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Categories: Dance Clubs, Sports Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: Olde City
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Last night a bunch of fellow classmates told me they were going here. I immediately went to my trusty friend Yelp to get the address and lowdown on this establishment. I saw the consistently bad reviews and was about to call my friend back and ask for a change of venue before I bike down from fishtown, but passed on being selfish...
...I wish I just passed. Basically all the previous reviews are spot on. I walk in to a bunch of guys with vertical striped shirts with their collars popped and hair gelled into tiny spikes. The music being played is so standard frat house dance party music. The extra star for this place was only due to the fact that I was with a group of fun people, and there was another crazy bunch by us who were having fun, but didn't seem to belong either.
To summarize: All previous reviews are correct. Sticky floors, douchey guys trying to pick up on any piece of ass, overpriced and shitty drinks, all whilst playing such boring top 40 bullshit remixes.
College frat party:
Sticky floors. Bodies bumping into you. Low quality drinks. Sporatic good music. Having to go downstairs to use the toilet. Can't hear what your friends are saying. Super mini dresses and flip flops. Lots of shots. Sports talk. $5 cover at the door.
Employees are friendly though...
MR is like a really sucky school.. Your experience is what you make of it - if you're drunk enough and surround yourself with good company you'll have a blast and before you know it you're graduating aka leaving in a cab to pass out at home.
OMG Did I really go here? For the record, having lived in Philly for almost 8 years, I had no idea this place existed. And soon, I will pleasantly forget this place.
Was in Old City for a friends birthday and someone had recommended Mad River. Called ahead and was able enter with "No Line/Cover" for my group which was the only saving grace for this place. Inside we were med with overly loud music, bad drinks, a smell i am not even going to attempt to describe and like 5 Bachelorette Parties (and the inflatable penises that come with them). Oh, and I have never seen so many meatheads drinking cranberry & vodka's in my life!
I'm sure that this is someone scene but it is DEFIANTLY not mine.
Went there for game 6 of the world series. The positive was that we found a place to sit and could hear and see the game easily. The negative was that the $3 bud light drafts were flat.
I personally don't like this place. It really isn't my scene. Here is the scene:
Frat house, college, mostly white people, tshirts, jeans, sandals (on brave souls that don't mind their feet getting tramped on), 80s music, rap songs that everyone knows and can sing to (Juicy, Next Episode, etc). Beer is pretty cheap, they use plastic cups. Cig machine at the bottom where the bathroom is.
Frankly, I hate coming here. The bouncers at the door have power issues and will let some of your group in and keep you out.
One time I was here for one of my best friend's birthdays, so we were there at 9. Not many people in there, but it was still pretty loud due to the music. I was told to quiet down. I wasn't yelling obnoxiously or anything, I promise I wasn't drunk yet. I know I'm a loud person, but being told to quiet down in a loud bar is odd. I just don't feel accepted here (I'm Asian, and pretty big), so I would prefer not to come here.
But if you like this type of thing, you'll have a blast. Some of my friends that like this type of scene love it here. Just don't expect diversity.
Hell on earth.
I went here for a friends birthday and got there late and had to wait in line alone. This gave me the opportunity to take in the atmosphere. And by that I mean cigarette smoke.
Basically the line for Mad River reminded me of middle school recess -- the guys are wearing backwards hats and directing derogatory gay insults at their "boys", for the girls -- tons of make-up, extreme cleavage, and gossiping to their "bitches".
Yeah, it is exactly like middle school. Except it's 10 years later and everyone is drunk.
The cover charge was pretty bad but I have to say the "Don't Stop Believin'" scream-a-long had to have been the worst part -- if not completely unsurprising.
NEVER AGAIN!!!
Actually, I'm pretty sure I said those exact words several years ago when I was last at Mad River. However, it was my sister's 23rd birthday, so I had to suck it up and go with the program. We arrived around 9 or so on Saturday night, thinking the bar would be relatively empty since the Phils game was postponed. Not so much. There was a Penn State alumni event going on, so the place was packed and we had to wait in line in the rain. We should have known right then and there to cut our losses and go elsewhere.
Once inside, the bar was so packed with people that I started planning out a fire escape plan. It was nearly impossible to get anywhere near the front bar, so we made our way to the back, where there was more room. Only thing was, the floor was covered with puddles of beer, plates, napkins and food. What the hell happened before we got there? Employees were trying to clean up the mess but it was a lost cause. Nearby, I witnessed a guy spitting on the floor. I started to pray, knowing that only a stronger force than myself could get me through this night.
