SunnyBrook Ballroom History

One of the few remaining dance halls of the pre-World War II era still in existence, The SunnyBrook Ballroom is a vivid and well-known landmark of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It began as a swimming club in 1926, featuring a large circular swimming pool where the socialites spent their summer days basking in the sun.  In 1931, after the depression, the ballroom was constructed rising to prominence as one of the country’s great dance floors during the big band era of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Throughout its heyday, the historic ballroom was a regular stop on the tours of all the era’s big bands, including: Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra.  The venue has also hosted political rallies, community meetings, weddings, wedding receptions, class and family reunions, high school proms, and other events that have made it a local monument to the past.

In 2004, The SunnyBrook Foundation was created to save the historic structure from certain deprecation. The Foundation reopened the facility in 2008 as an entertainment venue; eventually also reopening the adjacent restaurant and bar in 2011. Although many volunteers came together to bring The SunnyBrook Ballroom back to its original glory, the efforts were no match for the massive undertaking. Thankfully, the Gulati family saw the potential SunnyBrook had; not only to become the beloved landmark it once was, but to breathe new life into the event venue.

In March of 2015, the Gulati family and their experienced management team took full control of the operations of The SunnyBrook Ballroom. Wasting no time, The SunnyBrook LLC was created and began plans to add new meeting spaces and renovate the restaurant. The historic ballroom underwent minor cosmetic renovations to revitalize and modernize the grand space. In addition to the ballroom, The Melody room was constructed to add three new rooms and the existing Wedding Garden, which was once the well-known circular swimming pool, received an extensive makeover. Keeping the history of SunnyBrook in mind, the style of the 1920’s and 1930’s was the inspiration for the restaurant. Gatsby’s Restaurant, Bar & Lounge became Sunnybrook’s new upscale casual dining restaurant complete with an ornate bar and relaxing lounge.

March of 2016 marked the Grand Opening of the New SunnyBrook Ballroom & Gatsby’s Restaurant, Bar & Lounge under the management of The Sunnybrook LLC, which is still operated by to this day.