Franklin Music Hall

Live music venue · Callowhill

Franklin Music Hall

Live music venue · Callowhill

1

421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123

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Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null
Franklin Music Hall by null

Highlights

Former factory concert hall with great sound and vibe  

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421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Get directions

franklinmusichall.com
@franklinmusichall

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421 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Get directions

+1 215 627 1332
franklinmusichall.com
@franklinmusichall
𝕏
@franklinmhall

$$

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Last updated

Aug 25, 2025

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Philly Bars Poison Heart and Doom Launch Loyalty Punch Cards | Eater Philly

"A ten-minute walk away in Callowhill, the new spot offers a moody atmosphere, a killer playlist with deep metal cuts, creative drinks, and a staff that always looks cool, even under its very dark lighting. Inside, patrons might linger under stained glass skull art; next door to Franklin Music Hall and popular late on weekends with musicians and people exiting shows, the place just started serving in December and is aiming to capture both late-night show traffic and return visits on other nights. Together with the Spring Garden bar and social media manager Alli DelGrippo of Dearest Media, staff launched a two-sided punch card: customers’ cards are punched once per beverage and, after ten punches, the 11th drink is free (about a $14 savings). Justin Holden hopes the cards will encourage visitors to come back on other nights: "Our little slice of the city is unique in that not a lot of people have explored it, but it’s right in the middle of everything." He adds, "Dre and I have been brainstorming ways to work together since Doom opened. We both feel that our bars are really complementary to each other, and a night out at both makes a lot of sense." Reception has been positive, and the collaboration is presented as an interesting model for building community and increasing cross-venue loyalty." - Annemarie Dooling

https://philly.eater.com/2025/5/9/24426954/doom-poison-heart-bars-punch-cards-loyalty-philly
View Postcard for Franklin Music Hall

Alexa Kent

Google
I’ve been a few times to see different artists over the course of 10 years or more. Standing room at the bottom. Some seats but I’m guessing first come first serve? You pay more to be at the top and you have more of a chance getting a seat but still first come first serve. 1 bar upstairs 1 bar down and the same for bathrooms I think. Merch stations when you first walk in and they sell flat bread pepperoni and cheese pizzas, candy, popcorn, Gatorade and water.

Agasthya Reddy

Google
Really cool venue, feels like it’s in Gotham city a little bit just because of how it looks. Saw Malcolm Todd here and it was great. Seems to be a lot of parking around and there’s a target close by as well which is really nice if you need to go get something really quick when waiting in line.

Matt Ponce

Google
Interior has a nice vibe and great sound. There is plenty of standing space on the main floor for a smaller venue, and there are stools on the second floor by the bar so you can sit down (which still provide a good view of the stage). Fair warning, the drinks are a little pricey. I normally wouldn't dock a star for that when the space is otherwise very good, but they didn't show the prices on the menus which felt a little disingenuous.

Corey Zappo

Google
Crispiest venue in the city, whoever designed the HVAC here deserves an accommodation. The sound here is also very solid. Can definitely get a bit packed, but I feel like that is going to be any show with decent turn out in venues like this.

Stephanie

Google
This venue is great if you’re able to get a spot up on the balcony or a VIP ticket so you’re able to see the stage. This is the worst venue if you’re short because you likely won’t be able to see at all unless you put your phone way up high. They always overpack and overcrowd this space so be prepared! Lining up for merch is always a mess, but overall I’ve had okay experiences here.

Jennifer M

Google
My first time back here since they changed the name. I got quick pass and was concerned about how that would work and if it’d be worth it. I got to the venue before doors and the staff were helpful and efficient in directing us. The first opener’s mic was barely on but we could hear the next singer and all the instruments, so I don’t know whether that’s an artist or venue issue. I applaud the security guards for their patience and commitment to keeping everyone safe… carrying the same inconsiderate crowd surfers over the barricade over and over again. I didn’t go up to the balcony since I wanted to keep my spot in the front but I like that they have a balcony and it’s also GA.

John Galdamez

Google
FANTASTIC venue. went for Poison the Well. sound is amazing and it’s a fantastic experience generally. only issue is that it’s ultra crowded so if you’re standing in the back third of the room you’re gonna get close to bleeding out near the food area, so i would encourage people to get here early. still very fun!

Sophia Kaluzshner

Google
Saw Tennis the Band here and the levels were off, it was also very cold. But I do like the venue.

