Gypsy Parlor

A funky bar with decent food and lots to do every night of the week. From magic shows, board games nights, to DJs; The Gypsy Parlor is a hipster-​ish bar that’s fun to hang out in.
I’ve been here for a number of events and recently tried the food during Restaurant Week and was blown away by the 3-​course meal they offered. The beef dish (see picture) and the dessert were both incredible. I experienced the meal about a month ago and unfortunately, the specifics are lost on me, but that experience alone made me want to return and eat some more of the food (and especially the dessert).
Our waitress was great — service was friendly and consistent throughout the night. The only hiccup was that it took like twenty minutes to get my check, but I think there was a little bit of chaos at the bar at the time and someone was searching for their cell phone which distracted the staff. Other than that, service was perfect. There was trivia going on the day we came in, but we were able to have a nice conversation and dinner despite not participating in trivia.
If you’re looking for a fun night out, check out The Gypsy Parlor — they have events nearly every day of the week! Don’t shy away from their food menu; definitely some great unique twists and not your average pub food.

Was here Saturday night for a show and some drinks and had a great time. As other reviews mention the ambiance is great here. Bartenders were super friendly. Just felt very welcoming. Places like this are what start to transform a neighborhood and the west side could definitely use a little uplift in spots like this. I’d be back for sure.

Our good fortune guided us to Gypsy Parlor, an eclectic bar on the West Side that hosts as many flavors as it does friendly spirits. The paranormal atmosphere was truly one of a kind. It was a great way to celebrate restaurant week in Buffalo!
Setting: The Gypsy Parlor has a distinctive atmosphere. When you walk in you are transcended into another dimension– the underworld! The décor is mystical and gives way to a laid back fun vibe. We were there on Tuesday night which turned out to be Open Mic night. We made it there just in time– soon after, the restaurant was flooded with customers watching the musicians flaunt their talent.
Menu: The menu was comprised of noteworthy ethnic dishes from all corners of the world (which of course includes famous Buffalo dishes). There was everything from tabouleh to spring rolls and FaLaco tacos to mussels. Prices were reasonable– ranging from $ 9-​$ 16 a plate. The main menu along with a scrumptious list of specials made it difficult to decide on a meal.
Food: We went with the Bahn Mi Poutine for an appetizer following the recommendation of our server. It was incredible. The massive dish was as delicious as it was creative. The fries were loaded to the brim with pork shoulder, cheese curds, sriracha, pickled vegetables, and cilantro. Yummm. We split one of the specials– an entrée of stuffed squid on top of basil pesto risotto. The squid was stuffed with pancetta, caramelized onion, romesco, and fried parsnip. We got a side of portabella mushroom risotto to go along with the dish. After the mouthwatering appetizer, we were expecting a lot from the main course and unfortunately it did not match up with its predecessor. The squid was tougher than we would have liked. It’s hard to cook squid correctly but they should have it down pat if its on the menu. Both the basil pesto and the portabella risotto were gummy and equally overdone. The saving grace was the stuffing inside the squid. It was extremely flavorful while being only a tad too rich. In conclusion, the appetizer was the winner here. GET THE BAHN MI POUTINE!
Overall: This is the place to go for a fun night out that you wil never forget. For us, the food was hit or miss. The service was excellent but nothing will compare to the unparalleled atmostphere. Overall: B

Super cool bar and music venue. First visit to the gypsy parlor last night and was pleasantly surprised. The neighborhood is a little sketchy but the bar itself is super cool. Lots of different beers and liquors to choose from. The bartenders are super nice and helpful as well. They have live music as well. The band was really good when we were there which made the experience even better. They have tables near the stage but there is also room to dance on the dance floor. I suggest checking this place out, I think you will be surprised by how much fun you will have.

Went to Gypsy Parlor on Grant Street for Dingus Day.
and ended up ordering a Korean Stew/​soup
that they call Samgytang.
They made it with kale in it and turnip on top.
It was amazing… go and order it
The staff was friendly and attentive!

