Top Rated Nightlife in Amherst

Despite the name, Founding Fathers Pub does not harken back to those heady days of colonial tumult in the Americas. In fact, the building is from 1874 and the quaint pub/restaurant inside has only been in existence for a couple of decades. Nonetheless, former teacher-cum bar owner Mike Driscoll loves history, where he will regale you with stories and facts alongside craft brews and better-than-average pub-grub. On the walls you will see presidential portraits, national knick-knacks and memorabilia from Mike's own collection and one of the best things about Founding Fathers is the free nachos and popcorn. Everything else on the menu like sandwiches, burgers and salads, and don't forget to check out trivia night held the first Tuesday of every month, bring your thinking caps!

At first glance, it seems as if almost every hip place in Buffalo is housed in a building that dates back to last century. This space has history galore, its various incarnations were once mob hangout, diner, brewery and deli until it opened up as a pub in 1986. On the menu diners will find 'sammiches' and 'snackatizers' like wings, Reubens, Beef on Weck, etc. in addition to much more. Inside guests will find a pool table, jukebox and usually local favorite Flying Bison on tap. Overall a great place to start or finish the night.

Located in Buffalo's historic Allentown district, this bar is considered one of the best in the city for live music at prices we can all afford. The bar serves imported and domestic beer on tap, including Bass, Guinness and a couple of local ones like Flying Bison and Community Beer Works. On Mondays, it's open-mic night, on Tuesdays, the hilarious Stripteasers perform their comedy burlesque reminiscent of the 1950s and Saturdays bring 'Celtic Seisians' with Irish trad music. Other live bands from many genres play the rest of the week. Remember that Nietzche's does not accept credit cards, so bring your cash and check website for full calendar of events.

You've likely heard of Buffalo wings and may even know that Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar is where they originated in 1964. Here they consider them to be 'the best in the world' and if you can't actually come to Buffalo, you can still order them online as well as their signature sauce. If wings aren't your thing, you can choose from made-to-order pub-grub. Minutes from the Buffalo Theater District, this casual, unpretentious bar features live jazz on certain nights also. The decor inside features walls plastered with awards and articles extolling their famous and ubiquitous wings.

Located downtown on Chippewa Street, Bottoms Up is a trendy, often crowded bar/club where people come to gather and dance. The club itself is a bit small with an equally diminutive dance floor, but if you choose not to dance, at the bar you and your pals can try out one of their popular 'Fish Bowls'. These fish bowls are actual ones that are filled with almost every type of liquor imaginable; after your order, everyone promptly plops a straw in to take a strong sip. The crowd is different according to the night as well as the music, which ranges from Top-40, rock, EDM and hip-hop.

Dance beneath the vast reaches of the open sky at downtown's Sky Bar. Located on the rooftop of the D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub, Sky Bar is a trendy nightlife destination that has the city's nocturnal party crowd clamoring at its doors. With stellar views of downtown and a lineup of top DJs spinning the latest hits, the Sky Bar is one of the city's top summertime destinations for a rollicking good time. Refresh yourself with a cocktail and well drinks from the bar, or take to the dance floor for an unforgettable night of revelry. For a more exclusive experience, book a private cabana for yourself and your posse. A strict dress code is enforced, so dress to impress when planning a visit to the uber chic Sky Bar.