It's Halloween and I am tired of hanging out at my parent's house in Cuntshohocken where I will live until I am 50. I have a black eye and am beat so I'll go somewhere i have never been , eat, drink and complain. Ill bitch about Fishtowners and Lesbians without knowing if either are present in The M Room that day. Then, I'll leave a good tip and make shit up on Yelp because I have no life. -Ron B
Review Source:Food here is pretty good and reasonably priced. The music venue is often underappreciated (I've been there when it's crowded but I've also been the only one there). Â I've seen more than a couple great small name acts come through here. With the recent departure of the Khyber from the music scene, I imagine this venue picking up some of the slack. This venue is hosting the Ataris for only $12 cover later this month!
The m room fills a niche in the area for good live music and some rather good food.
A review in 2 parts:
The bar:
The bar at the M Room is seriously underrated. Â Great selection of beer (even microbrews are usually about $4), cheap wine ($5/glass? Â It's not swill? Â That's all I need, thanks very much.), and AMAZING bar food. Â It's reasonably priced, the kitchen is open pretty late, and the food is DELICIOUS. Â Last time I was there I had grilled cheese bites (a giant grilled cheese sandwich for $4), my friend had the pasta special (some variant on pasta prima vera, enormous, the two of us couldn't finish it it was so huge, $12), and I was sad like a sad thing that's sad a lot (and emo kid?) that we didn't have the time to order more.
Venue: The M Room has undergone MAJOR renovations to their show space since the last time I was there. Â The entire room has been redone, the stage is now elevated a solid 2 feet off the ground, and is situated at the front of the building rather than the back. Â This makes entry a bit weird, as there are now doors that are blocked off and lead into walls, but that's ok. Â The shows look better (even if the allure of having your favourite underrated artist step off the stage and in to your lap is now gone) and sound better, there's more space for more people, and that weird peachy-purpley paint is gone. Â A+.
They're also doing a lot more shows there now - there's a dedicated metal night, and a commitment to having acts nearly every night of the week. Â (At least, the calendar looked pretty full when i was looking at it.)
Easy to get to, lots of free parking around the bar, great food, great bands -- the only real issue I have with the current state of the M Room is that even when the bar is relatively empty, it can be difficult to flag down a bartender. Â The night I was there, despite a rotating cast of 3 barkeeps (and a small crowd - several empty bar stools, definitely not a packed house), they all seemed more interested in personal conversations than actually serving drinks.
Ive played here a few times. Bartenders are friendly, but the food takes FOREEEEEEEVER. not a fan of places where the band room is seperated from the bar. Food was pretty good though. It's also tough bc Johnny Brenda's is right across the street and they have better food,bands and rooms
Review Source:I can't comment on the bar or the food but the venue is decent. Â I saw BLK JKS here and there a sizable gap between the level of their musical awesomeness and the surroundings in which they engaged in said awesomeness. Â A few things:
- The audio crew may have been in over their heads with BLK JKS. Â It took forever to get their levels correct and Lindani spent a good deal of time during their set further refining stuff. Â Since the band has such a rich, dense sound that may be inevitable. Â The end result was good, keeping in mind the acoustics of the room.
- The room is really small. Â It doesn't help that tables line both walls, which is totally unnecessary. Â It wasn't bad when the opening acts were on since most of the crowd was lingering in the bar area but once BLK JKS came on it got pretty tight.
- I know that I got my ID checked at the door, and I'm not great at guessing ages, but half the crowd looked like they were bussed over from the junior prom. Â
- Speaking of the crowd, what was their deal Saturday night? Â I fully expected my ass to be danced off during the show. Â (I even brought a spare ass just in case!) But only, like, six people seemed to be feeling it. Â If BLK JKS don't make you want to move, I'm pretty sure you hate music and having fun.
- Molefi (the bassist for BLK JKS) sat down with me at my table during the second opening act. Â Our exchange consisted entirely of "Mind if I sit here?" "Not a problem, dude" but if BLK JKS ever hit it big you can expect a massive amount of embellishment on that.
