The Level Room

I used to live across the street and I’ll admit it — I partied here only because I was able to walk back to my apartment and be in bed within 3 minutes.
The place is HUGE and the music is always danceable. I also celebrated an early 20s bday here which proves how lazy I was. Super crappy location (fire station and a porn shop next door) and it is not the classiest of places — don’t expect to be wow’d.
Since moving away I haven’t even thought about going back — not that special.

So… about Level.
First of all, 21^st and Market? Seriously? What kind of crap location is this?
Second, what is the purpose of the whole bottom level? You walk in and are directed up a flight of stairs. What goes on down there?
Third, one of my friends commented that the wallpaper behind the main bar at Level is reminiscent of the silver sparkly pencils we used in elementary school. The interior is gaudy and really seems sort of dirty.
Pros: ample seating, large space, multiple bars
Cons: large space makes it even more obvious when the place is empty, mixed drinks are served in PLASTIC CUPS, I’ve fallen down the stairs more than once, crowd is mixed and sometimes ghetto (but again, this is Philadelphia). Coat check seems to be self-​serve.
I don’t know if it’s a testament to Level, but I always leave completely trashed. I think it may be my way of coping with the fact that I am actually at a party at Level.

I went to Level room the other night to check out the VERTIGO party. I was really not expecting this place to be that great, but it was very nice looking inside for being located next to a porn theater. The layout of the place was pretty good too. It seemed to be arranged just right!
The bartender was a pretty hott chick, and she was really awesome. She made up a bunch of tasty drinks for us. Also the prices were really reasonable!

Level Room certainly exceeded my expectations. Judging from the dilapidated tacky sign out front and its location near the porno theater, I didn’t have high hopes. But Level Room is way nicer and more normal than expected. It’s still not «classy» exactly, but a lot better than many of the clubs in philly.
I came here for a friend’s bday on a Saturday night in March. We had VIP seating, which basically meant access to the upper level (shared with other parties) with tables, a less crowded bar, and a view overlooking the dance floor. Being able to get drinks immediately without having to shove through a crowd was priceless. Having a place to sit down and a place to watch the awesome hip hop dancers below before the club really got crowded was also clutch.
The process to get up there however was somewhat tedious. First, show ID at the door and get a wrist band. Next, pay the cover and get a hand stamp. Finally, point out your name on the bday girl’s guest list and get another wrist band. I looked like I’d been club hopping all over the city just for one place. Then have the bouncer escort you upstairs after checking wrist band #2. It really wasn’t too bad, just kinda funny.
Don’t be surprised if you get here and the place seems dead. We arrived around 10:30 before most of our group and it was completely empty. But by midnight you could barely move across the dance floor. Having a large group definitely made it fun; I don’t think I’d want to come here with just a couple friends. But the music is good for dancing, the dance floor is huge, and the upstairs VIP section provides a nice respite for when your tootsies start to hurt. I definiteliy got my groove on.
Apparently, every last saturday of the month (or something like that) is Asian night at Level Room. Not exactly sure what this means, but the DJ and majority of the crowd were Asian, and there were tiny boxes Fast and Furious cinnamon candies scattered around everywhere (of which I took liberal advantage). I’m sure I stuck out like a white thumb, oh well.
Finally, it wasn’t crazy expensive. I want to say cover was $ 10 on Saturday night (but I could be wrong), and yuengling bottles were $ 4. Sorry I’m a beer girl so I don’t know prices for liquor. They also had a dollar kamikazee shot special. Those are always fun even if it’s mostly lime juice.
I’m not a «club» girl, so this isn’t the type of place I’d frequent. But certainly a great place in center city to dance with a large group — There aren’t too many of these. It would be good for a special occasion like a birthday or bachelorette party. Level Room, you’ve proved that you can’t judge a club by it’s cover.

