Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill

I NEVER give a positive review. This place is solid. Doesn’t look great from the outside but don’t let that deter you. High quality food, great drinks, very attentive service. Try the Chicken Won Tons, absolutely amazing. You won’t be disappointed.

Hilary is the best! She’s the bar owner and makes it a point to remember people and she’s very personable. Good food, big portions at a great price. They have good music all the time and a digital jukebox for you to choose music from as well! Hands down one of the best places in buffalo to go for Sunday brunch.

Fries were ok. Wings were ok.
Drinks were very weak. Do they water their liquor? Hmmmmm…
Service was slow and distracted.
Super noisy.

Best Mac n cheese in town by far. Huge portions and great beer fill you up without a doubt. Best service too! Hilary is an amazing worker and took care of me so well. The service was quick and efficent. Great place for lunch or dinner or even just drinks. Great bar to watch TV and even meet new people. Everyone is so friendly!

If I could give it no stars I would, the people here are absolutely ridiculous I’ve never met more rude people in my life, not only would the bouncer not let me and my friend in for no reason (even with me showing credit, debit student id) they completely discriminated against us because we are from Connecticut for absolutely no reason and we drove seven hours for a game and couldn’t get a drink. Ryan the bartender complete piece of you know what, don’t come here, anyone who treats an innocent person like this deserves no business. Zero stars

We watched the results of Super Tuesday roll in at Sidelines sports this week. The combination of politics and the Sabres playing made for an exciting evening in downtown Buffalo at this sports bar.
Setting: Your typical sports bar with local paraphernalia and more televisions than people.
Menu: Primarily pub grub and some lighter eats such as a mean Chicken Souvlaki and various other salads.
Food: We ordered both chicken souvlaki and a bacon mac-​n-​cheese bowl. As requested, the chicken souvlaki made it out before our guilty indulgence. The salad was HUGE. It filled up every inch of the large serving platter it was brought on. You really need to see the picture of this beast to appreciate the size. Along with the initial appeal of the size came the fantastic taste. The chicken breasts were well seasoned, cooked perfectly, and plentiful. The fruits/​veggies tasted fresh and the pita bread provided the perfect match for the meal. We were full after splitting the souvlaki and realized that we should have saved the mac-​n-​cheese for another day, but it came to the table anyways and we did as much work as we could on it. The macaroni and cheese w/​bacon was less exciting than we hoped for and about as dull as we expected. The «cheese» tasted fake and the bacon was placed on top sparingly. The size was, once again, significant but they should cut the pasta noodles in half to increase the bacon density. And switch to a better cheese.
Overall: Sidelines Sports Bar is exactly what you would expect it to be– with the one exception being the insurmountably huge portion sizes. It’s clean, cozy, and has plenty of tv’s to switch one of them to politics during a heated Sabres game. Overall: B.

My husband and I generally go there at least once a week for lunch. We Love their turkey burgers! Thick, juicy with malty cheese, fresh tomato slice and crunchy lettuce, and served with a crisp pickle spear & chips or they have fries and sweet potato fries for a little extra. Delicious! Plus, they make it fast so we can get in an out and back to work within an hour!

Came into town late on a Friday night for work. Stayed at the Embassy Suites across the street. Place was PACKED… some benefit going on. Was able to find a seat at the bar… Bartender Hillary (I believe that was her name) was an absolute rock star behind the bar. Very personable, handled the busy bar like it was nothing. Always had a smile on her face. Important thing about being a bartender is being able to look around and get mutiple drink orders at once and she was on point. Will definitely go back, because I can’t imagine the place being any busier and the service I received being in there by myself when there were groups and groups of people was important. Definitely recommend for anyone staying in the hotels in the area.

