Essex St. Pub

Reviews

• Dante B.

  star star star star star_border 11 June 2026

  As much of a dive bar as you're going to ever experience. Pool tables, limited seating, and the occasional weird stenches. All-in-all, this has become a favorite place of mine to grab a solid cheap drink.
  
  The place is always packed no matter what day it is and you'll even see people there until 4:00AM (don't ask how I know). With that being said, it would be nice if they had two bartenders working but I understand the bar itself doesn't really warrant two people behind their at a time and I understand. Wishful thinking.
  
  They do seem to have a pretty popular midnight snack menu that people seem to rave about. I've yet to have it because I try and be as frugal as possible considering my place is just a short walk from it but if I'm ever starving and simply don't feel like making anything, I know where to go.
  
  Again, what makes them so great is they're very cost efficient. If I'm not mistaking, you can get a pitcher of PBR ( I know, I know) for $6 before 10pm. The drafts are usually $5 and even the well drinks.

• Benjamin P.

  star star star star star_border 9 June 2026

  A great low-key dive bar that you wish was on the end of your street.
  
  I sat down to eat for the first time on Friday and was shocked at how good the food was.  Our waitress was kind and attentive.  She mentioned that the menu is getting revamped.  I didn't expect this place to have so much BBQ flair.
  
  The burger I had was outstanding.  I forget the name but it came on a fresh seeded roll, topped with chips, bacon, mac n cheese and BBQ sauce.  HELL YEAH!  Even the beef patti was shockingly tender and tasty.
  
  I also ordered the wings.  They're a lot meatier than your average "Buffalo wing".  They're more like the style of wing you'd get at a standard BBQ restraunt. They weren't my style. I found the chicken tough to eat. But the BBQ sauce they were smothered in was truly finger licking good.
  
  Nice time you're here for a beer get a BBQ burger too!

• Cory W.

  star star star star star_border 1 June 2026

  I've been here a couple of times recently and I feel like it's a hidden gem. This is a small neighborhood bar offering cheap drinks and a cozy area to sit with friends and wind down from a long day of work. Due to the small size of the bar, it's not overly loud here, which is a rarity for bars in this area. They also offer some outdoor seating so that on a nice night you and your friends can enjoy the beautiful Buffalo summers.
  
  I haven't tried the food yet but I've been assured it's great. I gave them a 4 to begin with and would gladly move it up to a 5 if the food lives up to its billing.

• Connie S.

  star star star star star_border 29 May 2026

  I have been to Essex a few times albeit this is my first visit as a vegan. There are a couple vegan options on the menu: vegan BLT (with fried tofu, house smoked coconut bacon and chipotle mayo) and spaghetti squash BBQ sandwich (option of traditional coleslaw or Hawaiian). I chose the the vegan BLT. The sandwich was good. The tofu could have been made crispier though I did enjoy the depth of flavor of the smoked coconut bacon. The meal came with 1 side. I chose the potatoes which consisted of 3-4 small pieces; the portion of the potato could have been a tad larger.  Overall, the meal was enjoyable and I will return to try the BBQ spaghetti squash sammie.

• Sou P.

  star star star star star_border 16 May 2026

  Tuesday  night,  after dinner at Kunis,  we walked down to Essex pub.  When we got there around 8:30pm,  there were only about 8 patrons inside and a couple of people sitting outside.  One of the things I noticed upon walking-in was the air temperature.  I don't think there was A/C inside the establishment, or otherwise it was set on LOW so I suggested we sit outside for some breeze.  
  
  I believe drinks were about $4-5/each, so not bad at all for prices.  I didn't see a menu, so I can't comment on food or whether food is available.
  
  At around 10pm,  the karaoke started and that was pretty entertaining!!  Also there is a pool table and other games,  such as darts for fun.  
  
  Overall,  a pretty good experience.  I'd say one area of improvement would just be their lack of A/C,  so they get 4 stars out of 5.