The Tralfamadore Cafe ("The Tralf") Review

Saw Doug Stanhope a couple weeks ago, and came right back the next Saturday for the Roast Battle Buffalo Rd 1! Both shows exceeded expectations. Great venue all around. Will definitely be back!

Had a fantastic time in this venue! Thunderstruck (AC/DC cover band) was absolutely amazing!! Loved it!

Good acoustics. Tiered seating. Basic bar and snack food.

Great venue, seating was arranged well and the staff were friendly.

Great venue for a show. Lots of room to sit or dance.

Great show ruined by a $75 parking boot fee! But it's not the fault of The Tralf!

The owner called me about this situation and explained to me how he is warning his customer about the unsavory business practices of the lot owner on Pearl street, however warning signs have been removed in some cases and the announcements aren't always heard. Unfortunately I missed his warnings. The owner of the Tralf cares a lot about his business and the fact that his customers are being victimized. I'm leaving this post to warn anyone not to park in the lot on Pearl St and I'll go a step further and say avoid Pay2Park *anywhere* you possibly can. I know I will. It's no accident that there were at least 5 cars booted that night out of maybe 20 cars total in the lot. I was approached by the attendant within 20 seconds after recognizing the boot, but never approached when I pulled in like I have with many of the more reputable lots. Reputable lots also *clearly* sign the lot and indicate the dollar amount for parking, that is not the case here.

I was visiting from Buffalo New York, my daughter lives in LA, raved about this place, it was excellent! I had the Italian sub! And I just cannot say enough about the rum baba. It may look small, but it packs a punch! So rich and decadent! The decor is just wonderful. I really enjoyed the experience!

Great venue!
Must be, i keep coming back:))

poor girl , :( bouncer manhandled her...whoa. scary place. dont bring date here

Jazz Stronghold in Buffalo..not a bad seat in the House

Great place to see great bands!!! The staff is very friendly.

Bouncer is rude and takes his job like he's in charge of the place plus he wanted a tip to let u go for a smoke handcuffed a guy for no reason and did not allow my friend to rdturn into the show because he didn't tip when he moved his car

Great venue, superb sound, very fair pricing, comfortable and friendly.. nice line up . The Ana Popavic show rocked!!

Nice venue but the service is lacking. We ordered many pitchers of the same beer and was brought back different beer then we ordered a few time and the food is WAY overpriced for what they offer.

Food was excellent. Went there to see a tribute band, sound quality was great in the given space. Staff was prompt. Would definately go again.

Was there only once but enjoyed it immensely!! Sean Chambers Blues Band played & table service is a great touch.

Security there needs to take a chill pill. Someone got kicked out literally just for standing the "wrong spot"? They said one time not to stand on the walkway, next to a bar(yep). Security is incredible rude, there was a room full of people watching a concert but yet we couldn't stand next to a bar without taking a risk of kicking out. Hopefully will never have to go there again or they change security.

Don't kick people out for dancing. Cool venue, lame security

Not sure what happened to the Tralf. Maybe new management. The waitress provided awful service. No personality, then over charged us. The noise level of people talking, was so disrespectful. You would have thought a Manager would walk around, but nope. Yougo in, grab you seat, wait forever for a drink, and if you're lucky, sit in a decent spot, where you're not leaning foward to hear the music, and not the conversation behind you.

Will Holton Tim Bowman gave the audience a start to the Christmas season to be remembered for sometime to come.

Always excellent service and their lineup of live music is always stellar and appeals to a broad cross-section of artists. The Tralf Rocks!

Great, intimate venue, great sound and visual experience !!! Definitely go there again !!

Nice venue but they take forever to bring your food out and they "ran out" of wine glasses so they used plastic cups for our wine

Great venue.
Reverend Horton Heat.

Great venue for all, especially my Grandson the drummer.

Nice, intimate venue. This business is holding to covid-19 regulations. Share plate menu available, but the options are pretty limited. Fair prices, considering. I was perfectly satisfied with the accomodations because I was able to see a live performance.

Great place to see a show. One of Buffalo's best kept secrets.

Great music venue!! Security is very nice. Alcohol and finger foods available.

Best venue. Love that you can sit old school style at a table and watch performers and get a meal.

Great venue! A little small but provides for a nice, intimate location for concerts and other events. The food is very good and the beverages are of the same quality. The staff is very nice and accommodating.

Located right next to Shea's theater, it is a great location in Buffalo!

