Rude Boys Cafe

Rude Boys was a reggae bar and restaurant in Buffalo during the early 1980's that was located on the corner of Starin and Hertel avenues. Over the years there had been many different restaurants at that location but none of them lasted very long. Maybe it was the lack of parking. The building has been empty for several years now and of course the pandemic hasn't helped.

For a brief time it was the Rude Boys Caribbean Cafe from about 1979 to 1982. Becky and I went there many times. The music was great but the place was cramped and often uncomfortable. There were many times where we would be standing around by the huge fish tank listening to music and talking with friends. We always enjoyed the music which was all reggae or reggae influenced New Wave. Lots of ska and dub too. There really hasn't been anything like it in the past forty years. It was unique. It was also sometimes called Rude Boys Roots Rock Cafe.

We would usually go there late at night and not for dinner although I do remember eating there once. Of course this was all before we had the kids.

We drive by this empty restaurant building all the time. It brings back memories.

I was putting together a reggae music mega mix recently which got me thinking about Rude Boys.