After being here several times for just drinks, and leaving happy and fairly drunk each time, my girlfriend and I stopped in for a late dinner last night. At places like taverns and sports bars, we usually sit in the bar area and order a few things to share and pick at over a drink. The bar was full because there was a football game on, but we sat at a table a few feet away.
The first thing I’ll say about this place is that the service is always fast and great. Last night, I anticipated having to get up and order at the bar throughout the night, so I went up and ordered a round of beers. The bartender poured the drinks, and a server brought them over quickly. So it was nice to sit in the bar area and have a server.
We ordered nachos and honey garlic wings. The food came out quickly, and it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. The nachos were tasty but I’ve had better in the city. That didn’t stop us from almost eating the whole plate. The wings were good and I absolutely loved the honey garlic sauce, but they were a little on the small side and, I can’t believe I’m saying this, too crispy. That didn’t stop me from eating 8 of them.
They had a pretty good selection of draft beer, and typical bar food, but the great service in a cool atmosphere really won me over. The bar setup, in terms of number of TV’s within eye sight, is among the best in the area. Highly recommend this place.

Great food, great service, and an awesome atmosphere! That’s some of the quickest and easiest ways to describe this place. A buddy of mine actually told me about Sidelines and suggested I check it out for the food. The minute you walk into Sidelines you’re greeted by its friendly staff. I have to say thank you to Hillary and Lauren, two wonderful ladies who were very helpful when I stopped in. They made me feel like I was at home in my regular bar.
Some of the items on the menu that I tried were the Duke which is basically a Reuben sandwich. But the portion size is really big and for the price it was worth it! The taste was phenomenal. I also had the Lucky Leo. Adding au jus sauce and horse radish to the roast beef made the sandwhich taste even more delicious! And since it is a bar they have a nice selection of seasonal and craft beers along with your regular Budweiser, Sam Adams, etc on tap.
Will definitely stop in the next time my plans take me to Buffalo. And hopefully I get the same reception I did when I was there! Job well done!

Some of the best wings in Buffalo. Definitely better than Gabriel’s gate and almost on par with Bar Bill. Excellent service, great bar area. Excellent place to catch a game.

Usually, I wait to write a review until I’ve actually dined at a restaurant. This review is for booze only — an update will undoubtedly be coming soon.
Every Monday night, my boyfriend, friends, and I play trivia at Century Grill. It’s a tradition that we’re unlikely to break anytime soon. Typically, after we’re finished, we walk home up Pearl Street. Just when I thought that nothing would change our weekly tradition, we decided to walk up Delaware one evening. Sidelines was still open and we were still having fun, so we popped in for a drink.
Suddenly, Monday nights were a little different.
The ambiance inside isn’t as cozy as other bars in the city, but it has its own appeal. The staff really warms the place up — they greet every customer with their name (which I’m sure we’ll know by heart after a few more visits. They’re so nice!) They don’t rely on a diverse beer selection to bring in patrons. Rather, they pick a few really good, awesome brews to show that they know exactly what you want.
We’ve been back every Monday after trivia for almost a month. Of course, this means that I’m even more tired on Tuesday mornings as I ramble into the office, but the sacrifice is definitely worth it. I look forward to many more visits (and food) in the coming months!

I was super excited to check out sidelines for many reasons. My fellow eliter’s have ranked this place very high. In addition, it has a different choices of my favorite food mac and cheese!
We dined in b/​c it was the night of the Ronda Rousey fight and since this was a sports bar with mucho TV’s, however, no luck. Which I was super surprised b/​c it was such a major fight :/​We ended up having to go another location after we had dinner…
However, we left disappointed:/ I of course ordered the cajun mac and cheese. The portion was huge and on presentation was ooey gooey just like I like it. Then I started digging in and thats when the trouble begin, It actually started making stomach hurt. I was so disappointed here I thought I found my go to mac and cheese place.
My husband ordered the wings, he thought they were below avg. We both thought we have had better had buffalo wings in the city.
Friends of our who joined us for dinner ordered the ribs and the nachos. They reported the nacho entrée as being good. It looked tasty and was a nice size, however, do to a upset stomach I was not inclined to try it. The rib entrée was again a large portion and looked great on presentation but it was tough to get through. Let’s just say his arm go a really good workout.
On a good note the service was excellent. The waitress was very attentive and friendly. I was totally teetering on giving this place a 2 star solely for the service, however, the food just was not up to par.

