For this year’s Best of WNY, we asked our most loyal contributors to share their best discoveries and rediscoveries of the past year, whether they were first-time experiences or old favorites they found new appreciation for. From fundraisers to foodstuff, meetups to must-see exhibitions, these our contributors’ choices for 2025.
Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill
Sully’s Harbor Bar & Grill, on Erie Basin Marina’s Harbor Walk, offers a reinvented patio space on the water that delivers perfect summer vibes. Full disclosure: my husband and I do a music series there on Thursdays in the summer, but we find ourselves there on many other evenings to relax, get a drink and a bite, listen to music, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
—Kim Miers
Backpack Mafia
@backpackmafia716 on Instagram
Backpack Mafia is the crown jewel in my experience as a hip-hop head living in Buffalo. Every few months, rappers, beatmakers, and hip-hop lovers flood Milkies to witness local producers go head to head in three-round battles that showcase the cream of their sonic crops. Created by seasoned rappers Grand Phee & L.Biz, the event blends excitement, humor, and healthy competition. It’s one show I never want to miss.
—Schondra Aytch
Raha Coffee House
If you want rich flavor, vibrant culture, or viral Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries, Raha Coffee House at 370 Amherst Street has you covered. The vibe is what pulled me in: beautiful décor with golds and colorful mosaics, a wooden map of the Gulf of Aa’en on the wall, the aroma of cardamom in the air. It’s a great place to meet a friend or work on your novel. And the traditional Yemeni desserts will blow you away…