Buffalo City Hall Hitting Nightclubs With Massive Operating Fees

For many years, Buffalo and Western New York were hot spots when it came to nightlife. With a 4 a.m. last call and closing time, people in the 716 could party the night away at clubs and bars night after night.

The COVID-19 Pandemic put a chill on that activity for several years, but since we've come out of that global health crisis, Buffalo has seen some of its nightlife come back. You don't have to look much further than our record year for concerts, events, and shows.

Just about every time you turn around, a new show with a great artist is announced, and that, of course, brings more people out around the town, which means more money for the local economy's bottom line.

However, we know it's not all sunshine and rainbows in the entertainment industry, and several places have had a hard time keeping their doors open. Whether it's high operating costs or street violence that continues to plague our city and subsequently reaches inside of businesses, many entertainment venues are struggling.

Given this environment, you would think that the local government would be helping businesses operate more easily in New York State's second-largest city, but according to a report from Investigative Post, the exact opposite is happening.

The City of Buffalo Charter, the legal codes that govern the operation of the city, contains a seldom enforced rule that allows the city government to charge entertainment businesses costly fees to provide "Amusements."

It appears that city officials have suddenly decided to begin enforcing these charges, which have the potential to cost some city entertainment venues hundreds of thousands of dollars. Venue owners weren't the only ones caught by surprise; many members of the Buffalo Common Council were also caught off guard by this.

For the purpose of providing for the regulation and licensing of theatrical, dramatic and operatic entertainments, shows, amusements, field games and public exhibitions of every kind intended to amuse, instruct or entertain, where such entertainments, shows, amusements, games and exhibitions are given for gain or for admission to which a fee is charged, such entertainments, shows, amusements, games and exhibitions...
-City of Buffalo Charter, Part II, General Legislation, Chapter 75 Amusements

The Charter's text clearly states exactly what type of event requires an Amusement License. The Investigative Post reports that only music venues like nightclubs and concert halls received the fee notice and nothing at other venues like theaters. Do these fees just apply to concerts or to any ticketed event?

If a venue does pay the fee, the amount varies based on the ticketed admission price, which can range from $55 to $350 per event.

What happens next depends on the Buffalo Common Council. While they cannot stop the enforcement of the current fees as they are already law, the Council can change the law. We'll need to wait and see what they decide to do.

5 Nightclubs Western New York Would Love To See Come Back

For years, Buffalo has had many unique and unforgettable spots to party at, and with Erie County having a 4 a.m. last call time, along with our proximity to Toronto, WNY has had the benefit of a very active nightlife for many years.

Gallery Credit: Ed Nice