The decorated tiki bar at Easy Sailor has a large red octopus wall sculpture, vintage-style paintings, rustic wood walls, and nautical decor.

A bowl of ramen with sliced pork, halved soft-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, spinach, seaweed, and noodles in broth from Public Provisions in Rochester.

A band performing on stage with blue and red curtains, three musicians are visible: one singing and playing guitar, one playing bass, and a drummer in the background. The scene is lit with colorful stage lights at the 5 Spot in Nashville, TN.

Colorful sculpture of a one-eyed monster with purple arms and a pizza body, surrounded by a pizza-themed backdrop and blue curtains at Denver's Meow Wolf.

Filipino food plate with rice, fried egg, diced beef stir-fry, and spring rolls from Pinoy Boy in Buffalo, New York.

A stage decorated with candles and white drapery, with a person dressed in dark clothing performing under blue lighting, at an event called the Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy.

A pour over coffee from AM:FM Coffee in Rochester, NY

Senojfromtheroc performing at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Arts

Music

Culture

Cuisine

Drink

The Underrated Vibes

Andy Gold 5/12/26 Andy Gold 5/12/26

Seize the Night at this Petite Goth Bar in Buffalo

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.

Andy Gold 3/8/26 Andy Gold 3/8/26

A Taste of the Philippines in Buffalo’s Theater District

While I came to Pinoy Boi expecting an authentic taste of the Philippines, I also found a small taste of home. Inspecting the menu, smelling the aromas, and placing my order at the counter brought me to a familiar place, and eating a generous plate of charred, tender and buttery, smoky, and flavorful pork Sisig, a helping of sticky rice, an over-hard fried egg, and two crispy, savory, and seasoned Lumpia pieces served with a side of a fresh sweet chili sauce brought me gratitude.

Andy Gold 8/10/25 Andy Gold 8/10/25

Misuta Chow’s Defeats the Evil Dr. Ennui

Misuta Chow’s is a Japanese-style bar and restaurant that describes itself as a funky gastropub offering rice bowls, ramen, various Japanese street foods, and arcade games. That seems like the optimal description. What truly separates Misuta Chow’s as a bar is its ambiance and inclusive vibes.

Andy Gold 7/22/25 Andy Gold 7/22/25

Buffalo. Beats. Lucky Day Whiskey Bar.

Visiting Lucky Day Whiskey Bar in Buffalo, New York, is a warm experience. The bar is in a walkable area to many other great bars in downtown. At Lucky Day Whiskey Bar, you’ll find a true Buffalo experience, from the vibes of the crowd, the politeness of the staff, and the vibrant music playing in the bar on the right night.

Andy Gold 7/16/25 Andy Gold 7/16/25

The New Buffalo AKG Art Museum Is a Must See!

Impressively, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum features modern artists and historical works of impressionists, post-impressionists, neo-impressionists, abstract, and surrealist art pieces. The style and era of art in the galleries gradually shift as you move through the museum, but you can find some famous works from names like Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Dalí, Degas, and Warhol.

Andy Gold 7/13/25 Andy Gold 7/13/25

A Fusion between Indian Cuisine and Texas BBQ is Changing the Game in Buffalo

Southern Junction, on Connecticut Street in Buffalo, New York, combines the flavors and spices of Kerala, a state on India’s Malabar Coast, with the smokehouse flavors of a Texas barbecue joint. This amalgam of flavors produces some of the best barbecue this side of the Mississippi, and that is no joke!

Andy Gold 5/9/25 Andy Gold 5/9/25

Enjoying the Immaculate Vibes at Fattey Beer Company

Fattey Beer Company is a sanctuary for craft beer lovers that pours some of the most delectable craft brews in Downtown Rochester, NY. Located across the way from the Strong National Museum of Play, Fattey brings some of the chillest vibes to the city. It is a great place to meet up with friends for a drink, listen to eclectic music, and enjoy the lovely views of a thriving side of downtown.

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