The Music. The People. The Experience.
Buffalo's iconic 800-capacity live music venue, tucked into the heart of historic Black Rock since the silent-film era.
Next On Stage
A Buffalo
landmarksince 1911.
Originally the Try-It Theatre, then the Unity, now The Showplace — this Grant Street stage has been Black Rock's beating heart for over a century.
From silent films to Goo Goo Dolls, Fall Out Boy to Lil Jon, we've hosted the artists who shape pop culture — and the locals who built this city.
Our Story →Who's Played Here
Your event,our stage.
Weddings, corporate events, private concerts, fundraisers — The Showplace's full bar, balcony lounge, pro lighting, and 800-person capacity make it Buffalo's most flexible event space.
Request a Booking →Upcomingshows.
Buffalo's iconicmusic venue.
Thehistory.
Back in 1911, when silent films and the new "talkies" packed houses across America, a theater on Grant Street drew crowds nightly. Originally called the Try-It, later the Unity Theatre, it was the social hub of Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood — running strong right up to the early '90s.
In 1993, the late Peter Goretti reinvented the space as a concert venue, drawing acts that would go on to define a generation: Goo Goo Dolls, Tragically Hip, Godsmack, Smash Mouth, Incubus, Fall Out Boy, Vanilla Ice, Ratt, Johnny Winter — and so many more.
Therebirth.
In 2009, Joe "Roxbury" Breidenstein took over the empty building with one goal: bring The Showplace back to its rightful place as Buffalo's premier music venue.
Over five years, his team at the Glass Block Guys totally remodeled the space — adding an upper balcony lounge, full main-floor bar, professional lighting and sound, and brand-new restrooms. Capacity now exceeds 800.
Today, The Showplace is part of the Buffalo Rising — a venue built by locals, for locals, hosting national talent in a room that breathes a century of music history.
An icon in Buffalo.A canvas for your event.
More thana venue.
The Showplace Theater is more than a venue — it's a landmark. For decades, it has been a cornerstone of Buffalo's live entertainment culture, hosting unforgettable performances and high-energy gatherings inside a space that feels both intimate and electric.
When you rent The Showplace, you are stepping into a room that already carries momentum. Whether you're producing a ticketed concert, launching a brand, filming a production, hosting a private celebration, or organizing a corporate event, the theater offers a setting that elevates the experience before the first guest walks through the door.
Thefloorplan.
The architecture of The Showplace Theater creates a dynamic and immersive environment. The main floor opens toward an elevated stage platform designed to anchor attention and maximize sightlines. The unique angles of the room contribute to strong acoustics and an enveloping atmosphere — performers and presenters connect naturally with their audience.
The space can operate as a standing-room concert hall, a seated theater layout for presentations or screenings, or open cocktail-style flow for receptions while maintaining focal attention on the stage.
Designed for
live production.
The Showplace Theater was built for performance. The elevated stage creates natural separation between performer and audience while maintaining intimacy. Power distribution, lighting integration, and sound support can be tailored to match your event's technical needs.
Load-in and load-out are straightforward, and the venue's back-of-house areas provide functional support for talent, production crews, and event staff. From minimal PA setups for speaking engagements to full-scale live music productions — the space adapts.
Key Layout Features
- ★ Elevated stage platform
- ★ Central open floor plan
- ★ DJ booth location (45′ × 64′ placement area reference)
- ★ Dual staircase access
- ★ Distinct architectural angles for enhanced acoustics
- ★ Back-of-house support areas
- ★ Flexible floor configuration
- ★ Capacity over 800
Ideal for.
The Showplace has hosted live touring acts, DJ-driven dance events, album release parties, fundraisers, corporate presentations, film shoots, comedy nights, and private celebrations. Its atmosphere lends itself particularly well to events that rely on energy, presence, and audience engagement.
See it beforeyou book it.
We invite you to watch the full video walkthrough to experience the space from the perspective of an attendee and a producer. The walkthrough showcases the scale of the main floor, stage visibility, and the overall energy of the venue.
Seeing the room in motion often makes it clear why The Showplace Theater remains one of Buffalo's most compelling event spaces.
Watch Walkthrough →Requesta date.
InsideThe Showplace.
Full archive on Flickr.
Frequentlyasked.
Reach outlet's make something happen.
Contactour team.
Whether you're a fan looking for event details, an artist hoping to take the stage, or a promoter planning your next big night — we'd love to connect.
The Showplace Theater team is committed to creating unforgettable experiences and building strong connections in Buffalo's vibrant live music community. Send us a message and someone from our team will get back to you shortly.
Who to email.
Tickets, refunds
or order issues?
For everything related to a ticket purchase, our ticketing partner handles it directly:
help@theticketing.coBooking, press
or general questions?
For artists, promoters, rentals, media inquiries, or anything else — reach our team:
info@glassblockguys.comVisitor call.
Address
1065 Grant Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
Black Rock Neighborhood
Phone (716) 877-2200
Social Facebook · Instagram · Flickr
Box Office
Friday & Saturday, 7pm – close
(or by appointment)