Kleinhans Music Hall

Home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, this is a spectacular venue to enjoy classical and contemporary performances. Whether your interest is Beethoven, the Nutcracker, West Side Story, or Saturday Night Fever, they have music performances for any genre.

This was my first time coming here, we came for the Tenderloins comedy group (or as they are more well known as, «Impractical Jokers»). We got to the parking lot early because we wanted to walk down to Allen street to eat dinner. The lot was free and mostly empty 2 hours before the show, so we got a decent spot.
Inside the doors they have a coat check room and across from where you enter the theater they had a bar set up, serving beer, wine and some liquor. I asked if they could make a amaretto sour, they didn’t have sour mix. I went with a rum and coke instead, they could do that. My husband got a Stella beer and on a dare from me ordered it at the bar bellowing out, «STELLLLLLLLLA» while raising his fists in the air. I love that man. We went to find the «VIP» table because I bought the really good seats in the third row and they came with some VIP package. The package made us literally laugh out loud. The VIP bag was a tote bag with a beer cozy and an autographed poster. Oh, yes, exactly what middle aged people dream about! Anyhow, the theater…
The seats are awesome! They are built for the Buffalo extra wide audience. Very comfortable and lots of leg room. It’s a rare delight to be in a theater and have the seats be this comfortable.
We really enjoyed the show, there was only one glaring problem and it had nothing to do with the theater or the performers. It was the vapid, narcissistic woman who was seated in front of us. I noticed when we sat down she was doing lots of selfies. No big deal, I figured she would quit soon. Except she didn’t, she didn’t stop at all during the show. For two hours straight she interrupted our enjoyment of the show because of her endless showboating and trying to pose in all kinds of ways while capturing it with her cell phone. It was disgusting. That woman needs therapy, a LOT of therapy. It’s not normal or healthy to take that many pictures of yourself. I suppose I could have gotten an usher and complained about this woman’s behavior. Part of me felt bad for her because she didn’t look that young, at least in her 30’s and that is way too damn old to still be talking selfies.
I look forward to coming back here again sometime, it’s a lovely theater!

Gorgeous interior,
great acoustics,
This is a real gem of a building by
father and son architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen.
We saw Bluebeard with the Chihuly glass sculpture stage set,
and it was like, «Wow!»
Amazing.

I’ve decided that I love Kleinhan’s! Imagine my surprise when I went to wedge my behind in the seat and alas nothing needed to wedge. The seat was plenty big for my curvy carcass! Yes!!! +2 stars (this was a very big deal, compared to Shea’s narrow seats that made me so uncomfortable for 2+ hours!)
Then, once seated (on the aisle, yay!) I had a great view of the show! Is there a bad seat here? I’ve had seats in the balcony on most visits in the past and the view was still good! +1.5
The excellent acoustics (+1.5) added to the enjoyment of the concert– Il Volo with the BPO. Il Volo is like the young version of The Three Tenors. I just love those 3 boys and their exquisite voices! It was such an enjoyable show– the performance, the view, and the spacious seats!
The show started at 8pm and my mom and I got down there around 7:20pm. There was no lot parking available. We had to park down Jersey Street, near Fargo. My iPhone map app indicated that it was an 8 minute walk to the amphitheater. That seemed about right. I didn’t have a problem with the walk, but my elderly mother was not wild about it. Minus 1 star!
It’d be great if valet parking was available. My mom said she would pay even $ 20 to have the car parked and to not have to walk. That’s something even for the BPO to consider with fundraising efforts. 90% of the crowd was 60+ and I can’t imagine that many of them were wild about having to park and walk in either. A valet would be a GREAT amenity at this concert venue.
Regardless of parking issues, I’m so glad I was reacquainted with Kleinhan’s for a wonderful concert and my 600^th review! I will be back!

It is hard to believe that this large music hall has very little parking. I finally found a parking spot and it took me 20 minutes to walk there. Not much fun when you are handicapped. From what I see there is not a bad seat in the house. even a little height impaired red head would have no trouble seeing the show. The seats are spacious and comfortable which is great for me since I am able to stretch out mt right leg which is painful at this point due to a long walk. Wish I could take a few pictures, no flash, but as soon as someone pulls out a camera or even a phone they are swarmed upon by the ushers. The acoustics are great which makes it for a more memorable occasion.

Did you know Kleinhan’s is one of the most acoustically sound theaters in the world? See what I did there? Acoustically sound?
Ok, in all seriousness, Kleinhan’s is a great place to catch a seminar, a symposium or the best — catch the Buffalo Philharmonic performing a show. Enjoy this acoustical gem every chance you get!

Acoustically, the KMH bellows with Bose-​like fervor, showering the seated masses with clear, booming sound.
Technically, there are kinks to be worked out. My cousin’s graduation was held here, and I’ll be damned if the speakers didn’t squeal no less than half a dozen times due to minor feedback issue. If you’re a music hall, then have the on-​staff expertise to man a board during any ceremony. It only makes sense to boast your venue’s potential.
Aesthetically, you’re transported to the horrific 70s/​80s transitional period, where hippies discovered blow and decided to geometrically assess their acid trips. It feels, and looks, like someone is blowing a brick and mortar bubble in a bowling alley. Minus the blacklight and horrific nachos.
Germanically, it’s Kleinhans, yah?
Would be a four save the inescapable fact that the planners decided a sizable music hall would serve the public well with a 40 car parking lot in a city lousy in public transportation. Raze some lots, and raise some lots dammit!

