With 2024 now officially in the rearview mirror, it’s time to discuss what the best parts of it were for Western New Yorkers.
In that spirit, All WNY will celebrate the best of WNY with the 11th All WNY Awards, a time-honored tradition dating back to 2013 by the fine folks here at All WNY.
Last year, we had 78 categories open for nominations — 30 music, 37 business and 11 community categories.
MUSIC
- Best New Band
- Best Live Band
- Best Rock Band
- Best Punk/Pop-Punk Band
- Best Hardcore/Metal Band
- Best Americana/Folk Band
- Best County Artist/Band
- Best Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B Artist
- Best Acoustic Act / Singer/Songwriter
- Best Blues Band / Act
- Best Jazz Band / Act
- Best DJ/Electronic Band
- Best Indie/Alternative/Jam Band
- Best Tribute Band
- Best Classic Rock Cover Band
- Best 90’s / Modern Cover Band
- Best “Other” Band / Act
- Most Original Band/Artist
- Best Local Song
- Best Local Release (EP or Album)
- Best Vocalist
- Best Guitarist
- Best Bassist
- Best Drummer
- Best “Other” Instrumentalist
- Best Venue
- Best Open Mic
- Best Sound Person
- Best Concert Photographer
- Greg Rinker Memorial Service Award
BUSINESS
- Best Arcade
- Best Barber / Hairstylist
- Best BBQ
- Best Beef on Weck
- Best Bodega
- Best Book Store
- Best Bowling Alley
- Best Brewery
- Best Burger
- Best Chicken Finger Sub
- Best Chicken Wings
- Best Chili
- Best Coffee Shop
- Best Comedy Club
- Best Comic Book Shop
- Best Diner
- Best Dive Bar
- Best Donuts
- Best Fish Fry
- Best Food Truck
- Best French Onion Soup
- Best Golf Course
- Best Greek Restaurant
- Best Ice Cream Shop
- Best Italian Restaurant
- Best Karaoke Spot
- Best Mexican Restaurant
- Best Pizza
- Best Polish Restaurant
- Best Record Store
- Best Reuben
- Best Seafood
- Best Soup
- Best Sports Bar
- Best Sub / Sandwich Shop
- Best Tacos
- Best Winery
COMMUNITY
- Best Art Space / Gallery
- Best LGBTQ+ Space
- Best Local Podcast
- Best Local Theatre
- Best Mural
- Best Music Festival
- Best Park
- Best Place to Watch a Sunset
- Best Social Media Account
- Best Tourist Attraction
- Best Trivia Night
We’re always open to new category ideas. Let us know if you think something’s missing. It could be a music related category … or food … or a type of store or experience, even. Maybe we’ll add your category for the 2024 awards.
The nomination process will run from Feb. 1 through Feb. 15, after which, we may delete some categories that don’t have enough nominees. As we have done in the past two years, all verified and qualified nominees* will be on the ballot for final voting.
* If the nominees are legitimate and follow the rules. For example, music nominees must be active, have created or performed music in 2024, have music playing in rotation on All WNY Radio — and of course be from Western New York.
We’ll have voting from March 1 – March 15. Winners will be announced April 1 to coincide with All WNY’s 19th Anniversary.
If you want to suggest a new category, offer any thoughts or suggestions, or even want to help out, feel free to shoot us an email or reach out to us on any of our social media accounts.
Finally, a note for advertisers: The Awards season is our busiest time of year, in terms of visitors and pageviews. If you’ve ever considered advertising on All WNY, now is the time. And if you’ve never considered advertising on All WNY, reconsider.
