As in most big cities, Philadelphia's music scene spans genres and neighborhoods. To encompass these diverse offerings and lure in larger acts, the city hosts a fair share of music venues, each as unique and distinctive as the neighborhood it calls home. With this wide selection, anyone can find the perfect evening entertainment.
Danger Danger Gallery
Though the Philadelphia music scene mainly resides within bars, it wouldn't be complete without thriving, underground house shows. While most of these shows are word-of-mouth gatherings, the Danger Danger Gallery has taken the idea and gone public with it. The Danger Danger Gallery resides in a common-looking townhouse in the house show-heavy West Philadelphia. Even though they advertise through MySpace and fliers, the venue typically attracts a young, somewhat inclusive crowd from the neighborhood. The DIY performance space is slathered with art from various area artists, though this certainly isn't meant to cover up the townhouse interior. The atypical Danger Danger Gallery places more emphasis on style and presentation than quality of acoustics. With upstairs and downstairs stages, audiences are often herded between the two areas to increase the illusion of attending a house show. A uniquely Philadelphia experience, Danger Danger Gallery is not to be missed, if you can withstand the scrutiny of the hipper-than-thou West Philly crowds.
- Information
- Location: 5013 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia PA
- Website: www.myspace.com/dangerdangergallery
Kung Fu Necktie
Hardly a year old, Kung Fu Necktie is currently working on building its reputation in the venue-heavy Fishtown district. Kung Fu Necktie is another quirky bar/music venue, but with more focus on showcasing music than on attracting a regular bar crowd. Since the venue has yet to start bringing in well-known acts, regional metal, punk, and rock artists have good luck finding a space in the heart of Kung Fu Necktie. In addition to promoting local musicians, the venue hosts local artists in its next-door gallery, Shadow's Space. Check out Kung Fu Necktie while it's still underground to see underground bands before they go big-time.
- Information
- Location: 1250 North Front Street, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-291-4919
- Website: www.kungfunecktie.com
Connie's Ric Rac Room
Connie's Ric Rac Room draws in the eclectic vibe from the nearby South Street and sanitizes it to fit into a family-friendly space. Stepping into Connie's Ric Rac Room is more like stepping into a family's intricately decorated, cozy living room than a noisy bar or crowded music venue. While still fairly young, the venue is carving a specialized reputation by hosting stand-up comedy, puppet shows, improv groups, and art shows in addition to DJs and live bands. Most shows are family and kid friendly, though some allow audience members to bring their own alcohol. Ticket prices are reasonable, so you can round up the whole family to come along.
- Information
- Location: 1132 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Phone: 215-279-7587
- Website: www.conniesricrac.com
North Star Bar
The North Star Bar is another legend in the thriving Philadelphia bar/music venue scene. A bit off the beaten track, the North Star Bar is an unassuming dive bar situated between the quiet Fairmount neighborhood and the infamous Girard Avenue. As with all area bars, the North Star attracts a crowd of regulars, who gather in the main bar area or around the pool tables. Though the performance space is tucked away in a side room, it features a spacious standing area with some tables lining the walls. Another bonus is the balcony, which offers a good view of the musicians' heads. While the venue has attracted some well-known names in the past, the North Star is truly a venue for fans who follow particular regional underground bands. The weekly New Music Series showcases new musicians, giving them a taste of the Philadelphia music scene.
- Information
- Location: 2639 Poplar Street, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-787-0488
- Website: www.northstarbar.com
Khyber
Seeing a show at the Khyber is about more than the music: it's the gritty atmosphere, energetic crowd, plentiful cheap alcohol, and overall high-intensity experience. The Khyber has elevated itself beyond just another dive bar in South Philly, achieving this status without any pretension. The Khyber mainly welcomes Philadelphia or New York punk and metal bands with the occasional cover band. The small audience space increases the crowd's buzzing energy, which sometimes overflows into mosh pits. Despite its smaller size, the Khyber's unique style has attracted a lot of big names, such as Iggy Pop and Les Savy Fav. If it's your kind of scene, going to a lot of shows will increase your likelihood of being adopted into the regular crowd and sucked up into their enthusiasm.