Overall, I would probably see a show here again if there was a band I really wanted to see. Â I haven't been to Johnny Brenda's yet (and I haven't been to The Khyber in a decade) so I can't do a full comparison but right now I would choose KFN over the M Room, insofar as small venues go.
The M(anhatten) Room has definitely dropped since my last review. It just seems like their music nights have dropped in quality ever since people like Kate Hawk stepped away from the booking. It's also pretty hard to believe that bands like Vampire Weekend played here less then two years ago. They also stopped hosting diverse events like the old dance nights they had, and puppet karaoke.
But they still have the occasional fun event, and Village Green Productions does bring in some good shows to here more times than they bring them to other venues. And they are having a pretty kick ass sideshow performance coming up. But overall I think the main problem is that they put more emphasis on the bar side of venue than the entertainment side, when it should be about equal. Especially considering how many music venues that their close to!
I want to like this place, but I have to give it only three stars on account of the crowd.
The wife and I came here this Saturday night to see a band. We walked in, the music part of the space is walled off to the right (for cover charge purposes). The music space? Empty. Not a single paying customer. I like small venues, but $10 a person to be awkwardly serenaded by a rock band? You could hear the band almost as well at the bar. So we had a drink at the stools and left.
The bar seemed fine. Barren at 9:30 on a Saturday night, but a friendly enough bartender, nice decor, cheap prices. The 10 Commandments was on the TV (on ABC, not the christian channel, this being the night before Easter), instead of the Phillies game. Take what you want from that.
If this place can attract a crowd, I'll be back. Otherwise, no.
My band has played here quite a few times and I have seen a few bands here as well. Â The sound is always good and the staff is always very friendly. Â I always really enjoy the M Room and so does everyone else I bring here. Â Two words Citywide Special($3 16oz PBR and a shot of Whiskey). Â The citywide special really represents the best of what America stands for. Â My only wish is that more people would come here to see my band! Â Should also mention I went here and they had some kind of a 80s dance party which I didn't enjoy, stick with the live music please! Â
Just go and find out for yourself, its great! Â It's right near Johnny Brenda's and the Barbary if you want to be able to venture to other bars as well.
I do have one question for the owners, what's with the huge Johnny Depp mural?
for live music:
what's going on M Room? Â you've got arguably one of the nicest set-ups in your neighborhood, but every time i go there for a show, i'm one of 6 or 7 people in the non-crowd. Â what gives?
seriously. Â this place has a great little space for live music and it's usually really affordable for tickets but they don't seem to have a draw. Â The sound quality is good, although i've been there when there's been all kinds of random sound system glitches. Â but all gets worked out quickly in my experience. Â is it the location? Â people who don't live in the immediate area can hop on the market-frankford line and walk from the station that's a block away, so no worries about drinking too much and then driving. Â is the area the best? Â maybe not, but come on, snob! grow a set and explore philly. Â geez. Â is it the crowd you've seen outside? Â your haircut isn't hardcore/emo/trendy with tons of product? Â no visible tattoos or piercings? Â me either, but that hasn't stopped me from frequenting this venue. Â haven't seen any advertising? Â well...you've got me there.
i've only ever heard of shows here via word-of-mouth. Â why does it feel like whoever the PTB are at the M room, they are standing in their own way of being more successful and getting a bigger draw? Â i might also get in trouble for saying so, but a friend of mine is in a local band and played a show there. Â the person who was supposed to get the fliers out took an ungodly amount of time to get it turned around in time for people to actually see it.
i can't speak to the food, and the drinks were typical, but the M Room as a venue has serious potential! Â if you're on the fence about seeing a show, just GO THERE!
The North Star's crosstown sister? perhaps. Parking isn't a problem, lots of beer on tap, a pool table, nice show area. Not too expensive, $4 kenzinger. lots of scarves and beards and boots, but i bet it just depends on the night. Â Not quite a dive, a little too modern and clean, but sometimes that's a good thing.