The $2 domestics that were being featured were actually plastic cups that were filled 60% of the way if we were lucky. After a while, the back bar ran out of draught beer completely so the only option was to either pay for bottles or attempt to get to the front bar without getting felt up by every drunk guy in the place along the way. I still can't believe we each paid $5 to get in. The stamp should have said "sucker" because that's exactly what paying for anything in that dump made me feel like.
I really dont know which way to go on this one. On one hand, the bar wasnt crowded the night we went, and the bartender paid special attention to my friend on her bday (he even let her pick the song list!) but at the same time, he was a huge ass to everyone else in our group. This was especially after 2 tall, blonde girls with huge boobs and leopard print dresses walked in...then all his focus was on them. The one jumped behind the bar and tried to get me to buy a shot. "No, honey, I just want my bill" I said. I felt like we were ignored for the rest of the night.
I soooo don't fit in this place. Its filled with ugly frat guys and fat white people who looove dancing to outdated radio-friendly rap songs. blah. this place should NOT have a cover charge! don't waste your time. I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 because management has allowed my student organization to guest bartend.
Reading the rest of these reviews, you've gotta kinda understand what you're getting yourself into: striped shirts, short skirts, light beer, jager bombs. It's basically what gives Old City a bad rap.
But anyways, the music is miserable, unless you're into hearing the same song 50 times in a row. The people look like the left Old City Ironworks to come directly here, sucking a Muscle Milk on the way over. And the place is always overrun with way too many people.
In short, do you like being sweaty, hopped up on red bull, and waiting in line for no apparent reason? Come here, you won't be disappointed.
Ok - If I were a scantily clad, huge breasted, big haired 22 year old, this place would be five stars easy. Sadly, I am not.
We came here to dance and drink for a bachlorette party and had a pretty good time. It wasn't really our scene, but 18 26 year olds can make a party wherever they go, so it was fine. The DJ picked consistently good singing and dancing songs (Low, Jesse's Girl, anything Justin, Britney or Madonna, etc) but only played the chorus of the song once or twice, which was annoying, especially when the best song in the world (Footloose) came on.
Around 11:00, the place got pretty packed and it was hard to maneuver through all the groping ya doods and their short skirted hangerons; and the line was out the door.
A great place for some groping and grinding, fairly priced drinks and a decent DJ.
DO NOT GO HERE!
I don't know why we listed to my friend and went here...We came earlier in the night to check it out. We'd heard it sucked but since we were nearby we stopped in. We got in there right after a big college football game and everyone was decked out in their jerseys. The floor was STICKY from all the spilled booze. I felt like I was 18 again and in Tijuana Mexico where I paid $8 to get in and drink free all night. Two stories. Two bars. Both floors were sticky. Totally a college bar. If you've finished college and are now in the working world, do not go here. You will be disgusted.
Even after that nasty first walk through, we went later that night with a $5 cover and no wait because I had friends from town inside. That is the ONLY reason we returned and I wish we hadn't. At this point in the night it was overcrowded and hot. The only spot on the dancefloor was under a speaker. It was SO DAMN LOUD that we were all DEAF for several days after! I am not joking! Is the DJ on crack? Maybe he thought we'd like him if he made it so loud that we couldn't think straight, hear others talk, etc?
Drinks were of the caliber you'd think they'd be. Served in plastic cups, yes, it's that kind of joint, weak, and poorly made. Nasty wells. Listen to Yelp and do not go here. Ever! Unless you want to be deaf, are 21, or every other place on this earth is closed.
After doing my housing search, I went here with my buddies for a night in Old City.
Place was full of people and had lots of college age folks out there dancing. My only problem was that in a setting like this, its difficult to try to talk to people or do any sort of intros. My ears were ringing after I left the bar (gosh, do I really sound like a 65year old- yikes!). However, the bar tenders seemed fun and drinks weren't too killer for prices
For boobie chicks and gel haired college kids who just turned 21 and dont realize that you can get good beer and well drinks in something other than plastic cups.
it's only good if you win a happy hour and youre nostalgic for sweaty, sticky floored college bar life.
the
worst
bar
in
the
city
period
This review is solely for the upstairs bar.
