Five Spot

I live in Houston now. But grew up in Philly and the 5 Spot was always one of my fav spots. One nite a buddy and I get to the door and the bouncer says Alicia Keyes is inside performing. So we’re like yeah right and MJ is in there too right. Sure enough she’s in there does like 3 songs in the small up close 5 Spot.
Lots of good memories at the 5. R.I.P.

Wow, I’m with Bill M. on doing a memorial review… I always thought this place would be here for the long run.
When I first started coming here, I don’t want to give away exactly how old I was, but I can say swing dancing was the main event here. So yes, you hip hoppers, this was a very long time ago. Not black and white film era, but long enough. Back when Gap had khaki commercials with the original Louis Prima version of ‘Jump, Jive & Wail’ (not the Brian Setzer arrangement that was so big that current time), this type of character dominated the depths of the Five Spot. I had taken the lessons they offered prior to opening the floor, embarrassing myself in the process, but never had so much fun doing so. During the daytime, you could stop by and speak to an ‘old-​timer’ named Bernie (I could be wrong w/​the name) who would reminisce about the days when he himself would hit the floor. Afterwards, he would give you some Five Spot matches and tell you to drop by again.
About four years later, I remember the crowd changed drastically but the club was still packed to the brim, meaning it had sustained it’s foundation and whatever theme was current happened to be embraced by those who still crowded the clubs rooms.
After that, I started feeling a little too old to be out at clubs, so I had stopped going altogether for the most part. And if I did find myself out, it was with others who did not want to stop by here.
Sad to say, I wish I had taken Bernie’s advice and stopped by once more before jetting out of town. It was a good memory in Old City.

I only went here once for an advance listening party for a NIN album. It was a nice club, they staff was friendly, and the crowd was pretty mature, but then they had sifted all the under-​age kiddies upstairs for the event.

I wasn’t going to do to any memorial reviews on here, but Five Spot is a place that’s worth it. I remember hearing about the Fire while sitting down with a bunch of music heads and we all had the same down trodden looks on our faces.
It wasn’t as consistent towards the end as it was in it’s heyday. In fact if it was still around I’d probably be giving three stars and offering some helpful suggestions. But towards the end it still had some kick left in it. My friends Show N’ Tell had a good music night every final Thursday that bought in a good mix of bands that rarely played in Philly. It was also the home of the Peek A Boo Revue, and seeing their performances was always a good time.
So even during the bad times The Five Spot was a communal spot that was open to working with a lot of diverse individuals. I can’t think of too many other clubs that have housed as wide a variety things as rock nights, burlesque performances, poetry readings, and swing dances. so to that I say Rest In Peace Five Spot and may a club learn something from your example.

I’ve only been to the Five Spot three times (the first time in 2004), but enjoyed myself each time. It was way dark every time I went. It had multiple floors and the bouncers never gave me any trouble. Good crowd, and $ 5 cover, hence the name, Five Spot. The last time I was there, our bartender was awesome and gave my friend (the then birthday boy) and a free round. It was also the first time I’ve ever had a Red Death (drink).
Obviously it doesn’t matter if you give a place high praise or not after it’s closed… then again, the good karma for giving them positive feedback might help if the owner (s) decide to open up another place.
Five Spot, rest in peace.

I wanted to go here like 10 years ago when this Swing Band I liked-​Big Rude Jake played here. I was underage, so I couldn’t go. Sucks! My friend wanted to see the Red Elvises when they were playing here. He said he was driving around for over an hour and he couldn’t find the place, so he went home. What a pinhead! I only went here once, I didn’t care for the music, but the interior was really cool. I give it four stars for putting on cool shit way back when.

Does anyone remember the swing dancing craze back in the 90’s? I do. The Five Spot was the place to be at that point because they had a swing night. I was 16 and wanted to go swing dancing with my friends, but the Five Spot wouldn’t let us in b/​c of our age. So we went to this other place in Newmarket Square that allowed the under-​21 crowd once a week. Boy, was that fun. Then someone bought the property, tore it down, and left a big hole where I used to dance. Too bad. But I digress. Once I hit 21, I went to the Five Spot, and, although I don’t think they did swing anymore, this was a great place to hear live music. Too bad it’s not around anymore.

R.I.P. The Five Spot…
This place had a reputation that superceded itself. People in New York would come to Philly weekly for The Five Spot. This was our place to be, it was the pulse of Philly for a minute, and it’s dearly missed.
Drinks were always expensive, it often got a lil’ too crowded, but to me, this is one venue that needs replaced… because the DJs and music was the best in Philly, and kept me coming back like a fiend. Plus… The Five Spot was largely sucker-​free, and I miss that.

RIP Five Spot. I never visited the Five Spot, but I heard it every night. I have added some pictures of the aftermath.

My mini-​eulogy for Five Spot:
Five Spot was a nifty locus for hip-​hop, DJ’s and strangely enough, burlesque shows. I saw DJ Spooky (a-​ha) at Five Spot back in the day. It had these awesome little back rooms and a pretty decent stage. I liked the red, opium-​den-​like décor. Too bad it had to burn to the ground.

too many indians.