Paul G.

Yelp
The absolute worst concert venue. Maybe sell half as many tickets. Too many other great places to enjoy live music in Philadelphia.
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Courtney C.

Yelp
The last time I was here was maybe 7 + years ago ... and it was still the electric factory. Actually upon booking this concert I was like what is Franklin music hall. Literally nothing is different aside from the sign and the fact that they painted the bathrooms. Otherwise it's all the same. I don't think this is a bad venue at all in fact I like it a lot more than some of the other Philly venues. We tried to get a seat up front but couldn't. I definitely feel like they had opportunity to add more seating particularly in the riser section but didn't. They have a cost check and spaces for merch. They also had a little snack stand / kitchen. The prices were not terrible. It was a little odd that they sold popcorn in ziploc bags but popcorn is popcorn I guess. For the most part there was ample staff and they were nice. Our ids got checked outside to speed up the process inside. There is a metal detector inside but you can bring a bag and it just has to be under a backpack size, which was nice! There is parking right in front, I believe it was $25. Otherwise there are a few other lots around. All in all not a bad experience, like I said I didn't notice many changes but I would go back!
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Spencer L.

Yelp
50% is obstructed view. They over pack the place. Unless you're willing pack yourself in like a sardine, the sound is horrible. The bars are hard to get to. It is the absolutely worst venue on all of Philadelphia - past or present.
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Mark N.

Yelp
3 1/2 stars. Sounds quality is ok, not great. However, views are superior from most parts of the floor and the 2nd floor bar area. Food is low quality and limited options. Decent beer and beverages options. Prices are a bit high. Entry point is confusing. The doors at the address are not the entry point. You enter through the parking lot area.

William M.

Yelp
For our first time concert here this place totally sucks! And if you wouldn't been for being a band I wanted to see and probably will never tour again and it was the only stop so I had to go I already died I would have never went if I would have known how bad this place was disorganized oversold sound quality sucks totally sucks!!! This venue is all about money but how many they could stuff in there!!! One bar on the second floor nothing on the first floor $13 for a mini pizza.. All they're searching for is dollar signs make you wait outside the venue in line in the cold don't let nobody in on time did not start the show on time Show was supposed to start at 7:00 didn't start till 8:30 People are still standing outside after 7:00 very rude this place needs to be shut down I will never come to a venue here again ever!!!
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Nicci G.

Yelp
I recently went here for a concert back in September. It is a really easy venue to get to and I loved that there was parking that you paid for. Walking inside, I wasn't really impressed with the venue. It was pretty small compared to others that I have been to. Overall, I still had an amazing time but I just wish the place was a little bit bigger.
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Dan M.

Yelp
Saw The Smile here in July 2023. It is a decent venue. The acoustics are ok - clearly lacking compared to a modern venue, but they are not horrible, so I wouldn't discourage people from coming. They have a weird set-up, where there is the standard large floor area with a balcony upstairs, but rather than a U shaped balcony that is symmetrical, the stage is essentially pushed off to one side, and the balcony only overlooks one side of the stage. The venue is very small (about 1,500 people), so no matter where you are, you aren't far. We came for a show with doors at 7, opener at 8, and main event at 9. We showed up right at 7, and the line was already around the block, but we were able to secure a decent spot on the balcony. If you want a really good spot or seat upstairs, come earlier than that, it will be worth it. One complaint I heard from people was that the venue was hot. However, upstairs, you don't notice it because there are giant fans that really provide cool comfort. Apparently, the floor can be miserable on hot days. The balcony also has numerous bar/concession areas that make getting drinks pretty easy. We appreciated that. Overall, I had a fun time, though it isn't anything special.
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Derek J.

Yelp
Place is trash and chaos. We were held back and it took my other half of my friends over 45 minutes to get into the venue. The staff was rude, inconsiderate and untrained. They didnt offer any refunds when emailed either. Take a look at the other reviews, this wasnt just a bad night, this is there m.o. Find a better venue booking agents. Love, This Yelp Elite
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Susan L.

Yelp
The worst music venue in Philly. Acoustics are painfully bad, the staff is extremely rude for absolutely no reason, and the layout is horrible for seeing bands.
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Lou C.