Sidelines is probably one of the only «sports bars» that I actually enjoy going to. I’m not a fan of sports, but I’ll totally go to Sidelines to sit down and have dinner.
I’ve been here a couple of times — once or twice before they had a fire in the kitchen, and had to shut down for a couple of months. Each time I’ve visited, I can gladly say that I’ve never been disappointed. Whatever I end up ordering, I usually really enjoy it! I would recommend the macaroni & cheese, obviously (I’m a sucker for the mac), but their burgers are pretty delicious as well.
The food they offered at the Taste of Buffalo tent this past year was pretty delicious too. I really need to get around exploring their menu, because more often than not, their meals end up being pretty fantastic!
Staff is probably the friendliest I’ve seen in any bar. I’ve never had a bad experience or seen a sour face. We speak with the owners frequently, who are usually seen working around the bar/​restaurant, busy as ever!
The space is pretty nice, with the bar in the front and the dining area in the back. Even when there are a lot of people there, it never feels crowded. If you’re looking for an easy-​going place to grab a bite or a drink downtown, then Sidelines is it.

Ahhh Sidelines. I first saw this place at the «2014 Taste of Buffalo». I had their chicken wontons and, needless to say, I was hooked.
Been here about 6 times I think so far. One of the things I value is their consistency. Not only is their food great, but their service is unmatched by most in Buffalo.
Sidelines is the sports bar that you want it be. It’s honest. They don’t spend time with gimmicks or long lists of specials. Their menu is comprehensive enough for any crowd and you get a good bang for your buck.
My Friend and I went there before a show for brunch on Sunday. The brunch was actually quite good! And the prices were great as well. It’s a very fair restaurant with great service.
The wait and bar staff are attentive, friendly, and quick. They’ve never kept me waiting, and that’s someone I appreciate. Also quite accommodating.
I wish it was a little brighter inside on Sunday’s for brunch. But, it’s a sports bar. It’s suppose to be darker so it attracts your attention to the TV screens… which they have plenty of. Not too many, not too few.
Overall, great restaurant. Food is better than you think it would be. I return frequently because of this.

I had the best time at Sidelines! I went there for their re-​opening after the fire they had. I must say, you don’t feel like you are on Chippewa when you are here. The atmosphere is very laid back and the employees are so nice!
The owner, Hillary was incredible and very conversational. I loved that she was working behind the bar and making some great drinks for my friends and I. My friends work across the street at The Embassy Suites so they go there often for drinks and food. I must say, after coming here I definitely will too!
We were attended a beer blast but arrived early to have some appetizers and drinks. We ordered the chicken quesadilla, onion rings, and Bocce Balls. The bocce balls were HUGE arranchini with peas. They were fantastic, crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. During the beer blast I had a roast beef sandwich, a couple of delicious wings, and these awesome chicken won tons. They were filled with cream cheese and shredded chicken, then accompanied by a side of sweet chili dipping sauce.
I will most definitely say that I will come back here for lunch with my office, and for nights out with my friends.

After reading some rave reviews on Unilocal I decided to give Sidelines a try before a concert at the arena. I’m very happy I did as I discovered Sidelines has the best pub grub in the city.
We had a tight window in which to eat and make our way to the arena. We made it known to our server of our restraints. She was friendly and accommodating. Our drink order was delivered promptly and not long after our food was delivered. Paying our bill was quick and effortless as well.
As for the food, I ordered the Slam Dunk Turkey. This delicious sandwich consisted of fresh carved turkey with caramelized onions, spinach & chipotle mayo on a freshly baked roll. The turkey was tender and moist and the chipotle mayo provided just the right amount of spice. My wife had the Bronx Bomber — basically a meatball hero. I was able to sneak a bite and was very happy with the flavor of the meatballs and the quality of the hoagie roll. Both sandwiches were nicely sized. For sides we opted to upgrade for fresh cut fries and were very happy we did so. The fries were seasoned perfectly with sea salt. These are some serious fries and on my list for top fries in the region. It is very obvious that management has set a high standard for food quality. Nothing pretentious or fancy, but really high quality food done right.
On food and service alone Sidelines deserves 5 stars. However, there is some room for improvement as it relates to drinks and environment.
Drinks-​wise the tap selection is limited. Probably not a big deal for some, but for beer snobs there could be a wider and more appealing selection. Also, the décor/​environment is rather drab — old banquet tables and a lot of unfinished or overlooked details when it comes to flooring, wall décor, etc. Its nit-​picky I know, but with a little work the place can be amazing.
I believe Sidelines is the best option for food in the Chippewa area. We’ll be back and I recommend you give them a try as well.

