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.