Philadelphia Area Venues
Bookspace
Brownie’s 23 East
Chameleon Club
Crocodile Rock
Electric Factory
Johnny Brenda’s
Khyber
Kung Fu Necktie
North Star Bar
R5 Productions
Sellersville Theater
Silk City
Starland Ballroom
The Barbary
The Grape Room
The Keswick Theater
The Manhattan Room
Milkboy Coffee
Milkboy Philly
The Note
The Starlight Ballroom
The Trocadero
Theatre of the Living Arts
Tin Angel
Union Transfer
World Café Live
Philadelphia Area Venues
Bookspace
Capacity: Probably around 200
Age of Shows: All ages I believe
Layout: The stage is in the middle of a used book warehouse. It makes for an interesting environment.
Comments: I’ve been to one show here and it was filled with card carrying hipsters. I was told they book up quite fast and do most of their booking through promoters. One really neat aspect is that it’s BYOB. You can bring your own beer, or your drink of choice, into the venue.
Brownie’s 23 East
Capacity: I don’t know the capacity but I’d guess 300, as it is a fairly decent size bar.
Age of Shows: 21+ (It’s a bar that brings in live music)
Layout: This is a bar. The Stage is on the right hand side of the room, midway through the building. The bar area stretches across the left hand side of the room and there is a small seated area in the front right corner of the room which you can easily see the stage from. There is a balcony, but I’ve never been up there.
Smoking: non-smoking
Genres: Mostly rock.
Booking: Email: owner [at] brownies23east [dot] com with the subject “Band Inquiries”
Comments: It is located in the Ardmore, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia that is easily accessible via public transportation. There are a ton of colleges in the area including Villanova and St. Joe’s.
The Chameleon Club
*Main Venue
Capacity: Not sure, I would think around 800.
Age of shows: Mostly all ages
Layout: 3 story venue. Main floor is your typical space with stage at the front, bar along the back of the left side. Merch is set up across the bar, no permanent structure. 2nd floor is a balcony that is wrapped along the back and all the left side. There is a bar at the back that has an outside section, although you can only see the stage from inside. 3rd floor is small in the back. The all ages/21+ areas are determined by the show. Usually the all ages section is the main floor and can be extended to the balconies. I went to one show with 21+ on the main floor and hardly any merch was sold.
Smoking: No Smoking
Genre: Mainly rock
Curfew: All age shows Sunday-Thursday must be done by 10 pm, Fri/Sat they may run until midnight although 11 pm is more normal a finishing time. Any shows 18 and up or 21 and up may run until 2 am any day of the week.
Comments: This venue is in Lancaster, PA, 1.5 hours away from Philadelphia. They send out semi regular emails with upcoming shows. They are part of SLP concerts.
*Lizard Lounge (Small Venue)
Capacity: Not sure, probably under 200 Age of shows: Can be either 21+ or all ages
Layout: 2 rooms with a bar in the middle. Half the bar is in the room with venue. Nothing noteworthy about this venue. Basement show probably describes it best.
The Crocodile Rock (AKA Croc Rock)
*Main Venue
Capacity: 1300 Age of shows: all ages
Layout: Room split into 2 parts. The main area is directly in front of the stage. It’s standing only and all ages. The 2nd is 21+, which is along the right side with a bar and the back with a bar. A metal barricade separates the sections. The back leads into another bar that is connected to the venue and a pizza place. They will shrink the size of the 21+ area depending on the show. Along the left side, there are garage doors they can open when it’s hot.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Mainly rock
Comments: This venue is in Allentown, PA, just over an 1 hour away from Philadelphia. I’m not a fan of this venue. I’ve heard stories about payment issues to the bands, the sound sucks and I would be surprise if they don’t push the legal capacity when they can. Merch is usually sold at the front of the venue in the all ages section. They send out a weekly email with upcoming shows. They are part of SLP concerts.
*Café Under (Small Venue) Unsure of specs, probably a basement show.
