The music venue is only one of a couple here in Bellingham. Â While the bar staff is excellent, the bouncers have gotten absolutely and HORRIBLY too out of line. Â I had been hearing stories of the absurdities--and I experienced it first hand. Â A few shows ago one of the bouncers came out of the broom closet and literally shoved me out of the way to get to a broken glass. Â I wasn't drunk; I don't drink often. Â I was aware of him coming, but he still shouldered me and nearly knocked me over. Â The next occurrence I was forcefully removed (the bouncer grabbed my wrist hard) over a minor incident. Â He was shouting profanities, almost appeared as though he was on cocaine or something, and literally spit on me. Â It was bizarre. Â
I'll continue going to the Buff cause it's the only place to share the love of dance and deep beats with good people, but I am appalled by the meat-headery going down there. Â Roger, some of your bouncers are MEAN!
Went here this past Friday night to see JD. McPherson. I quite like the place to see bands. Big open floor for dancing  (and at a JD show, you're going to want to !) , and seating on the outsides of the open floor. There's only one long row of seating on either side once you get to the bar area and move towards the back, and while more would be nice, I don't see how they could comfortably do that. At the front however, there is more, so if you aren't one of those people that wants to dance, or be close enough to the performers that their sweat  might drip on you, then sitting there is fine.
I was told that the drink prices here are not the cheapest, and I don't recall how much any of  my vodka-soda's were, but, it didn't seem that crazy. Besides, in America, they free-pour, and that makes me happy (and potentially hung-over), so it's like you're getting somewhere between a single and double every time! Who can complain about that?!
The sound was good, and of course JD was damn good,. I enjoyed the show,  other than the wacky crowd the band itself seems to regularly draw. I won't get into that, 'cause it's not relevant to the venue, but holy hell. Thankfully there were about 8 or  9 of us,  at a great table by the stage we scored, so that helped!
They also had clean bathrooms, and plenty of toilet paper. Yay! I don't know about anyone else, but I appreciate that. Â If you haven't already, check this place out!
The bartender stole my credit card!
I handed it to him. Put it in his hand. Watched him open my tab and put it somewhere behind the bar. when I went to egt my second drink, he claimed I never gave it to him. He lied! To my face! The manager refused to do anything about it and called me a liar! The next day I found several fraudulent charges on my card and called the cops. Luckily my credit union blocked them all and I didn't end up eating the cost, but I will NEVER go here again. It's too bad they're a bunch of crooks, because they have some of the best bands in Bellingham.
STAY AWAY!!!
Recently I discovered the WB. A performer who is one of my favorites was scheduled to perform there on a Sunday night. Â I live 3.5 hours away. Â I contacted them via email explained my situation: older music lover, coming alone, long drive etc. Â They responded in such a welcoming manner I could not stay away.
Once I stepped through the doors i felt at home, the staff there was friendly and helpful and the show was AWESOME Â What a great venue to see your favorite singer/songwriter, or to discover some new bands.
The scene is laid back and easy and trust me I will return again. Â
Just this time I will find a hotel near by to stay the night!
o)
This is the best music venue in Bellingham. There is live music every single night and the bigger bands that come to Bellingham play here. Though there is always a cover but not until after 10pm when the music starts. The atmosphere is mellow and there are always lots of cool people here. A lot of regulars, this place has groupies.
Wednesday's in Reggae night and they have a full bar plus cheap well drinks.
There are a few pool tables too. Pop in if you like live music.
This is a good bar to see a show in--there is some seating for those that like to get there a bit early to have a couple of drinks with friends or perhaps just enjoy the show from afar, and plenty of space to dance and get right up against the stage as well if that is your thing. One downside was that the ladies' restroom was out of toilet paper super early in the night (doesn't someone check on that before the bar opens?) but they took care of it pretty quickly. Drinks were cheaper than I expected, I had a good time... what more do you want?
Review Source:Went here a while back for a Friday night concert. Â From the looks of it they get some pretty decent names coming into a town the size of Bellingham. Â During the concert there wasn't too many people I was able to get pretty close up to the stage. Â Good selection of microbrews on tap and liquor. Â Worth checking out a concert here...I will go back for sure.
Review Source:Known primarily for showcasing regional blues, reggae and folk-rock artists, the Wild Buffalo has  been a staple of the Bellingham music scene for several years.  They've got great, high ceilings, old wood floors with plenty of room for dancing...or just flailing around in slow motion, which is probably more accurate.  There is an excellent range of regional micro-brews on tap, as well as a full bar, pizza by the slice, and a few pool tables.  The Wild Buffalo is the kind of place you can take a group and be pretty much certain that everyone will be happy.
Review Source:I've seen bands like Left Hand Smoke and Brandi Carlisle at the Buffalo. I have always had a good time there even though it is not my type of music or crowd. They have good beer on tap and they have good drink specials. At the beginning of every show the sober white dancers will dance like only white people can dance. Have a few beers, loosen up before you cut a rug on the dance floor.
Review Source:I was surprised that a place like this existed in Bellingham. Very cool joint, good sound, good bartenders, good layout- it was crowded but I never got that "packed like sardines" feeling because the club itself is so open.
The beer is a little spendy...but by the time the end of the night rolled around I'd probably bought a round for nearly everyone at the bar...man I'm generous when I'm drunk...so it probably wasn't as spendy as I think.
Very cool joint in a very weird town- had a Seattle feel in Bellingham. It wouldn't get me to Bellingham on it's own, but I will check the sched from now on in case me and the Girl need to take an overnight trip. Check it out.
Went here on a Friday and it was pretty crowded. Â It's fairly large, with a central bar area, then a stage/dance floor in the back, and an upstairs area, as well.
Service was slow initially, as drunk locals crowded the bar area and garnered far more attention than needed from the bartenders.
Drinks are moderately price (figure $4 for a beer, $5 for a mixed drink, up to $7 or $8 for a martini or other specialty drink). Â It's not a dive college bar.
Towards the end of the night I went to order a round for the people I was with and bartender made me point them out, as several people at the bar that night had been "cut off" and attempting to have others buy drinks for them.
The band playing was kind of a funk/reggae band. Â They were alright. Â
I was able to smell several different people who had obviously not showered for at least a week. Â This may just be typical of the Pacific Northwest? Â Where I'm from I'm used to smelling sweat at a bar, but not literal BO. Â It was pretty gross.
Everyone seemed to be having fun and it was a pretty laid back vibe.
There was a cover to get in since there was a band (most nights they seem to have bands). Â The door guy knocked it down from $5 to $3 for me since it was later in the night when I came in.
Would recommend if this kind of place is your scene. Â I had a good time.