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Town Ballroom
Category: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Music Venues [Edit]
681 Main StBuffalo, NY 14203
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(716) 852-3900
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
15 reviews for Town Ballroom
15 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda A.
Updated - 5/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Went to a show here this past weekend! It was still as good as it gets! They have a great staff working, and they are always really nice! One thing I wanted to add-- they like to open the doors early and make money selling drinks. Sometimes I feel like they draw the breaks out a little long between bands.
Listed in: Downtown Flower/Theater…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/3/2012
Great music venue! Awesome halloween parties every year! I never had any problems when it came to… Read more »
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Review from Christina H.
Buffalo, NY
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Without fail, I end up at this concert venue at least 10 times a year. They must have a great booking agent because they get some great shows in here. One night could be a low-key indie folk artist and the next a bad ass rapper; this venue plays to all audiences.
Security is great and I always feel safe, even in the more raucous crowds (granted, I usually prefer the aforementioned "indie folk" musicians - no crowd surfing for this lady). I've heard others say security won't hesitate to throw people out.
There are THREE bars in this joint, all with reasonable prices. $4-6 for a mixed drink which isn't bad for a concert venue. You can choose one of two bars located within the concert area or the large bar located in the lobby - the lobby also has a projection screen that allows you to watch the show while you take a breather by the bar (granted, it's a pretty blurry picture but you get the gist).
The set up in the concert hall is great. Lots of railings to lean against and tiered levels to accommodate those who are "height-challenged." I'm always able to find a place where I can see - there isn't a bad view in this place.
In addition, big bathroom with lots of stalls. I don't think I've ever waited in line.
My biggest complaint about this place is they have INSANELY long breaks in between sets. It is a clear ploy to increase drink sales. If you want to skip the opener and only catch the headliner, I would get there 2.5 hours AFTER the doors open. Otherwise you'll be standing around twiddling your thumbs and getting progressively drunk. -
Review from Betty V.
3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
They didn't allow us to bring in glowsticks.... Sorry, I have to mark off a star :( Like seriously??
What I really liked about this venue was that you could have a good view no matter where you were standing. Drinks are cheap and strong ($4-6). There's sufficient amount of bathrooms, I guess. That was always a problem for me, going to concerts at other venues. Hope they bring in more musical talent! -
Review from Casey P.
2/15/2012
This is a great venue for all types of shows. What I am most impressed with is the security. I was at a show there last night and had an incident with a true asshole who just wouldn't leave me alone. He kept 'falling into me', like one would at a junior high dance when he was too nervous to approach a gal he was interested in. Then he got in my boyfriends face. I went to the bar and told the bartender I needed security. Within 15-20 seconds the asshole was being escorted out! Nice job security. I have never encounter such alert and responsive bouncers!
I have seen many shows here and will continue to. The variety of different artists is wonderful. I have seen Grateful Dead cover bands, Phil and Friends, Guster, Rusko, Collie Buddz(sp), among many others. As long as I live in Bflo I will continue to go to shows here. This is one of the best venues in Bflo to see a show.
The drinks are you average downtown style drinks. The Redbull is not real no matter what they say. You don't have to wait at all in line to get a drink. They have 3 bars, 1 in the main entrance and 2 in the show room. -
Review from Dan K.
11/17/2011
Was just at my second show here since moving back to Buffalo about a month ago. Rob P. says it as well, Las Vegas has nothing like this place. Perfect for nice mid-size show. The curved setup does allow for good viewing from just about anywhere. Sound is good, and both shows I saw had amazing lighting for them, so definitely can be setup for a nice concert with lots of multi-media eye candy.
Security don't mess around though, don't piss them off or they will throw you out. Bar area up front is nice and six bucks for a hefty pour of Remy VSOP on the rocks, was not bad . Totally looking forward to catching more shows here. Just another reason, happy to be back in Buffalo. -
Review from Christine C.
Los Angeles, CA
8/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'll have to admit there's not much to do even in the college town of Buffalo, but at least there's a wonderful music venue to catch a show.
