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Cavanaugh's River Deck
Rating Details »
Categories: Dance Clubs, Bars
Neighborhoods: Penn's Landing, Northern Liberties417 N Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19195
(215) 629-7400
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
18 reviews for Cavanaugh's River Deck
When I lived near Philly I used to love coming out here for the bar/nightlife scene. I had many a great times. Now that I live near DC and am married, I went back here and am sad to say I was somewhat disappointed. We came here at 9pm for the view of the Delaware River and BF Bridge. There was like 2 other people there. This place is doing something very wrong if on a Friday night there is hardly anyone there.
We ordered some food off the pub menu and it was just a-okay. You obviously don't come here for the food but we did not have dinner. Some people trickled in and I am sure people started to flood in later but I wouldn't know since we left before our hour long parking meter ran out.
Quite simply you come here for the outdoor bar / party scene. I still have a certain fondness in my heart for this unique place.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Cavanugh's is by no means a fine dining experience, though the place does serve a purpose given it's location. I've been there a few times before, one time grabbing food before going to the Festival Pier for a concert and another time going out to meet a group for my cousin's birthday. The latter was okay, the place was packed and I remember it being a hassle getting into the place because of the cover and bouncers.
As a place to grab food before a concert at the Pier it does the trick, especially because there are few other places close that are not either expensive or Dave and Busters. I've sworn never to go to D and B ever again. The beers are $4-5.50 and they have an okay selection. We all had sandwiches that were mediocre. We had a good time though because we were able to chill out and hang before the show.
So my friend Melissa started working here and has been after us to come in and hang. I read the reviews and, not being a big fan of the punch in the face mentioned by one of the reviewers, decided to come early and avoid that option.
And I'm glad we did. It was a fantastic night on the river. Breezy and cool. The view is great, and the early crowd is pretty easy going. The pictured tater tots are made with real bacon and american cheese. The hummus, not pictured, was watery and underseasoned. The shrimp cocktail was surprisingly good.
Note to smokers - you can smoke at the bar.
Now - go with the understanding that this place is a dive, and that after 10pm you will be caught up in a mosquito filled drunken pool of ignorant meatheads. But if you bug out around 9pm you'll probably have a pretty good time. Plus you beat the cover.
The bathroom doors are propped open all the time, putting the old school fifty cent condom machines on display. Apparently later at night there is a bathroom attendant with a walmart full of colognes for your late night scent war needs.
So go early, have the tots, and move on by 9.
Well, it's nice to be outside on a warm evening, and the view is lovely. And they have Sierra Nevada and Red Stripe if you ask....
But other than that, I say no thank you to the bouncers who can be really aggressive about people wearing hats (because apparently hats are bad news), the craptastic beer on tap and the shrieking, drunken crowds that pour in as the evening gets later.
I was there for a social event, so I was among friends and could tolerate it for a while. But a girl only has so much patience, and I made a hasty retreat as soon as I could, dreaming of an outdoor bar where hats were celebrated and buses don't drop off bar crawlers...
People thought this was:
- Useful (18)
- Funny (13)
- Cool (7)
The food is good but if you have a sensitive appetite, make sure to finish it before a whole slew of bar patrons getting off of work come rolling through- they get pretty loud which kills the ambiance. The place became packed when we got there- possibly because it was a weekend. The view was nice of the multi-colored bridge and water- was there at night so I couldn't determine the cleanliness of the entire area but it was okay from what the strobe lights lended from the dance floor. I hear it gets pretty packed but I didn't stay around that long to find out- I suppose it would be fun to meet friends there- casual attire, laid back and on the waterfront. As for parking, you'll have to be accomodated across the street for no less than 10 bucks. Good luck.
This place has such a great location, it's a shame to have to give it 2 stars.
The positives: A gorgeous view out onto the river and the Ben Franklin Bridge, including the occasional baby duck sighting. Also, there is a lot of space to move around and a fair amount of seating, at least on the Wednesday that I visited. The Philadelphyinz Wednesday night residency also guarantees some pleasing summer jams to make you forget the workaday worries.
The negatives: The crowd here is questionable at best, and beers that are $3.50 at your local watering hole are $5.50-7 here. The sound system could use some tweaking and a space that large doesn't lend itself to getting the dancefloor moving. The atmosphere of the place is a little sleezy, and not in that way that makes your pants warm.
I'd say it's worth checking out once, but it's your call whether or not it gets better or worse on the weekends.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (4)
I like to be by the water. It's relaxing, and helps me to feel cooler on a hot day. I also like Piers. I just don't like Cavanaugh's. This place is the skeez hole in every movie made about college kids going to "party."
The drinks are crazy over-priced, the dress code is hilarious (and definitely racially targeted) and it makes you wonder just how much trouble they have there on the weekend. I went on Wednesday, so I have no idea. But I'm not going to pay out the ass to find out.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (3)
By far my favorite place in Philly!
