Our Story
Located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theater District, Babeville is a multi-use facility devoted to the arts—but it almost didn’t exist at all. The 19th century Gothic Revival-style church was rescued from the wrecking ball and renovated by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco and Scot Fisher in a process that took more than 10 years and cost more than $10 million of private and public funds. The end result is a building that has been praised by music fans, preservationists, and art lovers alike.
Babeville is not just one venue but many. Asbury Hall (1200 capacity) is an open-floor hall with 45-foot-high ceilings, state-of-the-art sound, and balcony seating; the space can be configured in any number of ways to accommodate a wide range of events from weddings and bar mitzvahs to fundraisers to full-on rock shows. Upon its opening, the Buffalo News proclaimed it “one of the most graceful and intimate concert venues in Buffalo.” The Ninth Ward (150 capacity) is a subterranean bar that makes a great listening room and is ideal for smaller concerts and performances. The building also houses Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, itself encompassing an art gallery and 80-seat screening room. Behind the scenes, there are two dressing rooms, a production office, a lounge area, a loading dock, and separate bathrooms and showers for crews. On any given night, Babeville can play host to multiple events—and multiple audiences—simultaneously.