Yelp
First time at this venue, and it was impressive. Got there early so were not too far back in the entry line, and staff was helpful and came through before doors opened to check IDs and provide hand-stamps for those who could drink. Sound system was great, the prices on drinks were about what you would expect in the area. It got VERY packed, so it was tough to move from your spot and hope to get back, but again, any general admission concert venue is like that.

Sammy M.

Yelp
honestly terrible venue. packed like sardines and a lot of people fainted. very disorganized and unsafe. i saw an amazing artist so it was nothing about them. just the safety of the venue. i was in GA at the filmore and it was so much better than this venue.

Fanci M.

Yelp
I will never be back. I have seen this band in 10 different venues ranging from county fair to UF stadium, and this was the absolute worst experience of all. First the sound: unpleasant and so loud it was distorted. The view was nonexistent even from the middle of the room. Doors were 20 minutes late while we stood outside in winter. The facility was dirty, the bathrooms insufficient, and bar was poorly stocked. Overall an experience that made me crave the creature comforts of county fair mediocrity.

Nitroman58 V.

Yelp
Your phone message states the box office will be open on Friday from 12 noon to 6pm. I arrived Friday 7/05/24 at 12:15 and no one was there. Really annoying man. At least, update the phone message.

Hannah W.

Yelp
This venue is unfortunately my least favorite of all Philly (and, any city) venues. I've been here a number of times and each time, it is absolutely way too overpacked. The most recent time was ridiculous though, and no one in my area (upper bar to the right) was able to see the artist, like, at all. Literally did not lay eyes on her the whole time aside from the TV (and I'm not short). Super disappointing! The lower GA section was insanely cramped and people still couldn't see from the back due to the low ceilings on the right. The back of the GA floods into the main area which is so uncomfortable and makes leaving rough. Music did sound great and the bar was quick. They need to make drastic cuts to their capacity ASAP. If you're coming here soon, you gotta get there Early Af if you want to see anything/be comfortable.
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JJ E.

Yelp
The floor is too hard. My feet hurt, it's hot in here. I wish I was at home playing video games.

Daniel Q.

Yelp
They overpack the crap outta this venue. The downstairs bar is closed half the time so it's impossible to get a drink. This is the worst spot in philadelphia to see a show.

Brayden E.

Yelp
I don't know who organized the parking for this place but I've never been so disappointed. We came for a Dayseeker concert and we missed the first 40 minutes because they over parked the lot and they STILL charged 30, no offers for even a cheaper rate due to us missing a show we paid for. Along with this, the Place they parked us wasnt even a spot. a response would be nice as to why this occurred.
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Taylor G.

Yelp
The sound quality was decent. The area for people to enjoy the music was just way to crowded and being on the shorter side in the way back behind a lot of tall people wasn't enjoyable. It was very crowded and early sept it was hot, half the fans were not on. The food selection was horrible (candy,popcorn, cookie and pizza) all overpriced; water $4.50. The balcony area would have nice to view from but again just to crowded. I heard 3000 tickets sold and this venue is for around 1500 people. The staff were nice. Parking was downright horrible. Closest parking garage was 1 mile away - went with a parking garage for safety reasons and the walk in center Philly / back ally's SKETCHY. Deff will not be back to this venue unless I show up super early to get a balcony seat.
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Ebbie F.

Yelp
I went here for the little Vedo concert! (Which I loved) I didn't have any food b/c there wasn't anywhere to sit to eat. Drinks were a little pricey, but that was expected. The decor was wonderful! I took some great pictures!
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Cris M.

Yelp
Well, we were having a nice time, until the show started and the entire back right section couldn't see anything because two douche bags in the ADA area (obviously NOT handicapped) were acting like trashcan human beings. They came with a handicapped person in a wheel chair, but stashed him the back while they stood IN FRONT of him acting like complete assholes. Clearly they just brought this poor guy along so they could have a better view. There was plenty of room in the box for them to stand on the side, not blocking anyone else's view (including that of the actual handicapped person), but they purposely chose to be inconsiderate, and the venue staff did nothing about it. Apart from that, 20% of the ground floor was shut down for unknown reasons, but if that wasn't bad enough, they had a giant curtain hanging up blocking the stage views. If you need to block the area, fine. But why hang the giant curtain? Drinks are way overpriced; the red wine tasted like vinegar, and social distancing is just a thing they claim is happening. I don't care who's playing there next time; hard pass.
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Gloria E.