I haven’t eaten here so this review is for bar and atmosphere.
Atmosphere– I like the relaxed vibe and décor. We went on Saturday for a jazz band, one I’d never heard of, but good live music is tough to find in Buffalo. We really enjoyed the band and the DJ who played intermittently was good also.
Bar– the two females behind the bar seemed more interested in their phones than the customers. Getting their attention was way more difficult than it should be. I understand a busy bar but if it’s not busy and you are occupied with your phone and ignoring patrons, I find that very frustrating and annoying. The guy bartender was great though. We didn’t get the specialty drinks, just vodka soda and wine, so I cannot attest to how the craft cocktails are. We will check out this place again for live music though.

really love this place. Great atmosphere, always a nice crowd but never too crazy (though I’m not much of night owl, I envision it fills in later) and great food. Try the stuffed bread and loaded poutine are favorites.

This place has an amazing atmosphere, food, events and service. I was initially drawn here by the Pure Ink Poetry Slam, little did I know I would have been captivated by the place as well. They start off with a great list of drink specials. So far the favorites are the Gypsy Punch and the Ginger Snap. So once you have ordered your drink your mind has the ability to take in the menu. There are a lot of options and everything we have had was great. The garlic Parmesan wings are simple and mind blowing. They are crispy and have just the right amount of seasoning. The Gyp Dyps are delicious if you love humus. They come with tortilla chips and warm pita and yes you will need more as there are so many dips on the plate. The sweet potato fries are by far the best item on the menu. They are perfectly fried as they are not soft or limp but perfect. They put just the right amount of honey on them and are a true staple for every visit.

Great food, great service and convenient location. The owner takes pride in making this the coolest, quirkiest place in Buffalo. The food is authentic, interesting and best of all delicious. The bartenders are engaging, quick and fun. Love, love love this place-​my advice try it out see for yourself!

Visited the Parlor for a Pure Ink Poetry Slam /​Open Mic event. The atmosphere in the Parlor was very cool, cannot even really describe it cool. Old school feel, with great décor. Events are held here fairly regularly, appealing to the masses.
The food though… oh the glorious food.
Okay, maybe that is not a fair statement.
The appetizers… oh the appetizers!
The group ordered a variety of deliciousness, so we were able to snack on several options together. I tend to do this, best way to tackle a menu and this un-​decisive stomach of mine. As a whole, we enjoyed the following:
Garlic Parmesan Wings — delicious. Meaty, saucy and delicious. Accompanied by potentially housemade blue cheese, also quite delicious and highly recommended.
Three Dips — served on a platter were three different dips (hummus, red pepper and something with artichoke hearts). Those were plated with both chips and pita. I am not usually a fan of hummus, but this one was decent. Quite thick in consistency which was different. The red pepper was not very spicy, and would likely compliment that hummus perfectly. The artichoke hearts was nothing I have ever tasted before, just okay in my opinion, especially next to its vast competition.
Pastelillos — very spicy. If I was not such a wimp when it comes to heat and spice, I imagine they were the bomb dot com.
I cannot attest to the taste of the spring rolls ordered by other tablemates, but they too looked delicious. Everything that walked by the table looked delicious. In conjunction with the over all ambiance, the events held, the fabulous staff and the food enjoyed, this may be a newly frequented place for me. WHEN more food options are explored, the review will be updated to reflect what I am sure, will include the word deliciousness.

I’ve been only a few times, never by my choice. It’s close by, but between the sexualization of native americans and the obvious allusion to Roma people, I feel uneasy about this place. I hear that does serve many people who are not of the majority culture — which would be a great thing. But any time I’ve been in there, it’s rather dull and normal bar. One night was a ‘Geeks Who Drink’ night, which was a bunch of upper middle class professionals playing trivia. Besides being a small showing, it also meant that the whole space was dominated by something pretty corporate and gross. So much for an alternative space.
Drinks have been alright, although weak. I’ve never had the food, but I was never inspired by any of the choices.

Different food prepared with care. If you like unique with good flavor at reasonable prices with good beer, come here. Super funky atmosphere. We have been here before and know that the food quality is consistent.

I honestly really hate this bar. Every time i go here all the female bartenders pretty much ignore you unless you’re a man. Not to mention the only music they play is house/​techno, and thats just the absolute worst kind of music there is. On the other hand, the fact that they have a psychic is cool. Never experienced the food, but I’m not really interested in ever dining here because the service i have received thus far has been terrible.