This place is huge! There is plenty of dance floor room, plenty of room to chill and talk by the bar, the music is all crowd pleasers (MC Hammer, Bon Jovi, anything the girls will scream and jiggle to), the shout-outs are fun, the bartenders are cool (if you tip them well) and you can deal with the strange crowd when everything else about a place is cool.
It's definitely hoochie mama central. I think some of these "ladies" really did just show up in their underwear. And, they're all completely trashed and looking for a boy to take them home. Boys, if this is what you're into, have at it.
There were a few bachelorette parties there, when we went. Our http://MeetIn.org group was the largest group there, with over 100 people dancin', drinkin' and lining up at the port-a-potties. We got several shout outs for our fearless leader and several of our friends were dancing on stage. Good times!
Did I mention the open bar for only $15? Rock on! It was only for a couple hours, but if you can pound more than 3 beers in 2 hours, it's well worth it. Just make sure and tip your bartenders. Open bar does not include tip and you will find yourself ignored at the bar if you don't drop a buck or two.
Fantastic spot! If I'm ever in Philly again, I will definitely head back to this place.
They lose one star for their bouncers. Yes, I understand, the bar is closed and you must kick us out. Okay, we're out. We're on the sidewalk, making plans, hailing cabs, etc. DO NOT continue to scream "go home" to us. We are on the damn sidewalk, you do not own the sidewalk, SHUT UP!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
i have to admit, i thought i would hate it here. back in the day when it was kat man du and i worked at deco, i had to pop in here to "promote". i hated it. the crowd was gross. men who wore tight jean shorts and danced to "doing the butt", i didnt think i would ever step foot in this building again. but a birthday got me there last night. it might have been the perfect weather that gives it 4 stars. it was gorgeous out. met up with fun people. so the crowd in there wouldnt have mattered, cuz i didnt pay any attention. the dj had everyones asses wigglin'. the bartender moved quickly after the first round. (waited a really long time at first) but i think after she realized we were the tipping kind, she hustled.
i do have a prob with the guy who checked my id. (by the way, im 36. no reason to card me) his friend was leaving, and he yelled to him, right in my face... "where the fuck you going?". now, im by no means a delicate flower, but he was my first impression walking in here. yelling "fuck"? really? i thought, wow. the owners must not give a "fuck". no where i ever worked, could that happen.
but i see no reason to go back. i left on a high note. but reading the other reviews, tells me im making the right decision.
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I went here on a Saturday night, and it was awful. First off, I'm being frisked? Really? Come on guys, we all know you're looking for flasks not knives.
And a $5 cover for a bar? I can understand covers at clubs because not everyone will necessarily drink, but this is a BAR. Don't charge people to come and buy drinks. Overpriced drinks. Served in the smallest plastic cups I've seen at a bar. At $8 per drink.
I could keep going but I'll keep this short. At least 50% of the guys in this place are just wearing sneakers and a polo shirt. Let people wear hats. You're an overpriced shore bar located on the Delaware River, accept this.
not too good food and service. it's by the river and you can smell the stink.
Let's just say it gets really crowded. So crowded that you're guaranteed a drink to be spilled on you every 5 feet that you step. Plus the DJ was crap; play more than just the chorus of one song and learn how to transition damn it!
Since its outside you get to cool off, but obviously this place is preferably a summer time choice. There are sections that are tented but its not completely protecting you from the outside if its cold...
There are decent open bar packages: $10 for an hour of open bar which includes cover on a Friday night. Though normally the prices of drinks are average. There is parking next to the place for a flat $10.
Hmm, what else is there to say...bathrooms are decent...bouncers are fairly nice. My one friend drank too much and they helped her which is different from most places just kicking you out.
In a nutshell, its an ok place to host a party at but if you can avoid it, please do. Or go if you're already really really drunk.
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i absolutely hate the fact that we have to park right next to it, which is 10 bucks, because its the only place to park since its right in the middle of the dead pennslanding.
the riverdeck reminds me of boardwalk in ac. you walk up as if you were about to play the catch and grab games, but instead all you see is people from everywhere and all different directions. Brings you to a room that has some sort of tacky interior designing and played rock music, which is stupid. Walked outside and it's a huge huge deck and its so overcrowding, you cant see shit. Definitely a roxxy wannabe and full of youngbucks and college people. The music was alright, but because of the overcrowded, you cant stand anywhere, dance, or get a drink. They even have a tower looking thing where they would bring the hooches up there to dance. O please help them all.
The riverdeck needs a major remodel and a pool party. Maybe it will be even better.
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An open letter to Cavanaugh's River Deck.
