Dave Hill in Buffalo

About Dave Hill

Dave Hill is a comedian and musician from Cleveland who somehow makes it work despite—or because of—the fact that his comedy-rock songs are genuinely awkward. His appeal hinges on commitment to the bit: he'll spend four minutes on a song about how he's a "chick magnet" delivered with such sincere delusion that you're not sure if he's in on the joke. He's also legitimately talented at guitar, which makes the whole thing land differently than if he were just a punchline. Hill has appeared on shows like "Chewed Up" and built a following partly through being the guy who shows up to comedy venues and pulls out an actual instrument. His songs operate in that sweet spot between "this is dumb" and "wait, this is kind of catchy," which seems to be exactly where he wants to be. He doesn't take himself seriously, but he takes the craft of being ridiculous seriously.

His crowds are half-laughing, half-grooving. People don't know whether to clap or laugh at the end of songs. He's self-deprecating enough that the room feels in on it together, which keeps things from feeling mean-spirited. Mostly people leave having heard guitar work they didn't expect from a comedy show.

Known for Chick Magnet, Party Boobies, When My Body Meets Your Body, Craigslist

Dave Hill + Buffalo

Dave Hill has developed a genuine rapport with Buffalo audiences over the years. His most recent visit came in March 2024 at The Cave, where he delivered the kind of show that reminds you why he's built such a devoted following. He moved through his catalog with ease, hitting familiar territory while keeping things loose enough that you never quite knew what was coming next. The Cave crowd was clearly there for it—the kind of intimate venue where Hill's deadpan delivery and sharp observations land differently than they would in a larger room. These kinds of shows are what keep him coming back to places like Buffalo.

Dave Hill in Buffalo News

• Suzanne Riley Obituary - Arlington Heights, IL Dignity Memorial · Sep 25, 2025
• Buffalo Tom reissuing 'Birdbrain,' 'Let Me Come Over' & 'Big Red Letter Day' on vinyl, hosting mini-fest BrooklynVegan · Sep 19, 2024
• Your Guide to The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival + Summer Comedy Events at The National Comedy Center Step Out Buffalo · Jul 22, 2024
• Boston’s beloved Buffalo Tom comes roaming back with new material Boston.com · Jun 27, 2024
• Minnesota's 'we can' attitude at 1991 U.S. Open gave us big-time tournaments in return Star Tribune · Jul 13, 2021

Live Music in Buffalo

Buffalo's music scene has always had a soft spot for comedians who treat their craft like musicians treat theirs. Hill fits into that lineage—someone who understands timing, rhythm, and how to build tension in a room the way a good band does. The city's venues, from smaller clubs to mid-sized theaters, have supported the kind of intelligent, unconventional comedy that Hill practices. It's an audience that doesn't need everything explained or wrapped up neatly, which suits his approach perfectly.

Buffalo road trip to see Dave Hill?

Stay in Allentown, where the neighborhood's Victorian architecture and walkable blocks of galleries, vintage shops, and bars feel genuinely lived-in. Dinner at Sear should be priority—chef Jeremy Boyle's locally-sourced approach is legitimately ambitious without the pretense. Catch the contemporary art at Albright-Knox (their recent renovations are worth your time), then spend an evening at one of the neighborhood's dive bars like The Owl that still feels like actual people hang there, not tourists.