I don’t know how many people know what the location was prior… It was once a loud obnoxious bar with the same sound every night… Doodahdoodahdoo goes the bass.
NOW, a great spot to hang with friends. It is a bit if a «treehouse» everyone knows each other. Nonetheless gypsy has fun events to attend. Even without events, the location is close to elmwood village. A great alternative to get off the beaten path. The specials are always tasty & worth the price.
Best deal, if you’re HUNGRY, sausage sandwich & poutine Sriracha fries. Their specials are great as well!

Stopped in last night for the first time for some later dinner and a few beers. We got in around 8, there was just another pair at the bar and two bartenders. While there is cozy seating in the back, we decided to sit at the bar since it was so dead. For once, I went in unspoiled (never checked the menu online) and was not disappointed. We split the banh mi poutine which was really creative and delicious. This dish features pulled pork or tofu, standard gravy, hand cut fries, and spicy pickled jalapenos, carrots and topped with cilantro.
For our entrees (of which we only finished one because we were so full after the poutine) we tried Peruvian chicken skewers and the black bean burger off the specials menu. The chicken was moist and tender and the saffron rice was seasoned perfectly. The black bean burger was also moist which made it a little cumbersome to handle, but I fork and knifed it. The burger is served with smoked gouda, greens tossed in a roasted poblano aioli and topped with a fried egg. On the side were sweet potato fries drizzled with local honey – I can’t even describe how delicious these were. The perfect blend of sweet and salty, I really hope they stay on the menu.
The service was attentive, fun and on point. Around 9:30 or so, the bar switched into club mode when a live DJ took the stage in back. At this point the bar started to fill up, but there was still plenty off room to hang out at the bar. The vibe stayed pretty chill despite the DJ (who was also very good).
This place is a hidden gem you’d do well to experience. I will definitely be back for dinner or just to hang and sample some local color, as they say.

People rave about their drinks and bar, rightfully so. My husband was psyched they carried lillet. But I heard little on the food prior to coming. The food is AMAZING. 11 people at our table and everyone raved about their food. Unique options done well. The poutine looked amazing as an overflowing plate. My dish, the falaco taco was great… a black bean fritter added to the mix was such a good choice. It was a little dry, but after adding some tzaiki sauce from my samosa appetizer, it was perfect. Prices were reasonable… $ 10-​$ 15. Cocktails were $ 7. Unique sultry atmosphere… reds and purples with old photos of gypsy/​fortune telling women. Definitely want to return and try more.

Today was my first visit for a much needed happy hour. Erica, the bartender, was very friendly and down-​to-​Earth. The Gypsy Juice with gin was excellent (I thought it was an interesting idea to allow patrons to choose their own booze!), and the ambiance was kitschy, fun, and laid back.
We tried a few appetizers and they were all excellent. The Banh Mi Poutine was definitely delicious and creative!
We will definitely return to this little gem!

So last night we wanted to try something new, as usual — HA.
We decided on this little gem on the West side.
We walk in to a cool vibe, very relaxed & calm.
I felt good in there. Vibe was awesome.
Drinks were awesome.
Food was awesome.
We just wanted a snack and it was so good. Brussel Sprouts were thee best!
(started this review in 2013)
…
Went back to this place 2 weeks ago and my has it changed.
Food was Ok. Service Ehh and Gypsy Juice was so watered down.
I was so impressed the first time. Sad to see it has gone to the way side.

Gypsy Parlor is entertaining, fulfilling, and still a little unsure of itself. I’ve been here about 10 times, half in the summer, half in the anti-​summer.
In the summer, I give it a 5 star. I love sitting outside, 5 out of 6 dishes we’ve had have been perfect. In the summer, I just drink cider so I wasn’t particularly interested in the other bar offerings. Service was great. Our server (Julie) was really intuitive. She understood when we didn’t want any disturbances and precisely when we did.
In the winter, I’m still so unsure. The bar has good liquor, but not the brands anyone is used to. I feel like it’s forced adventurism. Speaking of forced– some nights are so relaxing and natural but other nights feel like a 6 year old’s birthday party — activities planned in the hopes that everyone will be entertained and nothing awful will happen.
I am biased about gypsy– the convenience alone (1 block from home) makes this a complete no-​brainer. But it’s not JUST that it’s easy, I also really like going to Gypsy.
There IS still a weird feeling; maybe unease? Sometimes it’s Cheers, sometimes it’s stiff. Sometimes it’s like your mom is there and other times it’s just you and your friends.

