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ICandy Nightclub
Categories: Nightlife Bars Gay Bars Nightlife Dance Clubs Gay Bars, Dance Clubs [Edit]
254 S 12th StPhiladelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Washington Square West
(273) 243-3500
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
17 reviews for ICandy Nightclub
17 reviews in English
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Review from Sean H.
3/25/2012
This place was kinda of dead for a Friday night, especially coming from Woody's and Tavern, both of which were pretty packed as always. The venue itself was decent, very spacious with lots of different areas in which to hang out. There was just hardly anyone there to hang out with. Maybe business picks up on other nights, but for 1-2am on a Friday in the G'hood, this place was pretty empty. Not a good sign.
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Review from Michael W.
Philadelphia, PA
9/10/2010
12th Air Command is a weird and wild place. It reminds me of what a bar would look like if it were conceived by Maculay Culkin in "The Good Son"...fun with a liberal seasoning of danger.
I've only been here once and I had a blast, however, I spent the entire night wondering if I was ever going to make it out alive.
It had nothing to do with the company that I kept. The birthday boys that I was there to celebrate aren't the most violent bunch (more inclined toward Beauty than the Beast), but I still had the nagging suspicion that if I took a wrong turn in this multi-leveled, Prague-esque, Communist-era club of a place that I may never find my way out.
I could vividly picture falling through some long-forgotten trap door, shouting for help to no avail, crying myself to eternal sleep in a secret lair...my head resting gently on the lap of the skeleton of the last guy that foolishly decided to poke around...
I can summarize the evening in a simple list fashion:
Gays...check
Strong Drinks...check.
Friendly Bartenders...check.
Cool roof-deck...check.
Chips and M&M's Buffet...check.
Pervasive sense of dread...check.
Creepy Grab a Stuffed Animal Claw Machine...check? -
Review from Amanda C.
10/11/2010 4 Check-ins Here
12th Air is one of the most spacious and cheapest bars in gayborhood. It is not a place to pick up a date, or to have a galmorous night out. Come here for $5 24 ounce lagers, free snacks of mysterious orgin, and bartender Tinh.
Many peope dub this bar 12th Scare, but it really is worth a try for a low-key night with friends. Its empty dance floor, 3rd floor deck, no cover charge and no wait for drinks makes this place a common destination for my friends and I. Happy hour runs from 6-8 or 9 every night and its ridiculously cheap.Listed in: Where the gays go.
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Review from Vicki M.
Delaware County, PA
5/29/2008
Oh The Scare.
It's absolutely frightening inside and the owner has a reputation for firing most of his staff for arbitrary reasons. Despite what the advertising says, it's really not the hottest under 21 party n Saturday nights. It's basically a place for scary men to leer at your male friend(s) and then ply you both with liquor, thinking that the hag is the gateway to him and your friend sleeping together.
A breakdown of the bar:
The first floor, AKA: The Library, is proliferated with dirty old men drinking shitty white zin and retail queens looking for a sugar daddy. They have (or used to have) karaoke near the back bar.
The second floor: The "dance floor" is "meh," at best. Most of the time, it's completely dead or packed with tons of Baby Gays who probably pregamed with all the Midori in their mom's liquor cabinet. There's a few pool tables and both bars are open during the week; on Saturdays, they turn them into non-alcoholic bars.
The third floor: They have a small deck on which you can smoke; since the smoking ban, they have left the French doors unlocked year-round. The bar isn't too bad and the owner usually puts the better bartenders upstairs (although he almost always leaves John - one of the best guys - on the first floor), but you must check out the high art! I don't know what I would do if my local watering hole didn't have a cheap lamp that was probably bought at Spencer Gifts circa 1996!!
The decor is tacky and resembles what I'd describe as "cokehead remodeling." None of the decorating is cohesive in any way whatsoever. The owner apparently has a fixation on bad blue lighting that makes many of the more fair-skinned bartenders resemble ghosts (think Casper, not Patrick Swayze). Half of the 2nd floor actually looks fairly nice, with a recently remodeled dance floor. The other half? You might as well start humming "dueling banjos" and look over your shoulder for the rest of The Warlocks.
Also, every year, the owner thinks that he's going to mirror Woody's and open a grill/barbecue/sell overpriced, downright scary bar food. So you might get approached by someone with an order pad. Don't be alarmed, he just wants to know if you'd like to chance a hot dog at The Scare.
The music...well....if you enjoy hearing every Top 40 song in the world mixed with "Hollaback Girl," "Dontcha," or "Sexyback," you are in the right place. The only time the music is really good is during their Chi Chi LaRue/1800gaylive nights. I almost died when I heard the Rob Zombie remake of Brickhouse in 12th Air, of all places. If you're looking for something more eclectic than Q102's playlist, you won't find it here.
