Balcony At the Trocadero

Movie night is fun and cheap. Only $ 3 and it comes with a PBR or other cheap beer. Come early. It gets crowded and tricky to get a seat. The draft selection was good but the prices were a bit steep. It was also hard to get a drink. The bar could have been staffed better, especially during the rush to get drinks before the movie. I would have bought more drinks but it was just too hard to get them and I was missing the movie trying to get service. Also, this place needs to modify the door between the balcony and bar. It is heavy and closes loudly if you’re not careful. One of the male bartenders seemed driven crazy by it and confronted and yelled across the bar at the people who didn’t negotiate it well. Luckily I got through quietly but it was awkward watching him essentially accuse person after person of intentionally slamming the door in front of the whole bar. If 25% of your customers bang the door, change the door. Don’t loudly scold 25% of your customers. I don’t like patronizing places where staff is rude or hostile to people.

Biggest piece of crap theater I have ever seen. I don’t normally write hateful reviews but this place is not worth anything. I had a tiny bag with pokey sticks (which were sealed) and they would not let me in without me throwing them away. Th staff could not have been any more rude and disrespectful, which I know came as a result of me being a woman as I saw them let men in with a bottle of water when he also wanted me to throw mine away. I will never, no matter who comes, go to this crappy place again.

Movie Monday! Finally got around to making one. Large variety of movies to be seen — a lot of classics. Its cheap [Free to $ 3 usually]! The balcony isn’t that bad to watch either. Screen is perfect distance away, sound isn’t too bad, if it’s not packed, you can stretch out a little. The reasonably priced booze is a bonus! They even provided a 15 minute intermission at the movie last night [so I could get a refill on that booze.]

I finally got a chance to attend Movie Monday here (they were playing Silver Linings Playbook) and really enjoyed myself. Like some of the other posts mentioned, the cost is $ 3 and you get a free drink ticket if you’re there before 7 pm.
The sound took a little bit to get used to because there was a slight echo, but it was no big deal. The 10 minute intermission was a good idea since crawling over people in the balcony seats in the dark has the potential to get weird. I didn’t stick around for the raffle and trivia afterward, but think it’s cool that they do that.
I highly suggest checking out some of the upcoming Movie Monday nights at the Troc!

Not sure if they’re still doing it, but movie Mondays include a PBR and a bag of popcorn. Last I was there this was only $ 3! The balcony is the only part of the theater open during movies. It’s big enough and casual enough that I kind of wish I could go more often!
As for concerts the balcony serves as a getaway for the coupes that want to make out in the dark or random individuals that need to get away when the music gets too loud.

This review is only for Skeletor’s Karaōke Gung Show…
No way to describe this spectacle of campy, bizarre fun. You have to go and see this for yourself. Relatively cheap drinks, and a packed house make this even better. Just be forewarned that Skeletor’s den is hot as hell, so you will be a sweaty mess if he allows you to make it out alive.
«Are we having fun yet, you FOOLS!»

Came here for Movie Mondays last night after wanting to go for a while, and to be honest, it was pretty bad.
I walk in with my friend, both of us over 21, but get our IDs scanned for way longer than necessary… this is a movie night not a place to rage. Anyway, we walk in and kind of stuff ourselves into the super small balcony section. The view was limited (come early) but the sound was decent to good. The bad service continued when I went to go get popcorn and a beer for my friend, the two bartenders could barely look up.
Aside from this, I have to give the Movie Monday a ¹⁄₅ though because of the crowd itself. The people next to me were making out the entire movie and the people in front of us could not be more impressed with themselves, pulling their phone out in the middle of the movie to ‘check in on Facebook’ (I wish I was kidding). The difference for me between staying in and going to an event like this is the people and the big-​screen in my opinion. The Troc failed at both, and even $ 3 is a ripoff if it’s not an enjoyable 2 hours.

Walking up to this place, you might think you’re stuck in some low budget horror movie a la «Catacombs.» Rest assured, you won’t be locked inside and left for dead.
This charmingly dilapidated space was recently host to a retro pinup magazine launch party. The event was hopping. Bar service (two bartenders were über busy) was noticably faster on round 2 after having tipped on round 1.
Men’s lav is a hoot – little peep show images over the urinals. Women don’t get the same bennies, just some cheesecake images painted on the stall doors.
Most noticeable is the sense of history here. The restored (?) proscenium of the stage features a lovely lady painting with the words «dancing girls» down the opposite side. Funny thing, we were there to see just that! The theater area has stadium bench style seating, and is probably really fun for movies. Can’t comment on the sound system in the theater, but the sound in the stage area was great.

