Amazing and unique music venue and event space, in a converted church, owned by Ani DiFranco. I've been to a few concerts here and they are always amazing. The acoustics are good and there is always enough room so you aren't too squished. Easy to get to the bathroom and there are enough bars if you need a drink. read more

This venue is amazing. I just saw a great show here, and the venue really added to the performance. I was in awe of the architecture the entire time. The space was intimate and cozy. The setup was great as well - 2 bars upstairs and 1 bar downstairs. It was easy to grab a drink or run to the bathroom. read more

Babeville - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Awesome venue for concerts. Pleasant employees, very helpful. Sound is great. Graham Nash was phenominal!! read more

Babeville - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Full disclosure: I probably give five stars to good concert venues more often than other entertainment venues, simply because the expectations are so low. Imagine any other experience that begins with 20-30% of your purchase being snuck in under a hidden-fees radar, overpriced parking sometimes a long walk from a arena itself in dismal suburbs, getting scanned and groped on the way in, and then paying three times what a bar would ask for drinks. It's like an airport with music. But Babeville in not like that at all, in all of the best ways. It's a beautiful old church rather than a cookie-cutter sporting venue, the seats are all good in the circa-1,500-seat upstairs main auditorium, parking can be found on-street or nearby in $5 lots in the event of overflow (the veue's parking is limited, as it is Downtown, after all), the drink prices are completely reasonable, and, well, Shakey Graves puts on a damn good show, even if that's not technically part of the review. It's usually general admission, so get there early if you'd like to sit in the balcony as a party. But if you snag seats upstairs near the front (or on the floor near the front, if that's more your vibe), you just might get to see national indie actls like 10 feet from the band. And that's not something you can say every day. Five stars for you, Babeville, even if your name does make me cringe a little. No grade-inflation for low expectations required. Vaccination required as of December 2021, thank god. read more

Babeville - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Can I admit the it was my first concert here? Yes, I can. Larkin Poe put on an amazing show! Previously saw them perform at The Tralf. Same great band. This venue definitely fit the vibe. Sign of the times proof of vax required, mask on for the full event. It was a great night. Fun venue and the staff/security were great. read more

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Babeville is my absolute favorite music venue in Buffalo. As an old converted church, it has amazing acoustics. I've seen three concerts here and they've all had incredible sound and light shows. I'm not sure how many people it holds but it is a more intimate venue so you can get really close to the artists. There is even seating above in the balcony pews so you can see from anywhere in the venue. Seating does fill up quickly up there though. There is a bar available with a handful of beers and wines and plenty of liquor. Prices aren't terrible either. Tickets here are also priced quite well. read more

I came here with a friend last night for the Colter Wall concert. He is a 22 year-old country singer from Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The church is beautiful on the inside with the stained glass windows and church pews. The acoustics are fantastic. When you walk in, just to the right, were the merchandise tables. Through the entryway, upon entering the church, is a vast area where you can choose to stand. There was an upstairs where you could sit in a pew to enjoy the concert. My friend and I stood near the stage. They were offering beer, wine, mixed drinks, pop or water for purchase on the left, between the entryway and the stage. There wasn't an obnoxious amount of people at the concert. I was able to hear my friend without having to yell. I appreciate this venue getting such a great artist to come in. They also have many other interesting artists coming up too. read more

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Wonderful venue for bands or comedy. A converted church with balcony and floor seating. A small cocktail bar, "intimate " restrooms large stage area. I've been to three shows now, sound quality is good, sight lines excellent throughout the room. I recommend avoiding the center section chairs- they are hard and unforgiving. Balcony pews afford the best views and padded seats. Great place to see a favorite artist. read more

Concert was fantastic,the chairs not so much.There was approximately.85 of cushion,basically hard as a rock.There are better cushioned folding chairs out there.I started to get sciatica in my legs.Do better. read more

