Recess Lounge

Alright. That word perfectly describes this place. This is my second time here. It is a $20 cover charge but I'm not sure if that is every night. It was empty when I came around 1am but was packed by 2:30 (it is one of the only after hour clubs). It becomes so packed that there is absolutely no room to move. I was standing in a corner and somebody bought the VIP, so the guards blocked the whole area (area in front of the VIP and the area next to the VIP), and they told me to "move". I moved to a new area and the same thing happened. It's not like I was standing in the area at all. Basically, there is nowhere to stand. The drinks are relatively expensive but I enjoy myself. Once people show up, the music is great, the people are great so no complaints. I guess it's just the staff and the overall space that bothers me.

I thought my days of frequenting after hours spots were long long gone but apparently with the right amount of libations I can be persuaded even against my better judgment.My first impression and the feeling that remained with me was of being at somebody's basement party (yes back in the 80's as others have noted). It's a dark standing room only (unless you pay for the VIP area.) with a smallish bar in the back) The dj was good but the real turn off for me was not the bouncers who by the way were very friendly to me but the ridiculously drunk girls. Chasing me and my girlfriends around the place trying to grind on us, twerking on the dirty floor and having to be physically thrown out. It was disgusting. In general it was not my cup of tea period.

I went there for my birthday and we all had a good time! The music was great I haven't found many bars in Philly that play hip hop.

Don't waste your time. Bouncers are rude as hell, literally saw them manhandling women, and they charge prices on a sliding scale, upwards of $20. Saw some people are charged $40 and some $20 to be in a dank basement with a playlist not much better than the radio. Again, go anywhere else.

Remember when Recess used to be the Living Room? Beyond a huge blackboard listing the house rules - many tongue-in-cheek - this venue hasn't undergone the most extensive of renovations. Not that I'm complaining: This intimate after hours club still has decent DJ's and plenty of dancing and enough psychedelic lighting to confuse. After 2 AM, only social club members can buy drinks from their bars. (Contact Recess for info on joining.)"Philadelphia's Most Exclusive Playground" may be an idle boast, but beyond house parties, there are few options for those who want to continue partying after 2. If you can put up with Old City prices and occasionally curt bouncers, Recess may be for you.

Heard about this after-hours trap as I was leaving an upscale terrace lounge nearby in downtown Philly. The whole setting is 100% Janky! Modern day slave j*ggas immediately came to mind. From the punk-ass aggressive clown attempting to execute a physical search for weapons to the loud male idiot patrons arguing over who has the freshest sneakers...smhI had, over the course of less than an hour went from progressive & trendy to what urban nightlife was like in the movies from the 80s. Ambiance? Too damn dark inside to determine if any ladies were in the place or whether roaches were bobbing & thrusting to the urban beats!Even the decent sound system does not compensate for all of the obvious existing flaws. The cost of my lesson was $20 cover & $6 for a bottled water & tip. Skip this chit-hole unless you simply have no self respect.

My roommates and boyfriend decided to throw themselves a birthday bash at Recess. Many people braved the weather (the first snow of the year!) to come celebrate and everyone had a great time, but I feel that I should warn people of the one thing that has the potential to ruin your night.The music was fine, the bartenders were fine, the bathroom attendant was fine. But the BOUNCERS. Get a grip, your job is not that serious. First of all, my party arrived at 10:30 (super early by Philly standards) to help set up the guest list, check out the area that had been set aside for us, take pictures, etc. They let half of our party in and then stopped the rest of us from entering, so they could "set up." The birthday boy had to stand outside a completely empty club and was told by the bouncer, "Too bad." Jerkoff.Andrew Zimmern's look-alike harassed our group from the moment we stepped inside. One of the bouncers told my boyfriend and friend to "get some air" (for no reason) and then wouldn't let them back into the club.I probably won't go back even though I enjoyed everything else about Recess.

Had an amazing time for New Year! The open bar was worth the ticket price! Security was kind and overall it was a pretty great experience! Other attendees were friendly. Considering the price of tickets for other events for NYE, this was totally worth the price of the ticket! Hoping to come on a regular night to see if it's just as great. The vibe was awesome and the DJ was pretty good. Not just playing Top 40 but good songs old and new!

Obviously joonbug and this venue were not on the same page last night for NYE because it was a terrible experience. I paid $99 for "seated VIP" and when I arrived security had no idea what to do with us. They directed us to an area which had already been taken over by another group. Security was able to remove a few people who didn't belong to that group so they could place us in that section. I'm guessing we were supposed to stay put in that area for the rest of the night because once we moved to hit the dance floor they replaced us with another group! Later on they proceeded to tell us that our VIP expired at 1:30am which was not indicated on the ticket sale. I will never come back to this establishment

During an after-hour- drunken-decision-making in Philly, the twin and I managed to find the Recess Lounge; recommended by le Uber driver. Not only that we showed up 30 minutes before closing, we STILL had to pay an entrance fee. Almost left, but the snow made us stay (oh yes it did ). We did get it lowered to $10 per person, but still, It should've been free! or perhaps it was because we were in a NorthFace and rain boots? I see what they did there...... .Bouncer was rude, ticket person was rude, coat check was rude and bartender was extremely rude. Why? Ya'll have no reason to be rude! It was filthy and dead! No one in VIP, music was horrible -hence vacant on the dance floor. Clearly, they would like such establishment to replica those of a Hollywood club. Instead, it is one of the douchiest club in town. To wit- http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/06/the-25-douchiest-bars-in-philadelphia/recess-loungeAnd supposedly this is an exclusive members only club? Don't be fooled ladies and gents; exclusivity cease to exist. No more drunken decisions in a new city ever again!!