Dear Cavanaugh's River Deck,
I hate you. I LOATH you. I came to you for a quick bite to eat before a concert at Penn's Landing, and you managed to turn my, what was to be enjoyable evening into an anger filled nightmare. We got to your establishment over an hour before our concert started, plenty of time to grab a sandwich or burger...or so I thought.
After seating us, our server gave us about 20 minutes to decide on what we wanted to eat. I say gave us, but I think I mean she forgot about us. In fact, I think everyone in your restaurant forgot that they were open, because if it were not for me going to find someone, I'm not sure if I would have ever ordered.
I'll skip past the part about the terrible food and messing up our order, because I can deal with that, it happens. What I can not deal with is rudeness to your customers. We were finished our meal and now begin to hear the very concert we have tickets to. Once, again, not a soul is to be found to get a bill from. It is at this point where I decide I am going to walk towards the exit, and unless I see an employee I am not stopping. I somehow managed to see someone who appeared to be employed by Cavanaugh's so I went over to them and asked for our bill...she said, "you'll have to talk to your server." I replied with something like, "Our server has gone missing, can I speak to your manager."
Another woman walked out who introduced herself as the manager. After explaining my situation and horrible experience, I expected an apology or something. What I got was unprovoked attitude. She printed out my bill, and I paid. I regret paying to this day.
Thanks for nothing,
Russ C.
It is said that if one person has a bad experience in a restaurant, he or she will tell at least nine people about it, those nine people will tell at least five, who will tell at least 3 and so on. I'm trying to tell as many people as possible. Cavanaugh's sucks, I would fish for my meal in the Delaware before I visit Cavanaugh's again. Spread the word.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
I came here for a post-exam with my friends whilst being a bit tipsy, but nonetheless, I noticed my surroundings and I did not like them too much. The only reason why this place even gets a star is because while tipsy, girls like dance stupidly and that's what I did for a good 10 minutes.......until some skeevy perv whispered in my ear if he could take me home and wanted to grope me. I mean, I know this stuff happens, but it was just WAY too close for comfort. The bathrooms are okay. And the view is nice at night from the river deck. But otherwise, sketchy^nth power. Definitely go to another place if you are looking for civilized people, and by people I mean men.
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been here a couple times. the first time my roommate and i stumbled in during an afternoon walk around the area. while she was on her "I'm not drinking anymore stage" i had a Malibu bay breeze which was light on the breeze, I'm not really complaining about that except the fact that the tiny plastic clear solo cup it was poured into, and for $9. i wonder what their beverage cost is. we ordered hummus and sat by the water. my non alcohol drinking friend ordered a jack and coke.
my next time was a Saturday night. $5 to get in, and then $7 for a beer. are you kidding? besides the way over priced drinks and admissions the place is a good hang out for college kids that want to mix it up from the abused old city bars and lounges.
pros:
it's outdoors on the water with a nice view but still has covered areas.
there are 4 bars but the night shift bartenders are not very attentive.
they actually have a dance floor
bottles are plastic so you don't have to worry about getting cut up when lushes drop their drinks
cons
pricey for what it is
food is mediocre but the chicken Caesar salad is a huge portion
all drinks come in plastic cups and bottles. and the taste of plastic is in every drink
there is always a line in for the bathrooms
the crowd can be sleazy
since it's outside smoking is aloud. YUCK
and another thought that i cant decide if it's a pro or con is that you can dance on the bars and on the stage with the DJ. good for horny men who want to look up chicks skirts. bad for girls who are too drunk to dance on the ground let alone on the bar.
overall fun place, wouldn't go there every night. but I'm a sucker for anywhere with a nice view of the water (albeit it's the dirty Delaware river) and is outside. went there for my birthday and had a great time.
real down side
waitresses disappeared when you want your check. we had to ask the bartender to get her and it's pretty obvious that he didn't because he never left the bar, or called over to the front of the place to get her. also big con she didn't seem to know to much about the menu, but i can give the benefit of the doubt and say that she might have been newly hired.
is great for large parties. because there is a lot of room. not great for intimate settings
that's about it. staying neutral on this one because it can be argued either way. however not good for sophisticated individuals.
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you instantaneoulsy get a STD when you enter this place....it is by the water though, so you can wash off the crabs when u leave that is why it got 2 stars instead of 1
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i give it two stars just because its a deck, and im into partying outside. if it were indoors id probably give it one.
whats wrong with this place?
1. the ridiculous dress code for guys.
2. the cover
3. the fact that they search your bags and pat you down to go in
4. the line for the bathroom
5. the port-a-potties. yes. johnny on the spots.
6. crowded is not the word. packed. jam packed.
7. the dj - cant pick and stick to a good song. and plays way too much bon jovi
8. drink prices are outrageous for where you are. youre delaware ave. get real
9. parking, lots are expensive, and if you chance it and park on the street, good luck not getting jumped/raped on the way back to your car
10. probably as a result of all the negatives listed, everyone is miserable and rude.
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