- Information
- Location: 56 S 2nd St, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-238-5888
- Website: www.thekhyber.com
Electric Factory
The Electric Factory entices visitors with its bright beacon of a neon Benjamin Franklin, visible from the highway and neighboring Chinatown. As the oldest concert venue in Philadelphia, the Electric Factory has acquired a reputation that brings in a diverse group of big name arts from Sonic Youth to Animal Collective to Chris Brown. The large former-factory setting increases the possibility of catching your favorite acts, but it also makes for hit-or-miss acoustics off the echoey ceilings. Most shows are all ages, with high beer and liquor prices discouraging even those over 21 from drinking. With or without alcohol, the enormous floor space in front of the stage will have most audience members dancing by the end of the night. Just a short hike from Chinatown, the Electric Factory has been the site of innumerable unforgettable nights.
- Information
- Location: 421 North 7TH Street, Philadelphia PA
- Website: www.electricfactory.info
World Cafe Live
Associated with University of Pennsylvania, the World Café Live aptly attracts mainly indie, acoustic, and folk groups to its sleek and modern performance space. The well-publicized World Café Live calls the comfortable University City home but draws more than college students for its shows, including big names like Mason Jennings. With plentiful seating in both its downstairs and upstairs spaces, the World Café Live is a family-friendly place, making it a unique venue for Philadelphia. It even hosts shows and serves food particularly geared towards kids. Another highlight of the World Café Live includes its Philly Rising series that showcases up-and-coming local artists providing them much-appreciated exposure.
- Information
- Location: 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-222-1400
- Website: www.worldcafelive.com
Johnny Brenda's
Johnny Brenda's retains its signature charm and originality in a city known for bar/ music venues. Located in the increasingly hip Fishtown district, Johnny Brenda's is a popular bar, with a wide selection of beers from local breweries, which also happens to have a popular venue located on its second floor. Johnny Brenda's offers a diverse billing of cult favorites like Jay Reatard, popular local acts, and international groups like Shonen Knife. No matter from where the musicians originate, seeing a show at Johnny Brenda's is a uniquely Philadelphian experience. To the disappointment of minors and to the delight of serious music-lovers, all shows are 21+ and there is a second bar conveniently located close to the stage. Audience members can either enjoy the performers with a 180-degree view from the standing area or with a bird-eyes view from the balcony.
- Information
- Location: 1201 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-739-9684
- Website: www.johnnybrendas.com
Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA)
Maintaining a prime location on the bustling and eclectic South Street, the Theatre of the Living Arts guarantees all-around evening entertainment. After enjoying dinner down the street, patrons can check out a show at the TLA, then afterwards hit up one of the numerous neighborhood bars. The quirky location of the TLA is an accurate indicator of the types of acts it hosts: unusual, indie favorites, such as They Might be Giants, Imogen Heap, and The Mountain Goats. Occasionally this location attracts an unruly crowd but the spacious standing area allows the audience a lot of elbowroom. The large stage ensures the audience good visuals and intimate acoustics whether they are standing or sitting in the small restaurant area. Since all shows are general admission, drinking alcohol is strictly limited to the bar areas. Also something to keep in mind: the ticket prices are reasonable but come with a surcharge if you want to buy them ahead of time through LiveNation.
- Information
- Location: 334 South St, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-922-1011
Trocadero Theatre
Down the street from the iconic Chinatown arch, the Trocadero Theatre holds its own as one of the classiest venues in Philadelphia. A former musical theater and burlesque venue, the re-vamped Trocadero retains the baroque-style decorations, a luxurious red curtain over the stage, and a balcony for a great view. Don't walk into the Troc expecting a play or opera, though; the Troc is known for booking a lot of big names in rock, comedians, and occasionally slam poets. The typically all-ages shows and large standing area allow people to pack in for acts like Dashboard Confessional and Anti-Flag. Tickets run between $8-15, a deal for the high quality experience. As a bonus, the Troc shows movies on Monday nights for 21+ patrons to watch a recent release on the big screen while drinking discounted beer and socializing with friends.
- Information
- Location: 1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA
- Phone: 215-922-6888
- Website: www.thetroc.com
