Buffalo RiverWorks

Address:	359 Ganson St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Phone:	+1 716-342-2292
Site:	buffaloriverworks.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

John Krytus

When Riverworks first opened—like the first or second week of their existence I stopped there with a couple of friends and had an amazing burger while sitting at a great table overlooking the water. Our server was pretty amped up on working there.*********Last night (Saturday night after what I am sure was a busy day for them), I took my wife there for date night and I dont think I will ever go back. We sat at the bar. They had 3 beers on tap and I really enjoyed the rye IPA. They were out of the signature meatloaf so I ordered the burger and my wife the roast beef pretzel sandwich. My burger was a hockey puck and as per my wife on her roast beef, "deli meat would have been better". At 10pm something weird happened. We became invisible while the entire staff started scouring the place and counting their buckets of tips. A friend of mine showed up and as hard as we tried could not get him service for ever. We were there until almost midnight. Not once did someone ask us if we needed anything—and we needed stuff! No one would look at us! And I swear to god they dumped out their buckets of tips behind the bar and counted them for at least 45 minutes. I finally interrupted one of the counters to ask for a drink and was told she needed to finish because the wind was blowing her money around! We were good customers. We were pleasant and friendly. I may have whined a bit about feeling "invisible" but it did no good. Ive never seen a crew so busy at cleaning and prepping for the next day while having zero regard for the people in front of them. EDIT: After posting this review I got an immediate response from the manager who was very apologetic and assured me that my experience was not representative of how they want to do business and that she would do everything in her power to make it better next time...I added another star :)

Molly Elizabeth Brigit

Cool venue, and theyve done great things with the space, but it is poorly managed. They have double-booked the space many times, the waitstaff is extremely hit-or-miss, the food quality is ridiculously inconsistent, and the parking situation is ridiculous (I understand that they only own the one parking lot, but they really need to purchase the other lots next to it so that people wont have to pay to park in a muddy mess and walk a quarter mile through mud and slush). Management is really not helpful - they dont listen to their patrons, and dont take constructive criticism very well. If you want to run a successful business, you need to listen to the people who didnt enjoy their time there - its the best way to make positive changes. The food is mediocre. The pizza is made there, with the dough stretched on premises, and that is easily the best item on the menu. The tots are extremely popular (but those are hard to mess up). The rest of the dishes usually are underwhelming - flavorless, and frequently cold. Im interested to see what they do with the brewery and the outdoor beer garden this summer - hopefully that will bring some improvements. TL:DR - cool venue, great sports, iffy-service and food (get the pizza).

Katie Atkin

Went here with a couple friends to check it out. Cutting right to the chase, I probably wont go back. We wanted a table outside on the patio. We were told a table was available but just had to be cleared. So we waited a couple minutes until a server told us it would be a 20 minute wait. So we decided to sit at the bar, and waited for the bartender to acknowledge us after casually walking by us a few times. It wasnt busy. He finally came over and we asked what was on tap. We were told the taps werent up yet, that they were "supposed to be up a couple weeks ago, they should be up next week." Ok, fine. They do have a decent selection of beer, in cans. But we thought it was very odd, seeing that they have a ton of taps on the bar. I did a little research. Apparently theyve been feeding the "taps will be in next week" line to a lot of people, for quite a while (Referencing a review from July of last year). Real nice that theyve been lying to their patrons. Id much rather they were honest and just say they dont (and may never) have draft beer.

Nicole Denaro

So disappointing :( My friends and I had made a reservation for my friends birthday. However, for whatever reason our table was placed directly in the middle of someone elses surprise birthday party?! Odd...Then when we ordered beer and our food. Which seemed to take forever. While waiting and starving. The person next to us placed their child on the filthy floor and proceeded to change a dirty diaper. Nothing was said to the woman. Finally, when our food did arrive, the orders were completely mixed up. Afterward, when stating we needed separate checks our waitress rolled her eyes and stated "well, cant you guys figure it out yourselves?". We did. And it took us 15 extra minutes. And my boyfriend ended up owing friends money because the check was so badly added up. All my group wanted to do was just enjoy a beer by the water, after the disaster for dinner. Which was fine. Until 2 of us ended up stepping on a dead bird right by the stairs. So disappointing! :( we just wanted to have a good time!

Tony Woz

This place is awesome! Dont really get all of the bad reviews for this place. Im just thoroughly amazed at what this place has built and accomplished. They took an old unused plot of land in an area no one would ever go and turned it into an amazing restaurant, brewery, sports, and events center with an amazing view and atmosphere at that! Ive been here so many times for fun things and for fund raiser events. Ive been here for curling, pedal tours, the Ride for Roswell, Roller Derby (not my favorite because its hard to see), the Susan Komen walk, Dragon Boat Festival, craft shows, and just to eat and drink. They also have an ice cream shop and kayak rentals and a launch if you bring your own. The beer garden is awesome and the patio is very scenic and they just opened their brewery! $6 a beer is my only complaint, but it is good beer, and at least you get a nice atmosphere with it. Just go and check it out. Theres always something going on here!

Chase Wilkins

Its tough to review a restaurant I intended to eat at, but never did. 615pm: We arrive an hourly early to wait for an outside table. 715pm: We are seated and order appetizers and entrées. ~730pm: Were informed that theyre out of cobb salad, beef on weck, and lobster bisque, so we substitute. 815pm: 3 of 4 apps and 5 of 8 entrées arrive. Were assured the rest will be out soon. 830pm: We inquire and are told they were omitted and are being done now. App canceled. 900pm: 2 of 3 show up and we tell them to cancel the 3rd. We speak to manager Jessica and get some terrible story. I know people make mistakes, we all do, but dont give me a story. Youre attempting to be a business. We get comped the 3 entrées and 25% off the check. I will never return. My burger and fries, the canceled order, was given to me as we left. It looks like a frozen box patty, so my dogs had a decent dinner.