Babeville, fittingly named for Ani DiFranco's record label ("Righteous Babe Records") is an incredible music venue and event space. Over $10 million was spent to renovate this old historic church to a gorgeous venue with two main rooms within the space: Asbury Hall and The Ninth Ward. Asbury Hall is the larger of the two, with a capacity of about 1,200 standing. I've seen a number of concerts here (including Ani DiFranco herself) and it's an intimate, gorgeous venue with wonderful acoustics. There's not a bad seat in the house and it's most often set up to be General Admission. There's an upper balcony you could go and sit if you wanted a more laid back experience, rather than standing in the midst of a crowd. There's usually a few bars operating with very reasonable prices (and they also sell popcorn. score!). Lots of weddings are hosted in Asbury Hall as they rent the space out when concerts are not happening. Downstairs is Asbury Hall which is one of my favorite smaller venues in all of Buffalo. It has a rustic tone to it with open stone and brick along the walls and is a beautiful space that can host 100 people. I've seen concerts here as well as a few lectures (Art & Science Cabaret usually hosts their events here during the school year) and it's always been warm, comforting and inviting. Hats off to Ani DiFranco and the people who work in Babeville for restoring an awesome building and making it something that our city can be proud of. read more

By far the best concert venue in Buffalo. A beautiful old church that has been restored and renovated by none other than the musician Ani DiFranco. The interior is warm and welcoming and retains the charm of a historic church but without all the cobwebs and creaking floorboards. The bathrooms are clean with plenty of stalls for the ladies! I didn't have to wait to use the bathroom at any point. Downstairs the cellar has been turned into another small venue perfect for comedy shows and small concerts. Yet again, everything is clean and cozy and not at all what you would expect when you hear "cellar." The acoustics are fantastic in either the hall or the cellar and the lighting is equally as impressive. The ONLY downside to this venue is there aren't enough events! I would go out of my way to see concerts here. Absolutely fantastic. read more

Babeville - The basement venue and stage - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Came here for the Women's Gifts Arts Show and loved the space! I haven't been inside too many re-purposes churches and was really impressed with this one. For the art show, they had rows of tables of women artisans as well as live performances. I thought the event was well organized and liked that they even offered food as well. As far as the performances, the stage is raised and the acoustics in there are awesome, so they were easy to see and hear no matter where we were on the floor. I'd be interested in coming back here for another event like this or even for a show. read more

Went to my first concert at Babeville. Saw Robert Earl Keen and was very disappointed with the venue. I had heard so many good things about this old church turned concert hall that I was looking forward to a great night and great acoustics. The first warning should have been the old, wooden seats set up for us to sit in. My back, the backs of those around us pay a horrible price. So uncomfortable and they also tilted you forward at an awkward angle. My advice...stick with the white iplastic seats. So much more comfortable. The next problem was the acoustics. I believe the venue is to small for how the sound is set up. Everything was muffled and garbled for us as we sat 8 rows back from the stage. I wandered to the back of the hall and things sounded much better. That was the place to be. White plastic chairs abound in the back (since there is only about 25 rows, you'll still see fine) and acoustics were cleaner. Will I go to Babeville again? Yes, of course. However, I'll be ready for a better show with the knowledge I just shared. read more

I love going to Babeville--for concerts, comedy shows, art and craft events. There always seems to be something interesting going on. The venue is beautiful and shows how well old structures can be repurposed to suit modern purposes. The facility is open for events only (not a "drop in and see what's on tonight" sort of place) and the music offerings generally circle in the eclectic Americana territory with a splash of world music. The acoustics in both the Asbury Hall and Ninth Ward spaces are outstanding (as you'd expect in a space owned by acclaimed musician Ani DiFranco). My only complaint (and it's a small one) is that the facility lacks sufficient signage and is often a little unclear in terms of marketing. There are multiple performance/office/gallery/etc. spaces here--from the huge Asbury Hall, to the more intimate Ninth Ward, to Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. It's sometimes hard to determine where you will be going for your event and how to find the proper entrance once you're on site (and not all entrances lead to all spaces). It's just a bit confusing, especially the first time you visit. read more