One word. Just one: SKELETOR.
A.) It’s in an old old old awesome building.
B.) Drink prices are comparable to pretty much everywhere in the city, with the occasional el cheapo special that’s worth cozying up to (see: Movie Monday’s).
C.) SKELETOR. I try to make it out to each and every Skeletor show. Comedy + karaōke + people who really don’t care = something you’ve gotta try once (and you’ll keep coming back). This is a monthly event — it can get crowded, but the bartenders keep on top of things, and if you don’t like comedy, you have no soul — but you can occupy your soulless time playing video games on the huge screen they use for their movie nights.
Best comparison: If Tattooed Mom’s was in Chinatown and catered to a just a tad bit more of a diverse + hipster crowd, minus the food.

Good beers on tap during a show

Monday’s SUCK… this is the best way to make Monday night less painful. $ 3 get you a raffle ticket, a $ 3 drink token, and if you are there before 7pm, you get another free PBR and popcorn! How can you not love that!
The movies they play are super diverse and really offer something for everyone. I have been there for everything from Twilight to Predator to Goonies. Everyone has a great time and they have plenty of seating as well.
The bartenders are really great and really nice to talk to as well! I have never had a bad time at their monday movie night, you won’t be sorry that you tried it out!

Movie Monday is a steal — see a recently released comedy or an old classic (hey Goonies!) for just $ 3, then by a bucket of 4 PBRs for just $ 9. Arrive before 7 (the movie starts at 8) and you get a free beer and a bag of popcorn. Stay after the show and play movie trivia or have your ticket drawn for free t-​shirts, hats and tickets to Troc shows.
Of course, every good deal has a snag or two. Arrive early for a popular show, or you’ll be stuck in the corner with limited views. And if it’s crowded, don’t expect the sound to be good (at all) unless you’re sitting directly in front of the screen.

If you want something fun to do on a Monday night, it really doesn’t get better than this. The crowd at this place is so awesome. I have no attention span whatsoever, and sitting through a movie these days just isn’t happening. But, b-​movies and cheesy 80’s flicks need no attention. Chime in when you want and within a minute you can figure out whats happened and probably what’s going to happen.
If you’re really into cinema you probably don’t want to go to this. Most people are talking through the movie, everyone laughs, and there are plenty of outspoken drinkers in the crowd. But that’s all part of it.
And…yes what everyone is saying is true. Cheap beer and free beer. Plus a few free tickets kicking around. Last Monday I won one of the raffles (which by the way has never happened before), and got some sweet free schwag.

I cannot think of a better way to spend my monday nights than at my favorite venue in the city.
$ 3 admission includes a PBR, if you get there before 7 (which we did) you get an additional free PBR and popcorn. And the movies are awesome.
Tonight was The Goonies, which obviously brought out quite the cult following… Truffle Shuffles all around.
It doesn’t get too crowded and it probably the most budget friendly event around.
Negative = it was FUH REEZING tonight. I didn’t take my coat off the entire night.
GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE.
xo

Yeah, Ithink that picture of Skeletor I added on here might just be the one picture that I can’t help but laugh over every time I see it. Anyway That’s not the only reason I’m updating this, because a good deal has changed since my last review.
Firstly the Monday Night Club with A.D. Amorosi that I mentioned previously is now at National Mechanics, proving yet again that they have just about everything. And also Movie Monday has gotten just a little bit better because if you show up before 7 you get free popcorn and beer (PBR but still!).
Overall I do have to drop The Balcony down one star, because other then Movie Monday, and Skeletor’s Karaōke Gong Show (with Rock Band!), I can’t think of a real good reason to go to it beyond drinking at an actual Troc show. While it does bring in some decent shows on a local level, the sound quality can be pretty bad. and it has the second smallest stage that I’ve seen in Philadelphia (Tritone will always be #1). But at least the two main reasons are filled with big time fun!