Electric Factory
Capacity: 2,500 Age of shows: all ages
Layout: Former warehouse turned into a venue. The balcony holds the 21+ area. It is along the back and right hand side of the venue with stools. The back section is tiered and switches between all ages and 21+ depending on demographic. The right hand side has 2 levels for viewing. When the show is under 1,000, the balcony is closed the 21+ bar section is moved to the right side of the stage. Usually they had a couple bleachers for sitting.
Smoking: non-smoking
Genre: Everything, this venue is the largest in the area until you get to amphitheaters, theaters and stadiums.
Comments: Numerous live concert DVDs have been shot here. There are tv screens around the venue to broadcast the show. They send out a weekly email with upcoming shows.
Johnny Brenda’s
Capacity: Probably around 300 Age of shows: 21+
Layout: One of the most interesting venues I’ve been to. The 1st floor is a Bar/restaurant and the venue is on 2nd with another bar. There is a balcony overlooking the stage. The sound system was very good. They pride themselves on their sound system.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Everything
Comments: The downstairs restaurant is kinda hipster but the food is good and they have a great beer selection.
Booking: http://www.johnnybrendas.com/contact.php
Khyber
NOTE: The Khyber is no longer a venue
Kung Fu Necktie
Capacity: 100 Age of Shows: 21+
Layout: Revamped bar. Never been.
Smoking: Probably not.
Comments: A lot of their shows are booked through R5 Productions.
Booking: booking (at) kungfunecktie (dot) com Please do not continue to email us in regards to whether or not we received a demo or an email concerning your band. If we dig your stuff, we will contact you about playing on a bill.
North Star Bar
Capacity: about 350 Age of shows: Shows can be either all ages or 21+. For all ages, over 21 can go to the bar in the other section and get back into the venue.
Layout: There are 2 parts to this venue, the bar side and the venue side. The venue is the width of a standard row home and has two levels. The floor of the lower level slants towards the stage for easier viewing. The balcony looks over the stage and holds only a couple rows of people.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: Weekly email with upcoming shows and active tweeter account. Highlights of the schedule are attached to the weekly Electric Factory email. They have a great beer selection and good to great food selection.
R5 Productions
Comments: This is an independent concert promoter who puts on shows in a few different venues around the city and suburbs. They have a very good following where people will go to a show because they trust the promoters taste. According to their website, they normally have 5-6 shows a month where they can add an opening band. They do a lot of punkish shows, but do everything under the sun. First Unitarian Church, Kung Fu Necktie, The Trocadero, Starlight Ballroom, Johnny Brenda’s and the Barbary are the most used venues.
Booking:
If you are a local or touring band looking to play out please send links to any recorded material to : bands at r5productions.com (please do not send MP3s – only send the links to the music, not the actual files. Sending us a myspace page is the easiest!).
Sellersville Theater
Capacity: Around 340 Age of Shows: All Ages but can have an age restriction based on content of show.
Layout: Old Theater with assigned seating. The room is narrow (14 seats wide) and long (21 rows deep).
Smoking: No Smoking
Comments: Sellersville is roughly an hour away from Philadelphia.
SILK City
Unsure of specs
Starland Ballroom
Capacity: From their website: “It depends on how many tickets sell. Starland’s capacity is expandable depending on the show, ticket demand, etc. Some shows may be more populated than others, though it’s Starland’s goal to consistently provide a comfortable concert experience. “ Age of Shows: All ages with ability to restrict if necessary.
Layout: GA standing room. 21+ are have their own section to drink. I’ve never been to this venue, so I can’t speak to specifics.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: Located in Sayreville, NJ, which roughly 1.5 hours from Philadelphia
The Barbary
Capacity: Probably around 200 Age of Shows: All Ages
Layout: Stage on the first floor that is GA standing. When the show is sold out, it’s a tight squeeze but makes for good energy. The second floor has the bar/food that is decently priced.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: Book through R5 a good deal. Booking: No info on their website.
The Grape Room
Capacity: 150 downstairs // 55 upstairs Age of Shows: 21+
Layout: It’s a decent sized room with a bar in the middle. The stage is to one corner.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: I’ve never been upstairs so I can’t comment. This venue is located just off Main Street in Manayunk. It’s highly populated with 20 somethings currently in or under 10 years out from college.
