Seize the Night at this Petite Goth Bar in Buffalo
The Merry Shelley’s decorations include coffin bookshelves, a miniature coffin, and portraits of characters from the 1818 Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein.
The Merry Shelley on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo’s North Park neighborhood is perhaps one of the city’s most intriguing bars. It is an eclectic space that pays homage to its namesake, the famed 18th-century English author Mary Shelley, best known for her iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein.
In truth, the Merry Shelley is no ordinary cocktail bar, but rather an immersive escape, where gothic style, literature, the macabre, counterculture, and craft cocktails meet under the glow of an enchanting bar. From the moment you walk through the doors, you are surrounded by the floating candlelights, petite and antiquated furniture, coffin-shaped bookshelves, and a sense that you have just warped into some Victorian past.
A cluster of inclusive LGBTQIA+ flags hangs above the bar, and a portrait of English novelist Mary Shelley sits on the shelves.
As a venue, the Merry Shelley is intimate, with only a few places to sit at the bar and in the surrounding space. In actuality, the vibe feels like you’ve walked into a secret society on the north side of Buffalo. It is a progressive bar, with hints of activism posted around every corner. The musical tracks filling the room are curated too, leaning heavily towards doom metal, post-punk, goth rock, darkwave, some indie, and alt rock.
If you’re into unique craft cocktails, the drink menu leans deeply into the goth theme as well, featuring various liqueurs, absinthe-based cocktails, regional ciders, craft beers, non-alcoholic drinks, and creative seasonal drinks. The Merry Shelley hosts themed events and gatherings across town throughout the year for like-minded enthusiasts. Enjoy.