Review Source:this is a surprising little venue. it looks like an incredibly cheesy club from the outside. but really it's a nice little pub with a nice and intimate stage. there's a pool table in the back and the music/theater portion is separate from the rest. also, surprisingly, the food there is pretty decent.
Review Source:i went to see some bands. THEY WERE AWESOME. the acers of diamonds rocked so hard! i thought that the lighting sucked for them tho, and all the others that played..... get something going on M room...i felt like i was in a future art school kids basement that maybe would have majored in photography...RED RED RED...."maybe ill have a band play in my darkroom" BUT
imagine the mother of the household is replaced by
a doucebag (sp) bouncer...who cannot handle giving change...a cluster f*$k for him...let alone a simple question. god is it the parking authority working there?or better yet the phila f$*k you gas company. god. if the bands is all they got going for them then give them some lighting please.
The sound guy seemed to really work hard and make it all go good....poor thing...he deserves some mad props.
Nice place, I wish I had seen it before it was renovated. There's an ATM outside. You walk in to see the bar and a couple of tables in the back. There's also a pool table. I went here on a slow night to see a show in the adjoining room.
I ordered the Cajun calamari which was requested to be mild and my sister ordered the French onion soup. The dish was fine. It wasn't hot in temperature or in taste. My sister said the soup was too salty and didn't eat too much of it. The service was adequate.
The venue was small, similar to The Fire with tables on each side. The sound tech area was in the back, you see it when you walk in. The size is perfect for me. I like small, rowhouse-ish size venues. Yes, it will suck if it is packed and you can barely see the stage, but sound wise, it totally wins.
I parked a little further down on a residential street. I didn't see any garages so assume it's all street parking. The venue is on Girard so it won't be hard getting a cab or hopping on public transportation.
my best girl used to live around the corner from here...oh, how the times have changed!
back then, this place was simply the manhattan diner, and served up decent, if a tad greasy fare. the hands-down best was when they'd feature the crab-stuffed sole special. that shit was on time, and then some!
back then fishtown was still nasty, and you could rent in the area for a livable price.
now? you gotta be a millionaire just to get by, and the m room is a show venue?? do what now...? i am so not hip, or young, enough for this shit.
Yeah. Â My happy hour place. Â I would actually prefer if it was a little more crowded though during happy hour. Â Food's good though, and prices are alright. Â You'll find some surprises on their list of specials though, like once they had a blackened tilapia wrap that was amazing. Â Stella tastes really good from their tap for some reason...
Review Source:The M Room in short: Â Great food, affordable prices, terrible service, and full of trendy hipsters. Â On one hand, I sure love their menu. Â Everything is always good, and their fries have this red stuff on them making them delicious. Â Even better, they offer a PBR and shot of beam for $3! Â Sounds great, right? Â The problem is, the service is awful except for the guy who does brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Â Everyone seems to know each other, including the service. Â Sometimes they refuse to do table service even on a Friday night -- meaning you have to walk to the bar and pick up your food. Â If you don't mind the service, and a lot of pretentious jerks with weird hair, it's a good spot.
Review Source:I've since been here about a million times, mostly to see shows. It's tiny, sure, but they bring in some good acts and it's a really intimate environment where you can get right up close and personal with the band. And Chantal, who does the sound, is amazing.
Grab a drink at the bar and then check out some shows. Hurrah for Philly music venues!
Saturday Brunch sucked.
I went in and the bar was full of people drinking their brunches but i was recovering from a night of heavy drinking just looking for some hot coffee and sustenance. They had to put a pot on for me and my group and that took ten minutes too long, then the food took forever and i can't imagine why considering we were the only ones ordering. Greasy nasty frittatas, "stuffed" french toast (it was actually two pieces made up into a nasty fruit sandwich), and cheap meat.