Babeville - The Observers at the Ninth Ward (basement of Babeville). - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Babeville rocks, for so many reasons! Babeville was erected as a church back in the 19th century, and although the function of the space is no longer the same, the magnificent steeple remains one of the most unique markings on the skyline of downtown Buffalo. You know who bought this old church to preserve it and keep it rocking as a record label headquarters, event/performance venue, and gallery? None other than the righteous babe herself, Ani Difranco. Awesome! Gorgeous original architecture on the outside. Modern, unique event space on the inside. I attended a wedding held at Babeville's Asbury Hall, which is housed in the original sanctuary space and still includes the original dark wood detailing and beautiful stained glass windows. I got the inside scoop from my friend, the groom, about how awesome the Babeville staff was in helping them get their ceremony and reception (both done in Asbury Hall) planned down to their specifications. It wasn't cheap apparently, but damn they sure got what they paid for! I was in the wedding party, and from the rehearsal the night before, to pictures and chill time before the ceremony, they attended to our every need, including starting the open bar for us 2 hrs before the ceremony. We chilled downstairs in the "green room" which was decorated floor to ceiling with every Ani Difranco concert poster and album cover - very cool. Immediately after the ceremony ended, the Babeville staff swarmed the crowd with hor'duerves trays, and the open bar was open for business. The food, from appetizers to dessert, was top notch. Hor'duerves included tables set up with premium (for real - PREMIUM) cheeses, crackers, meats and fruits. Being passed on trays were seasoned chicken skewers, lobster cakes with a tangy dipping sauce, and steak bruscetta. Entree selections included a stuffed chicken breast, cheese tortellini, or fillet with potatoes and veggies. I went with the fillet - along with, it looked like, the majority of the other guests. I'm not even usually a huge red meat eater, but damn this was a fillet done RIGHT. So tender, flavorful, juicy. I cannot give Babeville credit for the cake because it was brought from an outside bakery (but this was delicious as well). The open bar was staffed by 2-3 bartenders at all times, which meant no long waits. By the end of the night, they all knew my drink and had it prepared for me as I approached the bar (although perhaps that says more for my drinking problem than it does for their service?). The booze was top shelf, but again, I know this was also a preference that my friend and his wife paid for. Overall, a perfect ceremony. We were impeccably served in an amazing, unique space - made for a very memorable night. I personally have no ties to Buffalo, but Babeville almost makes me wish that I did, so I'd have an excuse to party in style at Asbury Hall if I ever get married. I didn't get to see the rest of Babeville, but it is also the headquarters for Ani's record label, and during the planning stages of the wedding, my friend got a viewing of her Grammy on display upstairs in the offices. Pretty sweet. (Bonus: when I drunkenly engaged a staff member in a convo about if he has ever actually met Ani Difranco, he told me an amusing story about the time some of them tried to kick her out of her own place because she showed up in true Ani style - dreadlocked, bohemian dress - and they mistook her for a homeless woman. Ha!) read more

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After much soul searching, My Fiance and I booked Asbury Hall for our wedding reception. Everything was A. Maze. Ing. Austin Scaccia was the most incredible host- keeping the whole venue running smoothly, pitching the one wedding crasher, finding tables for unexpected guests, and making two last signature drinks an hour after everyone had left because someone hadn't had a chance to taste them yet while they were waiting for a cab. Thank you Austin, thank you to Austin's AMAZING staff, and people are still raving about the bitchin' party we threw in that beautiful Buffalo Icon. read more

I would totally give this place 5 stars, except it wasn't for my wedding and only my wedding location could get 5 stars ;-) Honestly though, this place was AMAZING. Perfect space for any type of venue. I've been here for a wine and chocolate tasting event, halloween bash, and now a wedding. All 3 events were great! The space is a gem to downtown Buffalo. Parking lot a definite plus (nothing worse than searching for a spot on Delaware Ave on the weekend). Space has so much character and charm. Can seem dark, but the perfect uplighting and photographer is all you would need for your wedding so don't let that sway your decision. The catering for the wedding was delicious! Tons of options and not your basic/boring "chicken or steak". No matter the type event, check this place out! It can suit anyone's needs. read more

I've been to Babeville a number of times for concerts and it is a wonderful venue. But it would be great if your security people didnt' try quite so hard to hustle people out of there the moment the show ends. Some of us live an hour or more away and would like to pee before the long drive home. You can't close one bathroom and expect everyone to use the other one in a matter of minutes. Women that pay upwards of thirty dollars to attend concerts don't appreciate a large man knocking on the door and telling them to "hurry it up ladies". We're not chit-chatting in there. We're not doing coke. We're PEEING. And washing our hands. Have some manners. read more

