Author Topic: north star bar in philly  (Read 2754 times)

lily1

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north star bar in philly
« on: December 23, 2004, 03:23:00 pm »
anyone been there? liked it? dislike it? its best qualities?

Random Citizen

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2004, 03:25:00 pm »
I've been there a bunch of times for shows. It's an OK space. When you walk in, you're in the bar and then walk towards the back for the music space. It's on the small side, maybe 350 capacity.
 
 The stage is really high, but there's a small balcony if you don't want to be on the floor, which is long and narrow.
 
 Soundwise, it's average. And the backstage is in the basement (and smells like one, too).  :)

Venerable Bede

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2004, 03:35:00 pm »
the only thing about it that stood out, at least on that night, was that is was sooooo hot in there.  it was a sold out luna show, and you couldn't move.  and i think it was in october.  i didn't really enjoy the venue.   :)
OU812

xcanuck

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2004, 11:27:00 am »
I've seen a couple of shows there...it's a nice place to drink but not a good place to see a band. The sightlines leave alot to be desired. Think of the old 8x10 but with a better bar area.

lily1

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #4 on: December 27, 2004, 12:13:00 am »
thanks for the info. doesn't sound like a particularly terrific venue. perhaps i'll just wait for the frames to play dc and not catch them in philly. or cash in my free plane ticket and and catch them on the west coast.

eltee

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2004, 11:47:00 am »
Friends up there love it. Also artists love to play there. I recommend being up front or in the balcony to watch a show. (Get there early if you think it will be a crowded show.) The sound is fine. When I went, I was toward the back, and it can be a little tough to see / hear. That could have also been b/c of the talkers / cell phone chatters that evening. In the back it's kinda smokey & stuffy. The staff wasn't the nicest or helpful. When you come in, there's a main bar &  bathroom. Pool table right outside the concert stage. Concert room is rectangular, w/ a "pit" in front of the stage. Some people sit on the pit steps. Others just stand or lean on the walls. I suppose capacity would be about 150? Bar in back. Bathrooms upstairs. Lean on the railing or grab a seat at the balcony (upstairs). If you are a taper, best set up is upstairs. It's almost a hole in the wall, but as I said, people love it. I would go to shows there if I lived there considering many people play there. It's not the best neighborhood, so being out of town, be aware. Get there early to park in front or on the side of the building. I'll go again but next time I'll go early to get up front or in the balcony.

megs

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #6 on: December 27, 2004, 12:32:00 pm »
i agree with el tee. i've been there a couple times, and i think the best place to catch a show is from that balcony. if you take pics from up there they will be fantastic. the sound is fine, the sightlines are no worse than anywhere else, really, and it's a nice intimate place to see bands. plus they have pool tables and nice bar staff. a worthy place for a roadtrip.

Random Citizen

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2004, 12:54:00 pm »
Honestly, it really depends on how much you want to see the band. I noticed the Frames show takes place on a Saturday night, so a trip up wouldn't be that bad an idea.  
 
 I don't think NSB is the best venue in Philly, but it's not the worst, either.

sonickteam2

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2004, 01:06:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by El Tee:
  Friends up there love it. Also artists love to play there. I recommend being up front or in the balcony to watch a show. (Get there early if you think it will be a crowded show.) The sound is fine. When I went, I was toward the back, and it can be a little tough to see / hear. That could have also been b/c of the talkers / cell phone chatters that evening. In the back it's kinda smokey & stuffy. The staff wasn't the nicest or helpful. When you come in, there's a main bar &  bathroom. Pool table right outside the concert stage. Concert room is rectangular, w/ a "pit" in front of the stage. Some people sit on the pit steps. Others just stand or lean on the walls. I suppose capacity would be about 150? Bar in back. Bathrooms upstairs. Lean on the railing or grab a seat at the balcony (upstairs). If you are a taper, best set up is upstairs. It's almost a hole in the wall, but as I said, people love it. I would go to shows there if I lived there considering many people play there. It's not the best neighborhood, so being out of town, be aware. Get there early to park in front or on the side of the building. I'll go again but next time I'll go early to get up front or in the balcony.
can you draw us a floor plan please, and a map of the neighborhood?  :)

eltee

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2004, 01:15:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
 can you draw us a floor plan please, and a map of the neighborhood?   :)  [/QB]
Why certainly...
   <img src="http://makmilling.com/head_up_your_ass.jpg" alt=" - " />

sonickteam2

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2004, 01:24:00 pm »
i love you.

lily1

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2004, 03:09:00 pm »
so i changed my mind and bought tickets for the philly date. i go from joe's pub in nyc, which has got to be the single best venue i've been, to a dive bar in philly.

eltee

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Re: north star bar in philly
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2004, 04:16:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by lily1:
  so i changed my mind and bought tickets for the philly date. i go from joe's pub in nyc, which has got to be the single best venue i've been, to a dive bar in philly.
Good choice. I may have been extreme in my description, so you'd be aware of the neighborhood, etc. Don't worry, I've seen way worse bars, venues and neighborhoods. And, it's a heck of a lot better place to see a show than say, Velvet Lounge.