The Merry Shelley

Amazing place, fabulous barkeep, wonderful drinks, fantastic ambiance. If I lived in Buffalo I would be here way too often and pick up an absinthe habit. Worth the visit and then some!

Absolutely adored this place! Great atmosphere, great app plates and the drink selection is so different from most other places around. Highly recommend!

renee hall

Super cool vibe. Bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. Would absolutely recommend.

Cataclysm

So happy my friends brought me here when visiting Buffalo! Amazing cozy goth bar! Beautiful souled staff! Delicious drinks! Highly recommend if you are local or visiting! Love this place

Felicia Spence

Claire’s food is amazing! We had one of everything on the menu and enjoyed every bite. The tomato soup and buttery bread were delicious. You can tell she makes her food with lots of thought and craft. The bartender, Carly, was very welcoming and made us some tasty absinthe. We would definitely recommend! My husband and I had

craftlover10101 Heather L. Lewis

Oh this was the nearest place. My daughter was so excited to take myself, her twin sister and her boyfriend for the first time to have absinth. The atmosphere was great! Parking limited but didn't care lol The place is small and was packed on a Tuesday night. Still didn't care lol we sat outside in the cold and still I didn't care. It was just being there with my family and enjoying a new drink in the best atmosphere. And the bartender and door man had great attitudes. Thank You! Get a bigger place lol and I will tell all of my friends!

James Watson

Very very cool unique goth themed bar the atmosphere is incredible and the bartenders were just absolutely wonderful highly recommend you visit!

Hex Kleinmartin

As much as you could call The Merry Shelley a 'bar', it's more of a cozy library where you can drink (well, yes, there is a bar) and nibble with a great Goth soundtrack. The ambiance is a dark, eclectic Victorian/Edwardian feel that fits with so much of the time period of Buffalo architecture, making the place feel so appropriate and so welcoming. The chairs by the bookcases (which can't hold all the books, so they rest in piles on shelves along the wall) invite one to settle in for some intimate conversation with an aparitif or some mead or wine or a mixed drink or craft brewery's creation. And yes, you are welcome to grab one of the books and read all by yourself. Just a note, do remember to bring a device that can scan QR codes and has access to the internet. There's no printed menu, so it's all online, and you will want to know about what the kitchen has, and what all those interesting looking and smelling liquids are. If you can't decide, try getting a flight of liqueurs!

Maggie Culmone

The guy at the bar was super friendly and informative about the drinks and gave me a detailed explanation about absinthe. The atmosphere was so chill and fun. Loved the lite brite and other games. It was so cool to see a free library in a bar. I will definitely be back when I'm in town.

Crystal Malachowski

This is the first time I ever went to Merry Shelly and I enjoyed everything about it. I ordered the roasted corn soup and it was the best soup I ever had( its also vegan which is a big bonus for me). As an autistic person I enjoyed the darker lighting as part of the atmosphere. I would highly recommend you check this place out. I plan to go there again when they have their vegan taco Tuesday.

Ken Weatherly

Wow! This is one of my new favorite places. The atmosphere is amazing, you immediately feel comfortable. The bartenders were both amazing! Will definitely be back and recommend this to everyone.

Darice Moore

Amazing place, fabulous barkeep, wonderful drinks, fantastic ambiance. If I lived in Buffalo I would be here way too often and pick up an absinthe habit. Worth the visit and then some!

Where the cool kids go to start the evening off right. Spooky yet comfortable. One of the few absinthe bars in the USA. It’s a small space so keep that in mind. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. Any negative reviews are sour grapes.

I came from out of town and the visit was incredible. Bartender was very nice and helpful. All the drinks were strong and well made. The vibe there is welcoming, could have stayed there all day. 10/10 would recommend.

I'm an antisocial goth and an introvert. I don't go to bars, but when I do, I go here. It's comfortable and friendly. The owners have always been very sweet and accommodating. Their menu is quirky and delicious. I wish they'd open a location in the Buffalo Southtowns.

Unique atmosphere, brilliant beverages, and a really wonderful spot to bring people from out of town to experience the strange unusual magic Buffalo has to offer.

Love this place. Unique drinks. Dark vibes. It’s a little small for large groups. The bathroom doors are heavy, push harder. Go hang out with the Spooky Kids.

A true goth bar with wonderful spooky decor and moody lighting. It's tiny, so if you plan to attend on a weekend night, I would suggest early arrival to secure a seat. The drinks are very unique and delicious, and the bartender was exceptional. I went on a dance night, and the music (provided by DJ Servo) suited the atmosphere very well.

Tara Bystran

Unique atmosphere, brilliant beverages, and a really wonderful spot to bring people from out of town to experience the strange unusual magic Buffalo has to offer.

Roslyn W Fulton-Dahlie

Amazing place, great staff, fun events and excellent music when there’s a party.

David Williams

Where the cool kids go to start the evening off right. Spooky yet comfortable. One of the few absinthe bars in the USA. It’s a small space so keep that in mind. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. Any negative reviews are sour grapes.

Mandi Brown

An amazing little gem of a bar. Cozy, friendly, gay as hell! Great drinks and yummy snacks

Christopher Lopez

I came from out of town and the visit was incredible. Bartender was very nice and helpful. All the drinks were strong and well made. The vibe there is welcoming, could have stayed there all day. 10/10 would recommend.

Rebecca Bonk

I'm an antisocial goth and an introvert. I don't go to bars, but when I do, I go here. It's comfortable and friendly. The owners have always been very sweet and accommodating. Their menu is quirky and delicious. I wish they'd open a location in the Buffalo Southtowns.

Cody A

Love this place. Unique drinks. Dark vibes. It’s a little small for large groups. The bathroom doors are heavy, push harder. Go hang out with the Spooky Kids.

Mysty Brunetto

The atmosphere and company is amazing. The staff are wonderful. There's an amazing selection of drinks and horror literature available.

Holly Taylor

A true goth bar with wonderful spooky decor and moody lighting. It's tiny, so if you plan to attend on a weekend night, I would suggest early arrival to secure a seat. The drinks are very unique and delicious, and the bartender was exceptional. I went on a dance night, and the music (provided by DJ Servo) suited the atmosphere very well.

Great Bar, but wish they had real physical menus instead of QR codes. I'd recommend this place besides that.

Jacob

Great Bar, but wish they had real physical menus instead of QR codes. I'd recommend this place besides that.

Excellent decor. Very cramped bar. They only make drinks that are on their menu.