arts coverage and calendar site holds its first members and community meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 24.
Downstairs in the Hallwalls Cinema screening room at 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo Hive Editor Elmer Ploetz, writers, board members, prospective contributors, and others will meet. “We’re looking for your input on how we can do better, just what you think we should be covering, and how you might want to help,” Ploetz said.
Afterward, at about 4 p.m., we’ll be reconvening for more chat, plus sips and bites at International House, 617 Main St., home to Ethiopian, Burmese, Mexican, and Filipino cuisine, plus a full bar in Le Flamant Rose.
HAMBURG BOOK SIGNING
Join me at Merit Badge Books at 6 p.m. Feb. 5. for a book signing with free tiropita.
If you make the trek to 276 Buffalo St., you’ll at least get a buttery filo triangle with feta and dill filling.
Where to eat in Buffalo 2026 is now available at:
Merit Badge Books, 276 Buffalo St., Hamburg
Undergrounds Coffee House & Roastery, 580 South Park Ave.
Joining these fine establishments:
Read It & Eat Culinary Bookshop, 2929 Main St.
Miller’s Thumb Bakery & Cafe, 258 Highland Parkway, Tonawanda
Talking Leaves Books, 951 Elmwood Ave.
Mojo Market, 3030 Delaware Ave., Kenmore
Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court
Ukrainian-American Civic Center, 205 Military Road
Fitz Books & Waffles, 1462 Main St.
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ASK THE CRITIC
Q: My foodie sister’s birthday is coming up. I wanted us to do something special together. What would you suggest?
- Kate K., Lackawanna
A: Check out the menu for Waxlight Bar a Vin’s Jan. 29 tasting menu.
At $100 plus tax and tip, and drink pairings for $45 more, this promises to be a night of exploration and taste sensations from some of the best chefs and drink experts in Buffalo.
Here’s the menu:
Oyster, carrot
Lightly grilled hamachi, winter citrus
Nukazuke turnip, shrimp “green” andouille
Sambal pickled mussel
Topneck masa clam chowder on the half shell
Mushroom stroganoff, celery root, Andy’s spelt sourdough
Scallop, braised venison leg, swede puree. apple & red cabbage
Pork, mustard, kohlrabi, pineapple casserole
Rum punch and “green tea” kakigori
Paris-Brest, rhubarb, hibiscus craquelin, black cocoa ganache
If that sounds intimidating, look back at the eye-popping pastry pictured above. That’s a Paris-Brest. Trust Waxlight to deliver a remarkable experience.
More reading from Michael Chelus of Nittany Epicurean:
- Mr. Galarneau wrote about the “epic Vietnamese consistency” at 99 Fast Food [Four Bites]
- Dinner and a movie has become its own art form at the Buffalo AKG [Four Bites]
- Christa compiled a list of Erie County sweet shops and artisianl candy makers that included Blue Table Chocolates, Kelly’s Country Store and more [Buffalo Spree]
- An Indian buffett has taken over the former TGI Friday’s location on Main Street in downtown Buffalo – The ZamZam Indian Cuisine [Step Out Buffalo]
- Brett wrote about Ronio’s Bistro on Elmwood Avenue [Step Out Buffalo]
- Francesca wrote about how Peach Pit Pottery in East Aurora is supplying restuarants like Restaurant Pearl Morrisette and Fairbanks with plateware [Buffalo News]
- The Federal government will purchase a surplus of grapes harvested in Chautauqua County and give them to people who use supplemental food programs [Buffalo News]
- Brett also wrote about what he calls “WNY’s most interestig sweet spot” – BUKE Baking Studio [Step Out Buffalo]
- 42 North announced the beer list for its sixth annual Barrel Jam on 1/24 [Buffalo Beer League]
- Brian’s Buffalo Beer Buzz told us about the first collaboration beer from Wayland Brewing, an Other Half beer pairing dining at RationAles and more [Buffalo Beer League]
- 42 North The Vault will open inside The Bank Shot, an East Aurora indoor golf recretation facility, on 2/2 [Buffalo Beer League]
- Brian also penned a guide to upcoming local beer festivals [Buffalo Beer League]
- 42 North celebrates Shea’s Buffalo’s centennial with the lauch of a specially brewed beer – “The Wonder Beer” West Coast Pilsner [Buffalo Beer League]
- Buffalo Eats updated its Restaurant Graveyard [Buffalo Eats]
- Jamie focused on football with pizza and wings by telling us about new(ish) and old favorites – Papa’s Pizza Oven and Mustachio’s Pizzeria [Open till Four]
- Francesca urged debate with the release of her list of Buffalo’s 40 best restaurants including Carmelo’s Coat of Arms, Ristorante Lombaro, Mable + Rye, Kuni’s and more [Buffalo News]
- Forno e Mercato is now open in Williamsville [Buffalo Eats]
