Buffalo, NYBeer Halls and Biergartens

The downtown outpost of the Munich beer hall, set in an old Bison Chip Dip factory, with an indoor beer hall and an outdoor biergarten that opens for the season each spring. Step Out Buffalo describes traditional Bavarian music on the PA and a live accordion player or band at happy hour, and The Buffalo News covers the biergarten's opening night, with Hofbräuhaus beers, German food, classic yard games and live music. A cover charge applies on some event nights. Order a stein of the Hofbräuhaus beer and a plate from the German menu.

A Lovejoy brewery whose beer garden sits in a fenced backyard between the taproom on one side and the brew house on the other. The Buffalo News describes a community setting with live music on many nights and a communal pedal tour that leaves from the brewery. Step Out Buffalo adds string lights, televisions with sports on and a Buffalo themed mural, and a kitchen working on refined and classic Buffalo dishes. Order a house brew in the taproom and carry it out to the garden.

A West Seneca brewery whose beer garden runs in the wooded backyard behind the building. The Buffalo News says the brewery has put a lot of effort into upgrading the space and opens it for the season in late May, with seasonal brews and cocktails, cornhole, fire pits and s'mores. Step Out Buffalo points to the room it gives lawn games and big groups, and to a wide beer cocktail menu. The garden closes down over the winter. Order a seasonal pour and s'mores at a fire pit.

A Myrtle Avenue brewery whose beer garden The Buffalo News columnist counts among the ones he returns to in the city. He describes drinking a side pull pour of the house Czech dark lager, Refined Simplicity, at one of its tables. Step Out Buffalo calls it one of Buffalo's newer gardens and describes a patio with the feel of a backyard. The brewery is family operated and pours its own beer. Order the Refined Simplicity poured side pull and take a table outside.

A Ganson Street complex on the Buffalo River whose beer garden runs along the water near downtown. The Buffalo News groups it with Hamburg Brewing and Johnson's Landing for the views of the water from the tables. Step Out Buffalo describes a giant site of events, a restaurant and activities where the beer garden along the river is the part not to miss. The rest of the complex runs hockey, ropes courses and ziplines. Order a beer and take it to a table facing the water.