Misuta Chow’s to Close After Seven Years
Buffalo, NY — August 25, 2025 — It is with full hearts and deep gratitude that Misuta Chow’s — the Tokyo-inspired restaurant, bar, and arcade located on Main Street — announces it will close its doors in two weeks after seven unforgettable years in downtown Buffalo. The restaurant’s last day of service will be Sunday, September 7, 2025 with a Bills Home Opener party.
Beginning August 26, the kitchen will be open Thursday through Sunday (serving until 10 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). The arcade and bar will be open seven days a week through the closing date. Reservations are available through Resy. The team looks forward to celebrating with guests before the final last call.
Founded in 2018 by Johny Chow (Stone Sour bassist & artist) and Christi Allen (producer and the heart and hustle behind the brand), Misuta Chow’s was built from the ground up. More than just a business, it became a home — created not only by its founders, but by a collective of family, friends, and artists who poured their creativity, passion, and love into the space.
Over the years, Misuta Chow’s has weathered many challenges — from the pandemic shutdowns to a devastating flood in 2024, and the difficult road of navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite it all, the team remained committed to creating a space that was inclusive, colorful, welcoming, and uniquely Buffalo.
The community showed up in return, supporting everything from pop-up markets and spirit-free events to drag shows, DJs, arcade nights, and countless celebrations that turned Chow’s into a place where memories were made and shared.
“Thank you for your laughs, your loyalty, and your love,” said co-founders Chow and Allen. “We look forward to celebrating with you all one last time before our doors close, and we can’t wait to see what the bright future holds — for us, for you, and for this city.”
As Dr. Seuss once wrote: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Go Bills.
With love, pride, and endless gratitude,
Johny Chow & Christi Allen
(and the entire Misuta Chow’s Family)
Honored to Be Featured Alongside Buffalo’s Best!!
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE CNN!!!
We’re incredibly honored to be featured in CNN Travel’s latest look at Buffalo’s booming food scene—and even more proud to be listed alongside some of our favorite local spots. ❤️
Check out the full article below!
Misuta Chow’s Joins the Spirit-Free Movement
Thank You, CNN! Honored to Be Featured Alongside Buffalo’s Best
Misuta Chow’s Joins the Spirit-Free Movement, Bringing Inclusive Bar Culture to Buffalo
Buffalo, NY — MAY 15, 2025– Misuta Chow’s, the neon-lit, Tokyo-inspired bar, restaurant, and arcade in downtown Buffalo, is proud to join a growing national movement seen in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago—normalizing the choice not to drink and celebrating the craft of spirit-free cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings.
As the sober-curious and inclusive drinking culture continues to grow, Misuta Chow’s is expanding its beverage program to offer intentionally crafted zero-proof cocktails, non-alcoholic beers, and premium spirit-free selections—ensuring that every guest feels seen, celebrated, and served.
“Buffalo’s bar scene deserves to be just as progressive and inclusive as bigger cities, and we’re excited to help lead that shift,” says owner Christi Allen. “Spirit-free cocktails aren’t just about abstaining—they’re about inclusion, creativity, and giving people the freedom to celebrate however they choose.”
Some of Misuta Chow’s spirit-free offerings include:
- The Kitty – a Hello Kitty-inspired blend of Calpico and cranberry, topped with pink sprinkles
- Island Princess – pineapple juice, dragon fruit syrup, fresh lemon, and club soda
- Spring in a Bottle – a non-alcoholic Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine by Wölffer Estate with notes of green apple, citrus, and white peach, served in a mini bottle with crisp elegance
- Athletic Brewing NA beer selections
- Seasonal house-made zero-proof cocktails crafted with the same creativity as their full-proof counterparts
With its nostalgic arcade vibe, Japanese street food, and commitment to innovation, Misuta Chow’s is proud to stand with a national movement that’s reimagining what bar culture can be—one inclusive pour at a time.