Yelp
This venue is always a 3 or 4 stars. Can't bring drinks from upstairs to downstairs, but getting in and out of the oddly shaped crowd is always hard. The sound is inconsisent in different parts of the room, but near the back, there are tons of fans and the sound has a good balance. The parking workers were being very rude to my car and refused to let us park, so we had to park a few blocks away, but the lot was $15 less and worth the savings. Great light set up for the last show, though.
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Tabitha P.

Yelp
Sound quality was ok. Floors were disgustingly sticky (like they haven't cleaned them in years!). Bar is expensive (to be expected). We paid $10 to park in a lot down the block.
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Haylee E.

Yelp
Went to see goth babe! Great concert experience. Nice 21+ section. Great views from all throughout the venue. Good drink variety as well.
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Bob H.

Yelp
So I haven't been to FMH since the name change from the electric factory. Not much has changed though. The venue is still the same, standing room only. The first floor is concession stands and t shirt sales etc. The second floor is where the bar is located. They have a decent variety of brews. They offer mixed drinks to ciders. At $14 it's a bit steep for a local brew but it is what it is. Overall we had a good time and would return. The show was good and the venue was decent. You cant ask for much more.
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Brandy B.

Yelp
We came here last night for a show and it was a good time! Small venue with a good sound system! From the security getting in to the security leaving, no issues at all. The security guy walking in made sure you had all your stuff and no one would take it before you walked away. We were second row and even though there were issues in the crowd, we had a good time and didn't get involved. Security even let it be because it wasn't really hurting anyone. We didn't buy any beverages, but the prices didn't seem too bad to me. We opted to spend more money at the Merch table instead. They did have a few good items and nonalcoholic drinks of course. When leaving I couldn't find the bathroom and had to ask. Again, a nice security guard pointed me in the right direction. We opted to park down the street to avoid the 15 dollar charge. Not a bad idea as long as you aren't on your own and are aware of your surroundings. There is plenty of non metered parking if you're willing to venture off the beaten path. All in all, we'd go back. Also, upstairs they had plenty of seating.
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Erin F.

Yelp
I've been to The Electric Factory an abundent amount of times, but it's sadly one of my least favorite concert halls. Electric Factory from the outside to the inside interior has so much promise to be a 'hip' edgy venue. But the acoustics are just bad, bad, badddd. It kind of ruins it all. We came here last night for a private show then to see Circa Survive later on in the night. We arrived at the time we were supposed to be there and everything ran smoothly. Staff moved us effecitantly to the green room / meet and greet. However, the staff is pretty damn miserable. The main guy checking ID's out front actually looked like he wanted to die being there. Once the private show was done they brought us around back and had us re - enter in the VIP section. Again, ran very smoothly. My husband and I luckily were the first ones to enter the bar area and were able to grab seats over looking the stage. Oh, and be prepared to spend an arm and a leg on drinks! Now I went to this show because I'm a fan of three of the four bands that played last night. With being a fan I know the lyrics to their songs. Because the acoustics are so bad I often found myself wondering what the heck they were saying. The sound is extremely muffled and very unclear. It's really a shame. Even when recording videos all you can hear is the background guitars and such. -- We ended up heading out earlier so when we got to our car we realized we had another car behind us enabling us to back out. We went to one of the staff members out front on what to do and the lady was so horrible about it. Rude, and just overall a total asshole. I'm looking at you Reds. Then she proceeded to very aggressively move the gates in front of us acting like we were a total inconvience. I'm really not a fan of having attitude over things that are probably in your job title. Looking past staff, EF gets a solid three stars from me.
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Jordan H.

Yelp
Went to see Mitski here and the entire show was egregiously oversold, people were crammed into the venue and the staff had to throw water bottles into the crowd. Here's the kicker, the staff were incredibly rude, and when my friend passed out due to waiting for hours in the 100 degree heat AND from the heat in the venue, and the venue manager actually tried to kick her out.... For passing out. Seriously?!!?? We were only able to stay because i stood my ground, the manager was incredibly condescending. Also, hordes of people were m rushed out of the crowd, overheated, throwing up, dizzy, and faint. This experience had ruined any and all respect i ever had for this venue. Do not spend your money here as they can kick you out whenever, even if you waited outside in the summer heat for hours!!! If this is how they treat people that are injured of sick at their shows, I'd much rather enjoy my concerts elsewhere. Also not to mention, the whole place is really dirty, especially the bathrooms... just warning you.
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Kim L.

