Buffalo is a city where you can enjoy a diverse range of entertainment year-round — from a world-class orchestra and historic theaters to outdoor summer concerts and free open-air Shakespeare performances. We hope you find your favorite spot!
🎵MUSIC
Buffalo has a great selection of venues offering a wide range of musical genres — from classical and live Americana to rock.
BPO (Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) / Kleinhans Music Hall
Home to the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall is a historic venue also celebrated for its exceptional acoustics. In the summer, the BPO hosts free outdoor concerts on the lawn of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
bpo.org
Sportsmen’s Tavern
Founded in 1985, Sportsmen’s Tavern is Buffalo’s premier destination for Americana music. Located in the Black Rock neighborhood, it features live blues, country, folk, and more nearly every night. Sister venues The Cave and Sportsmen’s Park are located right next door.
sportsmensbuffalo.com
Town Ballroom
A mid-sized live music venue in downtown Buffalo, Town Ballroom has established itself as one of the region’s go-to concert halls, hosting a strong lineup of accomplished artists from across the country and around the world.
townballroom.com
Babeville / Asbury Hall
A one-of-a-kind venue housed in a converted church in the Allentown neighborhood, Babeville and its main stage Asbury Hall are known for their stunning interior and distinctive atmosphere. A wide variety of artists across genres take the stage here.
babevillebuffalo.com
Pausa Art House A small, intimate venue in Allentown specializing in jazz and chamber music. Featuring primarily local musicians, it offers a cozy, up-close listening experience.
pausaarthouse.com
🌿 Seasonal (Summer) Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B / Canalside
When summer arrives, Buffalo’s waterfront transforms into the heart of the city’s entertainment scene. Terminal B, with its sweeping views of Lake Erie, hosts a major outdoor concert series, while Canalside offers free events, outdoor fitness classes, and more.
buffalowaterfront.com
🌿 Seasonal (Fall) Music Is Art Festival (MIA)
Founded by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, this celebration of music and art takes place every September at Outer Harbor (Terminal B). The festival features over 200 acts across more than 20 stages, along with dance performances, art installations, a Kids’ Village, and much more. Western New York’s first Japanese taiko group, Shibuki, performs at the festival every year. Admission is always free, making it a great outing for the whole family.
musicisart.org
🎬 MOVIE THEATERS
Buffalo offers a variety of ways to enjoy film, from historic single-screen theaters to modern multiplex cinemas with the latest amenities.
North Park Theatre
A historic single-screen theater on Hertel Avenue, founded in 1920. As Buffalo’s only nonprofit movie theater, it holds a cherished place in the community, with a focus on independent and art-house films along with special screenings. Its beautifully preserved interior and unique atmosphere offer a moviegoing experience unlike anything you’ll find at a multiplex.
northparktheatre.org
Regal Cinemas
A multiplex chain with several locations in the Buffalo area (including Elmwood Center, Transit Center, and Walden Galleria). Offering everything from new releases to IMAX screenings, with reclining seats and advance ticket purchasing, it’s the convenient go-to option for a casual night out at the movies.
Regal also occasionally hosts a Monday Mystery Movie event (roughly once a month) — the film is kept secret until showtime, and tickets are just $5. Check the official website for the schedule.
regmovies.com
🎤COMEDY
Buffalo has no shortage of options for a good laugh, from nationally touring stand-up acts to locally grown improv comedy. If you’re comfortable with English, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Helium Comedy Club
A 275-seat comedy club in the Cobblestone District of downtown Buffalo. Featuring professional touring comedians every week, shows run approximately one hour and forty minutes in the classic opener–feature–headliner format. With a full food and drink menu, it also makes for a great dinner-and-a-show experience.
buffalo.heliumcomedy.com
Buffalo Comedy Collective
The home of improv comedy in Western New York, offering a variety of regular programming including family-friendly ComedySportz and adult-oriented shows. The unscripted, in-the-moment nature of improv means you can enjoy the energy and laughs even if you catch only part of the dialogue — making it surprisingly accessible. Comedy classes are also available for those who want to give it a try themselves.
buffalocomedycollective.com
