Town Ballroom: A Buffalo Music Institution Bridging Past & Present

The Town Ballroom, nestled in the heart of Buffalo’s Theatre District, stands as a testament to the city’s rich musical heritage. Since its reopening in 2005, this iconic venue has operated as the premier concert space of its size in the region, hosting both legendary performers and up-and-coming acts.

The building’s history dates back to the 1940s when it was known as the Town Casino, the go-to restaurant and nightlife spot for in-the-know locals. Legend has it that “tough guys” drank, smoked, and gambled in the basement – Al Capone among them – while upstairs, the biggest names in jazz and pop entertained the assembled crowds. Frank Sinatra not only performed but also frequented the Town Casino, as did Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Les Paul & Mary Ford.

However, changing tastes and economic pressures led to the venue’s closure. For several decades, the building served various purposes, including hosting several theatre companies and nightclubs, before falling into disuse by the early 21st century.

In 2005, former Goo Goo Dolls manager Artie Kwitchoff and Donny Kutzbach – known for his work at the Home of the Hits record store in the Elmwood Village – took over the property. Their vision was to restore it to its former glory.

Kwitchoff and Kutzbach, both Buffalo natives, have been fixtures in the city’s music scene for decades. Operating as the concert promotion company Funtime Presents, they immediately packed the Town Ballroom’s roster with the finest indie, alternative, jam band, EDM, and rock artists of the age, both up-and-coming and fully seasoned.

Today, the Town Ballroom boasts a capacity of approximately 1,000 patrons and features a main floor and balcony level. The venue’s sound system and lighting rig have been updated to meet modern standards, while still preserving much of the building’s original architectural charm.

“The intimacy of the room is something we always talk about,” Kutzbach said on the Hear Here podcast. “It’s a big room, but it’s a room where 1,000 people feel like 400.”

Since its reopening, the Town Ballroom has hosted an impressive array of acts across various genres. Notable performers have included indie rock stalwarts like St. Vincent and TV On the Radio and jam band favorites like local favorites moe., as well Bob Weir & Ratdog, the Disco Biscuits, Umphrey’s McGee, Dark Star Orchestra and many others. The venue has also welcomed acclaimed artists like Less Than Jake, Peter Murphy, Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, The Arkells, Godspeed You Black Emperor, the Crystal Method, KMFDM, Bad Religion, Clutch, and Dinosaur Jr., among hundreds of others.

The venue has also become a favorite stop for rising stars, hosting acts like Kacey Musgraves, Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers and Greta Van Fleet before their meteoric ascents to fame. Additionally, it regularly features hometown heroes, providing a platform for established Buffalo bands to connect with their local fan base.

A recent addition to the Town Ballroom is the Oxford Pennant Stage in the front of the building. This new space offers music lovers the opportunity to enjoy national and regional bands and artists in a more intimate setting, further diversifying the venue’s offerings.

The Town Ballroom serves an integral role in nurturing Buffalo’s local music scene, offering opportunities for emerging local acts to open for national touring bands, giving them exposure to larger audiences and industry professionals.

Town Ballroom plays a crucial part in Buffalo’s musical ecosystem. By offering a mid-sized venue option, it bridges the gap between smaller clubs and larger arenas, allowing local acts to grow their audiences and providing a stepping stone for touring bands on the rise. This has helped position Buffalo as a key stop on many artists’ tours, enhancing the city’s cultural offerings and reputation as a music-friendly destination.

Learn more about the Town Ballroom by listening to the Hear Here podcast episode featuring Artie Kwitchoff and Donny Kutzbach below:

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