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Balcony at the Trocadero
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Arts & Entertainment Cinema Music Venues, Cinema [Edit]
1003 Arch StPhiladelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(215) 922-6888
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
WanaTix.com now has some of the industry BEST 3D Virtual Views of Citizens Bank Park - as well as many other venues. Founded in 1957 Wanamaker… read more »
20 reviews for Balcony at the Trocadero
20 reviews in English
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Review from Kristina C.
Philadelphia, PA
2/22/2011
Monday's SUCK......this is the best way to make Monday night less painful. $3 get you a raffle ticket, a $3 drink token, and if you are there before 7pm, you get another free PBR and popcorn! How can you not love that!
The movies they play are super diverse and really offer something for everyone. I have been there for everything from Twilight to Predator to Goonies. Everyone has a great time and they have plenty of seating as well.
The bartenders are really great and really nice to talk to as well!! I have never had a bad time at their monday movie night, you won't be sorry that you tried it out! -
Review from Jennifer S.
Plymouth Meeting, PA
12/5/2011
Walking up to this place, you might think you're stuck in some low budget horror movie a la "Catacombs." Rest assured, you won't be locked inside and left for dead.
This charmingly dilapidated space was recently host to a retro pinup magazine launch party. The event was hopping. Bar service (two bartenders were uber busy) was noticably faster on round 2 after having tipped on round 1.
Men's lav is a hoot--little peep show images over the urinals. Women don't get the same bennies, just some cheesecake images painted on the stall doors.
Most noticeable is the sense of history here. The restored (?) proscenium of the stage features a lovely lady painting with the words "dancing girls" down the opposite side. Funny thing, we were there to see just that! The theater area has stadium bench style seating, and is probably really fun for movies. Can't comment on the sound system in the theater, but the sound in the stage area was great. -
Review from George R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/25/2008
I've been here before to hear a concert, but recently I attended a "Monday Night Movie" where they open the balcony to the actual theater and play a DVD for mass enjoyment. You get there, pay $3, get a wooden token for $3 towards a drink and head upstairs. Doors to the bar open at 6:30pm and the movie begins at 8pm. Seriously, if you want a good seat, just show up by 7:45pm and you can find a place to sit. Otherwise, come early, take in the scenery and enjoy the company you're with.
The movie watching experience was good. There were some definite things that made it difficult though. After sitting on a slightly padded bench (with no back) for almost two hours, you may contract dead-buttkins disease. I'm sure you've had this before. You stand up and there is a phantom sensation that something used to exist behind you. Just get up a every once and a while, that'll help ease the pain.
Plus, the audio was a little difficult to hear. The bass was very high and drowned out the words, so if you weren't entirely familiar with the movie, you'd probably miss a lot of the words. No matter. There is a huge TV in the bar that is playing the movie as well and has much better audio.
All-in-all, I like this place and had a really great experience there and want to go back. But, the movie watching aspect was difficult in some aspects. That's why it helps to be with great company that makes the experience worth while. -
Review from Chrissy R.
Philadelphia, PA
10/19/2008
This place is pretty chill. I like going to Movie Mondays, though the crowd can be a bit weird because they are TOTALLY into their movies. Scarily so.
I've been here once or twice for concerts and it is a tight space, but it's pretty nice.
I dislocated my thumb slipping down the stairs on the balcony so WATCH OUT KIDS -
Review from Bill M.
Yeah, Ithink that picture of Skeletor I added on here might just be the one picture that I can't help but laugh over every time I see it. Anyway That's not the only reason I'm updating this, because a good deal has changed since my last review.
Firstly the Monday Night Club with A.D. Amorosi that I mentioned previously is now at National Mechanics, proving yet again that they have just about everything. And also Movie Monday has gotten just a little bit better because if you show up before 7 you get free popcorn and beer (PBR but still!).
Overall I do have to drop The Balcony down one star, because other then Movie Monday, and Skeletor's Karaoke Gong Show (with Rock Band!), I can't think of a real good reason to go to it beyond drinking at an actual Troc show. While it does bring in some decent shows on a local level, the sound quality can be pretty bad. and it has the second smallest stage that I've seen in Philadelphia (Tritone will always be #1). But at least the two main reasons are filled with big time fun!Listed in: Philly Bars, The Places I Go Out, Music Venues, Cinema
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/15/2007
You may normally go here for it's incredible Movie Monday night. and if you do then don't you dare… Read more »
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Review from Erin G.
Philadelphia, PA
7/20/2010
Movie Monday is a steal - see a recently released comedy or an old classic (hey Goonies!) for just $3, then by a bucket of 4 PBRs for just $9. Arrive before 7 (the movie starts at 8) and you get a free beer and a bag of popcorn. Stay after the show and play movie trivia or have your ticket drawn for free t-shirts, hats and tickets to Troc shows.