Yelp
Ahh, concert venues with general admission / standing floors. A concept I've loved since my many concerts in the NYC area because it's way more intimate and fun to attend those than stadiums, sports arenas, etc. Also, shows how much of a die hard fan you are by devoting time vs. money. But man, this is probably my least favorite venue in the city of Philadelphia. Electric Factory books a lot of my so-called "mainstream indie" artists and groups so I've gone to see Marina and the Diamonds, Daughter, Ninja Sex Party, and Two Door Cinema Club. They get a some nice acts in a general admission area. But golly, there's something really off about their sound and ventilation - two things you need to have a good time in a concert venue. I could barely hear Marina and Daughter because I'm not sure if the ceiling is that much of a damper or the audio engineers were having bad days. I brought my cousin to her first GA concert and she nearly passed out from the lack of ventilation. At the most recent concert I went to, I felt dizzy by the end too and I was standing front and right off-center... why? The bar areas are sectioned off from the main floor, much like Union Transfer but not as cool. Not all concerts have enough attendees to open the upstairs area (i.e. the Daughter concert) but there is the one downstairs if you still want to be close to the stage but not fight with all the younger folk and have a beverage. Parking is also a pain if you don't want to break the bank. The lot here typically charges upwards of $20. Street parking is possible but not so simple. Tickets can be purchased at the box office and is a pretty good experience typically. I'm all about physical tickets and less fees so kudos to that. It's the biggest GA venue but even NYC's equivalent of Terminal 5 is infintely better than this place. I go here for the bands but it's only so enjoyable. Union Transfer, Trocadero, and the Fillmore have really stepped up their game and it's time Electric Factory does so as well.
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Bill M.

Yelp
Dear god I must have seriously forgotten how bad the sound really was. But Sadly it took a show that would have otherwise been practically flawless to remind me. If you enjoy bad sound, surly douche whistle workers, over priced drinks and a factory atmosphere with your concert then this is the place for you. Otherwise? unfortunately I would normally say avoid this place to high heaven and don't look back! But unfortunately it still manages to bring in the good shows that are pretty hard to avoid (why did Animal Collective have to play here?). And that's just one of the many reasons why I hate Ticket Bastard! But I may as well leave this update with some good advice. Never EVER park in the overpriced joke of a lot. Because there's usually plenty of free parking just a couple blocks away (or at Shampoo).

Organ F.

Yelp
Easily the worst indoor venue in Philly. Every show is oversold, the ventilation is terrible, and the sound is mediocre at best. Unless the show is can't miss, spare yourself the pain.
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Michelle C.

Yelp
It had been years since my last visit to the Electric Factory - er, Franklin Music Hall. It's hard to distinguish between the two because, aside from the name change, I didn't notice many big differences. But again, my last visit was likely 10+ years ago! Last night I found myself in line with a sea of people for the Rüfüs du Sol show. The line snaked out of the building, through the parking lot and all the way out to the sidewalk. A parking lot attendant kept yelling at people to keep the line away from the lot entrance, but the only alternative was the street/wrapping the line in a really unorganized way which is what happened. I think Franklin could do a much better job organizing this line. Once inside, I grabbed a $4 bottle of water and made may way pretty easily towards the stage on the left hand side of the room. It did get a lot more crowded just before the main act took the stage but, overall, the (young) crowd was really respectful about space which was refreshing! For this particular show, the musicians were all on risers/platforms which gave everyone a clear view. I thought the sound was really good, and the lighting was spectacular. These things may have more to do with a given act than the venue itself but I was really impressed with the show. Once it ended, we quickly exited out a side door into the parking lot, which was easy peasy. I never used the restroom or bought other concessions so have no comments there. I do think the a/c could have been better as it got pretty hot a couple times. Overall, a good experience!
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Dave L.

Yelp
I'm a supporter of the arts and live entertainment, and had the opportunity to see Animal Collective at the Electric Factory. This was my first show there (oh, and my first concert EVER), and it won't be the last. (For parking, look for street parking first, especially on a weeknight.) Ventilation at the Factory was adequate, thanks to fans and a high ceiling, but at times I think I smelled pot smoke. Liked the venue lighting and the synchronized roboto light effects above the stage. The crowd was somewhat younger, with older folks in the 21-and-over upstairs bar area overlooking the floor. Noticed an annoying, probably chemical-influenced, and definitely horny couple that really needed to get a room. The performance was an odd experience - whoever classified Animal Collective as "experimental" wasn't kidding! I heard a variety of atypical musical compositions: some styles I couldn't get into, but others I found strangely hypnotic. Can't vouch for the audio quality, but my fellow concert-goer said the sound system might not have been set up correctly since we were having a hard time understanding what the performers were saying/singing. Then again, it could have just stunk.
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Matt H.

