Pine Grill
Sanborn map of Pine Grill. From Buffalo 1925-Feb. 1951 vol. 3, 1926-Apr. 1950, Sheet 330c.
Notice of Bo Diddley performing at the Pine Grill. Buffalo Courier-Express, Aug 29, 1965.
Notice of Gladys Knight and The Pips performing at the Pine Grill. Buffalo Courier-Express, Dec 12, 1965.
Notice of Ben E. King & his Dynamic Revue performing at the Pine Grill. Buffalo Courier-Express, Feb 26, 1967.
Reference to the Pine Grill in an article discussing nightlife in Buffalo. Buffalo Criterion, Nov 17, 1988.
Polish-language article about Pine Grill selling liquor to minors. Dziennik Dla Wszystkich (Polish Everybody's Daily), Sep 24, 1954.
Google street view of the former location of Pine Grill. Image capture date October 2020.
Known Name(s)
Pine Grill
Address
Jefferson Avenue & E. Ferry Buffalo, NY
Establishment Type(s)
Restaurant
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
According to a Buffalo Sanborn Map last updated in 1950, the Pine Grill was housed in a three-story brick building with composition roofing spanning from 1443 to 1449 Jefferson Avenue. It was located on the east side of Jefferson Avenue between East Ferry Street and Woodlawn Avenue. A church occupied the second story above the Pine Grill, and stores flanked it on either side.
Detailed History
An extremely influential site to the Buffalo jazz scene, Pine Grill was a location on the “Chitlin Circuit,” a string of venues considered safe for Black performers. It saw its fair share of performances by well-known musicians, including B.B. King, Jimmy Smith, Jerry Butler, Bo Diddley, and Gladys Knight. The venue was founded by Norm Solomon. A video documentary was published by the Buffalo History Channel, a YouTube channel, concerning the location and its legacy in 2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ZsvaRDOXA). A regular music festival occurs at MLK Park in Buffalo titled the “Pine Grill Jazz Reunion.” The current location is home to a parking lot.