I just got back from Monday Movie night… I saw Night of the Living Dead in 3D (the 2006 remake). Wow, it was a good time!
It’s only three bucks to get in, and with that you get a three dollar drink token, so it’s a wash. If you show up before seven, you’ll get a free beer and a free popcorn on top of that. Not a bad deal! Also, if you dress up for the movie, and people do (there were zombies in attendance), you get an additional free beer.
The bar was a little crowded, but the bartenders were great. The beer was pretty cheap, and although the selection wasn’t killer, I’m pretty sure you could find something you like or make due. It’s Monday movie night! Get a bucket of Coors and cut loose a little. I won’t tell.
The Trocadero draws a good crowd. We were certainly a diverse group, yet all here for the same reason, and that’s part of the fun; hearing people’s reactions, conversations, etc. It’s like watching a movie in your living room, and a hundred friends showed up. Nobody was rude, and everybody was into it.
At about a quarter to eight, the doors to the balcony opened up and everybody filed in and found a seat. The seating consists of padded benches, comfortable enough. Like the bathrooms and the bar, everything was pretty clean, if a little old or untidy.
As for the film itself, it was okay… A just good enough to be bad, just bad enough to be good type of deal. They must have worked out some of the A/​V glitches that others have written about. Although it’s not as good as going to a real theater, the audio was fine and the screen, while not huge, was perfectly adequate.
The theater itself is actually quite charming… it’s like a vaudevillian relic, an anachronism in the heart of what is now Chinatown. While it’s surely lost some of it’s original luster, it still gleams with antique plaster, gold moldings, and carved wood trim. One can’t help but ponder the diversity and splendor of all the past patrons and performers these walls have witnessed.
All in all, I’m a fan of the Trocadero. Woot!

Movie Mondays is a great mix up for the week. If you show up before 7pm, you get a free PBR and popcorn. No matter when you show up, you get a token worth $ 3 at the bar, so they’re basically paying you to see the movie if you show up early.
The movie seating is the same balcony seating for the large shows at the Troc, so it’s not very comfortable to watch a movie.
I’d definitely go again.
Shows at the balcony are good too.

This place is pretty chill. I like going to Movie Mondays, though the crowd can be a bit weird because they are TOTALLY into their movies. Scarily so.
I’ve been here once or twice for concerts and it is a tight space, but it’s pretty nice.
I dislocated my thumb slipping down the stairs on the balcony so WATCH OUT KIDS

I’ve been here before to hear a concert, but recently I attended a «Monday Night Movie» where they open the balcony to the actual theater and play a DVD for mass enjoyment. You get there, pay $ 3, get a wooden token for $ 3 towards a drink and head upstairs. Doors to the bar open at 6:30pm and the movie begins at 8pm. Seriously, if you want a good seat, just show up by 7:45pm and you can find a place to sit. Otherwise, come early, take in the scenery and enjoy the company you’re with.
The movie watching experience was good. There were some definite things that made it difficult though. After sitting on a slightly padded bench (with no back) for almost two hours, you may contract dead-​buttkins disease. I’m sure you’ve had this before. You stand up and there is a phantom sensation that something used to exist behind you. Just get up a every once and a while, that’ll help ease the pain.
Plus, the audio was a little difficult to hear. The bass was very high and drowned out the words, so if you weren’t entirely familiar with the movie, you’d probably miss a lot of the words. No matter. There is a huge TV in the bar that is playing the movie as well and has much better audio.
All-​in-​all, I like this place and had a really great experience there and want to go back. But, the movie watching aspect was difficult in some aspects. That’s why it helps to be with great company that makes the experience worth while.

I’m mostly looking at this from the standpoint of a music venue, as I only caught a movie once (and was too drunk to really notice anything).
I was never happy when a show was here, but never really upset either… as a music venue, its pretty much like a lukewarm bath. Yea, it could be warmer… but could be colder… so I’ll just sit here. It clearly was not designed to host such events, as the stage is in an odd location and it can be hard to get a good view. Soundwise… well, there is sound, but quality-​wise it has been all over the place.
The bar is decent, but again, nothing to get excited about it. The bartenders were fine, no complaints there. Just when compared to the «real deal» music venues, it falls short. Whats good is good, but it just doesn’t gel like the other places. And the staff has been mixed over the years, too… sometimes incredibly overbearing, other times… well lets just say Bongzilla gave new meaning to the phrase «audience participation» and nobody said word one. So… bonus.