Yelp
I've been to The Electric Factory too many times to count. It is my favorite GA venue in Philadelphia after The Fillmore. Tickets are generally very affordable and the staff is always friendly. I prefer going to the 21+ balcony upstairs where they have a full service bar and a wait staff, which has always been quick even in a sold out show. The rotating tap list is awesome. Regardless of the concert I try to arrive an hour early to get a good view. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT park in the venue parking lot. It gets packed and after the show people will be walking all around and making it hard to leave. There are free spots all around the street, or a private $20 lot next door that is easier to leave than the venue lot. It's a great venue worth checking out, especially with the popular artists that go.
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Joshua V.

Yelp
Shelter Tour (Porter x Madeon) I won't go into details about the show; it was great... production was through the roof... A+ As far as the venue is concerned, it can certainly accommodate a large amount of people. Maybe a bit on the narrow side (or maybe it was just because it was a sold out show that there was literally no wiggle room to even skirt the sides of the dance floor...). With that consideration, if you are 21+, you will be allowed entry to the upstairs balcony (where the bar is located). While you will be afforded a limited amount of viewing room with respect to having a centralized vantage point of the stage and the performance... even if you arrive later, you should still be able to creep the side of the balcony to get closer to the front. Your view of the stage may not be that great (you'll get a good look at the sides of the faces of the performers... but if there's a killer light show, you might have some of the view cut off...). But you will get an earful of bass, as the sound system and woofers tower over the left and right sides of the stage. Overall, it's a serviceable (and historic) venue in Philadelphia, with a lot of quality acts coming through.
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Carla L.

Yelp
My first time here was last night when I saw Trey Songz "Tremaine The Album Tour". The show was amazing but I'll just talk about the venue. There are two levels here with options to purchase food and drinks. The sound quality and lights were very good. Down side was the smoking in the venue. Security did not monitor the crowd. Also the lines for food and drinks were very long.
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Tiffany T.

Yelp
This is one of the most solid venues in Philadelphia. Definitely better than District N9Ne (old Starlight), and imo, better than Soundgarden Hall. Hell, this and TLA are probably my favorite venues. I like how big it is. I like the higher balcony for 21+ so if you don't want to rage with all the little kiddies downstairs, you can drink, chill, and dance upstairs watching your favorite acts. The sound system is SOLID too, which is super important. It can take bass (saw Skrillex, Zeds Dead, Nero etc here). Great venue. I just want more reasonable drink prices... haha
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Dave R.

Yelp
Still the sub par Electric Factory in disguise. Crappy sound - check. Overpriced booze - check. Shitty bathrooms - check. Metal detectors, hey thats new! And what's this?! You added Ikea lights on the second floor? How thoughtful! On a positive note, parking inside the lot is still $15, they haven't raised that (yet...they will). Didn't even get a new sign yet, a shame.
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Jenny B.

Yelp
After years of crossing the Ben Franklin Bridge and seeing the sign for The Electric Factory, I finally made it to my first concert there; Tour De Compadres. While the concert was WONDERFUL, and I would highly suggest getting tickets to any of the future shows, I didn't love the venue. Here's a few quick points: PARKING- Electric Factory doesn't seem to be in the best area. Luckily they have a few parking lots which you can pay for- cash only. If you are short on cash or feeling a little riskier you can find free street parking in the surrounding area. SEATING- There is none. Well there are a few seats, but they are limited to upstairs, VIP and Handicap. If you want to snag on of the seats upstairs, get there early. STAGE- The Stage is small, but no matter where you end up you're still close to it. I personally suggest walking to the back of the venue; you can still see the stage and get a lot more breathing room. The venue also has TVs that stream the stage (although they are not the highest quality). In addition to TV upgrade, The Electric Factory could use some speaker upgrades. While the singers were amazing, the sound was lack luster and the bass was horrible. FOOD/DRINK- Like any concert venue, there is food and alcohol & it comes at a price. Beer starts at $6+. Food ranges from burgers to Chinese. While the Electric Factory was a cool venue, I won't be a regular here anytime soon. If you're into general admission, this is your place.
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Lee N.

