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Loie - CLOSED
Rating Details »
Categories: Lounges, Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square, Penn Center128 S 19th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 568-0808
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
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29 reviews for Loie
I actually really like Loie! Not enough to give them four stars, but I haven't had any bad experiences here.
I really like the space. I've only frequented the upstairs portion just because I like the plush seating and ambiance better. It can get pretty crowded and you see a whole range of people, from college-age to grad school students. There's only one unisex bathroom upstairs so use sparingly!
I do have to give Loie props for having a nice space for social events and for putting Ketel in my vodka cranberry (hey, at least I didn't pay for crap like I do at other places). I hear they have a mean brunch which I must try at some point.
First off, thanks to the various Yelpers who started great brunch threads; I never would have known about Loie without them. That being said, Loie is indeed a great brunch spot, though I can certainly recognize the many reasons not to give it a very good review.
I. Walking in and getting a table immediately during Sunday brunch is probably not going to happen. Luckily, I had the presence of mind when I stumbled home Saturday night to log onto OpenTable and make a reservation. (Given that I had been drinking for eight or nine hours at that point, I was relieved when I discovered that I had made the reservation for the correct day, time and location somehow.) Two groups were walking out because the wait would be too long when I arrived, but I strolled on up with my reservation, no problem. Those people hated me.
II. Service is not great. No caveats on that, it just was not very good. I understand with how busy it was between, say, 1 and 2:30, that a server could get a bit overwhelmed and I am fine with that. However, even after I was one of three remaining tables, the service remained spotty, e.g. asking for another mimosa from three different people before finally getting it an interminable period later.
III. No complaints about the food or drinks. In fact, I would probably have given Loie the full five-star rating if not for items I and II, above. The mimosa were incredibly refreshing.
A. Both the girl and I ordered the steel cut oats with fresh strawberries, blueberries and spiced maple syrup for the first course off the prix fixe menu. It was amazing. I spent the commute this morning musing about making my own bourbon maple syrup with either vanilla or cinnamon. Of course, I'd only be pouring it over Maypo, not these awesomely thick oats.
B. For the second course, I had the flat iron steak and eggs. The potatoes that came with it were a standout. I didn't really get the point of the minuscule toast beneath the steak and eggs, unless the chef is just going through the motions on making the dish breakfast-y, but it did not detract from the food regardless. The girl had the Cheval chicken sandwich and fries, which she said she enjoyed. The fries came with what I assumed was garlic mayonnaise but it tasted oddly of lox. If that is intentional, its brilliant. If not, what on earth were we eating?!
IV. Bottom line, excellent food and an exceptional value. I mean, $25 for two courses and as many mimosas or Bloody Mary's you can quaff on a Sunday afternoon? I will be returning.
I discovered Loie as a stepping stone in a recent Saturday-night bar crawl. I didn't spend much time in Loie, so I won't spend much time reviewing it.
My buddy and I walked up and down the place, used the bathroom, and then basically left. It's dark, the music was loud but kind of bland, and there weren't a lot of people there. The place was huge, but sparsely decorated. Maybe there's more going on upstairs? At the top of the spiral staircase I found only found an empty room and a weird look from a security guard.
The only interesting thing about Loie is the architecture(it is in a very cool space) and the mysterious name(how do you pronounce it?), but that doesn't redeem it in my eyes. Loie can do better.
Loie has one of the better brunch specials in the city. For $25 you can get a two course breakfast, and unlimated Bloddy Marys, Mimosas or a bottle of champagne. Needless to say, this is great for a day when you're looking to celebrate with friends, or get an early start to your night.
The food is great...I highly recommend the latin burger, although I warn you, it can be a little spicy. Our waitress was also awesome.
I will definitely be going back!
This bar is kind of tough to figure out. I've gone here at least 5 times and the music has been anywhere from amazing to awful. The crowd has been everything from chill and cool to annoying and fist-pumping. They do have a great beer selection on tap and beers aren't too expensive (usually $3-4).
As for the actual place itself, I think it tries to be too much in too small of a place. The front of the bar is loud, crowded, and usually filled with drunk people who just came in. The middle of the bar is a dance floor/lounge area, but it's too small to be both so you end up dancing in place. The back of the bar has a few tables and people tend to get food back there. I haven't tried the food, but I've heard good things.
I guess this place is good if you're wandering in Rittenhouse and need a place to start or finish, but I don't recommend making a night out here.
