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Think football, and odds are, you'll think tailgating. And with good reason — tailgating is among the most time-honored and revered American sporting traditions, especially in Western New York. Tailgating means festivities, food, and fans. And chicken wings. Don’t forget the wings.
The American football tailgate party combines the attributes of a festival, the air of a birthday party, and the tradition of a ritual to create something utterly unique in sports. For Bills fans, tailgating is a lifestyle.
Buffalo Bills tailgating is a unique Western New York tradition our visitors have to see to believe. The game-day rituals are about creating bonds, celebrating community, nurturing tradition, and supporting the spirit of the team.
Buffalo Bills fans, also known as the #billsmafia, are known for fervent team loyalty, colorful adornments, and tailgating that is legendary throughout the National Football League. With the team gaining traction in recent years led by quarterback, Josh Allen, you're sure to see some passionate fans celebrating on game day. To some, Bills Mafia traditions are bizarre. To this fan base, they are the ties that bind.
The Bills Mafia has come to define the team’s entire fan base. Whether you descend upon the parking lot of Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, or watch from the comfort of your favorite LivCo bar on game day, you’ll feel a bond with every fan sporting the team colors. From chanting with foam fingers to seeing everyone decked out in blue and red jerseys to eating plates of chicken wings, game days are a big deal in Western New York.
Football season brings the locals of Western New York together more than anything else. We are counting down the days to the home opener… and we know you are too.
No tailgate is complete without another Buffalo tradition, the chicken wing. The origin story of the chicken wing revolves around Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.
According to Teressa's husband Frank, on an undetermined date in the 1960s, the culinary innovation happened when the restaurant received an incorrect shipment. Instead of getting the typical chicken backs and necks for Teressa's famous spaghetti sauce, they got a shipment of wings. Not wanting to waste perfectly good chicken, Frank asked Teressa to try to make something new with the unwanted ingredient. She cut them in half, deep-fried them, and dunked them in hot sauce. And thus, the famed appetizer was born.
Buffalo wings have been so ingrained in our national food culture that it is hard to remember life before wings. Wings are a prime example of a food that incorporates so many of the traits that Western New York culture is known for. Thrift — wings come from the part of the chicken most people threw away or used for soups and stocks. Ingenuity — the combination of simple, at-hand materials to make a new item. And eating with your hands — there is simplicity in eating with your fingers. If you've never snacked on wings during a football tailgate, we recommend you try it out.
Wings are now consumed differently all across the country. But in Western New York, they are consumed the way they were invented by Teressa: served in either hot, medium, or mild buffalo sauce, with blue cheese and celery. No ranch allowed.
Continue the fun at the Geneseo Chicken Wing Festival!
Hosted every September on Center Street in Geneseo, enjoy all types of wings at the Annual Geneseo Chicken Wing Festival. At this event, you'll get the chance to sample chicken wings from local restaurants, try chicken wing pizza, and taste locally-made desserts.
Want to prove your love of chicken wings? Outside the Geneseo Riviera, you can participate in contests like the volcano wings eating contest, bobbing for wings, and speed-eating contests.
Explore More Fall Events
While in Western New York, anyone in a Bills jersey is greeted with a nod and a raise of a drink in sportsmanly solidarity. Ask anyone in Western New York about their plans on a Thursday, Sunday or Monday in the fall, and the answer is most likely football related. It’s a community builder that spans ages, whether you’re rooting for the Buffalo Bills … or the wrong team. For nights when watching the game from home isn't on the docket, we’ve rounded up a few of the best sports bars and pubs in LivCo for wings, cold beers, and channels set to your favorite game.
Avon, New York
The Avondale is the longest-running continual business on Genesee Street in Avon — established more than 100 years ago and known for their decadent burgers, Reuben sammies, fish fry, and homemade wing sauces.
Dansville, New York
Open since 1906, Jack’s Place - Gaslight Grill is your stop for a classic game day of wings and beer. Sit at the bar with locals to watch football, check out their menu of comfort foods, and enjoy a century of Dansville stories.
Livonia, New York
With locations in both Livonia and Victor, No BS is growing in popularity and size. Their Livonia tasting room and beer garden will be packed with craft brew aficionados on game day, stop by for good sips and bites.
Mount Morris, New York
Boasting the NFL Sunday Ticket and TVs surrounding the dining room and bar, High Banks Tavern has a hearty lineup of specials and happy hours daily. Locals also gather to host life milestones and take in weekend entertainment at this neighborhood spot.
Avon, New York
Another stop on the LivCo Libation Loop, Rising Storm Brewing Company is a microbrewery, music venue, and bistro that started as a home brewing hobby in 2011. Owned and operated by SUNY Geneseo alumni, Rising Storm is serving up locally inspired brews on their 12.5-acre picturesque property.
Geneseo, New York
Welcoming and unassuming, the Village Tavern serves up Buffalo wing sauce, burgers, and a rotating craft beer selection that you'll want to come back for again and again. Warmer fall nights can be enjoyed on the expansive patio, and cooler nights will find guests gathered around the warm wood bar.
Lakeville, New York
With locations in Lakeville and Buffalo, you'll find fun fans and crisp cider at OSB on any game day in the fall. Check out their unique cider flavors and stock up on merch for the season, including their Buffalo Bills-themed corduroy hats.
Linwood, New York
Game day is a big deal at Dublin Corners Farm Brewery where they are serving up Bills-themed beer and offering free pizza for fans. You can also cheer on the Bills at their taproom in Geneseo (Thursdays are trivia night!), the official Bills Backer Bar of the village.
Geneseo, New York
Wednesday is wing night at Strange Design, Geneseo's first brewery, and public house. Located inside a recently renovated building, you'll find rotating beers on tap, a full Sunday brunch menu, and special events at Strange Design all season long.
Lima, New York
Tyson's Upper Deck is the hometown tavern you're looking for on the game day. Spend the day cheering on the Bills while enjoying games of pool, darts, and drinks over some appetizers.
Geneseo, New York
In the college town of Geneseo, you can grab bites and sips with friends at the laid-back bar, Intermissions, and then head next door to the sister property, the Geneseo Riviera, for live music or classic movies. Plus, on game days, the Bills games stream in the theater!
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Lima, New York
Another favorite in Lima, Fanatics Pub is known for live music and bar food. Cheer on the Bills team in front of one of their many televisions while enjoying their menu of pizza, wings, and sports bar favorites. Come for the game and then stay for live entertainment especially their blues and acoustic rock acts.