I found myself at Sidelines on a Monday night because I was staying in a hotel across the street and was looking for a place to watch a hockey game and get something to eat that wasn’t Subway or whatever else they have at the hotel. It was utterly empty when I walked in, save the bartender sitting next to someone who I presume is a manager or owner (more on this later) putting together silverware rolls. I was greeted warmly by the bartender and took a seat at the bar, making sure to state that I wanted to watch the Red Wings game.
The bartender handed me a menu and got me set up with a beer while I waited for the game to start. The beer selection is rather mediocre, but this is not a bar that focuses on beer selection. They have your standard sports bar beers… domestic drafts, Labatt’s, a couple local crafts. The food was very good – they have several inventive burgers on the menu and it took me a while to decide what to try! I ended up going with a blue cheese concoction that was done perfectly to order. I recommend eschewing the potato chips in favor of their hand-​cut fries… delicious.
I cannot emphasize enough how nice the bartender was. She took the time to learn my name, asked me often if I needed anything, and kept the beer flowing. I’d send anyone here just for her.
The one thing that bothered me throughout my entire stay was this mystery man sitting at the bar the entire time I was there. He was wearing a Sidelines shirt and not eating or drinking so I assume he is a manager or owner. He literally sat there all night playing with his iphone, even at times when the bartender got quite busy (she was running the whole front-​of-​house, including tables) and he could have helped out in numerous ways. There was even a time when the bartender was in the kitchen and some new customers came in… they kind of glanced around, and finally sat tentatively down at the bar because no one greeted them. The mystery-​manager glanced once at them, glanced around to see where the bartender was, and then went back to playing on his phone. Perhaps this is unfair criticism but it just really bothered me. The «checked out manager» persona is one that everyone who’s worked in the service industry has had to deal with, so I empathize. If you’re going to wear a logo shirt and sit amongst customers, at least be friendly and make yourself a part of the experience, not just preventing the chair from floating away.
Overall it’s great, but not 5 stars. However, I’d recommend it.

