Laid-back pub with American history–related decor, darts & trivia nights, plus burgers & other eats.
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Founding Fathers Pub – Visit Buffalo
Just on the edge of Allentown, Founding Fathers offers a relaxed atmosphere for a drink or dining. Grab a stool at the bar, order a round and ask owner Mike …
Founding Fathers Pub: A Dive Bar Rich in History and Flavor
Experience sophisticated bar food, historic memorabilia, and presidential trivia at Founding Fathers Pub in Buffalo, NY. Enjoy inventive sandwiches …
Founding Fathers Pub in Buffalo | Atlas Obscura
Stepping inside the Founding Fathers Pub feels like stepping straight into the pages of an American history syllabus–only this one comes …
Reviews
S D
People raved about this place and it has good reviews, so we figured we would check it out as a quick bite to eat for an early dinner before a show.
The door to the entrance wasn’t too obvious-rather easy to walk by actually. The space itself was small, one big room. Handful of tables and a small bar. You can tell very old and historic, lots of stuff displayed on the walls from top to bottom. Some banner boasting about being rated something along the lines of one of the “best places to check out before you die” The space smelled slightly- I couldn’t really tell if it was stale beer or just old building musty.
One waitress/bartender in the whole place and a cook who sat between making meals it looked like. Very nice waitress, but busy.
The food was decent but didn’t wow by any means. A basic burger and some chips. They don’t have a kitchen, looks like it might just be a flat griddle, looks like it’s cramped into the corner of the bar.
I was really trying to figure out what made people give 5 stars: the only conclusion I can come to is that it must be a historical landmark, kinda unique history, decor, and a simple local go-to.
… moreThe door to the entrance wasn’t too obvious-rather easy to walk by actually. The space itself was small, one big room. Handful of tables and a small bar. You can tell very old and historic, lots of stuff displayed on the walls from top to bottom. Some banner boasting about being rated something along the lines of one of the “best places to check out before you die” The space smelled slightly- I couldn’t really tell if it was stale beer or just old building musty.
One waitress/bartender in the whole place and a cook who sat between making meals it looked like. Very nice waitress, but busy.
The food was decent but didn’t wow by any means. A basic burger and some chips. They don’t have a kitchen, looks like it might just be a flat griddle, looks like it’s cramped into the corner of the bar.
I was really trying to figure out what made people give 5 stars: the only conclusion I can come to is that it must be a historical landmark, kinda unique history, decor, and a simple local go-to.
Jessica Dapson
Shelby was friendly & fast! Had a nice time here. Burgers were good—only reason for the four stars for food was that the Blackened Blue burger lacked Cajun seasoning and was absent of blue cheese—so neither blackened nor blue, but we didn’t mention it, as the burger was good anyways. Looking forward to coming here again!
… moreCassandra Vitale
This is such a great divey neighborhood spot. It’s a Buffalo staple. You’ll find regulars there having a bite and a couple drinks before heading out their nightly activities…all of the staff are super friendly and kind. It’s laid back and chill. Good isn’t amazing, but it’s also not too pricey. You get free popcorn. Fun place for a chill night of drinking and hanging out
… moreManoj Krishnan
If your friends or family recommend you to visit Duffs or Anchor Bar in Buffalo please make sure you visit Michael at Founding Fathers. It deserves to be in the top spots to visit in Buffalo. This is one of the best pub experiences in the entire US I have been. Michael is so knowledgeable in trivia and just a great character. The pub is filled with memorabilia of US presidents thru out the bar. This would be a place Anthony Bourdain would be proud to visit…Yeah I went their..
… moreFern Lovebond
Had a late afternoon to kill, went in for a burger. Decor is as others described, but the TVs were a bit noisy with MTV blaring a bunch of 90s to 00s alt rock, pop and lots of hip-hop + r&b. It was incongruous, a little grating, and seemed weirdly at odds with the clientele.