Booking: They give a lot of great information on their website, so instead of copying and pasting, please refer to the link above and click on “Booking”. They do have a clause for lack of promotion by the band.
The Keswick Theater
Capacity: 1300 Age of shows: all ages
Layout: Old theater with seating only.
Smoking: non-smoking
Genre: Mainly more of the folk/adult contemporary bands, but louder bands do play here. This venue is in the suburbs just outside of Philly. Tends to draw an older crowd, but the likes of Hanson and David Cook have played here.
The Manhattan Room (AKA The M-Room)
Capacity: Around 150 (guess) Age: 21 +
Layout: The entrance is through the bar. The room is long and narrow. The only show I attended only had 10 people, so I can’t comment You walk through the main doors into a bar/restaurant and then pay for the show entry at a set of double doors within the venue. This way people can enter the building without the intent of going to the show, but hear something they like and go in. The room a fairly small, standing room, with a few cocktail style tables and bar stools.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Mixed, but a lot of local rock and singer song writer sounds will be heard here.
Comments: This venue has a great sound system; for a smaller place the sound is great.
Booking: Email joe [at] villagegreenproductions [dot] net. Please include a brief bio and a link to your website or myspace page in your request. They want you to give EXACT dates you are looking to book a show.
Milkboy
Capacity: 104 seated or 200 standing room
Age of shows: all ages (this is a coffee house, NOT a bar)
Layout: One stage, which is small but can fit an entire band with a little room to spare.
Smoking: No smoking
Genre: Typically coffee house type genres such as jazz, folk and singer song writer. They have had full bands play here, although might have been acoustic.
Comments: This venue is in Ardmore, a suburb of Philadelphia, and in a highly populated college area. They have a 2nd venue in Bryn Mawr, a neighboring suburb, which I’ve never been to. They have a second venue located in Bryn Mawr. I have never been here, but I would assume it’s similar to this one.
Booking: http://milkboycoffee.com/home/contact/
Milkboy Philly
Capacity: Unknown, but I can’t imagine it’s more than 200.
Age of Shows: 21+ for venue, coffee shop below is all agres
Layout: It’s on the 2nd floor of a building above a coffee shop. Standing room only. This is a relatively new venue and I haven’t made it there yet.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Rock, Singer Songwriter, Jazz, etc
Comments: Unlike their Ardmore and Bryn Mawr locations, the venue is in a separate room. I would imagine this allows t
The Note
Capacity: 450 Age of shows: mainly 21+, but does have all ages shows
Layout: Relatively narrow building with 2 levels. The bottom floor has a big bar in the back and there is a smaller bar upstairs. Near the stage there is an open space with standing room. There is some seating near the bar section of the bottom floor. Upstairs there is a balcony for viewing of the show. There are also some couches, but the stage isn’t viewable from this seating option. Depending the show, they change the all ages section. If all ages, the area directly in front the stage is all-ages.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Mainly rock
Comments: This was started by Bam Margera’s (of MTV’s Jackass) although I was told that he no longer is involved. It is located in West Chester, which is a suburb of Philadelphia that is roughly 45 away.
The Starlight Ballroom
Capacity: Unknown Age of Shows: All Ages
Layout: Standing room with a bar center back.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: Most if not all their shows are done through R5 Productions. Booking: http://www.starlight-ballroom.com/contact/
Tin Angel
Capacity: about 115 - a seated listening room (Martha’s fave small venue in Philly) Age of shows: usually 21+ with some all ages shows. For 21+, typically under 21 are welcome to come as long as accompanied by an adult. Individuals may call ahead to be sure their show qualifies for that option.
Layout: Small narrow room with about 12 tables on the left starting directly in front of the stage. There are stools along the right hand side that go from the back of the venue directly next to the stage. After the tables, there are chairs lined up in rows to the back of the venue where the bar is. There is typically 1 bartender and 1 person who walks around during the show for drink orders. Tables are reserved for patrons of the restaurant downstairs. Sometimes not all the tables are reserved so it’s open season when that occurs.
Smoking: No smoking
Genre: Tends to be heavier on the acoustic/small band side. Stephen Kellogg, Curtis Peoples and Pat McGee Band have all played full band here.
