Bartender Tom Lisandrelli is on the move.
Photos by Bill Wippert/Buffalo News
Cathy and Richard Kotas of Buffalo enjoy the ambience of Murphy�s Tavern on the Green.
Murphy�s Tavern on the Green offers comfortable setting to putter around
RIGHT AT DOME
BY MARIA CERAULO - Special to The News
Updated: 03/09/07 6:51 AM
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Murphy�s Tavern on the Green is located in the Wehrle Golf Dome, but you don�t have to be a golfer to get hooked.
About 30 tall and comfy chairs circle the spacious bar, which has more than a dozen televisions around its perimeter. Four more TVs are set into the wall over a long counter, and another four line the far wall closest to the 15 tables that share the large room. That wall also holds sports memorabilia, including pieces featuring Eric Moulds and Bruce Smith.
On a recent Saturday night, the crowd was generally older than an average bar�s patrons, and the atmosphere was refreshingly free of a pickup scene. A holding cart at the door contained players� golf clubs, but golfers accounted for a fraction of the group gathered here. The regulars were mostly couples, with some solo visitors. It�s the kind of place you could go to alone, even if you�re a woman, to catch up on a game, enjoy a drink and quick bite and not feel a bit out of place.
We ordered the requisite bar food � wings and skins from the extensive menu � and we settled in for a Sabres game. During televised Sabres and Bills games, pints of Labatt Blue and Bud Light are $2.50. Pitchers of domestic beer are $6, and imported pitchers are $9. By the glass, domestic brews are $3 and imports run $4.
Plenty of wine glasses rested on the bar. Whites, reds and blush are offered from $4.25 to $5.75. New York State wine fans can select Glenora Wine Cellars� Riesling ($5.75). Other selections hail from California, Italy and Australia. There was no wine listing on the bar, but we did find one on the long counter behind it. Similarly, the beer specials on game nights are advertised on wall posters at the dining end, but would attract more attention if also posted on the bar. Maybe the regulars are in the know, but what about the rest of us?
Nikki, our bartender, was very friendly and gladly slid a potent white Russian ($5) drink into my hand. She raised the volume on the televisions twice, but we were disappointed that it was still too low to be heard.
A nice touch is the old-fashioned popcorn machine � you can help yourself to a basket of the freshly popped kernels. Rounding out the bar are two game terminals and football memorabilia along the far wall. The bar overlooks the indoor putting green, but it has a separate inside entrance.
Despite an unusual location, this is a lively spot. If you wouldn�t think of hanging out in a golf dome, think again.
Murphy�s Tavern on the Green
8230 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville 633- 1662
Scene: Couples and singles, especially sports lovers. Music: None on our visit. Drinks: Excellent game- night drink specials. Dress Code: Come as you are.
� Despite an unusual location, this is a lively spot.