Union League of Philadelphia

If you love macaron, you gotta try this!!! Best macaron ever! @ restaurant 1862

its a pleasure to stay here and dine when visiting Philadelphia from the west coast. Everything here is a reminder of an era and age gone by, gentility, perfection and honor. For those who criticize the meals and the staff and restaurant, I have seen loud mouth fellow diners who should never gone there in the first place. Deez, demz, and doze, don’t belong here and if you feel uncomfortable, head for Pat’s or Reading Terminal which aren’t too far away. Its a pleasure to visit and stay in such an establishment considering how standards have declined. If you don’t like my opinion of this fine place, don’t go there, know your place and go there instead.

The Union League’s signature restaurant 1862 is reason alone to become or befriend a member. Martin Hamm is beyond skilled, and his passion shows in his top-​notch cooking. Refined palates frequently feel at home here, and it is easy to see (and taste) why.
The building is historical and gorgeous, and the renovations (done by a friend’s father) are incredible. The new kitchen and the Lincoln Room’s revitalization are just two visual examples of the Union League’s renaissance. The artifacts are enough to make this history nerd über excited.
Also, you will never find a more professional, personable, and truly wonderful group of staff than the men and women who work at the Union League. It is clear that these individuals enjoy their rapport with the members – one man’s retirement earned him quite the celebration in his honor. They are always happy to chat, and I genuinely enjoy every conversation I have with anyone, anywhere, in the League.
The men and women who make up the Union League’s membership today are increasingly diverse (thankfully), save for their consistently shared attribute of enjoying their personal success, which I would never begrudge any of them. I will also say that these people use their success and influence for an ever increasing number of good charities. From PAWS (who doesn’t love puppies?!) to supporting the troops, they make sure they give back to their community. As a military spouse, it is plain to see that these efforts to help veterans and active-​duty servicemen and women, and their families, go a long way in making a big difference.
The League’s devotion to etiquette may, at first, seem over the top, but after settling into the environment, it enables one to actually appreciate your surroundings – and your company. Power brokers, businessmen and businesswomen, and some incredibly stylish individuals, deck these halls. Lucky are those who get to join them.

The frisson of excitement as I ascend one of the spiral staircases to this architecturally significant, second empire building is rapidly replaced by feelings of dread as I cross its threshold.
Not so terribly long ago, the Union League banned women, minorities and Jewish people from its membership ranks. Indeed, a dear friend recounts how she was barred entry through the front door due to her gender (naturally, she now rejects all invitations to meet there) and another relayed how he resigned when his friend, a distinguished African-​American jurist, was denied membership in the club. Although the club ostensibly has eliminated its exclusionary policies – one wonders about the sincerity of its commitment to diversity when membership still requires sponsorship by other members – its history as bastion of white male privilege is painfully obvious once inside. The interior is crammed with oil paintings and artifacts documenting this very legacy; meanwhile imagery reflecting the club’s «new diversity» is few and far between. I doubt President Lincoln would be proud of this club’s long and aggressive attachment to discriminatory policies notwithstanding the club’s origins as a supporter of the Union’s efforts during the Civil War.
I have yet to have a good meal at the Union League, and I have been there for the full range of events, from breakfast meetings to dinner fundraisers. On the whole, the offerings are insipid and unimaginative. The positives are the exquisitely attentive service and the attractive plating (Tip: Spend less time on eye appeal and more time on taste-​bud appeal). On the other hand, if your idea of haute cuisine is the chili recipe from the Charlie Brown cookbook, which uses ketchup as a base, then you undoubtedly will find the offerings here swoon-​worthy.
One star for the Union League’s magnificent edifice and the Trumbauer addition.

UL has the best restaurant in the city 1862. The staff is what really sets this club apart from all others. Highly suggest a visit

Awesome place! Lots of history, great food, and great service!

This is one of the finest clubs in a major city in the world. The restaurants at the League rival the best Philadelphia and New York offer. The service is very professional yet under stated; they do not fawn all over you. It is not stuffy or snobby, unlike many private clubs. The membership is surprisingly diverse. If you need to have a reception or a function, the League will do whatever is necessary to accommodate you. There is a hotel in the club and a full service fitness center. They also have a business center and they have reciprocal membership arrangements all over the world. Five stars all around.

Here for a conference and I have the say the building is old but stunning. I can’t get enough of the chandelier in the Lincoln room. It is giant and all crystal so I find myself getting lost in it occasionally when I’m spacing out during a lecture. I wonder how long it takes to clean?!? The whole space is immaculately kept with hand lotion, mouthwash, and lady products in the women’s restroom. Also, the food that we have had for lunches and snack breaks have been really good. Kudos to the pastry chef as everything dessert wise looks impeccable (I couldn’t eat much because of the fact that I’m gluten free) so huge points for presentation!

