Thanks again. Our party consists of 2 males in our mid 50's ( our wives are not joining us, think we are dopes for going). Then we have 9 ( 6 males, 3 females) that are in there mid 20's). These are our kids, nieces, nephews. All of us don't mind having a drink or 2, and are not looking for anything fancy. Maybe based on this info you can give us what you think would be best place to go. Appreciate all this info.
Chippewa, right next to your hotel, will have lots of bars for mid 20s. For a more laidback bar, try the PanAmerican at the Hotel Lafayette which is 2 blocks away. For wings, go to Gabriel's Gate on Allen Street. For craft beer, Blue Monk on Elmwood. For dinner, Tappo and Dinosaur BBQ which is only a few blocks away from you. For a sports bar, 716 at the harbor (the free trolley stop is two blocks away from you, about a 5 minute ride to 716 at the harbor).
Downtown Buffalo is a bit bleak, even if the architecture is turn of the 20th century. Most of the city life happens on Elmwood and also Hertel.
If you can, bring passports to cross over Niagara Falls into Canada, I'd recommend it this time of year. Normally I wouldn't because the nicest part of the Falls is Goat Island on the American side.
Advice for driving to Ralph Wilson stadium (I wouldn't follow GPS since that will surely take you into the traffic jam):
1. Take 190 south from downtown Buffalo
2. Take 90 west toward Erie.
3. Get off on Rt. 219 toward Orchard Park (keep following signs for Orchard Park)
4. Do NOT get off where it says Ralph Wilson Stadium
5. Go one exit further: Big Tree Road.
6. Take a left onto Big Tree at the bottom of the exit ramp.
7. Once you pass California Road, park at any of the houses on your right hand side.
It will be a very short walk to the stadium from there. Virtually no traffic. AND, very easy out after the game.
Get to the gates early (12:30 -12:40) since this year the Bills and the whole NFL seems to have instituted a new policy. You can only enter at an assigned gate. It is chaos.