I went for restaurant week last week. I met a few people that were already there. I only received only the restaurant week menu. I had no idea that I could order off of the regular menu. I got the pastalejos, salad, vegetarian bread and the fried donut for dessert. Everything took half an hour to come out. I only enjoyed the pastalejos and salad. I had no idea the veggie bread had olives and the donut was lemon.
The waitress was nice. But it was frustrating how long it took for my food to come out. The majority of people were drinking not eating. It should not have taken that long.
My tip, it’s a great ambiance for drinking but not eating.

ORDER: Gypsy Juice (yummy)
Pros:
— it’s pretty easy to find off street parking
— love the décor. all of their lights take the form of flowers (tulips, lilies); it was very beautiful.
— friendly service (by the bar, I haven’t eaten here)
— there is a ‘you are beautiful’ sticker in the girls bathroom; how cute
Cons:
— only two stalls in the washroom
Definitely check out their specials. I know that on Sundays they have open mic/​spoken word poetry ($ 5 admission) which is def. well worth the visit. Every Wednesday, Justin, the magician, pays Gypsy Parlor a visit. He was absolutely wonderful, both in blowing our minds with his magic tricks as well as a very kind person. I love how it is a very personalized interaction and he shifts from group to group/​table to table as opposed to performing on stage.

I’m really bummed out because I had heard some terrible things about this bar from a number of sources, but I chose to be open-​minded and I was willing to return. Last night, my friend was unnecessarily physically assaulted by the bouncer and the manager. Will not return ever.
It really pains me to do this as I try and be as unbiased and positive in all of my reviews.

I don’t know if they just did a crazy-​good job in restoring this gem or if it’s been sitting there intact since the turn of the century, but the whole venues oozes Victorian charm – and not in a fussy way. It feels like you might have stumbled in off Grant Street and found yourself in a gold-​rush era saloon. Splashy velvet and metallic wallpapers, dark woods and ornate lamps are all paired with vintage images of burlesque dancers in gypsy garb. The whole vibe is just cool and relaxed and little offbeat.
Friday night happy hour is definitely something to check out (I recommend the $ 3 gypsy juice made with rum). Be sure to try to food as well. It’s an interesting menu that reflects the diversity of the community with Thai spring rolls, Indian samosas, poutine, stuffed sandwiches – really a diverse mix and all prepared well at reasonable prices.
The stage/​dining area at the back of the bar is spacious and inviting. It’s a great place to check out live music, so keep an eye on their calendar!

Fantastic addition to Grant Street. A little oasis on the West Side. I’ve heard their food is great but I haven’t yet tried it. Because I’m such a fan of their ambiance and their willingness to cater to all different types of groups and events, I will return to try their food.
For now, only 3 stars, with the hopes that I can provide an updated review in the future. During my last visit, I found the beer to be surprisingly expensive. $ 10 for two beers (including a Labbatt) … but then when I ordered from a different bartender, those exact same two beers cost only $ 9. If you’re going to swindle your customers for a couple extra bucks, I would advise getting all the bartenders on the same page so the customers don’t grow wise to your antics.

I LOVE this place. We went there last night and upon entering, found that there were no places to sit and eat. There was one high top table without chairs and the friendly staff found some in five minutes when we were about to give up and leave.
The specialty drinks were great. I recommend the Gypsy Juice with Gin (you can choose your liquor) or the Witch’s Brew.
From the menu, we sampled the poutine as an appetizer. I had the Pastelillos and the Burmese Spring Rolls as my dinner. My boyfriend had the Black Sheep Burger which came loaded with a beet/​cabbage slaw. Everything tasted incredibly fresh.
Ah, but the ambiance! This really makes the place. It’s dim lighting, performance area and old photographs that adorn the walls just made it perfect; the type of design I myself would go with if designing a lounge. This place could be trouble for me if I lived within walking distance. I will definitely be back.

Simply Duh-​mazing! Food is spectacular. They have the best Pastellitos ever. And extremely fair prices. Service is prompt and professional. I seriously know this place will do well. I love the location. People need to realize that the majority of the world is good and stop being scurd.
My only recommendations are 1. Colder draft beers and frosty mugs Luvs (I love Pumking beer from September — February. Never change that and when you do make sure it’s with Blue Moon) 2^nd. Purse hooks (but please don’t damage the awesome bar art.)