Bathrooms: women need a key for the 1st floor bathroom, the 2nd floor women's bathroom rarely is completely functioning, and the 3rd/2.5 floor women's bathroom almost always has someone in it, presumably cutting lines on the toilet tank. They are universally grody and I often damn myself for not bringing Purell or Clorox with me to wipe down afterwards.
But with all that being said, The Scare has a soft spot in my heart. The bartenders are great; the ones who suck typically don't last long. As crappy as the owner is, he is usually good about hiring only pretty friendly bartenders who don't drink behind the bar and know how to make a good, stiff drink. And, I have actually made a fair amount of friends there, so that is one big perk.
I'd recommend the place for the humor and for the drinks, but that's about it. If you're looking for a more worthwhile meat market, try Woody's or even Bump at happy hour.Listed in: BOOOOOOOOOZE!, The Places I Go Out
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Review from Gwen T.
3/25/2010
I don't really understand why it's usually so dead inside! This has to be one of the largest bars/nightclubs in the city... or maybe it only seems that way because you're the only one there?
I don't know... multi-leveled... 3? I've moved away from Philly a few years ago and don't completely remember.
Things I've loved: they had a night of free hot dogs & $5 pitchers of yeungling. I've witnessed the most hilarious hot dog eating contest (which now makes me eerily wonder.... where do they get all those hot dogs, anyway, and why are they just giving them away?) and also a best stripper contest (not allowed to strip down past their underwear, though, apparently you need a permit for that). In the summer on beautiful, warm nights their outdoor upper deck is very awesome and refreshing.. cute little terrace with city views.
Things I've not loved: The creepy single people with glazed over eyes sitting at an empty bar that stare at you while you're there. The lack of other people! I guess this isn't their fault? I don't know.. I don't know why it's always so empty when I think it shouldn't be since it's right in the heart of everything. Makes me wonder there's something shady happening. It doesn't seem welcoming, I've felt like I've received glares from being in there and being female. Maybe they were just queens jealous of my stunning good looks and perky natural boobs.
I'd go back... but probably not until I pre-gamed somewhere else beforehand. -
Review from Moses W.
Philadelphia, PA
1/16/2012
A coat of paint on a dilapidated gay bar - and new name? Nah...not gonna cut-it. HOWEVER, the bartenders on the 1st floor are kind and attentive.
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Review from Larry G.
4/21/2009
I thought the 12th Air Command was a decent bar...only because it dared to be different by the others with having arcade games. LOL! But, hey, isn't it fun to play Ms. Pac-Man while buzzed?!? Yeah, let's see if you can beat my high score! Mmmm-hmmm, I thought so!
Anyways, I do have to agree with the others about the patrons there. My friends and I walked in there and everyone turned to checked us out like we were fresh meats to, at least, a little lick of taste. Gawd, what a freaky, awkward moment that was!
But then, they soon turned away and went right back to their own worlds and dramas. I mean, there was this guy walking around the bar really fast, chasing someone. Ugh, high school? And, much to my surprise, he worked there! O......k!
And I have to agree with Erin below. I never realized it until she mentioned it. Yes!!!! There are mirrors in just about every gay bars in Philly! What. Is. Up. With. That?!?!?!?
Other than that, 12th Air Command is different by being a little fun with arcade games, mirrored decor and "youthfulness".Listed in: Philadelphia
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Review from Chrissy R.
Philadelphia, PA
3/31/2008
I'm not much of a club person -- as a matter of fact, my venture to 12th Air was my one and only time at a club in my life. And for a club, it was basically what I expected.
The dance floor upstairs is pretty much the bulk of this place. The bar area is SO SMALL, it's nearly impossible to get up there and get a drink or a bottle of water [neither of which is cheap]. I spent the majority of the night on the floor with my friend, dishing on cute guys and dancing until we couldn't breathe anymore. The DJ plays a pretty good selection of your obvious gay club music [Britney, Madonna, whatever is on the Top 40 list right now and remixed]. People are not afraid to makeout or show off the goods here, so it's not a place for the demure [although what gay club is?].
Overall an interesting experience, but I think if I ever venture back to a club, I'd like one with a little more breathing room. -
Review from Paul L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/9/2010
Browsing through the reviews of various gay bars, I was surprised to find that it's predominantly by female reviewers. There's nothing wrong with that but they are gay bars and they are mainly catered towards gay men. lol. Another thing that surprised me was the nickname for 12th Air Command is "The Scare", really? That's funny.
Well, the very first gay bar I've been in some 11 years ago was 12th Air Command, they host the only Gaysian event in the city and being a Gaysian, I went and had a pretty good time. Throughout the year, Jaded Lounge remain to be the most successful if not the only Gaysian event in town and for that I have to commend the folks at 12th Air for their commitment for hosting it.
