Lit Ultrabar

Not sure if this place has changed ownership but it definitely was not a dance/​EDM club. We paid a $ 25 cover charge, when it was advertised as 20 on the website, charged my friend 30 dollars because he was male and it was strictly rap/​gangster music. People were able to smoke weed freely but when my I tried smoke a cigarette I was told to go over in the corner. The crowd also wasn’t very diverse and seemed the complete opposite to what it would seem. I did ask for them to switch up the music and he looked at me like I had two heads.

Someone from their team followed up with me on Twitter when i tweeted about our lousy experience. I was actually kind of impressed that they made the effort. I directed them to this Unilocal review and I never heard back from them. Way to make amends

Lit used to be great, booking top notch DJs almost every other weekend. However in the past 8 months or so lit has gone down hill, booking no-​name DJs and generally giving me no reason to come back.
As far as the club it’s self they have the tendency to tell just about everyone they won an open bar that is only valid for 2 hours. They will pretty much do anything to get people in the for despite it being ethically wrong.
Next, lit started as an upscale club that has seemingly done away with a dress code altogether.
Go back to booking good house and techno DJs if you want to have any success.

Lit Ultra Bar Is the best nightclub in Philly by far. Has the finest DJ’s locally and internationally. There prices are way below the normal pricing for the area. The staff are always friendly and courteous. There themed events and special promotions always make it affordable for groups and parties to enjoy first class entertainment and party experience at a fraction of the price compared to other clubs in the area. I highly recommend this club for a first rate experience for singles or parties that want to have a good time.

Honestly, not sure why this club has such low ratings. Each time I’ve been here, there has been plenty of room to dance your heart out and great DJ’s. The crowd can be kind of uppity, but the bouncers are always courteous. Not much of a drinker, so I can’t comment on that, but from my friend’s perspectives drinks are averagely priced of the typical club scene.

I had different experience each time when I visited. Wen the place is crowded they charge 40 and when dull they charge 15 or 20. But they find some good DJ’s. So you could listen to some good music instead of songs. The drinks r pricey too. But spacious and has good ambience. The security guys r sumtimes harsh. Other than that it’s a nice place to find different cultured people with their friends. :)

Worst club in philly PERIOD!!! When this place first opened up it was really good! Good crowd, good music and service. Over the years it’s gone down the tubes. The owners Are rude and obnoxious and kick ppl out for no reason to. Now they literally let anyone in like no dress code or etc. I see people come in wearing flip flops and in full rave outfits like wtf? It’s a club have a dress code. The service is horrible! To get a drink you have to literally wait a half hour. I will say there is one male bartender there who is actually good and when I used to go if I went to his bar he was attentive and helped me out but I can’t remember his name. The music I feel like is the same beat over and over again. Def not a hot spot anymore! Over it

This place is sick. Idk why everyone’s bitchin. It’s a club with a bar and bitches. What else do you need?

Don’t come here.
What they advertise is not what is presented.
Save your $ 10
Mine was ripped off.
Asked for a refund after 5 min
And it was promised but I was
Given the run around and ended up
Leaving.

This is generally not my kind of place, but that’s not the reason I’m crapping on it.
I was here a few months ago for some brunch thing I got invited to…$ 45 per person with an open bar from 2 – 4. I got there at around 1:30, so I opened a tab and got a drink before the open bar began. $ 9.00 for a generic vodka and Sprite in a little plastic cup that I could drink in the company of like, 200 sweaty, smelly, unnaturally tan (for early May) bros and their dudettes that I don’t know because the people who invited me are all running late. Not what I envisioned when I heard «brunch,» but whatever.
Finally, around 2:30, my friends showed up, got some drinks, and realized they hate this twice as much I as do. Therefore, we left around 3 — but not before I have gotten three more drinks from the open bar in a futile attempt to enjoy myself. When I went to pay my tab, I found to my horror that it read $ 36.00. I would have said something, but a) my group and I really wanted to get the hell out of there, and b) the place was so loud that it would’ve been impossible for me to effectively argue my point.
There’s no excuse for this. No one in my group put anything on my tab, and I never asked for a specific brand of vodka — I just assumed they were using the bottom shelf stuff because it was supposedly an open bar. If I had specified a brand, I would at least somewhat understand being charged, as this tends to be standard (although often poorly disclosed) practice. But this is just straight-​up bullshit. Oh, and they also had a little person pouring shots into people’s mouths. Not only is that kinda offensive, it also hasn’t been original or funny for about 50 years.
Lit Ultrabar… a great place to get ultra-​ripped (off).

