Last September, Opus One Productions — the previous owners of South Side listening room Club Cafe — announced the impending closure of the quarter-century-old venue, to the surprise and disappointment of local musicians and music fans. Club Cafe closed its doors at the end of 2024.
On Monday, music management company Keystone Artist Connect announced that it purchased Club Cafe and plans to resurrect the venue. Owners Maddy Lafferty and Danielle Mashuda are partnering with Read Connolly, Kristen Whitlinger and Elliott Sussman on the venture.
Club Cafe originally opened in 1999, a project of Marco and Paula Cardamone and their partners, Barney Lee, Clay Kisker, Dennis Loughran and Joe Nolan. Opus One Productions took over in 2011.
The 125-capacity room was known for its acoustics and intimate feel. It welcomed both local musicians and national touring acts, including Norah Jones and John Mayer.
”Club Cafe has been a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s independent music scene, offering an up-close experience with artists across all genres. With their background in artist management, booking and music industry networking, Lafferty and Mashuda bring a fresh vision to the venue, aiming to enhance its reputation while maintaining its signature charm,” Keystone Artist Connect wrote in a news release.
The new owners will release more details about the venue’s return — including an opening date, job opportunities and programming — in the coming months.