Saw Strictly Hip here over the Thanksgiving holiday. The venue has good sight lines and it is a cozy atmosphere. Drink prices are reasonable. Service is quick and accessible. Good place to go and see a show.

one of my favorite places to see bands, the acoustics here are great. nice atmosphere, cozy cocktail lounge with little tables...nice dim lighting. always clean. the owner is super nice... they finally changed the menu and its much better now. sometimes the bright white stage lights can be a bit blinding when they shine them directly in the crowd....but thats about the only complaint.

Good venue friendly staff awesome overall experience

The venue deserves a 5 star. The security deserves less than one star. The so called "Head" of security went on a ego fueled power Trip and tried to eject me minutes before the show started. His claim, I was blocking a 5 foot walkway. In reality I was standing next to the bar allowing patrons to enter the bar and to keep a small area near the bar for me and my girlfriend to watch the show from. I was escorted out of the venue for about 20 minutes. After pleading my case to two other security personnel, it was the good looks of my girlfriend to convinced them to let me back in after missing several minutes of the opening act.

What can some lowly shrub musical pedestrian fan such as the likes of me say about the Tralf? Not very much, apart from the FACT that it is helluva great venue to see some kickin' musical shows! I'd like to claim that I saw Neil Percival Young play an acoustic show here back in the mid 1970's, but as much as I'd like that it just never happened. The concert hall acoustics are excellently engineered for the finest possible sound, so if you have chance to see a good band play here get your tickets as soon as can be.

I attended the Lettuce Show. The sound was great. Staff was attentive and pleasant. I would recommend this venue to all my friends and family.

Excellent experience. Everyone was friendly, venue is always clean & filled with great energy. I would highly recommend them.

Great venue even with all the covid restrictions they do a great job and the sound is amazing

Would give a zero, Was misinformed of age restriction policy, was denied access to a show. Also was told one thing then that was changed around. The employee at the box office was kind at first but that changed quickly when spoken to by the bouncer in private. I believe we were discriminated against due to our presentation. We drove an hour and half to this venue, had checked prior with the venue that the age restriction would not be an issue and spent money on 3 tickets, $20 on parking , and other expenses for that evening that added up to $60 total. The issue was not rectified and the owner was unwilling to solve the issue. And the employee admitted his mistake yet declined to help find a resolution and became rude and hung up the phone on us several times. DO NOT RECOMMEND AND WILL BE SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

Had a great time.
Reasonably priced.
Great venue for music!

No matter what the live music of my choosing is, the show is always great and venue too! Thanks for Keeping me Rockin and Rollin with great Blues, Rock, and so much more! A toe tapping kinda place, where I never lose my beat! Great prices too! Definitely Tested and Approved!

Very nice place for shows. The staff were friendly. Seating was a little tight but was still nice.

Great size, sound, and sightlines and they don't gouge you on food and beverage - very reasonable prices.

Love it here, the doorman Bob is always kind and friendly, wish they had coat check open every time..need better food..

Went to see Zach Deputy, one of my favorites. Was a small crowd therefore intimate environment. Danced my ass off! Before the show I got to chat with Zach & he even shared a cookie with me that another fan had brought him! Always have fun at the Tralf.

Awso.e tunes there
Thunderstruck

The seating idea is a disaster. Cannot sit with friends. I have been going to the Tralf since it was in its first location.My friends and I no longer go due to the ridiculous seating and the fact that they have no idea regarding their booking. they book middle of the road bands, that are probably passing by and going cheap. they have no idea what their demographic is. There was a time this club was known for real jazz, blues and reggae/world. Now they are just common place. Food is snacks, but not well thought out. I spend my money elsewhere..and I am a HUGE supporter of LIVE music.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Tralf. If you're looking to host an event in the city of Buffalo, this is the place to do it. Not only do they have unique seating arrangements, full in-house AV complete with 3 large screens, its a family owned business and the owners work your event. There isn't another venue that I've come across that can say that. Bonnie and Tom are more than accommodating and whatever you need - they make happen. The food is to die for, and all homemade by Bonnie herself. The cookies... you have to have her cookies, they are simply amazing. I've hosted 3 major events at their location thus far and each one has been better than the previous. I can't wait to book another event at the Tralf.

Have been to the Tralf many times for several concerts and most recently the Game of Thrones special events. Always professional and great service. Sound system is amazing. Food was very good - especially the chicken fingers. Would highly recommend anyone wanting to see a great show in a fantastic intimate setting!

Nice place to listen to live bands and enjoy delicious bar food.

Very cool venue. The preferred way to watch a show.