There's an intermediary open bar/lounge area you enter before you enter the actual show facility, and it's very nice to hang out during downtimes of the show or to even catch a break or a drink.
The venue itself is very spacious and has three levels, all with great lines of sight. I did not get hassled by security and the bartenders were nice even when I requested a cup of water as I normally don't drink at shows.
The railing is actually curved as well as the stage, which techincally makes for more stage space as well as rail space. However, during a crowd "crush" it does make it worse for those up front. Security up front was okay, but when I went crowd surfing they didn't catch me very well... it was like more they threw me to the crowd and I tripped since there was water everywhere since they even spilled a drink my friend at up front and they didn't even attempt try to help me up. I never had that problem with other venues...
They also go through http://tickets.com instead of livenation/ticketmaster or an independent agent (or ticketfly) and strangely when I followed a band for a week across the country these were the most expensive tickets even compared to LA, NYC, Philly, etc, so I thought that was weird. -
Review from Hungry A.
Buffalo, NY
1/14/2010
**One of the TOP Live Music Venues in Buffalo NY
The management at Towne Ballroom is making a conscious effort to book acts that "make sense" - especially in this area.
Buffalo has an excellent Local Music scene, as well as appreciative of regional and national acts - mainstream or no. Towne Ballroom is currently taking advantage of both of those aspects.
Cool place to check out - shows such as Passion Pit, The Trews, and House of Pain are headed our way in the near future. -
Review from Rob P.
4/30/2010
PENS NOT ALLOWED!!!
That's right, if you're coming to watch a band at the Town Ballroom, leave your ballpoint pen at home. The bouncer will snatch it right out of your hand with nary an explanation. Don't worry, though, your prescription and non-prescription drugs will go unnoticed.
That aside, I loved this venue. It's exactly what I wished a venue in Las Vegas was like. The place is pretty big... holds about 1000 people, but there's no bad spot in the house. Wherever you are, there's no bad place to watch the band. I was hoping for seats since I'm an old man, but hey, I'll take a great view of the band over being comfortable when Minus The Bear is the one taking the stage.
Bonus points for me going to the bar and ordering a water, expecting to pay $2 or $3 and having the bartender hand me a glass of water for free. And he didn't seem put out that I wasn't buying a drink, either.
I'll probably never see a show here again, unfortunately, but I wish I could. -
Review from Erica M.
Buffalo, NY
2/12/2010
The best place to see a live band in Buffalo NY, well, for its size. I've been here on numerous occasions to see Sloan, Dinosaur Jr, Catwalk for Charity, etc, etc. The venue is great! The bathrooms are clean and well stocked. It is nice to have a bar and area to mingle outside of the show area itself. It's very spacious. They even have TV's to watch the Sabres game while waiting for the band to come on!
I am short, and this venue is great for me cause there are at least 3 levels shaped in a U shape around the stage to stand. So I'm not sure why the previous reviewer said she had to stand right in front cause if you are at the front of any of the three levels you will be in fine shape. I do agree it would be nice to have some place to sit in the outer bar area, but usually there are so many people I think they are just making sure there is enough room for everyone.
If you want to see a band and it is here, you will have a great experience! -
Review from Christopher B.
East Amherst, NY
9/3/2010
I have been coming here for several years now to catch the occasional rock show and must say that Town Ballroom is a high-end venue, as compared to the other rock clubs in city. The club is nicely decorated - not too cheesy, the sound decent, drink prices are very low for Downtown Buffalo, and they actually get good bands/acts to play there!
There are a few drawbacks, but they are avoidable. There is no seating, it's all general admission. Sight lines are not great, especially if you're on the shorter side, but there are plenty of areas to move to - specifically the floor and middle bowl, where you can see perfectly from anywhere.
