Review of Philadelphia's Newest Music Venue, Union Transfer

I recently attended a show at Philadelphia's newest music venue, Union Transfer- formerly the Old Spaghetti Warehouse. The venue opened in September 2011.

Arriving, fans will notice the rainbow-colored lights on the awning of the venue. I had gotten there a bit early, and so was waiting outside the venue with other fans. This section outside is where smokers are directed, and luckily staff didn't mind people coming and going during the show to have a cigarette. I thought it was cool that the venue's box office is also located in a window facing the outside, so people can have a smoke while they buy their tickets, or at least don't have to waste time purchasing tickets inside the venue.

Once you have your ticket, you'll enter the venue quite easily. There was no bag-checking of any kind- the whole process was very laid back. Once you're inside, there's a coat check to your right, and the main downstairs bar is to your left. Staff stands outside this bar section to check ID's and stamp hands- again, in very laid-back fashion.

Once in the downstairs bar, you're welcome to a casual but intimate atmosphere with saloon-like décor. There're wooden tables for groups and for two, with candles lighting the dim room. Next to the actual bar is a staircase which leads to a smaller upstairs bar, a bit more casual than the downstairs one, albeit with cool stained-glass windows lining it.

After you get a drink here, you walk onto the balcony which gives you a perfect view of the stage below. The balcony is standing-room on the sides, and has bench-like seats in the center. If you're not interested in the opening band, there's a huge trippy white ceiling fan visible above the balcony sides.

Down below is yet another bar, in the far back of the room. A few steps down from here is where the main standing-room area is, with the stage straight ahead.

Overall, I was definitely impressed with the beauty and cleanliness of this venue. As mentioned before, the staff was cool and the atmosphere was very laid-back. Fans can get a drink and still have perfect view of the stage. I recommend viewing at least a part of the show from the balcony, as you'll probably get better photos from up there.

Union Transfer is located at 10 ^th & Spring Garden in Philadelphia, PA.