A huge group of us from http://MeetIn.org took over the upstairs bar for a TShirt Graffiti night (everyone wears white shirts and everyone else writes/draws all over them).
Pluses: They let us have the upstairs bar to ourselves for free, since we brought such a large group. They let us play our video on the bar TVs (but the sound was crap, so you couldn't hear anything).
Minuses: Beer in a plastic cup made me feel like I was at a High School kegger. What am I gonna do? Break your glass? Argh! Plus, the plastic cups were clearly not 16oz and they still cost $5 a piece.
If I was ever in town again, I'd probably skip this place.
I wont even review this place based on Fri and Sat nights after like 10pm. The line is ridiculously long, specials aren't that good, and theres cover. Enough said about that.
My four stars are for the wed and thurs night specials and the fact that this is THE PENN STATE bar for psu football games. Wed from 9-11 they have 50 cent bud light bottles. You can't beat that. Thursdays is dollar coors light bottles. You still can't beat that. No cover. Boom. Plus it's never crowded for some reason which means you can have meaningful conversations about life over some light beers. Met the owner a couple times, real nice guy. Place is rowdy for psu games. 4 stars for being PSU affiliated and having great specials. Oh not to mention the female bartenders are pretty hot and the guys are real chill.
Cool place to eat and watch sports during the day and a great place to party at night. There's no age limit here...but if you're over the age of 25 you're considered "old". Don't plan on talking to anyone because it's way too loud and yes, your ears will be ringing when you leave and morning after. The DJ is great, even tho he not the friendliest of people you'll meet.
It's a great place to dance and I seldom have a bad time when I go there. The main floor is for people who wanna party and the top floor is better for lounging and talking. My secret for this one: Go Thursdays for 1 dollar bottles of beer. 9 to 11. Enjoy. Oh, and sign up for a happy hour because they give them away all the time.
My review is based only upon attending two Friday nights. Mad River may be really awesome at other times. With that disclaimer out of the way, here we go:
This place is a joke. You cannot have a conversation with anyone whilst the DJ is spinning his tired old hits from the 80s and 90s...it is simply too freaking loud. Due to the volume, the only interaction resembling dialogue will be mouthing the words to whatever song is currently playing("ooooh we're half way the-errrre....ooo ohhhh livin on a prayer").
The booze is expensive. You'll frequently have to pay a cover to get in. You'll wait in a line outside for 15 minutes before getting in. You will leave sober. Mad River is a waste(on Friday nights).
Mad River is a big old bar in Olde City (on Chestnut between 2nd and Front Streets) that is pretty much a huge college bar. The main age group is probably 21-27, heavily skewed toward the 21-year-old end of that spectrum. I think it's a chain because I know that they have one in Baltimore.
Basically, I only go here when one of my friends wins a happy hour, which is pretty often because it seems like most people who enter wind up winning. So what's the deal, you ask? Well, if you enter to win while you're at Mad River (they have cards you fill out and give back to the waitresses) and you win, you get in for free and drink for free from 7-9 p.m. on a Friday night, and your friends pay a $5 cover and $1 for beer and well drinks. Not a bad deal. In fact, my boyfriend and I both won happy hours for tonight, so we each invited a bunch of people and will be heading down to drink in a few hours. I always enjoy the happy hour, even if I am drinking cheap beer and even cheaper liquor. You can't beat the prices. But then I usually head over to Eulogy after happy hour ends to get some beer that won't give me heartburn in the morning.
I've also gotten food here. The burgers are, well, burgers. Nothing spectacular. They also have a variety of fries, from sweet potato fries to tater tots to waffle fries. I suggest the waffle fries if you get food.
I did stay past happy hour one Friday night, and I had a good time dancing, even though it was very, very hot, sweaty people were squished up against me on all sides, and it was hard to fight through the crowd to get to and from the bathroom, which quickly got dirty, flooded, and ran out of toilet paper. But, like I said, this is basically a huge college kid kind of bar, so enjoy it for what it is.
UPDATE: I had WAY too much to drink and then danced my legs off at my happy hour on Friday, but that's because my drinks were FREE for 2 hours. Good stuff. So I highly suggest that you enter to win a happy hour if you go here. You'll have a blast.
Mad River would be my idea of hell if hell had a bar in it (which it probably does and Satan only serves Bud Light and shots of Jager).