So I finally came back to one of my favorite architectures in Buffalo for a Graduation. The first time I came here was probably back when I was in grammar school, and then two years ago for different graduation. I just love the inside of this hall, especially the lights and the stage is so beautifully designed. Its very spacious inside the main stage, but when there is a crowd like there is during a graduation it can get a bit annoying trying to get out. Well, it happens in every hall so that isn’t a big deal. I never attended any concerts here, but I heard they were good so I will have to check it out one day. I really the downstairs area, and the bathrooms are very nice and spacious. I have never been to the bar area, or even know where it is but I will have to try that too.

This place is great for fundraising events and concerts equally. There is plenty of space and parking. The downstairs has a bar and lounge with big restrooms. The acoustics in the concert hall are exceptional, and staff are more than happy to help with any questions.

Came here for «Buffalo Babel» to hear Julia Alvarez. What a great facility! I had forgotten how terrific it was, it’s been many years since I have been here. The acoustics here are remarkable. I can’t wait to come back for a live music show. (And its a very small intimate venue, which can be alot of fun with the right show.) I put the wiki link below which i just looked up, I gather this is a worldwide known space due to its acoustics.
Downstairs reception area, very nice, great bar staff, good finger type food. Tables were available and easy to find a seat, which to eat is always nice.
Our theater seats were comfortable and spacing was good.
Upstairs there was easy «check in» for tickets and seating. There were a few tables with people selling goods as well. I thought that was nicely and tastefully done, but assume there are not always vendors here.
The parking lot in front is huge, and there is a bigger one next door. The parking attendants are good and understand their job, which, personally I think is great, they are able to get as many cars in as possible without difficulty.
I look forward to more events here.

I have attended many a concert at the Hall when I lived in town — Having lived out of town for 22 years, traveling around the US and elsewhere, I have always been astounded by the quality of Kleinhans, a fact I took for granted when I lived here. I just had no basis of comparison.
The girl, my cousin and I were fortunate to attend a Jon Anderson /​Rick Wakeman concert at Kleinhans a short while ago.
Parking easily in the large lot, we retrieved our will-​call ticks quickly. The audience for this show were older, a bit tipsy, maybe kinda stoned… who knows, yet the ushers and staff were polite, helpful and very kind!
Bars were set up, temporary tables in the main lobby … staffed by The Friends of the Philharmonic. Very nice older ladies and gents, who dispensed heavy pours, for about $ 5-​$ 6! Alright… we helped to fund the venue quite a bit that night…
We are big Prog-​Rock people, but nothing prepared us for the sweet beauty of Jon’s voice as it carried through the hall, enriched by the natural acoustics (a mix of Reverberation, absorption and diffusion… wood, structure and ceiling). Ohhh how perfect they sounded, Nothing was over the top … l I had, (and many in my view) tears in my eyes during certain songs. We sat in the 1^st balcony and saw the show perfectly, and of course the sound was exceptional, remarkable!
The acoustics were engineered in 1936 on the perfect unchanged violin (mid-​high to high) wave lengths carried to the upper balcony.
Today, as in the 1940’s, world famous composers, directors and performers marvel at the sound of Kleinhans, which is considered one of the most acoustically perfect halls in the world… see a show here my friends!
We are extremely lucky to still have the famous 2,800 seat Kleinhans music hall open in a city that is at very very best a «mid-​market». This venue, as well as a fine philharmonic orchestra, is what lures world class conductors (Tilson-​Thomas) and acts to engage our city! I know that KMH is a hallmark of the greatness of Buffalo NY!, and at times is a serious draw to tourists who seek the best concert venue!
It is not a façade or a brass plaque. Not a photo or a story told by an old-timer.Not a few chairs in the historical museum or on EBay. It is a real, living facility… remember those???
This jewel of of our glorious past IS STILL HERE, and needs to survive. She needs us all to attend… anything…to keep her grandeur alive and well for generations to come! Our diamond in the ruff.
Love it, cherish it, attend it to keep it.
Sorry for the righteous drama friends, very out of character.
Peace
Want More –See Wikipedia:
Kleinhans Music Hall was officially opened on October 12, 1940. The building was designed by Eliel Saarinen with his son, Eero Saarinen and «was recognized as one of the greatest concert halls ever built in the United States». It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Four months after the city was rocked by the Buffalo riot, on November 10, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King visited Kleinhans and in a speech titled «The Future of Integration» before about 2,500 persons and sponsored by the Graduate Student Association at the University at Buffalo proclaimed: «We are moving toward the day when we will judge a man by his character and ability instead of by the color of his skin»)
Sorry to get so historyish!

This place is a great place to see live arts. They hosts a variety of music artists and special speaking events and the ticket pricing is reasonable.
The architecture here is simple but beautiful. Kleinhans Music Hall is designated as a National Historic Site.
I saw CNN anchor Soledad O’brien speak here as part of the UB Distinguished speakers series and was very impressed with the professional stage set up to modify the space. I will be back to see a show here in the future. With headline acts like Death Cab for Cutie and the Babel Writer’s series hosted here, you’d be hard pressed to find a reason to not check out this Allentown institution.