Lured by the promise of stiff drinks and the overzealous leather-clad dancers that characterize Philly's club scene, we down cheap wine and go looking for a good time club-hopping downtown.
Our first stop isÿthe new Club Life on Third Street between Market and Chestnut. It is packed and lively for a neo-classical former bank. We grab a drink at the downstairs bar and check out the scene. It is the typical restaurant-turned-club: faux-Chinese lanterns on the ceiling, couch banquets and the requisite waterfall behind the bar. Been there, done that. We fight our way up the narrow staircase and are blown away by the cavernous upstairs. Here is a real rowdy club in the heart of Old City! With the thumping base, dancing girls on platforms and a fashionable mid-20's crowd that is really enjoying the music, it would have been worth the $10 cover, had we payed it.
Curiosity, not to mention the cosmopolitans at Life, guides us over to Envy (on Bank Street). We haven't been there since sophomore year and want to see if it has gotten better. Unfortunately, it hasn't. Envy is where hip fashion goes to die. One-shoulder shirts and other '80s throwback attire are in full effect--the locals and college students who compose the crowd look like they bought the whole apparel sections of Maxim and Glamour. It's like a Staten Island oasis in the heart of Philly. One particularly lovely young man, who's had a few too many sea breezes,collapses at the bottom of the stairs, and passes out at our feet.
The downstairs is not exciting, although there is a side bar that's a swanky complement to the main dance floor upstairs. The upstairs itself is filled with inhibited dancers and the overlooking balcony is the perfect place to observe the would-be rock stars. Envy is a sort-of-fun club, though totally cheesy. It's a good place if you don't know what you like and just want to dance, drink and try to have a good time. Trust us--it's better if you drink.
After dealing with the intensely clubby scenes at Life and Envy, we decide to end the night on a high note at the ever-fun Soma. Soma attendees know how to party--these (at last) are people we want to hang with. They like their music and they like to dance. They're not taking themselves too seriously. The bouncers are hip and the d‚cor is cozy. With killer lighting and cozy couches it has an intimate, unpretentious feel. The DJ is spinning some classic funk and we are definitely getting our jungle boogie on. Unfortunately, like in all cities founded by fleeing Christians, the party died at 2 a.m. The next time around we need some Buddhist settlers. Those people know how to rock.