Clarissa (IIRC) was delightful, and helped me pick the right beer for my mood (Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale). Was profoundly disappointed to learn they had no kind of fries or hashbrowns available at all, thanks to the postage stamp-sized kitchen having only a grill. The chips would have to do, but at least the Independence burger was excellent.
If all you’re out for is atmosphere and a beer, this is a quaint, appealing spot, and if you get peckish, the food is quite tasty. (Though a hot plate to make some hash browns or scrambled eggs would add another star here. )
… moreClarissa (IIRC) was delightful, and helped me pick the right beer for my mood (Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale). Was profoundly disappointed to learn they had no kind of fries or hashbrowns available at all, thanks to the postage stamp-sized kitchen having only a grill. The chips would have to do, but at least the Independence burger was excellent.
If all you’re out for is atmosphere and a beer, this is a quaint, appealing spot, and if you get peckish, the food is quite tasty. (Though a hot plate to make some hash browns or scrambled eggs would add another star here. )
Anthony Michel
If cluster F was a bar, this would be it. Home game for buffalo and 1 staff member on. Even if someone called off, she could have said something when we walked in and sat down. 20 minutes we waited and another table sat after us and got beers. Sad, as we thought this place was cool. The decor was a mess but wicked cool. I guess it’s off to Anchor bar instead.
… moreTodd DePuy
Interesting dive bar. Loads of American history all over the walls and ceiling.
… moreJeffrey Phelan
This was such a cool Pub! So many things to look at and a wonderful staff. Very friendly.
The best pub we went to on our trip to Buffalo.
… moreThe best pub we went to on our trip to Buffalo.
Matt Botticelli
*-Current menu on Google maps is old, please update. Esp prices!-*
Came in for a quick lunch stop with my dad today and figured we’d check this bar out as it has such high reviews.
Most of what I’ve heard about this bar is that it’s “The oldest bar in Buffalo” which may or may not be true as far as structure housing a bar goes but the bar tender filled us in that the doors to the bar opened in the mid 1980’s, regardless the interior suits it’s name as it’s decorated with memorabilia from our nation’s presidents and wars. There’s probably seating for close to 50 people including the bar and a variety of TV’s broadcasting the latest sports updates.
The menu was on the smaller side but the food didn’t disappoint. I ordered the “Philly cheese steak” sandwich and a cup of broccoli and cheese soup. The sandwich was loaded with huge tender cut pieces of actual steak with fresh sweet peppers (and by choice no onion, add mushrooms) the mushrooms was a bad choice as they are canned and not fresh… the roll could have used a decent toast to keep the roll crisp and together but otherwise it’s be a 5/5 star review. Stop in for some grub or a drink with friends and you won’t be disappointed!
… moreCame in for a quick lunch stop with my dad today and figured we’d check this bar out as it has such high reviews.
Most of what I’ve heard about this bar is that it’s “The oldest bar in Buffalo” which may or may not be true as far as structure housing a bar goes but the bar tender filled us in that the doors to the bar opened in the mid 1980’s, regardless the interior suits it’s name as it’s decorated with memorabilia from our nation’s presidents and wars. There’s probably seating for close to 50 people including the bar and a variety of TV’s broadcasting the latest sports updates.
The menu was on the smaller side but the food didn’t disappoint. I ordered the “Philly cheese steak” sandwich and a cup of broccoli and cheese soup. The sandwich was loaded with huge tender cut pieces of actual steak with fresh sweet peppers (and by choice no onion, add mushrooms) the mushrooms was a bad choice as they are canned and not fresh… the roll could have used a decent toast to keep the roll crisp and together but otherwise it’s be a 5/5 star review. Stop in for some grub or a drink with friends and you won’t be disappointed!
Lauren Woods
The atmosphere, food and service were great. As a historian, I loved all the presidential memorabilia. Our server was also the cook and I had an amazing burger, while my husband had a philly cheese steak. I have never in my life had cheese steak I enjoyed, but WOW, was I missing out! So good!
… more