Guide to Places Serving Ramen in Buffalo & WNY
Guide to Places Serving Ramen in Buffalo & WNY
Many first impressions with Ramen come as that super cheap, easy-to-make food that provides sustenance through those super-broke college years. It’s only later that we discover those crackly packages are mere shadows of the true, and much more delicious-tasting, Ramen out there in the culinary universe.
The true essence of Ramen is a umami broth explosion with a tangle of hearty wheat noodles ready for slurping. The most basic version of the steaming, ultra-savory Japanese soup often comes with slices of pork, a boiled egg, and scallions or leeks scattered on top. Some area chefs have gotten creative with their versions, ladling out iterations that include non-traditional flavor profiles, such as Buffalo chicken.
Best Spot in Buffalo to Grab a Beer and Play Some Pinball
6 Best Spots in Buffalo to Grab a Beer and Play Some Pinball
Not only does Misuta Chows offer a number of options in terms of gaming as you sip on an adult libation, they have nearly half a dozen pinball machines to keep you stimulated. Head down to Main, head right upstairs, grab a beer (or grab a fresh pint downstairs first), then hit gaming alley. The best part is, after you’ve had your fill of pinball, you can enjoy a few rounds of Double Dragon and Spyhunter. Damn that sounds nice.
Games: Kiss, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Walking Dead
Suntory Family Dinner and Toki Highball Tower Release!
Suntory Family Dinner and Toki Highball Tower Release @ Misuta Chow’s
On Wednesday, March 13, Misuta Chow’s will be launching new Suntory Toki Highball tap tower, which is one out of 34 in the world. The tap tower is also the only one in NY State outside if NYC. To mark the auspicious occasion, Misuta Chow’s’ owners, Owners Johny Chow and Christi Allen, have invited to Japanese whisky brand Suntory’s spirits ambassador Hiro Hayakawa (luxury portfolio manager for House Suntory) to attend the unveiling of the machine.
The machine stores and produces soda water at the same pH as water in Japan and chills it to the perfect low temperature.
Street Art in Downtown Buffalo, NY
Guide to Street Art in Downtown Buffalo, NY
Misuta Chow’s Recreates Yokocho Alleyway!
Misuta Chow’s Recreates Yokocho Alley, Complete with 2nd Floor Arcade
Answer: One thousand eleven.
Question: How many steps to Misuta Chow’s from my house?
Christmas in July is almost here and I can’t fucking wait another minute.
The microsecond I heard the news that owner Johny Chow, and co-owners Christi Allen, and Lorenz Wustner, were recreating a Japanese yokocho alley a half mile from my apartment, I was beside myself with joy. Simultaneously, I swear I felt my liver bitch-slapping me in disgust. The dichotomy of emotions was both intense and sublime.
Misuta Chow's arcade bar coming to Main St. Buffalo
Misuta Chow's arcade bar coming to Main St. Buffalo
If you like food, drinks and games get ready for a new experience coming to downtown Buffalo. Misuta Chow's restaurant/bar/arcade is heading to 521 Main Street right across the street from the Hyatt Regency. The team behind the new establishment tells 7 Eyewitness News that the hope is to open the first two floors of the three story building by the fall.
Misuta Chow's will highlight 80s pop culture and classic arcade games while offering Asian street food "with a soulful twist".
Misuta Chow’s is Finally Here!
Misuta Chow’s is Finally Here & It’s Everything We Hoped it Would Be
Chow, a Buffalo native, is the bassist for alt-metal band Stone Sour. He’s toured the world with the band, including five stops in Tokyo. For him, this isn’t just a restaurant-arcade — it’s an experience for everybody.
“We’re not a fine-dining restaurant,” Chow said. “We’re not catering to any particular group. The only people that we’re catering to are people that love food, that love drink and love having a good time. No pretentiousness. I want to see a guy in a suit sitting next to a guy in a t-shirt and jeans with tattoos.”
Visitors will be immersed in a Japanese, pop culture-infused atmosphere. Staff will be dressed in attire inspired by Harajuku fashion. The open kitchen has bar-style seating around it, where you’ll be able to take in the faux-building edifices, the kimono shop, cherry blossoms or make a call on the working pay phone.