Comments: The restaurant, Serrano, downstairs is really good. Wait staff leaves something to be desired typically. Subway stop near venue for easy public transportation, parking is a little difficult for street parking but plenty of garages. There are a bunch of really cute bars, art galleries and restaurants in the area including Italian gelato which is delicious. There is also a club scene and larger bars. Booking: They usually like you to contact them in January or July, go to http://www.tinangel.com/booking.html
Theatre of the Living Arts (AKA TLA)
Capacity: Approximately 800 (may have been pushed around 1,000 with modifications of the building) Age of shows: all ages (must be 21 plus to enter downstairs bar area and upstairs balcony. The 21+ area in the balcony can be shrunk depending on the demographic of the show.
Layout: Old theatre with one stage and only standing room in the all ages area. The floor of the all ages section is sloped towards the stage. 21+ areas and balcony have stools. The balcony is above the bar (left hand corner) and raps to cover the entire back end of the room. The back part of the balcony is tiered with a small lounge in the corner. There are TVs in the both bars to broadcast the shows.
Smoking: non-smoking
Genre: all
Comments: Easily accessible to public transportation and located on South Street (a main street in Philadelphia that tourists often want to visit). This block is lined with restaurants, bars and shops. There have been incidences with the Philadelphia Police and bands at this venue. Parking can be tricky for attendies.
The Trocadero (AKA the Troc)
*Main Venue:
Capacity: 1200 Age of shows: Mainly no age limits, they can do 21+
Layout: It’s an old theater with a balcony that’s usually 21 plus. Everyone choosing to sit in the balcony can see the stage. Standing room only outside of balcony.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: All genres, but a lot of rock.
Comments: Easily accessible to public transit and lots of parking. For this size venue, it’s one of my favorites.
Balcony @ the Trocadero (Upstairs venue):
Capacity: 250 Age of shows: all ages, with a bar in the balcony area of the main venue accessible to 21+
Layout: This area is where the bar is for main venue shows. It’s a small stage but I’ve seen hardcore punk work the space. When it’s sold out the visibility of the stage can be hard unless squished due to recessed floor and pillars. The stage is front right of the room and the bar takes up almost the entire left hand side of the room. They have a 21+ area in the main venue balcony.
Smoking: No Smoking
Genre: mostly rock.
Union Transfer
Capacity: I would guess around 1,000
Genre: Anything and everything
Age of Shows: Varies by show
Layout: Open floor with balcony around both sides and back of the room. Bars are at the back of the main floor and balcony. Raised stage for easy viewing from main floor.
Comments: This venue is great. It’s new and is partially owned by Sean of R5 Productions.
Smoking: No smoking, although they do have a spot outside for those 21+
World Cafe Live
World Café Live is connected to WXPN, which is an independent radio station. World Café, which is aired on NPR is taped in this building.
*Upstairs:
Capacity: Seating for about 120, they let more people in if they stand. Age of shows: No age limits
Layout: Set up cafe style with seating and a bar on one side. It’s set up for shows, so the stage is visible from all seats.
Smoking: No smoking
Comments: Sometimes they booked 2 shows in 1 night. This leads to being rushed out if you’re the first show of the night. This venue is open, meaning people coming in and out of the building are able to see/hear what’s going on. The music is piped throughout the building, both upstairs and downstairs, which allows people not for the show to hear what’s going on. I have gone upstairs to see shows after hearing them over the speakers.
*Downstairs:
Capacity: 660 standing. They changed the room depending on the type of show. Sometimes all sitting, sometimes all standing and sometimes mixed. Age of shows: No age limits
Layout: Open room with bar in the back. There is a small balcony for seating. Stage is raised for easy viewing during standing shows. When all seated, it’s a little cramped for guests.
Smoking: Non-smoking
Genre: Everything
Comments: The acoustics of this venue are very good. They designed it for the purpose of concerts. XPN broadcasts a live weekly concert on Fridays. For every show they at least have a small menu. The size of the menu is dictated by the layout of the venue. Since they have a kitchen, artists much get food from them. I’ve heard this as a complaint. The green room isn’t easily accessible expect from the stage.