Only came here for drinks at the bar area with a couple friends. The drink selection is kind of sparse, but there are some good choices (Magic Hat #9). The service was friendly and fast. I liked the decor, with the beautiful vaulted ceiling and tenuously sprawling chandelier adding to the cool euro vibe.
The crowd was a strange mix of yuppies and has-been-yuppies (ouppies?). Again, I can't comment on the food, but I feel like it's worth a shot if I'm in the mood for bistro-style food without the pretense of Parc.
Brad's rating (out of 5):
Drinks: 4
Price: 4
Decor: 5
Service: 5
Wild card: un-pronouncable name!
I wish I could give a detailed review about this place, but I was pretty hammered when I got here. I went upstairs and I was surprised at the amount of levels they had at this bar. From what I remember, I ordered two beers of Victory even though I gave the "peace" symbol to match the V of the tap.....Again...I was very drunk...
My friend, who was once a regular said, "Loie's is great. All you have to do is walk through the bar and you'll be grinding against someone"
I don't want to go into details, but the booths are very comfortable to sleep on...And the bouncers offer a great wake up service right at last call....
Not one of my Philly favorites, but a place I would frequent when I used to live in Rittenhouse. Reasonably priced drinks, good food (well based on the one sandwich and fries dish I had once), great music too on Friday and Sat. nites. The outdoor seating is kind of awkward as it's just right on the side walk, the best seating in the house is probably on the couches in the front of the restaurant. I have to say the service here is really good as our waitress was very attentive even when it was very busy one night when I went with some friends.
Disclaimer, I have no idea where I'm going with this review so if it doesn't flow, don't shoot me. For starters, the no cover thing makes any place in Philly with music a must try for me. Great, now I'm in the door with extra money for drinking. The music was pretty decent, and the inside is pretty dark, but not dark enough to not see all the people lacking rhythm. They were having a blast though so that's what counts. The drinks were great (I think, I was already destroyed by the time I got here). Downstairs gets pretty packed but there is an upstairs which may be the easier place to order a drink, hang your coat, and take a breather. I'm shocked I hadn't been here before.
I've been to Loie twice now, I went once early in the winter, and then again this past Memorial Day weekend. Both times it was dancing and drinks at night, I haven't eaten there yet, although I understand it's also marketed as an authentic French bistro.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
It seems to cater to a certain unidentifiable crowd, I really can't quite put my finger on it. It's dark, all wooden, and has a best-kept-secret kind of feel to it.
THE LAYOUT:
Dark, narrow, crowded. That's about it. There is a bar as you walk in, with a dance floor further back which is slightly wider, a set of stairs lead to a raised floor further back. There is also a staircase leading up to another bar and area for socializing. While I thought it was very crowded, sometimes cramped, it really didn't bother me. Now this may be because I was at Alfa just before going here (which is a cramped nightmare), but I think that when I'm at a place to dance, crowded is not a big deal at all...in fact it's kind of a good thing. Now obviously if it gets misty with sweat and starts to reek, it's not a good thing, but that didn't happen either time I was there, so it's actually pretty good.
THE DRINKS:
Nothing special, price or quality wise, it won't kill your wallet. Getting a drink can be something of a task, only because it's so DAMN crowded.
THE ATMOSPHERE:
I hate to say it, but this is the sexy little dancefloor where you go to lure someone to bed...or close to it. I always see an inordinate number of people making out there (hey, I am also guilty of this, so I'm not judging), I think because the darkness is highly conducive to lewd acts. If PDA in the club is a pet-peave of yours, you might want to steer clear. For those engaging in it, I just hope they know when it's time to get a room, I'd hate to bump into someone recieving bojangles (aka a beej hahaha, yes I am very immature) while grinding on the dancefloor. The music is very good-- the DJ spins a danceable, eclectic (within the genre) mix of rap, club and hip-hop. Not only that, but I hear he even plays the songs you request (OMG NO WAI, a DJ who plays requests?!?!), so that's a big plus.
THE VERDICT:
Loie may not be the next big thing...but it will have a longer shelf-life then many of it's trendy flavor of the season Rittenhouse counterparts. This is because it has a distinct and consistent offering in it's atmosphere, unlike many Philly bars whose experiences are largely interchangable. Go there with a date, or with a group that has someone you've got your eye on-- the dance floor is a great place to make your move.