Components to a hellish bar:
1) Scantily clad Old city hos and playas grinding on the dance floor
2) Pop music from the 80s and 90s
3) Overpriced and very crappy beer
4) Obnoxious dudes who think buying a drink for a girl equals getting some
5) An address in Old City
The only reason I even went is because one of my girls knew the bartender and we were drinking free Jameson. I don't think I'd go back even for more free whiskey. Well maybe.
Mad River Grille- 126 Chestnut St. Old City, Philadelphia http://www.madriverphi...
A nice change of pace in the often times stuffy environment of Old City. Here a crowd of young professionals and young "not-so-professionals" meet to create an ambiance unique to this section of the city. With a lodge-like setting, created by wood floors, leather couches and long dark wooden bars, Mad River has a relaxing, laid back atmosphere which suits its clientele well. The prices are about average for Old City ($4 Coors Light bottle, $5 Gin and Tonic), but what makes the trip to Mad River exceptional are the Happy Hour and Daily Specials (ex: Wednesday Night- 50 cent Bud Light Bottles). With excellent choices of 80's and 90's rock music, great specials and a laid back atmosphere, Mad River is a must for 20 something's looking to mingle with their own kind.
Cover- Weekend Nights -$5
So this place is great if....
-you like bodies all over you
-you enjoy the smell of sweat and desperation
-groping and humping in public is your thing(over the clothes of course)
-you dig drinking out of plastic cups.
I went here not too long ago because I won a contest and got two hours open bar for myself and my friends. Basically they were desperate for customers so they tricked us into well liquor and 15 dollars at the door. Whatever...I'm not bitter. It's not a place I'll go back to ...and unless you truly like the things I listed above...you might want to skip it.
Well I haven't been to Mad River since early last winter before I shifted to Rittenhouse, but all throughout 2007, especially the summer/fall, I was in Olde City, and consequentially, Mad River every time. It's big 2-story bar, which is, as many of these reviews allude to-- a frat party in every sense of the term. You'll see why and how as you read on.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Depending on when you go, the line could be anywhere from a few minutes to almost down the block (not worth the wait), obviously the later, the longer. The line is also sloppy, prone to people budging in line, bouncers not paying attention, and oh yeah, usually packed with obnoxious drunk girls smoking cigs and trying to look hotter than they really are. Girls, please try to act like a 21+ year old in line (not a 13 y/o), be like the guys and wait until you get IN to act like animals. You get in, and you will instantly be transported back to the days of greek debauchery, the smell of sweat as it overpowers perfume, the sticky sensation underfoot (do they actually have pledges at Mad River that they make scrub the floor after every night? the stickiness never goes away haha!), and the soulful sounds of Journey or Sweet Caroline (more later).
THE LAYOUT:
I would say this layout is one of the best suited for large groups in all of Philadelphia, but that means large groups of young recent college grads, not your boss and his C-level buddies (unless they are also recent college grads). The first floor has seating along the left wall, as well as bathrooms downstairs (just don't fall and break your neck on the stairs). There are two bars and a giant open area in the middle for people to dance (and yes, they dance, there is less standing around than one might expect). Upstairs, it's more narrow, more seating (although the few open couches are sometimes kind of soggy from drunken morons dropping drinks everywhere, as if the floors weren't enough of an indication), and another bar. I am pretty sure the music is the same on both floors.
THE EXPERIENCE (Drinks/Music):
The drinks HAVE to be strong or else it wouldnt be such a shitshow in there every night...I myself can't remember how strong they were, but I do kind of recall that they were priced a little higher than what would be considered reasonable for a place like that. Then again, I've been at ritzy Rittenhouse clubs all winter/spring, so they might be mighty cheap by comparison. The soundtrack never changes...ever...always the same, frat party music-- Journey, Neil Diamond, Def Leppard, Belle Biv DeVoe, you get the picture. Every once in a while you'll hear some mainstream rap remix or something, but I guess the mostly white college crowd doesn't go for much outside of what they can loudly sing along to. Also, as many of these reviews have stated, Free Happy Hours are given out very very liberally, in fact it's almost impossible not to get one, so that's a plus.