In the summer it can get pretty warm inside, especially if the show is sold out. Yes they have A.C., but sold out gigs get pretty packed, so it's inevitable to get the upper lip sweats halfway through the show! It might not be "hip" to wear shorts to catch your favorite indie rock band, but I'm beyond the age of caring how I come off in skinny jeans, so I recommend wearing something comfortable and cool.
Security is interesting here. You get the normal pat-down upon entrance. Ladies will have to open their purse for that whole song and dance, but don't bring your lucky pen - because it will be confiscated! This happened last night to my fiancé. I found it pretty amusing, but definitely odd.
Capacity is about 1000 people, and the room is pretty small, but you usually have ample space to move around, get to the bars (one on either side of the room), pogo, mosh, crowd surf, slam dance, strut, etc.
The bar(s) carry standard beers... the regular domestic fare, few general imports. They also have a full bar out in the lobby for higher end mixed drinks and such. Coat check is available, but save the buckage and leave your vintage leather biker jacket in the car, it's a short walk to the front doors from the parking lot.
Kudos to management for stepping their game up in the booking department. Recent years have brought a slew of indie rock's finest, local legends and the occasional throwback act! -
Review from Kali A.
Orlando, FL
1/17/2008
I never quite understood what the hype was all about for this place. I know lots of people who really like it here... and I'm not sure why.
Right when you walk in, you wait in this room kinda thing and there's a bar right in the middle of it and bathrooms on either side. They always have the bar pretty stocked, and lots of employees there to wait on you! There's also another bar in the main concert area, but that one is a lot smaller and when the band is playing, you need to scream at the top of your lungs to place the order.
It's really small, dark, and sorta neglected / out of date. (It's in dire need of a fresh coat of paint) When the lights are on in here it looks awful! Plus I hate how there's no place to sit. This is just another reason why I hate being only 5' tall- I CAN NEVER SEE ANYTHING! So I always try my best to get there early and claim a spot on the top row, right in the front. That way NOBODY can block my view! Oh, and believe me, I guard that spot with my life. -
Review from Rich H.
1/19/2011
Not even worth diving into the numerous things wrong here. poor/violent/douchy security, bad management (who will get up in your face if you have a legitimate complaint) and rude/inept bartenders. the only redeemable quality is the sound can be pretty decent.
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Review from lindsey s.
Buffalo, NY
11/19/2008
I love love love music and this is my favorite place (tied with Ashbury) to see shows in Buffalo. First and foremost it's the architecture that keeps drawing me back. I do agree that it could use a paint coat or two, but the stories of al capone and ghosts roaming the underground tunnels give it that charm you dont get in an arena setting. Ive been here to see sold-out shows and half-full events and I can always see the stage from wherever I happen to be. Plus, there's three bars. Three. Maybe I should have opened with that.
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Review from Abi B.
Buffalo, NY
12/12/2010
Someone mentioned, "What's the hype?" Depends on what you want in a concert experience. I'm from L.A. and have only been in the area for about 4 years. It took me awhile to adjust and sometimes I get annoyed about what this city lacks in terms of things to do besides drinking all the time.
However, this was a great venue considering what I paid for. I saw a top notch performer, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals for $15.00!!! I got there about 45 mins after the door opened but I easily breezed to the front and watched her play 5 feet away from me. Venue was standing only.
Parking was free on the street and I only had to walk 2 mins to the door. That is ridiculous. (I remember having to walk blocks, and risk my life because of traffic, to go to a concert in Los Angeles just to avoid a $20.00 parking fee. And I still paid for parking.)
I actually watched Sia in a Canadian venue up in Toronto. It was just as cheesier than Town and the drink were way overpriced. Although I had to walk through the projects to get to it. This is just how it is.
If you're from a true metropolitan city like I was you learn to appreciate such an experience like this. (Also you probably could have sneaked in snacks and bottled water and they wouldn't have noticed) The crowd was awesome and not obnoxious like bigger concert venues can be. Totally priceless and well worth what I paid for the show! -
Review from Chas K.
Buffalo, NY
2/4/2010
Probably the best spot in Buffalo to watch live music. Real cool place.