Review for Café Meredith ONLY:
Just had a business lunch here and the food was good (I would especially recommend the fried calamari). However, I actually found the service to be sub-​par.
It was a decently long wait before the server got to our table, meaning no water, no bread, no menus, nothing. I get that they were busy, so not a huge deal, although I was very thirsty and would have appreciated some water before anything else.
The waitress asked everyone around the table if they wanted something more to drink than just the ice water, but she forgot to ask me. There were only 4 of us at the table … so I didn’t think it was that hard to keep track. She also didn’t seem to notice her mistake throughout the whole meal.
I had to ask twice for lemons to go with my water. The first time, I asked the person pouring the water (who said: «of course»), and when it didn’t arrive for about 20 minutes, I had to ask our server directly. It took a while to get here after that, but at least it arrived, and there were enough slices for the whole table to share, which was nice.
The server didn’t come back after the entrees were served to see if everything was OK. Everything was fine, but a check-​in is still nice and expected at a fine dining establishment.
I will say that the couch like seating against the wall was exceptionally comfortable. Being in the late stages of my pregnancy, those pillows made an extremely comfortable prop against your back.
Overall, the food was very good (not as great as 1862-​please see previous review), but our server and the other employees walking around the restaurant changing tablecloths could have stopped by more often (they were also very focused on their task, so many of them didn’t see my discrete waving them down hand movements to try and get a water refill — yes, I had to ask for more water). I would also like to note that we were the last ones left at the restaurant around 2 pm (at least in our room) so it wasn’t as though they were busy with other customers.
Oh well, the food and conversation were good, and I don’t think the servers were trying to ignore us, they were probably just too busy trying to set up for the next wave of customers.

The Union League is one of those places that most of us who spend time reading Unilocal reviews probably would never visit. An uppity men’s club requiring jackets seems like a pretty dated idea to me. Despite all that, it’s definitely a cool building to check out if you get the chance to visit.
I was able to stop in for a dinner reception for a professional society a few weeks back. Upon first arrival the smell of cigar smoke hit me from the side smoking room. I guess because this is a private club they can skirt those laws. It didn’t bother me too much, but it could bother some. From there we followed the long walkway past several unidentified rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a library to the back of the building where a large marble staircase brings you up to another level of rooms. We then proceeded to the main ballroom adorn with paintings of the more important (I guess?) members of the Union League over the years. The only one I recognized was Abe Lincoln over the main speaking podium.
As for the food, it was the typical catered type of event. Nothing special, but not too bad either. The stuffed chicken was the standout.
As for the drinks. Expensive, and these were some of the worst bartenders I’ve ever encountered in my life. The one woman could not even make change of a $ 20. The other two guys were slower than you can imagine. They were working for tips, so you would think there would be some motivation to do something… but I guess not.
Overall I wouldn’t go out of my way to try to get into this place, but it’s worth checking out if you get a free meal out of it.

We had our wedding reception at the Union League of Philadelphia, and it could not have been a more perfect evening. The private events manager, Michelle Christensen, was so helpful every step of the way during the planning process. Not only is the newly renovated Lincoln Hall ballroom a spectacular venue, but the level of service at the event was exceptional as well. Plus, the wedding cake was delicious beyond belief. The Union League provided a truly wonderful wedding experience.

So I was one of the lucky Philadelphian to dine at this signature restaurant, 1862 by Martin Hamann in the Union League. As soon as i entered the elegant entrance of the classic style league house, I felt like a princess looking for her tiara.
My Blue Moon Acres «Black & Tan «risotto with shaved Périgord truffles appetizer arrived as a masterpiece mystery and soon it was melting in my mouth. A gourmet bite with the highest level of sophistication.
For my entrée I ordered a sautéed beef tenderloin. My generous portion tenderloin was made to my medium well desire, surrounded by heirloom purple carrots and more shiitake Mushrooms (upon my request,) topped with golden raisin finished with a tableside drizzle of red wine sauce. A flawless exceptional dish.
It was just about the right time to get the Chocolate Soufflé. A soft, rich, and fluffy and impressive looking and baked to perfection. Oh my! simply, It was a little taste of heaven. What a excellence treat of Deliciousness!
Can I say five and half Unilocal

I attended a work holiday party here last night and was so excited to see the inside of this building. I was extremely impressed at the beautiful décor and the overall atmosphere of this club. Upon entering, you’re immediately swept off Broad Street in the middle of the city to a gorgeous and historical part of Philadelphia. The event was on the first floor in the large dining room which was spacious and elegant. There were multiple stations set up. a table with antipasti, cheeses, and meats, a table with different types of sushi and sashimi, and a table with sliders and ahi tuna roll ups. Everything was delicious. The fish was fresh and the ahi tuna with spicy mayo was incredible. There was also a carving station with prime rib, mashed potatoes, and green beans. I happily tried everything and it lived up to expectations. The service was impeccable and continuously cleared dishes, as well as walked around with more hors d’oeuvres. I didn’t get to take advantage of the open bar, but my friends were happy with their drinks. I only hope I get to experience this venue again!

