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About The Blockley
The Blockley was a storied live music venue located at 3801 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, housed in the former Chestnut Cabaret site. Though the venue closed in 2013 and the building is being redeveloped for life-sciences use, this page preserves practical information about the location, former layout, and surrounding amenities to help visitors understand the area and navigate nearby options should you be attending events in the University City/Chestnut Street corridor.
Today, the area remains a hub of culture, dining, and transportation access. Whether you’re visiting for a show in nearby spaces or exploring the history of Philadelphia’s music scene, here’s a practical guide to seating, parking, transit, and nearby hotels and restaurants in the vicinity of 3801 Chestnut Street.
Travel tips for the 3801 Chestnut Street area include using street parking or nearby garages around University City when shows previously drew crowds, and planning transit via SEPTA bus routes such as 21 and 40 along Chestnut Street. For lodging, nearby options historically used by visitors included The Inn at Penn (3600 Sansom St), Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel (3549 Chestnut St), and The Study at University City (near 33rd/Chestnut). While The Blockley as a music venue has closed and the building is being redeveloped, the area remains convenient for future events, alumni gatherings, and cultural exploration. If you’re planning similar nights out in Philadelphia, we’ve got you covered with updated venue information and trusted local options from our network of partners.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Address: 3801 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- Venue type: Bar and dance club / live-music venue (housed in the former Chestnut Cabaret site).
- Capacity and seating: About 700 total capacity (standing room), with a separate adjoining 150-capacity space called Jolly's; seating was primarily on a large dance floor with limited seating at a 40-seat bar and communal tables.
- Seating chart: Predominantly standing room with a dance floor; some viewing areas around the raised corners and tables.
- Parking: No dedicated on-site parking; rely on street parking and nearby garages; general area parking options include garages around University City and Chestnut Street corridors.
- Transit: Accessible via SEPTA buses (e.g., 21 and 40 near Chestnut St); nearest rail/rapid transit stops are in University City (e.g., 40th St Station on the Market-Frankford Line) and nearby 38th/Chestnut bus routes.
- Nearby hotels: The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel (3600 Sansom St); Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel (3549 Chestnut St); The Study at University City (33rd/Chestnut vicinity).
- Notable events hosted: Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Marco Benevento, Mickey Hart Band, Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute), NRBQ, Rebirth Brass Band, and farewell events such as The Everyone Orchestra in 2013.
- Current status (renamed/demolished): The Blockley operators closed in 2013; the building at 3801 Chestnut is now being redeveloped as a life-sciences space (3801 Chestnut) by Sterling Bay, not functioning as a music venue.