Yelp
Overall this is a negative. When I see this place as the venue for a show, it factors in as a reason to skip it. What's good: * bar prices not crazy high * Architecture has some charm * large enough venue can feel exciting * Parking reasonably priced * the cutout covering electric factory signage is quaint and hilariously cheap looking * Restrooms with running water, soap, hand towels * they have mounted screens but... The bad: * general admission means that will have to always fight for a seat. * Wall mounted screens are too blurry or out of focus. The quality rivals a 1.0 megapixel camera phone from the early 00s. * If your view is obstructed, see above * this place is filthy. * why don't they turn on the AC, or EVEN OPEN THE DOORS TO LET AIR IN until after people are nearly passing out from heat and the band screams about it? - This is why you get two stars! You can pack the house with a big name band but when you physically abuse everyone with poor environmentals then the venue has made the experience very uncomfortable for many hours. FUUUUUU
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Rebecca C.

Yelp
Last weekend I went to Franklin Music Hall to see a 90s cover band with some of my friends. If any was a great size for the event and did not feel overly crowded. We all had room to dance with our friends without bumping into people. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the bathrooms were pretty clean for a concert venue and had plenty of toilet paper. The coat check was a reasonable price, but the drinks... they were definitely really expensive. I got one Truly for $9. I don't want to even think about how much some of the other mixed drinks were. My recommendation is to definitely pregame before hand, because the drinks are overpriced.
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Kimberly C.

Yelp
Not very intimate. Loud. Lots of drunk or high concert goers. Decent selection of craft beers upstairs, but cash only. Not very glamorous inside, but good quality sound. Bathrooms had toilet paper and paper towels even by the end of the night. Parking is at a lot across the street or street parking on Spring Garden. There will be some traffic post concert since peeps are heading home. Don't want to return! There are other hipper, cooler, more intimate venues than this. Oh and don't be a stupid drunk girl trying to take pictures of Childish Gambino. Your shaking hand won't capture anything except a mess.
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Don Z.

Yelp
Been there three times this year. Some staff are cool, some are jerks. But the fans make up for it. Everyone is cool there. Outdoor concerts are crap. Especially when people with disabilities go. The alley is not accessible at all, and terrible staff don't care. I Asked for a seat, he just laughed and said I do but you can't. He's clueless of his job. If you call they'll explain, but you have to tell several staff until they understand Food trucks are good. Indoor concerts are great. Outdoor not as good , just ignore the ass hat sitting, not doing his job for security .
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Karla D.

Yelp
A lot of people hate seeing shows here. I haven't had a terrible experience but not a perfect one either. I mean as far as the acts I've seen here they've always been amazing. The venue itself is fine. Nothing to love or hate about it. Honestly I'm glad it exists because I've seen shows here I'd not have been able to see otherwise.
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Celeta S.

Yelp
Nice venue but definitely feel like VIP was a rip off for the concert I attended. The balcony wasn't open which was disappointing. The soundman needs to do a more thorough check before the shows begin. There were 2 technical issues while waiting for the headliner. Parking was free and there were a lot of spots in my opinion. It was clean, safe and well lit. They have a diverse schedule and that's important to me. They have something for everyone. I'd come back for another concert but I'll just buy general admission. VIP was a waste of money and it was a lesson learned. This isn't a local venue for me. Love a good road trip and this one was worth it for me. This venue is close to the highway, a park and restaurants.
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Tory H.

Yelp
I came here when it went by the name of Electric Factory for a BANKS show. The show itself was amazing with a fantastic lights show, great backup dancers, engaging and she even spotlighted me and my friends! The venue itself is ok. The standing floor is huge with a bar downstairs and one upstairs on the balcony level. The venue got crowded FAST even upstairs on the balcony which is why I would recommend finding your spot and not moving lol. The drinks were pretty good and didn't take too long to get to us. The balcony view is great! One of the downers for me was having to deal with a group of annoying drunk girls that kept flinging their arms around and pushing me and others around them. The parking outside is ok. There's a few lots near the venue and we had to pay but it wasn't too much.

Anna H.