If this were where all the coke users hung out, it’d have to rename itself «Whitelines.» Thankfully, it’s not, so it doesn’t, and it won’t, but if it was, it would, and if it did, then it really might.
What to get: Reuben, Loaded Nachos.
This is my «Alex K is a good friend» review.
Let me just get this out of the way now. Alex K and I are not lovers.
I only have eyes for Alex L.
Or any Alex with a letter value higher than «L». As in Alex M, Alex N, Alex O sounds like it would be a pleasurable relationship, Alex P ew, Alex Q well obviously that’s appropriate, Alex R ooh sexy pirate, Alex S yesss, Alex T anyone named Mr. T is alright, Alex U more like «Alex ew», Alex W twice as bad as Alex U, Alex X would be cool if only I could find one but he’d soon get dumped, Alex Y… can’t think of a reason to date him, not sure about Alex Z, a bit boring maybe.
So.
I don’t do bars. It’s complicated.
First of all I don’t drink. However I’m highly competitive and good at trivia so if there’s a pub quiz you might drag me there. Sidelines doesn’t have one though.
Secondly, I don’t pick up drunk girls. Actually I don’t pick up any girls anymore (suspend your disbelief pls), but if I did, it wouldn’t be drunk girls in bars. That always feels like taking advantage of someone. And if I’m not going to be picking up girls, being around all of these half-​naked girls in high heels is just frustrating (same reason I don’t go to strip clubs).
If this were where various warring factions of the WNY Gay Community hung out (after nights at Marcelas and Q, I once took my shirt off while inside Q by the way, oh the memories)… then it would be called «Pridelines.» But it’s not, so it isn’t, but if it was, it would be.
Anyway, all that aside, my friend hangs out here on a regularly rambunctuously reliably religious basis, so when I want to have a nice chat with him for a few mins (or for 5 hours when we should both be sleeping), I come here. And the more I come here the more I realize, it’s not like other bars. This is a place where there is a genuine warmth, a feeling of home. It’s not divey, nor judgmental. Nor modern in the sense of «plastic and empty», nor old in the sense of «depressing and bigoted.» You’d never imagine you were just around the corner from the craziness of Chippewa… never, that is, until the Chippewa girls get lost and wander in and make drunk eyes at me (or Alex. Or both. Or neither but in my head they do.)
Can’t believe I like this place, but I do, in fact I love it. For someone that doesn’t do bars, that’s a surprising admission. I think people who like bars & have a brain in their cranial cavity will adore this place. I can see why Alex K loves it.
If it were full of deadly snakes, it would be called Sidewinderlines. But it’s not, so it isn’t, but if it was, it would be, maybe.
The bartenders are friendly and my cokes actually taste good. It’s a good thing I didn’t mis-​spell «my cokes actually taste good.» Isn’t it.
I don’t really like bar food, but the Reuben tastes YUM. Alex K knows bar food and is sure this is as good as it gets, so I defer to him and say: should try the food, it’s not your average bar food. I found the burger (the enormous one in the pix) to be average. However the loaded nachos were AWESOME, best I’ve had. And I don’t even LIKE nachos. If you do, get these. Delicious!
But more than that, the feel of the place, the atmosphere, the comfortable seating, the excellent hi def TVs with sports all over the place. And besides, anywhere you can meet Bob Saget’s latest underage girlfriend… oh wait, I said that wrong, crap. I meant anywhere you can meet Bob Seger’s backing band (which we did the other night, although we were too busy talking politics to really work on any Night Moves with them…)… … how many ellipses can one Elipsus write at once? Anyway, we’ve (got tonight) met Bob Seger’s backing band here. AWESOME.
If this place were full of married men and their mistresses (half their age no doubt) then it would be called Sidechicks. But it’s not, so it isn’t… wait a minute, it is… maybe it should be?
Speaking of sidechicks. The reason I say Bob Saget and young girls is this. I used to sneak into the Wiltern Theatre in LA. A big wooden door was broken and opened from the outside round back, so I snuck into such shows as Coldplay and Belle & Sebastian. At the CP show, I was sitting in an empty seat in the 2^nd row… Bob Saget was directly behind me… with a girl that I think was probably between 13 and 15. Okay that is libellious, but trust. She was at the very most, 19. At the very very most. At the very very very very most.
Same night I met Alanis Morrissette. She showed up to check them out too. Them, Coldplay, not them, Saget and the 12 year old. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to date Chris Martin, so wrote «You Oughta Know» about him right after the show.
Or maybe she wrote it about Bob Saget. Maybe she went **** on him in a theater.

Total sports bar TVs everywhere. Came here for the Giants game… Service was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is very casual. We shared 2 apps and a main course. The stuffed banana peppers which are more like a sandwich than what I expected which was something like jalapeño poppers, but was good not superb but good. The chicken wontons were better Fried kind of reminded me of crab rangoons served with a spicy duck sauce.
For a main course we had the ribs which were tasty and tender but were served with asparagus which for a sports bar was sort of weird but cooked well. The only choice was baked potato or fries we got the fries, hand cooked and lightly seasoned.
They have really good specials during any NFL game all kinds of domestic beer specials and a nice $ 5 menu they also have a few craft beers on tap which is nice to see at this kind of place. I would totally come back.