A.M. D.
Yelp
Went to Broadberry for the first time Saturday night. I believe it's only been open a year now. Here are my observations, as well as info I would have liked to have known...
Some have mentioned the Broadberry is across from the Science Museum and DMV. It's actually a few blocks further down W. Broad Street... across from the CVS & McDonald's... very near the Broad & Boulevard intersection.
As you might expect, the parking lot is fairly small so most people park on the side streets in the Fan (Mulberry, Grace, Robinson, etc.). I understand some people park in the Children's Museum parking lot across the street too.
You can purchase your tickets online or at the door. When you purchase online, you pay a $3+ per ticket service fee. When you buy at the door, there is no service fee. But the price works out almost the same, since the cost to buy at the door on the day of the concert is a $4-$5 more.
The most expensive way to buy tickets is online on the day of the concert, because you'd be paying an online service fee PLUS the day-of-concert markup. Not smart... unless you anticipate the concert selling out (most don't).
I purchased my tickets online a couple days before the concert, not knowing for certain if I'd be going. Had I known there is no "service fee" for tickets purchased at the door, I would have waited and bought my ticket there. The total cost of tickets would have been about the same and if I couldn't go to the concert, I wouldn't be out any money.
As mentioned, the only time it makes sense to "maybe" buy tickets online is if you're fairly certain the concert will sell out. The bouncer at the Broadberry told me concerts seldom sell out, so odds are you'll be fine to buy your ticket at the door.
I'm not sure of the capacity of The Broadberry, but I'm guessing 200-300. As concert venues go, it's not that big of a place... sort of shaped like a tunnel... just 30-45 ft wide w/ a raised ceiling. The small stage is at the far end of "the tunnel" ... as are the restrooms.
If you're coming to The Broadberry, plan to stand all night because there's only seating for maybe 50 people max, nearly all of it near the entrance, far from the stage (see diagram below). All seats & tables are back near the bar, and a few more along the raised area that runs the length of the "tunnel" on one side. (I believe the raised section is sometimes referred to as the VIP area, though it seemed to be open to anyone the night I was there.)
The bar has two large screen TVs showing the band performing, which is nice... you don't miss anything when picking up a drink or hanging out at the bar.
Someone posted the bar pricing for beers & wine. I ordered a vodka tonic and it was $6. Came in a short plastic cup with lots of ice. Not a great deal, but probably about average for downtown. Service at the bar was quick & friendly. I saw on the menu board a 9-inch pizza for $6. I didn't order one, but sounds like a pretty good deal.
The complimentary self-serve iced-water dispenser at the end of the bar (complete with large plastic cups) is a nice, classy touch! Band merchandise is sold on tables nearby in the main entrance/ patio area.
I didn't go on the patio. Mostly smokers out there, but looked nice.
As a couple people have mentioned here, the patrons at The Broadberry tend to skew older. When I was there, the demographic appeared to be mostly 40s-60s! I was quite surprised... especially since it was a late performance. I suspect many/most of the patrons live in the Fan. Just guessing.
The night I was there, it seemed like it was about 60% men and attire appeared to be mostly jeans and T-shirts. Saw a few guys in shorts. Some in collar shirts, but not many. As the evening wears on, you'll likely be bumped into periodically by drunk patrons moving/staggering through the crowd on their way to get another drink or to use the restrooms, which are oddly located next to the stage.
Acoustics at The Broadberry are pretty good and, given the relatively small size of the venue, you see the band easily even from way back in the bar area. I thought I might need to bring ear plugs, but as it turned out, the sound wasn't too loud... just right... though I assume that may differ to some extent, based on who's performing.
I think there's a dance floor in front of the stage, but as near as I can tell, it's not used for dancing except maybe by patrons who happen to be standing on it.
The first band typically starts at 8 or 9 pm, and the headliner band doesn't start until about 10 or 10:30 and wraps up around midnight. Doors don't open until one hour before the first band.
I'll upload a crude sketch I did of The Broadberry layout. I'm not an architect or engineer -- nor do I play one on TV -- but hopefully this will provide some idea of what to expect. I liked The Broadberry more than I thought I would, though standing for 3-4 hours is tricky... especially if you're on a date.