This is my 100th review, & I'm so glad it's here. I've been here before for Sweet Charity (NOT a pleasant experience--far too overcrowded), but nust right for this event. Keb' Mo' in concert with a 3-piece backup band. it was a seated concert and, like Bob Uecker, I was in the fronnnnnt rowwwww, but everyone was up and dancing within 20 minutes. Fantastic acoustics, very nice, clean bathrooms, polite and patient facility staff. The performer's dressing/resting rooms were comfortable, a little bit of 'home on the road' for the visiting artists. Beautifully preserved stained glass from the original church; it's obvious that a lot of love went into restoring this jewel of a multi-purpose facility. Thank you, Ani. read more

Babeville - Michael B. Hicks - with KEB' MO' - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I don't know if I should post this as a 5-star, having only seen part of this building, but I was very impressed! I attended a family wedding this past Memorial Day weekend. The reception was held here, in Asbury Hall. WOW. It was this huge, beautiful space, with choir lofts, stained glass (LOVE stained glass) and great acoustics. The food was excellent--I don't know if they cater or allow outside caterers, but the filet mignon was melt-in-your-mouth; the hors d'ouvres were delish....and the bartenders knew how to mix 'em! I actually tried to visit other sections of this building with my son, a recent college grad who majored in music technology. So he was interested in seeing this space. But most of this was closed due to the holiday weekend. I'm really happy the current owner rescued this site from demolition. It's a former Methodist church, and as exquisite as the stained glass was, it was not as representational as some other churches I've visited. But that's okay! I am glad the space is still around so people can build happy memories here. Good choice for a reception! read more

Great venue...cool vibe in a vintage church...good acoustics....nice staff...reasonable drink prices and some parking available...what's not to love. I will be back. read more

9th Ward, the basement space at Babeville, is a great, intimate venue. It includes a short stage and bar. Sound is good, and the size of the space means everyone is close to the performers. Max capacity seems somewhere around 120 people, standing. There are pillars, leaving some with a partially obstructed view. Security ignored one patron who was drunk, loud, and disruptive, but otherwise did a courteous job of greeting and checking tickets/IDs. Parking is great, right outside the door and was free the day we attended. I'm looking forward to our next visit. read more

I love this venue! I have been to several comedy/music shows in the small basement space. I love the exposed, rustic walls and quick bar service. read more

We had our wedding reception at Asbury Hall on October 25th 2014 and it was a dream! From the very first day of touring the space, Austin made the stressful wedding process a breeze. He answered all of our (many, many) questions immediately throughout our year of planning and even gave his professional opinion and suggestions when we asked. I wrote a very detailed list of instructions on how we wanted the reception tables set up and they were executed to a tee and then some! From the mantel setup, to the centerpieces, the dessert station and even the card table no detail was overlooked! It is obvious how hard Austin and his staff work to make sure everything is exactly as you like, and it was truly perfect! Our guests raved about Asbury Hall from the unique beauty of Babeville to the delicious food to excellent bar service! The staff paid close attention to not only our head table but both sets of parents tables to make sure everything was going smoothly and everyone was happy! The bridal room/suite downstairs was filled with drinks specifically for the bridal party and a place for us to take a minute to ourselves during the reception (which was often needed!) Also Asbury Hall offers an after hours extended bar from 12-2am in the downstairs 9th Ward which my guests loved! It was nice to spend extra time with family and friends after the reception while eating La Nova pizza and Mighty Taco we had brought in :) To give Asbury Hall, Austin and the staff 5 stars is an understatement, truly it deserves 10! I highly recommend this venue- It was one of the best decisions we made! A HUGE thank you again to Austin Scaccia I don't know how we could have done it without him! read more

Aesthetically, this is a 5-star place. I liked that the venue felt a lot cleaner than most venues I have attended for concerts-- the floors were not sticky and smelly, the bathrooms were fully functional and cleaned up. The Ninth Ward bar in the basement is cute-- a bit sparse, but features the age of the building in a flattering way. The sound was also really good (in similar venues I noticed an echo off the back wall). Given that Ani DiFranco owns this place; I wouldn't expect any less than great sound. Being a rectangular shaped venue, there are some bad "seats" in the house. Docking a star because of security. Our first run in with security was one of the guards telling us we couldn't stand up stairs, not even against the wall, we had to be sitting in one of the pews or go downstairs. This guy was pretty nice, so it's not even him that I am docking the half star for. The next time we ran into security it was one BLARING his radio during a very quiet piece during the performance. Someone nearby asked "Can you turn it down?" What is it about some security guards that are just waiting for someone to pick a fight? The security guard ended up threatening to "throw" the person who asked out, it was just a ridiculous display of testosterone. read more

