by Brian N. on I came here to see one of my favorite bands, Little Dragon, perform on 23 Mar 10. I had never been here before, and was hoping for an intimate-type venue to see them perform. I could not have been more pleased... well, unless Yukimi Nagano pointed me out as she sang "Forever." I think I did catch her eye for like 10 seconds though, and possibly a wink as well. I just wanted to go up on stage and hug her until she disappeared into my chest and arms. Anyway, the show was only $12 ($5 cheaper than the two spots she was playing in NY) and i was able to prepay via http://Ticketfly.comusing the will call online earlier in the day. I drove out that night and missed the opening act, but I got what I came for. Johnny Brenda's is right on the corner of Frankford and Girard - so easy to find. Finding parking in the area was pretty easy as well. I parked about a block away on the street, and I saw others that parked in a seemingly free lot right up the block on Frankford as well. So I walk in the joint (there is wheelchair access) and am on the upper level, where there is a bar (maybe a pool table?) but this isn't the music venue area. so I take a walk down the steps and see a sign on the wall telling the time of the performances. I round the corner where the guy takes your money, tell him I'm on will call, he looks up my name, stamps me in. Actually a nice dude. I walk in, nice spot, all old wood, a lot of old school charm. I was thinking it would be a shame if they ever tore this spot down, it feels like it has a lot of history. I was also thinking I'd love to live here, but I'm kinda weird nostalgic . So, I walk through, past the bar, to the small room with a little stage. I was loving it already. I was so comfortably close to the stage, and Yukimi's awesome vibe, I may or may not have gotten a li'l choked up... Anyway, there is a balcony that wraps all the way around the stage. I didn't go up there, but I'm sure it feels like you could almost reach out and touch the performers. I would come here to see any performer I loved, and recommend the same to anyone else. I ordered a Long Island Ice Tea - $8 and pretty weak. That's my only negative. So, if you see someone you love performing here, and you can get here, then get here. You won't regret it.