Level i would say is probably one of the best club/​lounge in philly.
A large dancefloor with bars in the front and the back of the club, makes it easier and faster to order drinks. The music you can definitely hear clear and loud to shake and dance to it. The bathrooms are roomy and plenty to use. Bartenders are hot and fast, drinks are not pricey at all. I wouldnt give it all 5 stars probably because it needs a remodel… looks kinda tackey lackey. lol but overall it’s my spot to party. Bouncers are everywhere, so you better not start a fight or theyll come grab you and push you to the back hidden door and you turn around and say, whered that fight go? lol!
Definitely great club to go to. The only thing I would suggest is having more of those corner vip table thing that they have only 1 on the corner of the dancefloor because there are a lot of bdays in 1 night and they would like a table too. and the vip hoggers that stays upstairs… just stays upstairs… lol. and upstairs isnt all that unless youre invited upstairs, cuz the parties on the main floor. oh yea i forgot about the one on the entrance… nobody goes there how about that? cuz the party is still on the main floor. lol.
if in fact you go there on a regular night, i wouldnt know how it would be… it depends on the dj that they have. overall though it is pretty roomy, and it would be poppin if theres a lot of people. sometimes they charge crazy covers on their regular nights. i believe i went there on a regular night and it was okay, mostly 80s music though. my review is based on dna-​nightlife parties or the other asian hosts that throws parties there, and they get their own djs which plays mostly hiphop reggae dance beats.

Level Room is a lounge and dance club in a random spot. Marketing materials assert this place is «luxe» and while I wouldn’t agree that it’s elegant, it is more gaudy (not quite Shampoo). For Philadelphia, this is certainly a large venue, with space to handle a crowd. The top floor, usually set aside to be a VIP area, is actually VIP-​esque, as the tacky plush seating works in its favor. Their dance floor lighting is fun.
Security staff are on point and bartenders (every one that I’ve met) sociable and quick. The owner is also a pleasure to deal with.
I dislike how there’s nothing near Level except a pizza place, an adult shop, and an adult theater. Mainly due to location, Level isn’t my first choice when event planning, but there are worse places to be, I suppose.

So the Philadelphia Chapter of my Morehouse College /​Wharton Grad Alumni Association had a party benefiting our scholarship fund last Friday at Level Lounge and became one of the best times I had in Philly (Who knew helping could be so much fun?).
The club has a great layout on both levels and they do a great job of paying attention to when is the best time to open each level. Some clubs that are multi leveled open up every level at once which can sometimes be a turnoff if you walk in the front and see no one there.
Finally got to go to a club that was a little more clean cut and sharp with not all the pretentious standing around that seems to be all over Philly. I like to be dressed up and still be able to get my dance on (wow I feel old just saying that). Good mix of people and the DJ was pretty on point.
Bartenders were a little slow but I know they got slammed all of a sudden and that is never easy. Prices for beer were a little steep but mixed drinks were very reasonable.
Definitely want to go back so I can see if it was just because there was an event there or if it is that good every Friday. If the latter is correct expect to see me there alot.

I’ve only been here once so far, but I cannot wait to return!
Level basically consists of three floors — the ground floor is more like your usual bar/​lounge, but you go upstairs & are greeted by a nice sized dance floor with a mezzanine (which may or may not always be the «VIP» area) above. This is also where the DJ booth is situated.
The dance floor has two bars which are manned by friendly bartenders who mixed up some pretty good cocktails. As I mentioned there is a decently sized dance floor, but there is also alot of seating along the walls if you’re not so inclined to shake your booty.
Level is clean, nicely designed & well ventilated with a sound system that I can’t complain about.
I recommend checking it out Saturday nights when 611 Records & Philly Dance Scene (.com) throw their weekly event where house & progressive tracks get thrown down.
I’d love to give it five stars but I’m going to hold out until I’ve visited a few more times & really get to know the place.
Note: I live in town so don’t drive anywhere, but I’ve heard people complain about the parking in this area — to which I’ve heard a few respond that there is a FREE (?!) lot behind the club… you enter on 21^st st & its located between market & chestnut. Now thats a good tip!
^^^Edit: I just went looking for said free parking & didn’t see it. I dunno… multiple people claim to have used it, tho. *shrug*