It was only a matter of time before a warm weather event series was going to be established at Fountain Plaza. In the wintertime, Fountain Plaza is teeming with activity thanks to the Rotary Rink. But in the summer, everything dies down a bit. In the past, downtown workers had Thursday at The Square to look forward to. When that concert series moved to the waterfront, Main Street was left without a serious hook or draw. Now that Main Street has reopened to traffic, and new businesses have set up shop in the area (from Furnishings to EXPO) it is once again time to establish an event series in the spirit of Thursday at The Square.

Starting Thursday, June 30, Buffalo Place (the creators of Thursdays at The Square) will be launching a new downtown event series that will resemble “an upscale downtown happy hour”. The series, called Queen City Social, will be held each and every Thursday at Fountain Plaza, through August 4. Along with live music from local bands, visitors can expect to find food from local restaurants and brews from Big Ditch Brewery.

This is an exciting time to be a part of Downtown Buffalo. Downtown has enjoyed a tremendous variety of investment with more workers, retailers, and residents now calling Downtown home.

The event series will be held from 5pm to 8pm at the newly renovated Fountain Plaza, which is in viewing distance of Roosevelt Plaza (Raclettes, Just Fries, D’Avolio, Oshun, etc.). There couldn’t be a better location in all of the city to host such a happy hour – the fountain acts as the perfect backdrop for the action, as does the tranquil pool of water that acts as the centerpiece to the plaza.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of Downtown Buffalo. Downtown has enjoyed a tremendous variety of investment with more workers, retailers, and residents now calling Downtown home. The Queen City Social will provide Downtown workers, retailers, and residents the opportunity to unwind and mingle in the heart of Downtown Buffalo,” said Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place Inc.

Participating restaurants include (on a rotating basis):

Frankie Primos +39 (51 W. Chippewa)

Jerk’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream Shop (501 Main Street)

Kaydara Noodle Bar (777 Main Street)

Oshun (5 E. Huron Street)

Raclettes (537 Main Street)

The Patio at 447 Main Restaurant and Bar (447 Main Street)

Soho Burger Bar (64 W. Chippewa)

The local bands that will be performing include:

Billy McEwen and the Soul Invaders opening the series on June 30th

July 7th will feature Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields

July 14th will showcase The Willies

July 21st the George Scott Big Band will take the stage

July 28th we will welcome the Alison Pipitone Band

The final week, August 4th, will feature Hot Club of Buffalo

The Queen City Social has partnered with local businesses, Western New York Book Arts Center and Buffalo Love Tees. The Queen City Social is sponsored by M&T Bank, Business First, Try-It Distributing, Labatt Blue, Big Ditch Brewing Company, Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation and Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. Logo Design by Crowley Webb.