Of course, every good deal has a snag or two. Arrive early for a popular show, or you'll be stuck in the corner with limited views. And if it's crowded, don't expect the sound to be good (at all) unless you're sitting directly in front of the screen. -
Review from lyndsey F.
Portland, ME
1/11/2010
I cannot think of a better way to spend my monday nights than at my favorite venue in the city.
$3 admission includes a PBR, if you get there before 7 (which we did) you get an additional free PBR and popcorn. And the movies are awesome.
Tonight was The Goonies, which obviously brought out quite the cult following...Truffle Shuffles all around.
It doesn't get too crowded and it probably the most budget friendly event around.
Negative = it was FUH REEZING tonight. I didn't take my coat off the entire night.
GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE.
xo -
Review from Andy S.
Blue Bell, PA
7/11/2008
I'm mostly looking at this from the standpoint of a music venue, as I only caught a movie once (and was too drunk to really notice anything).
I was never happy when a show was here, but never really upset either...as a music venue, its pretty much like a lukewarm bath. Yea, it could be warmer...but could be colder...so I'll just sit here. It clearly was not designed to host such events, as the stage is in an odd location and it can be hard to get a good view. Soundwise...well, there is sound, but quality-wise it has been all over the place.
The bar is decent, but again, nothing to get excited about it. The bartenders were fine, no complaints there. Just when compared to the "real deal" music venues, it falls short. Whats good is good, but it just doesn't gel like the other places. And the staff has been mixed over the years, too...sometimes incredibly overbearing, other times...well lets just say Bongzilla gave new meaning to the phrase "audience participation" and nobody said word one. So...bonus. -
Review from Kevin S.
Philadelphia, PA
5/18/2009
I just got back from Monday Movie night... I saw Night of the Living Dead in 3D (the 2006 remake). Wow, it was a good time!
It's only three bucks to get in, and with that you get a three dollar drink token, so it's a wash. If you show up before seven, you'll get a free beer and a free popcorn on top of that. Not a bad deal! Also, if you dress up for the movie, and people do(there were zombies in attendance), you get an additional free beer.
The bar was a little crowded, but the bartenders were great. The beer was pretty cheap, and although the selection wasn't killer, I'm pretty sure you could find something you like or make due. It's Monday movie night! Get a bucket of Coors and cut loose a little. I won't tell.
The Trocadero draws a good crowd. We were certainly a diverse group, yet all here for the same reason, and that's part of the fun; hearing people's reactions, conversations, etc. It's like watching a movie in your living room, and a hundred friends showed up. Nobody was rude, and everybody was into it.
At about a quarter to eight, the doors to the balcony opened up and everybody filed in and found a seat. The seating consists of padded benches, comfortable enough. Like the bathrooms and the bar, everything was pretty clean, if a little old or untidy.
As for the film itself, it was okay... A just good enough to be bad, just bad enough to be good type of deal. They must have worked out some of the A/V glitches that others have written about. Although it's not as good as going to a real theater, the audio was fine and the screen, while not huge, was perfectly adequate.
The theater itself is actually quite charming... it's like a vaudevillian relic, an anachronism in the heart of what is now Chinatown. While it's surely lost some of it's original luster, it still gleams with antique plaster, gold moldings, and carved wood trim. One can't help but ponder the diversity and splendor of all the past patrons and performers these walls have witnessed.
All in all, I'm a fan of the Trocadero. Woot! -
Review from Sarah W.
Minneapolis, MN
3/3/2009
Movie Mondays is a great mix up for the week. If you show up before 7pm, you get a free PBR and popcorn. No matter when you show up, you get a token worth $3 at the bar, so they're basically paying you to see the movie if you show up early.
The movie seating is the same balcony seating for the large shows at the Troc, so it's not very comfortable to watch a movie.
I'd definitely go again.
Shows at the balcony are good too. -
Review from Edward L.
Greensboro, NC
5/22/2009
Monday night movies are awesome here. Pay for a drink and get in. That's it. Intermission trivia is fun too.
Where else are you going to see classic 80s movies in a theatre(ish) setting? -
Review from Nicole R.
PA
2/8/2007
The Balcony Bar is a little venue located above the Trocadero that caters to smaller, local talent. I played it with my band back in the day. It's an intimate location and a pretty great place to play. The decor is burlesque with a small stage couched in drapes. The lighting is low, and the bar is low-key. My drummer and I got whiskeys on the rocks with our free drinks tickets and the bartender called us 'hard-core' which I thought was kind of funny.
I've seen some good stuff at the Balcony, and I've seen some utter piffle. They also have movie Mondays which can be really fun. $3 gets you in and goes toward a drink or a snack and what they show ranges from cult classics to recent releases (they're playing Borat on Feb 19th which I didn't see in the theater so I'm definitely hitting that up). It's usually pretty packed with drunk, happy folks. -
Review from Lys A.