THE CROWD:
If ever I had more mixed emotions about a bar crowd, it would certainly be about Mad River's. I have had incredible times with some incredibly friendly new people who were happy to meet with my friends I was with. I have had times when I've tried to be friendly and maybe ask to dance only to be met with some of the most stuck-up and rude responses I've ever heard (go back to Jersey, you're not fooling anyone, sister). Not only that, but there are about as many pleasant looking, smelling, and acting people as there are creepsters, douchebags, and ppl who just don't belong. This polarization even applies to the staff-- mostly friendly bar tenders, but some have had a bad night and nothing will make them be nice to you (in fact trying to be nice often results in their annoyance), and meat head bouncers. Don't go there alone unless you are something really special, you wont be successful in meeting anyone without a wingman/girlfriend.
THE VERDICT:
Mad River is a frat party shit show, it's filthy, and the music is cliche, but damn it, Mad River can be a lot of fun, a real adventure and a great place to enjoy a night re-experiencing those college nights when no one knew what the word "responsibility" meant (you might need to look it up in Webster's the next morning to remind yourself). All that's missing is beer pong and keg stands.
how can you be "that bar" and not even serve miller lite? i thought that was a prerequisite for all douche bars in philly, no?
go here if you want to wait in line only to pay a cover to see girls with no rhythm attempting to "dance" to songs like "buttercup" while guys sidle up behind them with their half open eyes and tongue hanging out spilling their jager on your shoes
yay!
The only time I head to Mad River is when they let me know that I've "won a happy hour," (meaning you drink for free for two hours) which is usually the case. They give away happy hours like they're water, which is fine by me - I like drinking for free. The only thing I don't like about their whole happy hour situation is that they call you, and sometimes at weird times, to let you know you've won. I'd rather they just texted me something quick. But it's a fun place to drink and dance - downstairs mostly. They have some ski lodge thing going on upstairs
I've only been to Mad River once. I was visiting my friend in Philly and wanted to see the party scene here. My girls and I had such a blast at Mad River - great music, lots of dancing and we met some interesting people. So yeah, come here if you'd like to make some new friends!
I am giving a high rating on this one because no matter how many times we say we will never return we always do. The line is ridiculous and the bouncers are on the "I'm important bc I'm a bouncer" kick. Once inside drunk 20-somethings are shoulder to shoulder and I always skip the front bar and go straight to the back. Getting drinks isnt difficult but your lucky is you can move 5 feet without it being knocked all over the place. We know we will always run into someone from college here and that is part of the charm. Once you have consumed enough $10 drinks, the music is alot of fun and the upstairs is a nice place to catch your breath. My feelings are very mixed about this cheesy bar. Something about it keeps us coming back and around 1:30am when we are screaming our heads off to Journey...all the cheese seems to fade away.
I usually don't go to bar like this, but I had to go to Mad River for a co-worker's birthday. You know what, I probably would not go back anytime soon, but it wasn't terrible. The crowd is a little young, so my friend Pappas felt a little old in the place but i felt a little old too since the average age seemed to be around 21. They had a decent drink special. For $25 bones you got an open bar from 9pm to 12pm excluding brown liquors. Bartenders must hate those specials, people always forget to tip, or at least i do. ha. There are some cute girls there and that's never bad thing. However, some chick did puke on the dance when i was there. Terribly funny and disgusting all at the same time. So if you're forced to go to Mad River, don't feel too bad about it, it's not great, but you'll survive.
The best deals here are when you or one of your friends wins a happy hour here...for $5, you get open bar from 7-9pm and sometimes free food. This place can be alot of fun earlier in the night when the right mix of people are here, but after midnight, this place becomes a complete mess, no where to move, impossible to get a drink, and what's up with all of the shootings next door recently?
this place sucks
i guess it is bearable for happy hour...although the beer selections sucks ....and hearing the 90's greatest hits is not a bad thing depending on your mood...otherwise i avoid this place like it had an outbreak of SARS .. I compare being in mad river like being in a rugby scrum but instead of rugby players stepping on your feet and elbowing you in the kidneys you have south jersey bacholette parties and college students... enjoy
I got hit on by six guys here. Not that theres anything wrong with it.
Went here for a Penn State football game. The appetizers were about $3-$4 each. The only ones really worth getting were the chicken fingers because the wings and fries were pretty bland. Beers were still pretty pricey. Tons of TVs all showing the PSU game and tons of alumni. Definitely a must for any PSU alumni. After a little it became too much and we left.
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Dance Clubs
Neighborhood: Olde City
Category: Restaurants
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
