About Us

During the latter half of the 19th century, Buffalo was the hub of America's east-west commerce. Our railroad yards bustled with activity. The country's first grain elevator rose here on the shores of Lake Erie, and the metals industry had already established a firm foothold.

As commerce and industry flourished, they spurred cultural growth as well. The University of Buffalo, the Fine Arts Academy, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences and the Buffalo Historical Society were all founded during this prosperous era. It was during this same period that The Buffalo Club came into being.

Millard Fillmore, President of the United States from 1850 to 1853, had returned to Buffalo and was counted among the city's most influential citizens. In 1867, he joined 92 other like-minded gentlemen in signing The Buffalo Club's original incorporation papers. The Club's stated purpose was "to promote social intercourse among its members."

From 1867 to 1870, the Club leased the Movius home on the northwest corner of Delaware and Cary. When this lease expired, the Ganson house on the northwest corner of Delaware and Chippewa was purchased. In 1881 Grover Cleveland, then mayor of Buffalo, was elected to membership. Cleveland, who went on to serve two separate terms as America's President, remained a Buffalo Club member all his life. By 1887 the Club had outgrown the Ganson house, and the Pratt house was purchased. It remains the Club's home to this day. The roster of Buffalo Club members and special guests (both past and present) includes the names of many distinguished and influential personalities. It's been said that to know the Club's history is to know much of the history of Buffalo.

EXCERPT FROM THE 125TH CLUB ANNIVERSARY BOOK:

"Perhaps the most amazing fact about the Club... is not that it survived the years, but that it survived them with essentially the same declared policies which the founders had in mind. It began merely as a group for the purpose of fostering social intercourse, and it is just that today and always has been. It was founded by the leading business and professional men of Buffalo of 1866... and it still includes and always has included the leading business and professional men of Buffalo [and the Niagara Frontier]."


  • Dress Code
    • Dress Code As of 6/28/23

      Attire must be considered appropriate at all times when using the Club. Certain clothing, accessories or styles may not be considered appropriate for the Club.
      The following guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate while using different areas of the Club and while attending Club events
      - Attire that is wrinkled, with rips, tears or frays; cut-offs or any extreme style or fashion in dress, footwear, accessories or styles is not permitted.
      - Shirts must be tucked in. Hoodies, Zip Ups and Sweatshirts are permitted only where athletic attire is permitted.
      -Hats, overcoats and winter boots are to be placed in coat closet, locker or checked at coat check.
      - Denim that is white or dark in color (navy or black) without holes, rips fraying or fading of any kind is permissible in areas of the Club where Casual attire is permitted. Baggy fitting denim, denim jackets and denim shirts are not permitted.

      Athletic attire is permitted in the Fitness Center, Locker Rooms, Spa, Hotel Rooms and Bowling. Athletic footwear is required. Street clothes must be worn in the locker room lounge areas. Robes or used athletic attire is not permitted.
      Men’s: Athletic wear including shorts, T-shirts, warmup suits or yoga pants.
      Women’s: Athletic wear including shorts, T-shirts, warmup suits or yoga pants.



      Club Casual/Cocktail attire is permitted in the historic portions of the Club with the exception of service in the Main Dining Room and stated events.
      Men: Collared dress shirts, tailored dress pants including khakis. Polo shirts and turtlenecks are permissible. Shorts and cargo pants are not permitted. Dress shoes and loafers. Flip flops, sneakers or sandals are not permitted.
      Women: Blouses, business casual tops, tailored dress pants, skirts, dresses or pantsuits. Sweaters and turtlenecks are permissible. Appropriate attire excludes items that may be too tight or revealing, including midriff baring, or cuissardes. Attire should be appropriately fitting and hemmed with skirts and dresses mid-thigh or longer and avoid extremely short hemlines such as miniskirts or shorter. Outfit coordinating dress hats are permissible. Denim skirts and dresses are permissible.



      Formal attire is required in the Main Dining Room and for all stated events including New Year’s Day Open House, Valentine’s Day Dinner, Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
      Men: A jacket with collared dress shirt and a necktie. Dress shoes or loafers with socks.
      Women: Blouses, business tops, skirts, dresses or pantsuits. Appropriate shoes required. Attire should be appropriately fitting and hemmed with skirts and dresses mid-thigh or longer and avoid extremely short hemlines such as miniskirts or shorter. Outfit coordinating hats are permissible.



      Black Tie is required for stated Club events.
      Men: A tuxedo, with an evening shirt, bowtie, tailored trousers and dress shoes with socks.
      Women: Knee to floor length gown, evening dress or palazzo-cut pants with dress shoes. Black Tie attire should avoid dramatic splits or tight ‘red-carpet’ aesthetics.



      Electronic Communication Equipment

      The use of cell phones for non-verbal communication is permitted in all areas of the Club as long as such use is private and discrete. Phones must be silenced at all times. The verbal use of cell phones is permitted only in the following areas: designated phone booths, vestibule outside the Men’s Locker Room, hallway outside the Women’s Locker Room, vestibule outside of the Milliard Fillmore Room, the bowling alley, the Member Workspace or in any private meeting room with the permission of the host. The use of the speaker phone feature is not permitted. The use of personal electronic devices (laptops, iPads, tablets or the like) are permitted in the Member Workspace or in any private meeting room with the permission of the host. Sound emitting from such use of personal electronic devices in these areas is not permitted at any time unless ear phones or personal headsets are in use.

      Click Here to Download The Dress Code/Electronic Communication Equipment Information

  • Parking
    • The Buffalo Club offers complimentary parking spaces with entrances on Elmwood and Delaware Avenues. Valet service is provided from November 1st through March 31st. 



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