Local Activities

Some may find it surprising, but Mensa is a very social organization. Each local group has a number of social events, and Western New York Mensa is no exception. There are a wide variety of activities to choose from, not just intellectual or "highbrow" activities. Each issue of our newsletter, the Mensana, includes a calendar of upcoming events.

Here are a few socials we have featured on our calendar of events:

Games Night (Saturdays) Meet at a member's home to play games, eat snacks, and just chat. Participants are asked to bring a snack as well as any favorite games that they would like to play, which can include board games, card games, or just about anything else.	Movie Night (Fridays or Sundays) Get together at a member's home to view a DVD, or enjoy a classic movie presentation with a brief history and background before the film.	First Friday Art Film (First Friday of each month) On the first Friday of each month, a group of Mensans meet to see an art film and then go out to eat afterwards.
Ice Cream Social (Saturdays) Meet fellow Mensans for ice cream. Past locations have included Anderson's and Antoinette's. In the summer months, this event is often combined with a walk at a nearby park or bike path, and/or dinner at a restaurant.	Dinner Meeting (Saturdays) This is either a potluck dinner at a member's home, or a dinner meeting at an area restaurant.	Coffee Shop Meeting (Saturdays) Join fellow Mensans for drinks and/or dessert at a local coffee shop such as Spot Coffee, Caffe Aroma, or Starbucks.
Bar Meetup Meet at a bar or restaurant (usually during happy hour) for drinks and/or food.	Billiards Night (Saturdays during winter) Meet at a member's home to play a few games of pool and enjoy some snacks.	Gifted Youth Program Various events for Mensa families, for example board games events, indoor rock-climbing, Science Museum visits, theater visits, movies, picnic, parents' discussion, etc.

We also have some annual events:

Pancake Brunch and Games Afternoon (Saturday in April or May) This is an all-day event at a member's home, including a potluck brunch, game playing and socializing.	Fireworks Viewing (Saturday in July) On the Saturday closest to the 4th of July, view a fireworks display at a park.	Summer Picnic (Saturday in July or August) Classic family-friendly picnic with BBQ and games at a local park.
Bowling (Labor Day weekend) Join fellow Mensans for a few games of bowling at Airport Lanes.	October Games Night (Saturday in mid/late October) Games night with a Halloween theme. Costumes and treats with a spooky theme are welcome.	Thanksgiving Potluck (Thanksgiving weekend) Enjoy a delicious potluck dinner and pleasant conversation at a member's home.
Holiday Party (Saturday or Sunday, mid-December) Enjoy dinner at a banquet hall and participate in a gift swap.	Jewish Christmas (December 25th) For those who don't want to celebrate Christmas the traditional way, or who don't celebrate it at all. Join fellow Mensans for Chinese food and a movie.

But we aren't limited to the events you see listed here. Other events that we have held include lunch meetings, antiquing, and a viewing of Shakespeare in the Park. Keep in mind that all the events you see on the calendar were put there by individual members - so as a member, if there's an activity you'd like to see on the calendar, feel free to suggest it. E-mail Fred Collins at cfred8298@gmail.com to get it added right away.

Calendar of Events October 2026

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 11:00 AM. BRUNCH AT CAFE 59, 62 Allen St. (at Franklin St.), Buffalo: We always have a good time at this neighborhood bar/restaurant. Please RSVP by Thursday, October 1 to Jan via text/call to (716) 432-1077
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 is the deadline for November calendar events: Call Joe at (716) 885-1097 or email josephmontante@yahoo.com
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 9:30 AM doors open. MENSA ADMISSION TEST, BankonBuffalo, 827 Hopkins Road, Amherst: FREE TO THE FIRST FIVE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION. Got smart friends? Family members? Encourage them to let their brilliance shine. There is no provision at this time for walk-ins. Please reserve your seat with Serena via email at srtraquel64@gmail.com. Please purchase a prepaid voucher to pay for the test and bring a printed copy of it or a printed copy of the confirmation email to the testing site. The fee is $30 during the month of October only.
***NEW EVENT*** SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1:30 - 5:00 PM. ART ALIVE AT THE AKG: Jan Sandberg is inviting all WNY M's to this free event on the Great Lawn of the Albright-Knox Gallery featuring an event bringing "works of art to life through creative, living re-creations of works from the Buffalo AKG’s collection and Public Art Initiative." The event starts at 2:00 PM, but she would like to meet everyone at the top of the stairs on the Lincoln Parkway side starting at 1:30. No prior notice is required, but call or text Jan at 716-432-1077 if you have any questions. Further information is at the AKG website: https://buffaloakg.org/events/art-alive-2026
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1:00 PM doors open. MENSA ADMISSION TEST, Henrietta Public Library, 625 Calkins Road, Rochester: Got smart friends or family members in the Rochester area? Encourage them to let their brilliance shine. There is no provision at this time for walk-ins. Please reserve your seat with Serena via email at srtraquel64@gmail.com. Please purchase a prepaid voucher to pay for the test and bring a printed copy of it or a printed copy of the confirmation email to the testing site. The fee is $30 during the month of October only.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 7:00 PM. ICE CREAM SOCIAL at PLATTER‘S CHOCOLATE FACTORY, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda: Located in the historic Wurlitzer Building, Platter&lsquos has been crafting specialty chocolates since 1938 and serving ice cream since 2001. No RSVP necessary, but please call Joe Montante at (716) 885-1097 if you have questions.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 9:30 AM doors open. MENSA ADMISSION TEST, BankonBuffalo, 827 Hopkins Road, Amherst: FREE TO THE FIRST FIVE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS SESSION. Got smart friends? Family members? Encourage them to let their brilliance shine. There is no provision at this time for walk-ins. Please reserve your seat with Serena via email at srtraquel64@gmail.com. Please purchase a prepaid voucher to pay for the test and bring a printed copy of it or a printed copy of the confirmation email to the testing site. The fee is $30 during the month of October only.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, REMEMBERING TERI PRENTISS LUNCHEON, 184 Shire Drive N., East Amherst, NY: Teri‘s family invites her friends from Mensa and Boyd to food and friendship in Teri's honor. Food, coffee, and bottled water will be provided by the family, but please feel free to bring a dish or beverage if you'd like. Games will include Ladder Toss, Corn Hole, and hopefully Jarts. Please RSVP to Serena until October 17 at 5:00 PM so the family has an accurate headcount for food. (716) 949-7629, please leave a message with your name, phone number, and how many in your family will be attending.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 7:00-9:00 PM. CHAT & NIBBLE(& SIP) at CARPIE‘S GRILL, 381 North Shore Road, Cuba.: Come out and enjoy scintillating conversation and perhaps an appetizer or sandwich and maybe a pint to wash it down. Questions? Call Fred Collins at (716) 824-2867. On the day of the event, you can contact Fred on his mobile phone,(716) 868-2705.

Future Events - Save the Date

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 6:00 PM. ANNUAL THANKSGIVING POTLUCK hosted by Joseph Montante, 59 Chapin Parkway, Buffalo: RSVP by Thursday, November 19 to (716) 885-1097 or josephmontante@yahoo.com so that menu items can be coordinated. Kitty contribution is $2.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 6:00 PM. ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY at Surge Restaurant, 2878 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore: Cost will be $30 and meal choices include herb crusted chicken, pan-seared salmon, and ropa vieja. Appetizers and dessert are included as are water and iced tea. A cash bar will be available. More information to come.