Feasterville-Trevose, PA
6/26/2011
One word. Just one: SKELETOR.
A.) It's in an old old old awesome building.
B.) Drink prices are comparable to pretty much everywhere in the city, with the occasional el cheapo special that's worth cozying up to (see: Movie Monday's).
C.) SKELETOR. I try to make it out to each and every Skeletor show. Comedy + karaoke + people who really don't care = something you've gotta try once (and you'll keep coming back). This is a monthly event - it can get crowded, but the bartenders keep on top of things, and if you don't like comedy, you have no soul - but you can occupy your soulless time playing video games on the huge screen they use for their movie nights.
Best comparison: If Tattooed Mom's was in Chinatown and catered to a just a tad bit more of a diverse + hipster crowd, minus the food. -
Review from Sean M.
San Francisco, CA
4/28/2010
If you want something fun to do on a Monday night, it really doesn't get better than this. The crowd at this place is so awesome. I have no attention span whatsoever, and sitting through a movie these days just isn't happening. But, b-movies and cheesy 80's flicks need no attention. Chime in when you want and within a minute you can figure out whats happened and probably what's going to happen.
If you're really into cinema you probably don't want to go to this. Most people are talking through the movie, everyone laughs, and there are plenty of outspoken drinkers in the crowd. But that's all part of it.
And.....yes what everyone is saying is true. Cheap beer and free beer. Plus a few free tickets kicking around. Last Monday I won one of the raffles (which by the way has never happened before), and got some sweet free schwag. -
Review from Carrie E.
Philadelphia, PA
6/10/2008
Feel the love from the mishmoshed crowd that rolls in for Movie Monday. Maybe you'll even have a cheap beer or something. But you'll leave feeling happy to be in Philly, 'cause this is a great setting for anything to happen. The bartenders are lovely, the bathrooms, although rather purple, are clean, and the energy and history of the space is magical. I'll be coming back, if nothing else than to meet some new friends and contemplate the works of artists, musicians and people who deserve to have batteries thrown at them. Going here reminded me of some of the reasons I fucking love this city.
Listed in: Best Philly Bars, Hipster's Paradise
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Review from Brynn T.
Philadelphia, PA
6/23/2008
eh... love the troc for shows, but as a movie venue it suuuuucks. i mean, suuuuuuuucks i guess if you haven't seen the movie before and you actually want to watch it. if you know every line by heart, then i'm sure this place is just fab. acoustics are great for concerts but NOT for movies, and i'm not just saying that cause i was drunk. i really could only hear *every fifth word* jack black uttered (be kind rewind) and NO one else's lines at all. i left halfway thru and i'll have to now decide if this is a movie i want to later invest the time in for completeness' sake. bummer.
but the setup on the balcony is cool, the drinks are cheap, the popcorn is good and the crowd is silly (OK except for the guy who was there to talk every time i turned around - creepy). i may go back for the next run of goonies, the single pop culture icon that i did manage to catch somewhere along the lines of my backasswards childhood. therefore i can repeat most of the lines backwards, and not need to hear them in order to laugh hysterically at things that aren't all that funny. yeah?Listed in: music venues
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Review from menace m.
Philadelphia, PA
6/10/2008
Hey you guys!! I just checked out the Troc's Movie Monday. 3 bucks gets you a movie and one drink or snack. Seeing Goonies on the big screen was awesome and the crowds love and nostalgia for the film made for a pretty hilarious experience. They weren't calling out the lines - just applauding and cheering the classics. I think I might check out Pee Wee's Big Adventure in a few weeks.
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Review from Michael K.
Philadelphia, PA
10/7/2009
I've been to more shows at the Troc (upstairs and down) than I can count. Upstairs is a great place for some emerging bands, it always sounds good in the room and you're close to the bar. You have decent sightlines all over the room and everyone that works there is incredibly nice. The karaoke gong show is a real highlight. How often do you get a chance to rock out with Skeletor?
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Review from Caitlin V.
Philadelphia, PA
4/14/2010 2 Check-ins Here
only bad thing i have to say so i'm going to get it out up front: drinks are a dollar or two more than you'd find somewhere else. but it's also a concert venue. so what do you expect?
otherwise, this place rules. i just went here for my first Movie Monday for The Lost Boys (it was on Tuesday this week). For $3 admission I got two free pbr's and a bag of popcorn not to mention they were giving everyone two free tickets to their 80s tribute band night in june. score! You only get one free pbr unless you show up before 7pm.
It was so exciting sitting up in the balcony and watching down at the big movie screen. even though i was only there with one other person, it felt like you were watching the movie with a huge group of friends because people would laugh and make funny comments, which normally be annoying but it felt like we were having an experience together. it was wonderful.
the bartenders are so super super nice. so was the door guy. very welcoming environment indeed. i will be back as much as possible. how can i stay away now? -
Review from D J.
Philadelphia, PA
3/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good beers on tap during a show