While Woody's have their twinks, Bike Stop has their leather crowd and Voyeur has their after 2am partiers, 12th Air has never seemed to lock down a specific clientele. The place has never managed to pack house other than some event nights like the aforementioned Jaded Lounge which only happen once a month or their porn star nights that used to happen but not anymore.
I used to go there a whole lot some 9 years ago and enjoyed their friendly bartenders, especially John and Steve, but there seems to be a problem with retaining staff here. The owner Richard seems to be constantly firing staff which is unfortunate because as cliche as it sounds, customer like to go to a bar "where everybody knows your name." instead of some pretty boy bartender who enjoys being gawk at but with no personality.
What 12th air has going for them is a skydeck and bartenders who knows how to make foofy interesting drinks. I particularly like the Jolly Rancher, my friend has another favorite but I don't recall the name. The skydeck is an amazing space to hang out under the night sky, too bad it's not open as often. They also have karaoke but the host is a bit obnoxious and pushy to the point to off-putting and he favors a smoke machine that irritates.
Other than the third floor, the place is not exactly inviting. Nor does their exterior makes people want to go in and check the place out. Maybe that's why they rendered the nickname "The Scare". Right not the only inviting thing other than some drinks and the single event might be the friendly bartender Paul who serves downstairs. I hope they can make it more interesting somehow, maybe someone can host a trivia night or something fun. -
Review from bran p.
Los Angeles, CA
12/22/2008
If you've ever seen that old skool movie The Game with Michael Douglas where he basically wakes up in some scary town uncertain of how he got there, then that replicates my experience here.
First, I was in a cool bar sipping a Stella. Then, suddenly I was at 12th Air Command. The horror. The horror. (Read with husky Brando voice).
This places puts the fright in frightful.
Because my experience there is mostly a blur, I can only tell you what I remember. Sweat. Smoke. Leather. Basically, what my mind will allow me to recall. If this description has given you the impression that this bar is a cross between Sing Sing, and armageddon, then that's just about right.
Prison coutre.
Yikes. -
Review from Chrissy R.
Philadelphia, PA
4/23/2008
There's a reason this place is referred to as "12th Scare". Srsly, this place can be a nasty meat market of horridness.
Listed in: FOAD JUST FOAD
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Review from Terry C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/29/2008
I can't help but hearkens back to the wise words of Obi-Wan Kenobi when thinking of 12th Scare Command - "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious." Ok, it's not that bad... But it does have it's scary dark recessed "mugger's paradises" on the 1st and 2nd floor. The bathrooms are a mess, and quite often you'll find some kind of illicit activity being perpetrated in there. And really, what's with Philly gay bars and floor to ceiling mirrors on the dance floors?! The 70s are over and Studio 54 wants it's look back... The drinks are potent, the staff friendly, and the music okay. It's best to go as a group and stick close together... Use the buddy system and don't leave anyone behind!
Listed in: Philly Gayborhood
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Review from Megan K.
7/23/2009
where else should a single woman in the city have cocktails after work? let's just say, i was the only one. ran into a coworker on the street. he invited me in. paul was the bartender. he was funny and sweet. made me feel comfortable. it was a wed late afternoon. it wasnt busy, but everyone in there was super friendly. i swear, the martinis are bucket sized!
the music was great. it was music videos. i didnt see the other floors or the outside area. next time, i guess. good times, good times!Listed in: Drink. Drank. Drunk.
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Review from Stephano R.
Philadelphia, PA
7/20/2010
I like bars of all type, but few things I like about this place are the following:
1) Asian bartender on 2nd floor is funny, smart, and nice.
2) There are multiple floors and space. I'd rather be in a place with breathing room
3) Upstairs on 3rd floor is a little charm. Little private yard to have a cigarette, enjoy the sky, or do briefly get away from the scene
4) I have been here multiple times, and no customers or bartenders have been rude to me. Just mind your own business and you will be just fine.
5) Music is a hit or miss. But the DJ does play what is In and HOT. It depends on what time you go.
6) Some may call this place too "ethnic". I have one phrase, I love it. -
Review from Vaughn P.
Philadelphia, PA
7/18/2009
It's a very simple club. 3 floors. During the summer the sky deck is open which you're able to smoke, sit and relax and enjoy the outdoors. Everyone has been friendly except for the owner, but the staff def. makes up for it. It's a nice DL location for anyone who wants to get away from the scene for a bit, but still wants to go out. It's very easy to make personal connections at 12th air.
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Review from Tom S.
Berwyn, PA
2/18/2011
Shame the owners let this place get run down. It is a large bar, just drab and dark inside. Plus the lighting outside is horrible, unless you know where it is, you would miss it. drinks are cheap and the bar staff nice and helpful.
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Review from Dredge K.
Philadelphia, PA
8/28/2008
it's always empty here, and a bit older, but good for happy hour drinks - there is a dance floor upstairs and they have an asian night once a month there
