Headliners Announced for Center City Music Venue’s Opening

Market West is getting a new hotspot – a winery, resto, and music venue called (appropriately) City Winery. Born in New York City and with locations in East Coast cities as diverse as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and DC, this establishment has been much-discussed since the chain announced its imminent arrival back in May. Owned by entrepreneur and Knitting Factory co-founder Micheal Dorf, the Philly outpost cost eight million dollars to construct and has been stoking the flames of hype with current news on their Facebook page.

City Winery’s mission is to combine experiences both culinary and cultural. Every sense is tempted and heightened by the combination of home-vintage wine, farm-to-table cuisine, and downhome music, and every customer feels welcomed and a sense of community.

The club has two rooms, which can seat 150 and 350, respectively, so that two concerts can be going on at the same time. The date for opening has been set: September 27th. And who better to entertain the crowd that first night than country harmony expert Emmylou Harris? All proceeds from Harris’ show will be donated to Bonaparte’s Retreat, a dog-rescue organization based out of Nashville.

There’s plenty more excitement to come. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

On Sept. 28, it’s the John Darnielle-fronted Mountain Goats, the favorites of Stephen Colbert whose members include home grown drummer and comedian Jon Wurster and whose new album In League With Dragons is inspired by super nerdy board game Dungeons & Dragons.

The next night’s headliner is Josh Ritter, the Idahoan songwriter who released one of the strongest albums of his 20-year career this spring in Fever Breaks, which which was produced by Americana hero Jason Isbell and features the guitarist and his band the 400 Unit.

Vinofiles, the bar’s signed-up fans, have first shot at tickets, which are available on the City Winery website.