NEW BROOKLAND TAVERN in South Carolina up for sale, venue staff fundraise to save it

Legendary rock dive New Brookland Tavern, a staple in Lexington County’s music scene, is facing a potential move from its long-standing State Street location in West Columbia, South Carolina. Mike Lyons, the owner since 2004, recently revealed that his landlord’s intention to sell the building was communicated to him about two months ago. Lyons was offered the chance to purchase the building for a hefty $700,000. 

Speaking with the Lexington Chronicle, Lyons said:

It’s just an expensive piece of property and probably something I couldn’t quite be able to do myself

This situation has prompted Lyons and his team to take action, contemplating either purchasing the space or finding a new home for the iconic music hub as New Brookland’s space is now listed for sale via RE/MAX for $774,900.

The impending dilemma of either buying the current location or relocating led to the launch of an online GoFundMe campaign with the goal to “Save New Brookland Tavern”. With a target of $250,000, this campaign aims to ensure the survival of the club, whether by securing its current spot or transitioning to a new venue.

Lyons said: 

We want to make sure that New Brookland survives one way or the other. Whether we can actually figure out a way to buy the building or have to move New Brookland to a new building, we want to make sure that we survive one way or another and try to keep going what we’ve been doing for the last 20 years.

However, it’s not just financial considerations that pose a challenge. The club’s weathered building is showing signs of wear, including a failing AC unit that requires an $18,000 replacement. The more than century-old structure has some bricks that crumble upon touch, and even the plumbing needs an overhaul. These maintenance issues, along with the need to compete for touring acts with larger regional clubs, have made the situation even more pressing.

The venue’s booking manager and sound engineer, Carlin Thompson, explained:

New Brookland back in the day was kind of built on being a hot venue packed out all the time, but times have changed. Over the past two months, [the AC’s] been kind of struggling. Bands have been starting to complain about it more. People that come here have been starting to complain about it more.

While exploring new options, Lyons, Thompson, and venue staff hold the history of the club in high regard. The idea of expanding into a neighboring space and preserving the legacy of the current location is actively being considered. Regardless of their final decision, ensuring a seamless transition for the club’s future shows remains important for the staff.

Thompson said:

We’re already booking shows into 2024. Even telling agents [about the situation], it could scare them off and they might not want to have anything here at all because they think it could fall apart and their shows have nowhere to go. So we have to have a plan set up from the get-go of, like, either we have a place that we’re putting together on the side until the very last day that this place can be open so that those shows can move over there, or if we do end up buying this place, that it’s set in stone.

For those looking to support the venue, you can donate to the staff’s GoFundMe here.