I'm not saying i'll never pop back in after dusk for brew or two, or ever see a show there, but be warned, avoid brunch.
I love this place so much. A girl, super drunk, rolled up on and said her vibrator had run out of batteries. Is that the greatest cum-on line ever? It isn't? Really? Okay is it the worst? Okay...that's better. Anyway, I am always the oldest person there and I'm okay with that. Actually, I'm not but I like to say that to elicit sympathy from drunk girls who have no more batteries...Anyway the beer is cold, the scene is freaky and I saw a great show with Black Landlord there and Josh Dion and a bunch of other cool shit...I can't say about the food but it's the anti-Johnny Brenda's and that is in itself also a good thing for keeping the drunken yin/yang of the Fish in harmony...Muah!
Review Source:unless you are a young pretentious wannabe hipster, you will regret ever setting foot in this place, not to mention paying the $5 (yes, even at 1:30 a.m.!) to then pay more money for lousy drinks.
here's the short list of why this place should burn:
1. Â douche bag bartenders
2. Â asshole "bouncers"
3. Â the scene...oh, the scene: Â i don't know what the person below meant about the bathrooms being nice. Â lay down some TP, even if you're pissing from 5 feet back. Â oh, and that's after you GET into the bathroom. Â if you're a gal, you'll most likely stand there forever while hordes of young anorexics do lines off the back of the toilet. Â gross. Â all of them.
4. Â the scene, part 2: Â i think the m room revels in being the only "club" in fishtown that thinks its in manhattan...it may be crowded to the point of claustrophobia inside, but they won't make you wait in line if you know the "right people." Â
i just realized that my eloquence is useless when trying to write about this place. Â i hate it. Â and i have no personal vendetta against the m room. Â it's just bad bad bad. Â but if you are a complete tool, please to enjoy!
okay i have to say, i totally agree with michael b., the gentleman who says this is the best  dance party in philly. again, not that i'm a philiadelphian, but like i've said before, i do know my way around a good bar and even better dancefloor, and this place rocks. again, the problem being that it's not located in nyc, but i won't hold that against them.
Review Source:The M Room. Where does one start? It was home to THE best dance
party  in Philadelphia "Hands and Knees," God rest it's soul, and currently is the host to numerous events that make any local hipster happy; Immediate, DJ Deejay, etc. If you are looking for a bar that is still somewhat under the radar, not being taken over by the Old City collar popping crowd, you have found it...for now.
This place is kind of gross. It's the place to be on Friday nights for Hands and Knees, but if you're not a huge scenester you'll just be annoyed. The music is always terrible (weirdo techno remixes of obscure indie rock songs, anyone?) and the PBR is overpriced.
Don't make the trip to fishtown for it. And if you do, good luck getting home after last call because you will not find a cab.
Ice Cube once rhymed, "I don't go to the party to shake my butt / I leave that to the brothers with the trendy haircuts."
Those haircuts are mostly found here. This is the only bar in Philly that I feel uncool in, and yet, I want more, more, more - like Billy Idol.
Lots of beers, fairly priced. The bar and the venue room are immaculate, and the crowd is...interesting. I'm proud of Philadelphia here. This shows our cultured side... regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, the "M-Bar" is a gathering field for the cool. The food looks good too, though I have not sampled.
A great diamond in the rough with a great sound system, talented engineers, and most of all...lively atmosphere, thanks to its occupants.
Apparently, this place has superceded the 700 Club as being THE place to go, but I remember back in the day (well, earlier this year and parts of last year) when no would go to this Fishtown joint.
In the summer of '05, a band I know from North Carolina played a show here and the audience consisted of the bands that had played and me and my friends. But it was nice, because I got the mic at one point and talked about my dead-end job at TV Guide.
Then my friends and I didn't know where to go for New Year's '06 so we went here. There was no one there again. We saw this kid looking like The Hives wearing some dumb suit with a skinny tie turn on his heels and bust on out of there. Regardless, it was a very fun time.
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