Yelp
Last weekend I was at the Franklin Music Hall to see Mitski (amazing concert)! The venue, being a bit on the smaller side, felt very intimate, and even though I was towards the back of the pit I still had a great view of the stage. It was extremely hot the night of my concert, but the staff did a great job handing out water to anyone who needed it. However I do believe the concert was very much oversold and it was extremely packed. Mostly positive experience.
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Kathleen D.

Yelp
I'm torn. I've had good times here in the past (lookin' at you, 2012 Gaslight Anthem show!), but I think I've moved past the ability to tolerate overzealous security and disrespectful crowds. I'd assume the Electric Factory has a different vibe for shows that aren't rock, so keep that in mind. I was most recently here for the NFG show and there were some issues with the venue. Namely: 1) No toilet paper. This was right after the first band played, which seemed WAY too early to completely run out of toilet paper in a stall. I like toilet paper, you know? 2) Sloooow moving line heading to the 21+ area upstairs. Guess all us NFG lovers are aging or something. But this should've been taken into account and, once they saw the curled line, they should've enlisted some more ID checkers/stampers. 3) Security staff on power trips. Oh, I'm not supposed to stand in this open area away from the bunched in group of fans? Yeah, I knew that, but if "you saw me" snap a quick photo and start moving two seconds earlier, maybe *don't* tell me to move? Believe it or not, my conception was not 9 months ago. 4) Disrespectful fans. Not exactly the venue's fault but geesh, I've never experienced such crap at similar shows at different places. On TWO occasions, NFG had to pause their set while crowd fights were broken up. Plus, the couple standing next to me linked hands and awkward-dance swayed, causing repeated, painful smacks to my side. Not appreciated one bit, concert-couple. Then, as I stood outside waiting for my Lyft home (in a totally open space), a guy casually walked right into me and kept on walking, sans apology. Good to know that I'm a ghost now. Maybe I'm just too old to deal with the Electric Factory. Ah, well.
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Louis P.

Yelp
This is a New Yorker's view on The Electric Factory, so take it for what it's worth...most of you Philly folk are nuts for giving this place a bad review! GREAT venue for a show! I loved everything about it, not being in an active part of town makes it even better. You can easily miss this place right off the Ben Franklin bridge but that's OK, I had that feel like i could party hard and get away with it because nobody was watching. The whole warehouse/factory turned music venue is nothing new where i'm from, but it's done to perfection here. I thought the Ben Franklin caricature was used perfectly on the marquee and all around the venue, gives a unique local touch considering EF is the oldest music venue in Philly. Inside is done well, i like the food area with a nice variety and the bars along the side. I had the chance to check out the balcony level and loved it. There are different ways to experience a show and if you don't like being on the floor standing you can sit upstairs which is cool (i'm sure not all shows let you go upstairs, but it's an option that is good to have). I found the acoustics to be very good for an older venue. I understand they recently made some improvements to the sound but i can only go by what i experienced here in mid October 2011 and i was more than satisfied. I listened from the back and from the front railing and found both to be just fine. You can never complain with multiple exits which is what the Electric Factory has, the fact that you can get out from the very back, left side or from the balcony area is a huge plus. Try getting out of a NYC club/concert venue and you will appreciate this even more. The security was tough but polite if that makes any sense. They didn't let you do anything illegal if they caught you (smoking, excessive pushing) but they let you enjoy yourself and didn't get uptight with crowd surfing, one guard was having the time of his life up front! He was keeping things in order and singing along to all the Chevelle/ Bush songs, I loved seeing someone enjoying his job! $10 for parking? I almost wet my pants when the guy only wanted that much! Beer prices are on par with major city venues, you might find a brew cheaper in another place but $12.50 for a 24 oz is actually average these days. Bottom line: I used my 400th review for an out-of-town business because i have nothing but the highest praise for the Electric Factory. Cherish a place like this if you are a local, and i know for sure i will make the trip down again when my favorite band comes around.
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Elle B.

Yelp
Personally I didn't have a problem with this place, I thought the lighting and sounds were great, had no problems with view of the bands and I'm pretty short! I recently saw Soulive and Galactic a few days ago and the performance of both groups was STELLAR! Had such a FANtastic time! Grooved for the entire 4 hour show! Didn't need to park in the lot, found PLENTY of FREE parking around the corner! Was on an extreme budget so I did not indulge in the bar area but I'm sure prices for drinks were jacked but I shrug bc what do you expect! All in all I would return to this place, no problems whatsoever!