I have eaten at a number of clubs in major cites including LA, Manhattan, SF and Boston. While the architecture may be magnificent, the wood paneling and stone work exquisite, the food is inevitably mediocre. 1862 is an exception to that (almost) universal rule. In that fine dining room, the food actually matches the incredible history and presence of the physical structure. Indeed, in some ways, the 1862 dining room with its sleek, elegant modern look and feel is like an island within the grand historic look and feel of the rest of the club.
Let’s start with the bar room first. Elegant yet comfortable with every «top shelf» label you could desire. Enjoyed the Lagavulin 16 year single malt, neat with a water back. My colleague had a glass of Veuve while her «friend» had a Bombay Shaphire and Tonic.
Then went to the dining room. Started with soft shell crabs; absolutely perfect, followed by a delicious pork lion. Lobster tail accompanied by tortellini stuffed with short rib for my dinner companions who raved about it.
The service is exquisite all designed to make members and their guests feel welcome.
But here is the best part; their wine collection built over many years is extensive and priced a few dollars over retail at the time of purchase. The wines are a steal and by themselves worth coming for dinner. Whether you feel like French, Italian or California they have top labels and older vintages at ridiculous prices.
This restaurant compares well with the best in Philly on all counts and, if you can get an invite do not miss the opportunity.

Historical and beautiful building. I had the pleasure working with the Union League to plan my wedding. Upon countless visits to review the details, the staff would not forget to congratulate me, which was great. Even a waiter walking by would stop me to stay congrats. It was amazing and truly made me feel that I had made the best choice.
As the big day came, all of my wishes were met, as I had nothing to worry about with an attentive staff. Guest of all ages were impressed by the beauty of the venue and still to this day mention how great it was.
All the food was fresh and spectacular, the breakfast the next day was also a nice touch to bid farewell to our guest.
During our planning process we had the chance to eat at and enjoy Café Meredith as well as 1862. While the Café provided a fun entertaining atmosphere with live music, 1862 offered fine delicacies with the best pops of flavor that I had ever had, truly an amazing experience.

Attended my cousin’s wedding at the exclusive Union League and it was quite an experience to say the least! The building is smack in the heart of the best part if Philadelphia and is quite a shift from the rest of the city. Once inside the building, the décor screams opulence throughout.
The wedding ceremony was in the Grant Hall on the first level-​a lovely dark wood paneled room while the main wedding festivities were on the entire 2^nd level. The main room (the Lincoln Hall) was magnificent as were the rest of the adjoining rooms that were used to cater food and seat the wedding guests.
The 11 member Eddie Bruce Orchestra was great and one of the female singers was fantastic. It was definitely a smart move to carry flats as the music kept me on the dance floor for quite a while ;)

Being at the Union League for an event makes me wish (more than usual) that I am some sort of rich socialite that could gain membership to such an establishment. The building is just breathtaking and so distinguished looking. The floors are solid marble, and the walls are lined with oil paintings of distinguished Americans of yesteryear. The exquisite woodwork and high ceilings certainly add to the ambiance.
The Union League is definitely a much more sophisticated departure from the typical catering hall. My only «complaint» was that the food I was able to sample was just OK. I was there for an hors’d deuvers type affair with cheese plates & pasta stations as well as some butlered items, but nothing was a real stand out. However, for service and ambiance, the Union League can’t be beat.

Gorgeous building. I always wanted to go inside the Union League, and finally had the chance for the Alzheimer’s Association Gatsy Gala on Saturday (a fun excuse to be all fancy pants, drink and dance for a good cause.)
The marbled floors, high ceilings, and carved wood are beautiful. It was a great venue for this type of event and imagine a wedding would be fantastic here too. They provided beer/​wine open bar and hors d’oeuvres, and the service was excellent. Delicious cheese, bruschetta, rigatoni, chicken satay, and mini sliders, mmmm.
I don’t always get dressed up and do fancy things, but when I do I’d prefer to go to the union league.

This review is for 1862, the Union League’s member restaurant.
Executive Chef Martin Hammon is a great talent and leads his team to do an outstanding job. Front of the house is excellent as well. This is one of the best fine dining restaurant in the city, maybe even the country! Meals here are comparable to Per Se, Fleur de Lys, etc.
Marty’s signature Squab dish is one of the best squabs I have ever had. He also works magic with game meat.
Service is excellent, efficient and non-​intrusive.
The first visit here is bitter-​sweet as nothing else will compare.

I was able to visit twice during a recent convention in the City of Brotherly Love. Knowing that this was the place where Winthorp was framed in «Trading Places» I couldn’t wait to see it.
First visit was Monday night to meet a colleague for cocktails. I didn’t know about the dress code, so I walked through the front door in my black Wranglers, pink western shirt, and cowboy boots. I told the man I’m here for a meeting. He looked me up and down, and I realized immediately that I was in trouble. But after a few seconds, he told me to see them at the top of the stairs. I’m guessing I was one of the few ever allowed in wearing jeans.
Second visit was for a dinner event the next evening. This time I’m properly attired in suit and tie — looking pretty dapper if I do say so myself. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, followed by cigars and cocktails afterward. Two big thrills this evening: (1) seeing the room upstairs from the famous «Trading Places» scene and (2) Asking the bartender in the cigar bar where the paintings of the Confederate Generals are displayed. The look on her face was priceless.