Closed, watch for Zama, a Japanese Restaurant opening in its place.
What's good about Loie? For starters, there's no cover. There's booth seating. Oh, there's a photo booth in the back. The bad? The venue (including dance floor) is dark and packed, in an awkward, mosh pit way. The DJ's I've heard are a little off sometimes, playing old-school "hits", sometimes recovering when putting a POPULAR song on.
I've hung out here several times, including during Halloween (note, about any place is hilariously awesome on Hallow's Eve). This place was packed every time. Yes, there are lots of folks inside (typical random Rittenhouse Square crowd), but Loie is a long, narrow venue. Because of the crowd, I only got drinks here once: ordered two red-headed sluts at $7/shot, which our friendly, attractive, non-redheaded bartender (Erica) was quick to administer.
Last I was here, it was simply too sweaty and suffocating inside for our group so we ended up dispersing.
I met a friend here for brunch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The place was really empty and I was a bit skeptical. If a brunch place is empty at noon on a Sunday, it doesn't say much about the food, etc.
The emptiness, however, meant that we were seated and attended to promptly. The prix-fixe menu includes all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys. My friend and I each started with a Mimosa. I was pleased that they weren't overly skimpy on the champagne. I started with their garden salad which is pretty large and just right on the dressing. Not too dry and not swimming in oil. I ordered an omelette which was chock-full of my favorites: cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. The dish was cooked perfectly - the eggs weren't runny or overcooked and they came with wonderfully seasoned diced new potatoes. The service continued to be wonderful even as the restaurant filled up. The atmosphere was cozy and I enjoyed our seats by the large, open windows in the front. I'm sure this place is quite lovely in the warmer months. I would definitely consider this spot for out-of-town guests, family, and friends. You won't have to smash your piggy bank for a good meal.
I went here for Sunday brunch with some friends. Can't beat $25 prix fixe with all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys. We came later in the afternoon, so the place wasn't crowded. The bloody marys and mimosas were delicious and our waitress kept them coming. Everyone liked the food. We all split the vanilla soaked french toast (which wasn't part of the prix fixe) and it was excellent. The corn and crab chowder soup was yum. The Loie burger was tasty and done the way I'd ordered it, although I was expecting more horseradish in the mayo. It had just the right size bun (supersize burger buns are my pet peeve) with doubled fried fries on the side. I'm a fan.
Now, I've only been here for happy hour, and only once. And it was Center City Sips, so I couldn't even make it in the door, and had to grab a table outside. Now, I know they were busy with the after-work, cheap-drinks crowd, but to not acknowledge that there are specials, or to offer that information, and instead leave your regular menu on the table like the Center City Sips special applies to everything on the menu is just plain shady. Also, I might want an appetizer, maybe you should ask me?
The wait staff was really pretty nice and accommodating, and did keep the eater glasses filled. Outside of that, and I had a nice S. African Sauvignon Blanc, and a mediocre goat cheese flatbread. I don't know, I'm just left with a sour taste, and not sure when I'll be venturing back.
Solid place. Great food/atsmosphere/tunes, open late, pool table in the back...
On weekends, it's a bit too packed so avoid coming for a late dinner.
Went to Loie late night on Saturday. Am somewhat traumatized from the experience.
Just kidding.... I think.
Loie's property is a long, narrow rectangle. This probably works fine as an eatery, but not as a 'club' or dance floor. The amount of folks here was good--full without being crushing. However, who were the folks there? On the dance floor was an odd mix of boys who couldn't dance, girls who were clearly on speed, and more boys who couldn't dance. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was something weird about the population here. I don't think I'll be back because the DJ was mediocre & there's nothing special about the place overall. There are always at least 2 men in Loie who are about 50 years old. Security is also fond of waving flashlights into the crowd for no apparant reason. Who knows-maybe the food is incredible. As for the nightlife, go elsewhere.
I went for a Quizzo event. It was a planned event/closed party, so they should have had a reasonable idea of how big the crowd was going to be.
But still, they didn't seem prepared at all. They were very understaffed...I could only spot two servers snaking their ways through the crowd and they both seemed totally overwhelmed. It took, no lie, 30 minutes to get a couple of drinks for our table and that's not even getting started with the hour to get calimari and a burger. One of the servers, a taller guy, was friendly. Our other server, however, was pretty rude-- she brushed us off on a few questions and gave us no time at all to look at our menus.
