Lower Merion Music Hall Promises to Bring Top Acts to the Main Line

This fall, Ardmore is getting a new concert venue that promises to attract some of the hottest acts in music to the Main Line.

In September, The Ardmore Music Hall will open its doors for the first time at 23 E. Lancaster Avenue—the former home of Brownies 23 East.

The new venue is a joint venture between booking agent Bryan Dilworth, Richard Kardon of Point Entertainment, and erstwhile Brownies owner Joe Rufo—a trio that, between its members, possesses expertise in three different components of the business.

The name on the front of the building isn’t the only makeover the space is getting. According to Rufo, the facility will boast, "improved stage and customer seating for better sight lines, sound upgrades, a whole new ambiance, and a diverse selection of craft beers.”

“It’s amazing to see what this is becoming,” he added.

The music hall will be able to fit as many as 600 concertgoers; a capacity that, based on the three acts that have already been booked, may be tested early.

While earlier shows will be announced over the summer, Johnny Winter has been signed to perform on November 8, with The Clarks lined up to play the following weekend, and bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers scheduled for November 22.

While suburban concert venues like the forthcoming music hall are something of a rarity, Dilworth says that they shouldn’t be: it makes good business sense to bring the product closer to its consumers.

“So much of the audience that you find at a typical concert live in the suburbs, so it only makes sense to bring the mountain to Mohammed,” the booking company president said.

The venue’s history backs up its new owner’s assertion. When it was known as the 23 East Cabaret, the space hosted acts like Phish, Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Dave Mathews Band, Blues Traveler, Hootie & The Blowfish, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, while, as Brownie’s 23 East, it brought in Cheap Trick, Los Lobos, The Cherry Poppin Daddys, and Merle Saunders.

“One of the things that we're most excited about is that we know that the audience is there,” added Kardon.

“Currently, folks on the Main Line have to drive 30 to 45 minutes to see great live music; now it’ll be in their backyard.”

The Ardmore Music Hall will open in September at 23 E. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore. For ticket information, you can contact the venue at 610-649-8389 or visit its soon-to-launch website at ardmoremusichall.com.