Duende at Silo City: The Can't Miss Bar and Event Space in Buffalo, New York
Duende, located in Buffalo’s Silo City, is a lot more than just a place that serves drinks and food. It’s the beating heart of a movement that’s happening in that area which aims to celebrate the arts, practice ecological restoration, and share and examine the history of a storied American city.
The main bar on the left, and the “Watu Cantina” just to the right of it in the foreground.
On my most recent trip to Buffalo, I was keen to visit places that I felt could, in a sense, surprise me. One of my favourite things to do in a city is to get beneath the surface and find out how the proverbial clock really ticks.
I suppose, nowadays, that’s quite literally my job.
I’ve found over time that people, especially in today’s culture, are remarkably quick to write a place off based on a sentence they read somewhere online years ago, or a sentiment that someone they’re close to has which they have, rather unfortunately, inherited.
Buffalo, to me, is a city that everyone seems to have an opinion about, and yet far too many people base that opinion on, well, nothing. Don’t get me wrong, you’re perfectly allowed to not be in love with every place on the planet but, frankly, I won’t heed your opinion if your feelings aren’t based on anything tangible. To me, that’s like saying you don’t like a book, but you haven’t even bothered to read it.
Now, I’m putting eyes on the places that I feel more people need to visit when they’re thinking about forming a Buffalo itinerary that includes more than just football and wings (and trust me, I love the Bills and am a sucker for a great wing). That’s why I started with The Martin House, and now I’m following that up with some coverage on Duende at Silo City.
Duende was a place that I never knew I was looking for, but that I’m awfully happy I found. I’m not going to lie, I loved this place with every ounce of my being.
What’s Duende All About?
The easiest way to put it is that Duende is a unique bar, live music, and event venue that’s located in Buffalo’s Silo City.
If you’re unfamiliar with Silo City, according to their own language, they’re a “cultural and ecological campus that inspires creativity & community within the historical legacy of Buffalo’s grain silos.” Around the Silo City, you’ll find things like pop-up music festivals, theatre, art shows, filming movies and television, historical grain elevator tours (through Explore Buffalo), reading series’ and more.
I’d also like to highlight the work that’s going on there around ecological restoration. They’re building gardens and trails where once there was only the remains of a former industrial site. If you’re interested in learning more about Silo City, head here.
Duende itself was once a 1940s office building that was surrounded by those aforementioned grain elevators. It fits in with the surroundings because it was built up using materials salvaged from the silos. Duende, in that sense, pays respects to the history of the location, yet it also imbues that which surrounds it with a new sense of hope and purpose.
There’s a buzz around the location because there’s live music several times a week, and they also serve some mighty fine cocktails to go along with an eclectic food menu. The live music, by the way, sincerely added to the ambiance and vibe of the visit, so I’d try to time your visit with when they’ll be a band playing.
The best thing to do is to check their calendar.
What’re They Pouring, Anyhow?
I’m told that the drink and food menu here is ever-changing, so keep that in mind, but there are a few things I can mention to help you on your way.
For one, this isn’t a place that uses the term “handcrafted cocktails” lightly. That’s a phrase that I’ve seen bars use like bad grocery stores overuse and abuse “organic,” but here, they mean it. Personally, I ordered my favourite cocktail (an Old Fashioned) to see their spin on it, and I also ordered a unique cocktail off their menu.
I went with the Watu Mai’tai which featured a rum blend, fresh lime, cashew orgeat, curaçao, and dark rum.
Bri went with two cocktails off their menu while we were there. Her favourite was the Whoa Dude which had BBA Gin, fresh lemon, apricot, amaro, and homemade simple syrup.
It’s nice when your cocktail actually takes a second to prepare because you know the bartender is attending to your order with care, as opposed to using pre-made mixes etc... This is a place to let the bartender guide and surprise you, so don’t be scared to lean on them (but, as a former bartender, I’d also encourage you to tip well if you feel they did a great job).
Before talking about their food, I should also mention that they have an extensive beer list. They had 30+ different bottles and cans alone when I did a quick tally while there and it was a mix up of local, unique international beers, and a seltzer or two for good measure.
What’s Cookin’ at Duende?
We were headed to dinner right after, so didn’t go wild on the food menu, but we did dapple with the Pretzel Bites with mustard and cheese sauce and, of course, were pleased we did.
If you’re looking to eat something more substantial, they’re known for their sandwiches (the Pork Bomber and their brisket are quite popular we were told, as well as the Smoked Bella, which features smoked portobello mushrooms, roasted peppers and a variety of greens on fresh ciabatta.)
A lot of people come for the Duende Dinner as well, which is a variety of mains (chicken leg quarter, pulled pork etc.) that comes with a side of rice and beans, and vegetables that are in season.
I talked to a customer at the bar who seemed to know the place like the back of his hand, and he also said that you shouldn’t sleep on their Smoked Wings with house-made blue cheese. He said to watch out for the changing weekly special for sauces as they’re often quite fun and eccentric, but that falling back on their Maple Bacon was never a bad idea.
What Else Should You Know About This Silo City Gem
For one, it’s worth wandering and exploring. Before I went, I was given cryptic advice to find certain things (the “door that leads to nowhere, for example). So, with your timing, build in some extra time to explore the grounds, as this is more than just a place where you’ll want to come for a quick drink and be on your way.
In terms of buildings, it’s worth noting that there’s some variety. You’ll find lake and rail grain elevators, American grain elevators, American warehouses, Perot malt houses, Perot grain elevators, and more. It makes for one heck of an interesting skyline.
It’s both indoor and outdoor, and it would be a mistake to only spend time in one or the other. I’d recommend splitting your time in and out to get a full picture of what Duende at Silo City is all about, weather dependent, of course.
Their hours can change based on events (I’m told, for example, that they projected a Bills playoff game onto the silos during the 2021 playoffs, and you can bet they didn’t close early that night), but currently the hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 3-8pm, Friday and Saturday from 3-9pm and Sunday from 3-8pm.
The back area at Duende.
If you’re not from Buffalo, you’re likely going to think that your Uber or cab driver must have taken a wrong turn as you’re approaching, but go with it because you’re right where you need to be. Bri and I were headed towards the silos and wondering where exactly Duende could be amongst all this, but we left knowing that this place simply couldn’t be anywhere else.
If you want something different, something memorable, then Duende, in Buffalo’s now iconic Silo City, awaits.
We want to humbly thank Visit Buffalo Niagara for hosting us as media. All opinions are completely our own.
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