I visited the fabulous, intimate venue in the basement. They have a parking lot where you're welcome to park for free (and will tell you if you left your lights on). They're awesome, friendly, and they make the tickets affordable, as well. Acoustics are great, casual seating (folding chairs that are reasonably comfortable), very clean bathrooms. Saw Peter Mulvey here, and it was a great show. Felt like sitting in someone's living room. Kudos. read more

Went to a wedding reception here and the space was gorgeous! they had the stage set up for the bride and groom along with the bridal party and groomsmen so they were the center focus to all the tables along each side. They have a balcony so they were introduced from there and walked down the stairs so everyone could see them to the from stage where they sat. The middle was for dancing and had tables toward the back in front of the bar. behind the bar was an entrance way which they used for cookie display and ice cream making. There were 19 tables of about 8. So with that large of a party you need a lot of space and you didn't feel like you were on top of one another. The main entrance was used for a photo booth and the place cards where you entered the venue to greet the bride and groom and sign the guest book. It was set up very tastefully and the lighting and acoustics was wonderful. This is a different type of venue to have a wedding reception at that is out of the ordinary and makes for a great time. The food I believe was brought in so it took quite awhile for everyone to get their meal but there was rolls and salad to keep you occupied. I was impressed with how it was set up for a wedding considering it is a concert venue. Will recommend this to others looking for a non traditional wedding reception hall. read more

I've been to a few concerts upstairs and local shows downstairs and really enjoyed the ambiance and diverse bookings of different talented acts. Anyone in Buffalo should keep an eye out for who's playing soon at Babeville. read more

First time to this venue for the IIB event Buffalo without Borders. Not much more to say than 'Wow'. Beautiful interior and really cool basement bar. Awesome first impression. I will be back for future events. read more

I have seen 2 shows here and it was great! The place is cool, the basement bar is pretty sweet.

This is such a great space. I have hosted events here and have attended multiple events here as we'll. It's a great venue to host an event as well as attend an event. I have not attended a wedding here, but have heard great things about that as well. Parking can be tricky if you're unfamiliar with the area, but it isn't as bad as it looks. I've never paid to park in this area or gotten a ticket. read more

Great wedding venue. The manager was very accommodating and helpful to the wedding party even allowing some pretty big last minute changes without any stress. The staff was also fantastic particularly the bartenders who helped us in the after hours party. They even gave us rides back to the hotel which was incredibly nice. read more

I cannot say enough good things about the venue, staff and especially the wedding coordinator Austin. My daughter 's wedding took place here in October 2014. From the fiirst meeting with Austin along with this beautiful venue, my daughter knew it was the place for her. You can take a look yourself at the photos on their site and you will see what I am talking about! Austin could not have been more helpful along the way. Every question and concern was addressed immediately, and was always easy to get a hold of. The food was fabulous, absolutely no complaints. So if you are looking for a spectacular wedding to remember a lifetime this is the place! read more

My wedding was absolutely perfect and that was because of beautiful Asbury Hall and its staff, especially Austin Scaccia. What left such an impression on me is how evident it is that the staff love their jobs. It comes across in everything they do - from helping us with last-minute details, to knowing guests drinks and having them ready when they approached the bar. That level of service means a lot to us and it helped make our guests' experiences "magical" in their words. It's been four days since our wedding and our guests are still texting us to say how good their dinners were (especially the filet mignon and the swordfish!). We knew how beautiful and special Asbury Hall would be so it's amazing to hear our guests left feeling the same way. As for Austin, I can't say enough about how easy he made this experience for us. He always replied to my emails quickly and never seemed to be annoyed with my endless questions! He organizes events professionally, and I had never planned a wedding before, but he walked us through each step in our year-long process and never made us feel like we were just another wedding. And he will go above and beyond his job description if necessary! I highly recommend booking your wedding at Asbury Hall. I have no doubt your big day will be as perfect as ours was. read more