The beer list was boring...a bunch of macro brews. Basically, what you can get at the Linc but not much else. Maybe not a negative, but not a plus.
The food wasn't anything to write home about either. The calimari we got was way overfried, to the point that it was hard to tell that it wasn't just empty breading. The burger was maybe the high point of the night...big and covered in toppings. But even that had a weak, undersized bun.
Maybe it'd be more fun on a weekend night, but with the poor service, mediocre food, and boring beer that I received tonight-- I won't be back.
Lackluster room is tired and retains none of the bistro-ish panache of the newly opened Loie of a few years back. OK food and OK service begs the question, why go?
I've only been once, but I was nicely impressed by the interior, the drinks, the bartender, and the delightfully sparse Sunday crowd. I thought it was nicely affordable for a place right off Rittenhouse, and the wait staff was really friendly. The bartender was especially kind as well. Sunday seemed like the best night just to get some drinks with a friend, though I'd like to try the food out sometime. Considering the rather dark interior, it mgiht be a nice place for a sultry date...
i was not impressed by loie at all. it seemed to me people were there to see and be seen, rather than for the food.
while service was very good, one person in my party was given a dirty glass with someone else's lipstick on it. ew.
i found the food overpriced and mediocre at best.
i hear tell the later night dance parties that get underway here can be fun, but i suspect it's more for the early 20's trendy crowd with money to burn.
I've only been here for happy hour and it was just okay. Food and drinks are reasonably priced but seating is limited. Service was adequate and the food was not really outstanding. But not a terrible experience altogether, but worth a try if the other restaurants on the same block in Rittenhouse are packed to the limit.
I found myself at Loie on a recent Girls Night Out...and while it is not a place I would normally choose to go if I was planning the festivities, it was by far the best place for drinks and dancing we found in the Rittenhouse area. We were lucky enough to grab a table and had a great waiter (Andrew) who kept the drinks coming (bonus points for having Magic Hat #9 on tap). The music was predictable- the DJ was capable but played stuff like the new Kanye West and Britney songs. The major downside was that the guys were all really nerdy and trying way too hard. But hey, it's Rittenhouse on a Friday night, so I basically got exactly what I expected.
Went there with a friend for drinks. Liked the Dj spinning hiphop. It was really chill and that's what i was looking for on a Sunday.
I would like to thank the bartender for collapsing under my power and giving me the tequila shots for free.
IF you are a wannabe or frat boy you might want to wait outside to get in on a club night. The bouncer is the best thing about the place.
The food is for people who want to drink- a lot! The brunch is gone to only because there are so few brunch places in Philly.
They've been through a few chefs because the crowd doesn't care about the food- and neither does the owner.
Lame.
I've only been to Loie for adult beverages so I can't speak to the food. It was a crazy dance party up in that place. And not in a way that I could particularly stomach. I'm not into this head-pounding dancy pseudo hip-hop/ pseudo r&b stuff. The dudes I was with knew the bartender et al so we got hooked up in the drink department, but even that was not enough to take the edge off. I didn't know about a back room/pool table area or I might have escaped to it. I did like the fact that the crowd was diverse as Zoran pointed out, but I could have done with less stifling cologne and fewer exposed navels.
I was here this past Saturday from about 10:45 pm until closing for my bachelorette party. I enjoyed this place immensely! DJ Benja Styles did a pretty good job DJ'ing - I'd never been here before nor have I heard him spin before. My friends had called ahead and got us VIP service with some pink champagne, drink special bracelets, and reserved seating. I should also mention that we didn't eat here, but I enjoyed the drinks. The bouncers there were very friendly and helpful and our waitress was great, too...until some friends went up to get me a drink and had a very rude encounter with one of the bartenders, Christopher Murray (or Murphy). I'm not sure what he looks like, but they were asking for drinks (ones that he claimed were from the 90s??) and he tried to charge them $12 a drink even when they showed the bracelets (which were supposed to get us $4 well drinks). When they questioned him and the cost, he screamed at them to never come to his end of the bar ever again. How happy would the owner of the bar be knowing he treats customers like that?
This place has good brunch, but it is usually a great place to head out on Friday or Saturday night for some dancing. It can get crowded. The DJ usually spins the daily hits, it is relatively easy to get a drink and the crowd is fairly diverse.
