Philly Concert Venues

District 9
District N9NE, better known as District 9 is the most popular concert venue for electronic dance music in Philadelphia. It is located on 9th street between Spring Garden and Callowhill. Top global DJs including TJR, Gareth Emery, Deorro, and MAKJ have performed here. The venue has a great mixture of areas, where patrons can sit, drink, and dance. The age limit is eighteen years and older. There are two full-service bars upon entry in the back for customers older than twenty one and drinks are allowed to be brought anywhere within the venue. Drinks are on the pricier side. Domestic beers cost five to six dollars and mixed drinks can go up to thirteen. The dance floor is in the middle and has a high capacity count. Tables are available for bottle service on the right side of the dance floor. The left side has a line of couches for patrons to sit and relax. Between the dance floor and the bars is an elevated area with a solid view of the DJ booth. This section provides high chairs and seating tables. District 9 is also known for its lighting and visual effects as seen from the pictures below. The venue also has an effective ventilation system, keeping the place cool even on crowded nights. District 9 generally operates only on Friday and Saturday nights until 2 am. The audio quality is superior because of the surround sound system. With this said, it is very difficult to have a conversation. The atmosphere is highly energetic. The crowd is diverse with patrons from Philadelphia, New Jersey, and even Maryland. Mainly college kids visit District 9. Entry can cost anywhere between fifteen to thirty dollars depending on the DJ. District 9 has booked renowned DJ duo Tritonal for the upcoming Halloween weekend on October 28th. It is anticipated to be a sell-out event. Overall, District 9 is a fantastic venue for dancing and for those who are into electronic music.

The Fillmore
Located near Penn’s Landing on 29 East Allen Street, The Fillmore is the largest concert venue in Philadelphia with a 25,000 square foot capacity. The place possesses superior features in design, sound system, layout, and quality of performing artists. The two-floor, stadium-like venue has six full-service bars and multiple areas. Many call it a “club within a club.” The main dance floor faces the stage and is accompanied by one bar on each side. Tables for bottle service are available on the second floor throughout the railing area, where VIP patrons have a sky view of the show. There is also another bar on this level. Toward the back of this floor is a separate section known as the Foundry. It contains another bar and a stage area for smaller performances. This area has a lounge-like atmosphere and can accommodate up to 450 people. The Foundry also has a projector that provides live streaming on crowded nights for VIP ticket holders. The age limit is eighteen and older. The Fillmore has a strict alcohol policy, where drinks are only permitted within twenty one and up sections. The music genre is diverse. The venue has a strong mix between rap, hip hop, rock, and EDM. Upcoming hit performances include: The Head and the Heart, Louis the Child, Marshmellow and more. The Fillmore can hold up to 3,500 guests. Even during sell-out performances, it is still spacious. The interior design is contemporary. Lighting and other visual effects vary depending on the performing artist. The main downside is pricing. The Fillmore uses a ticketing system and rarely sells at the door. General admission can cost anywhere from thirty to sixty dollars. Drinks are also expensive. Beers are five dollars and up. Mixed drinks can cost up to fourteen dollars. The Fillmore also offers patrons finger food throughout the night at a more affordable price. Overall, The Fillmore is very much worth a visit and is considered one of the leading concert venues on the East Coast.

  

Theater of Living Arts
Located in the heart of South Street at 334 South, The Theater of Living Arts, better known as The TLA, is one of the oldest concert venues in Philadelphia. Business began in 1988. The uniqueness of The TLA has been its acoustic environment as a smaller, more intimate setting. As seen from the first picture below, concert goers receive an inclusive feel because of the layout. Even with a second-floor area, The TLA provides a warm experience patrons have with the artists. With this said, the venue can still hold 1,000 people. Meet and greet also happens regularly after shows. There are two full-service bars on each level toward the back. Drinks are on the pricier side. Domestic beers cost around four to five dollars. Mixed drinks range from eight to twelve. Because the venue is accessible by all ages, only 21 and over patrons can access the bar sections. The TLA is a ticketed venue. Prices vary depending on the demand of the artist. The average general admission cost is twenty dollars. However, sometimes this can go up to the forty and fifty range. Will call and door tickets are available on site at the box office. The TLA brings in a wide selection of artists, including rock, rap, and EDM. Upcoming shows include performances by Machine Gun Kelly, A$AP Ferg, The Struts, For Today, and more. Although the venue appears to be old on the outside, it actually offers futuristic lighting and advanced sound systems on the inside. Location is another unique factor The TLA possesses. The venue is surrounded by numerous restaurants, bars, and shops. It is also walking distance from Old City. This provides patrons with leisure options both prior to and after the show. Overall, The TLA is a historic venue that gives goers an up-close experience with the performing artists.   

 

(Photo Credit: Steve Garfinkel, The Fillmore, and District 9)