Last evening, I stopped over to the Hyatt Regency Buffalo to see Howard Goldman (Lounge Academy) tickling the ivories (5-8 pm every Friday). Not only did I want to listen to Howard play and croon, I also wanted to see the work that was underway at the Atrium Bar & Bistro, which adjoins Starbucks. What I found was very pleasing.
While some construction work is still being performed, the crux of the barroom area is complete. Douglas Jemal (Douglas Development) has, once again, done an outstanding job, taking what was once a ho-hum afterthought of a bar, and turning it into something that is much more luxuriant.
One of the design elements that I love are the historic electric switches that have been mounted as an art installation on one of the walls. The bar foot rails are actual historic railroad rails. It’s these types of touches that add an authenticity to the bar, which was never present previously.
As I sat at the bar, ordering a drink, a guy sitting next to me stated that he had been coming to the bar for over 40 years. He was a log home builder who had been attending building and construction expos and conventions at the hotel and conference center. As we spoke, he gushed about Jemal’s investment into the atrium bar, hinting that the old bar was a bit of an embarrassment. He told me that the atrium bar is now one of his favorite places to hang out when he visits Buffalo from Chautauqua. He also mentioned that he stays at the hotel after having a couple of drinks, and that “… the build your own omelette for breakfast is incredible!”
I asked the bartender about the Atrium Bar & Bistro, which is currently not fully operational. He told me that customers could order breakfast and dinner, but that lunch might be hit or miss due to construction (so call ahead). I understand that when the restaurant is fully underway, Jemal will be the sole operator. This will be his way of ensuring that the bar and the restaurant are big draws for people visiting Buffalo, which will translate into additional hotel stays. Already, people are gravitating to the hotel for the restaurant and bar experience, whether they plan to stay at the hotel or not.
Jemal is certainly the magic maker in Buffalo these days. My friend at the bar said that it was only a matter of time before someone from out of town would take the bull by the horns… “because Buffalo is a great city – I’ve lived all over the world, and I always come back. Finally there is someone that not only believes in Buffalo, he actually has the resources to make the big investments. There’s a lot going on now, and we owe it to people like Jemal who are making things happen.”
Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center | Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, New York