Buffalo is Alive with Music

Buffalo has its scene – but it also has a sound.

 

It’s the gritty guitar chords of a city always grinding, with fledgling musicians flicking strings through punk sets or intricate progressions in the corners of dive bars and dance halls. It’s the drum thump of an ethnically diverse population, packed together in rock clubs once host to jazz greats, alt rock gods and every performer in between. It’s the amplified exuberance of a region still rising from the ashes of its Rust Belt past, but now blooming from the artistic fervor that’s always kept it pulsating.

 

Buffalo’s music is its heartbeat, and every night, it’s unleashed to illuminate this once-heralded City of Light.

 

Popular Music Venues

 

Step into Asbury Hall @ Babeville and find downtown’s most angelic venue, set inside a converted 19th century Gothic Revival-style church. Catch a touring show inside the lower bowl of the historic Town Ballroom, then shuffle across the street to the Tralf for blues, jazz or the spirit of Prince—who famously played a surprise set in the place in 2002. Pack into Mohawk Place for genuine rock club grit, or find the city’s answer to Austin, Texas within the alt-country, honky tonk confines of Sportsmen’s Tavern. Walk up to a collaborative evening within the Colored Musicians Club; stroll in and get situated within the jazz-infused ambiance of Pausa Art House; or head to bohemian cool of Nietzsche’s, whose exterior artwork states its position quite clearly: Without music, life would be a mistake.

 

Rick James found his funk on these streets. The Goo Goo Dolls went from sweat-drenched local club shows to eventual pop radio stardom. Snapcase’s homegrown snarl influenced every fledgling hardcore act for decades—including fellow Buffalonians Every Time I Die, who tore up local spots before rising to a now flagship act of its genre. Ani DiFranco, Willie Nile and Weezer’s Patrick Wilson grew up here; and before its swirling jams moved summer festivals, Aqueous, Moe. and Soulive were born on these blocks.

 

But the venues and lineage are only part of the sound. The rest lies in the region’s ongoing need for that beat, and how it reverberates from musician to resident across all corners of Western New York.

 

Tireless local artists. Visiting Canadian quartets. Hip-hop poets and purveyors of glittering synth pop. Their rhythms roll through venues small and large, suburban or city. In the winter, it echoes between frost-covered windows of neighborhood taverns and intimate enclaves. In the summer, it moves into every park, headlines every waterfront festival, and entertains thousands, seven nights a week.

 

Finding Buffalo’s Nightlife

 

Regardless of season, it’s always a working-class communal experience, shared by locals who’ve lived it, and visitors who want to check the pulse of this city. And with every song or sold-out show, that vibrancy is here—and it’s the sound of Buffalo.

 

With many watering holes waiting until 4 a.m. for last call, you could say Buffalo knows a thing or two about nightlife. From old-school taverns and hopping bars to craft beers, casinos and live music, the Nickel City parties from dusk to near dawn.

 

You’ll find nightspots all over town, from Allen Street, Elmwood Avenue, University Heights and Hertel Avenue  to the Chippewa Entertainment District in the heart of downtown. Chow down on innovative food at Local Kitchen & Bar and SoHo, soak in the city on Skybar’s rooftop terrace and dance the night away at 67 West. The drop-down menus on the listings below will help you hone in on the nightlife and locations that fit your mood. Spend and evening in some of Buffalo’s classic taverns. Or fellas: plan a guy’s night out with these suggestions!

 

Ready to hear it? Scroll down to see our list of venues, or explore our events calendar for upcoming music events.

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Pausa Art House

The perfect place for your next night out.

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Listen Local. Drink Local.

The abundance of opportunities to combine live music and craft beer for an enhanced experience within Buffalo’s footprint makes WNY a first-class region for live entertainment. This series is presented by 42 North Brewing Company.

Unexpected BUFFALO’S PLAYLIST

Blue Monday

08/30 – 12/15

Music

Free

Chicago Jack and the Heptones play with weekly Special Guests. Join us in the Grand Room in the lower level…

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Stevie Nicks – Live in Concert Tour

10/04

Downtown

Esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks will keep the momentum of her wildly successful 2023 tour going…

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Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals

10/07

Music

$49-$103

Singer-songwriter, musician and producer Ben Harper has announced his new studio album WIDE OPEN LIGHT, the follow up to his…

Details

Lyle Lovett + John Hiatt

10/10

Music

A singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14…

Details

Shania Twain – Queen of Me Tour

10/20

Music

Shania Twain announced the second leg of her 2023 Queen of Me Tour. Due to phenomenal demand following the wildly…

Details

Dropkick Murphys

10/21

Culture

$49.50

After Dark PresentsDropkick Murphys with special guests The Interrupters, and Jesse Ahern

Details

Tennis with Sam Evian

10/25

Music

Tennis is Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. The two met in the philosophy department at the University of Colorado in…

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Donald Lawrence Gospel Celebration

10/27

Music

Henry Panion III, conductorBuffalo United Community Choir  Donald Lawrence wears many musical hats, including songwriter, producer, and recording artist. Over a…

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From Godspell to Wicked and Beyond

10/28

Music

Jason Seber, conductorStephen Schwartz, composerDebbie Gravitte, vocalsLiz Callaway, vocalsScott Coulter, vocals  Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz shares his stories and songs from Broadway with…

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Rubblebucket

10/29

Music

With its airy melodies and lavish textures, dream-logic sensibilities and dancey rhythms, Sun Machine – Rubblebucket’s newest releaseradiates the bright and…

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Symphony of Illusions with Michael Grandinetti

11/08

Music

Master illusionist Michael Grandinetti performs jaw-dropping feats of prestidigitation to magical symphonic selections, including favorite works by John Williams, Berlioz,…

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The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

11/12

Downtown

11 classical instrument wielding musicians, breathing beautifully dark energy into legendary Rock & Metal tracks.  Bathed in a sea of…

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Menopause: The Musical

11/14 – 11/19

Music

$36-$46

See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for 16 years.  It’s the hilarious celebration of Women and…

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TobyMac, MercyMe, Zack Williams

11/18

Downtown

The Awakening Foundation, powered by Awakening Events, announces the not-to-be-missed tour coming this fall. For the first time in history,…

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Jonas Brothers

11/27

Downtown

Five Albums, One Night! After building overwhelming anticipation, GRAMMY® nominated multiplatinum powerhouse trio&Jonas Brothers announce The Tour this fall with…

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The Nutcracker Ballet

12/02 – 12/03

Downtown

Neglia’s Nutcracker production has been recognized for its spectacular production value. “From the opening curtain’s rise to the dancer’s final…

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Carpenters Christmas

12/05

Music

$49

Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas is a concert show celebrating one of the most successful recording acts of all time…

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Michael Bolton

12/06

Music

From When a Man Loves a Woman to How Am I Supposed to Live Without You and more, Michael Bolton’s time, love and tenderness…

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Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

12/08

Music

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 35 years! Grammy Award winner Chip…

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Musicians of Buffalo: Christmas Rocks Concert

12/08

Music

The Musicians of Buffalo (MOB) whose members include: Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductees Jessie Galante, Bobby Lebel and Billy…

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Winter Fest

12/09

Family Fun

Free

“Winter Fest” Buffalonians embrace the beautiful winter weather with fun activities ice sculpture contest, sledding, hot chocolate, festive activities, holiday…

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Cinderella

12/10

Music

Experience the magic of one of the most beloved stories of all time as The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine…

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Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy

12/12

Culture

$29-$52

A Celtic Christmas Event: To fans of fiddle music, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy need no introduction. While both were…

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Straight No Chaser – Sleighin’ It Tour

12/15

Music

If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing…

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