Love coming here except for the fact the acoustics is way too loud! Great sound system but it impedes on being able to talk to friends. And the next day forgot about being able to hear anything. Your ears will be ringing so bring some earplugs and you will be able to hang.

I’ve been a bunch of times and was not impressed any time.
Don’t get bottle service, it’s a major rip off. There’s barely any seating… It’s literally just one big bench that everyone (including people you don’t know) shares. Also, the tables are extremely close to others who are doing bottle service so you’re basically paying hundreds to drink a bottle of grey goose three inches away from people you don’t know. Oh and I understand gratuity but theirs seems illegal… $ 25pp before they bring you bottles.
The second time was fun because it was 21+ so there wasn’t anyone who just graduated high school there. (It’s rare I have fun at any 18+ events.) I drank a lot of alcohol beforehand and don’t remember half of the night so that’s probably why I think it was fun.
I went back a few more times and every time it wasn’t worth it. The bartenders are complete assholes. They have no idea what they’re doing. I’m a bartender so it’s not like I’m being obnoxious and just complaining. They are unnecessarily rude and don’t make drinks properly. I really hope that swinging chandelier falls on their heads one day.
In general, Lit has become another place for people to do mollies and it’s 18+ almost every weekend. No one who’s waited years to turn the legal drinking age wants to party with people who are sweating profusely and being extra grabby because they’re on drugs. It’s gross. This place is no longer classy. Also, I hate to sound like a nagging parent but turn the f*cking sound and bass down. It was so loud it hurt. The floor was shaking, my organs felt like they were going to combust and I could barely walk because they always fill over capacity. Oh yeah, there’s a $ 40 credit card minimum at the bar but don’t worry because you’ll easily blow $ 40 on three drinks at this place and your drinks won’t taste good either.
Also, don’t sign up to be a member and don’t text them to win a free bar tab. You. Won’t. Win. You’ll just get countless amounts of emails from them all repeatedly telling you to text to win. Over and over again. I unsubscribed months ago and guess what? I’m still getting them.

Every time I update my review for Lit, it manages to lose a star.
I came on Friday night to see 3lau, and was able to get tickets for really, really cheap. I also went with friends who had that HAM bracelet, which lets them skip the line. It was confusing to know what line to wait in, because one was super long, one was super short, and the people with bracelets didn’t even wait in either line. I asked a bouncer who told me it was one line, and another bouncer told me to wait in the shorter one. I just risked waiting in the shorter one and got right in. I’m not sure what the lines were for — 18+ or 21+? They should have made it more clear. Disorganized and some what unprofessional.
Once we got inside, the music was incredibly loud. If you’re in the main area, even by the second bar with the chandelier, by the time of the headliner, the bass will be vibrating EVERYTHING, including your internal organs. I had hard time just staying in that area at first because I felt like the bass was both giving me cardiac arrest and jump starting my heart. I feel like an old fart, but I really think it’s socially irresponsible for the music to be THAT loud. I’m down for thumping music, but not when I can feel my lungs colliding with my heart and stomach.
I also went to the bar, and normally I don’t have a problem using my card (i.e. no minimums). I had it out, so that the bartender would know that I was ready to order. I ordered, and then he poured the drinks. THEN he told me that it was a $ 40 minimum. Are you serious? Mind you, this was an 18+ night, so I understand the urge to want to sell alcohol, but I would have appreciated knowing before he poured my drinks. And also, seriously, come on, $ 40!?. So I guess he lowered it to $ 30. Or maybe it was $ 30 originally, but with the tinitus inducing music, who knows. Whatever, I hand over my card, and my ID (even though I had the 21+ bracelet?), and then my friends offer to order on my tab and pay me back. Good friends.
The music was awesome (when is 3lau not?), but this venue is seriously getting worse and worse, specifically in its service. Great sound system (when it’s not turned up all the way like that one scene in Back to the Future), great headliners from time to time, beautiful venue (lights and what not), couches. I think it just has some terrible management. So for the complaints I had listed above, Lit loses a star.

It’s a very high energy club you need a red bull and 5 hr energy drink primer before starting the drinks. It’s got a very cool lighting and DJ podium.
Smoking inside is definitely a plus. You can also experience a lot of fun dancing with people you meet that night.
There are some spaces in mezzanine to cool off and socialize.
I think some of the bouncers are trying too hard to be tough guys. They should know we the customers are who pay the wages. They could use a lesson from the Delilah’s guys they enforce the rules but are respectful.
I hope the owners review how their employees act because it’s a nice club but if they don’t put quality people in place then all their efforts will be wasted.

Lit is THE definition of an «Ultra Lounge».
The few times I’ve gone, I’ve gotten in for free as Lit has specials most weekends where if you come before 12AM, it is free entry. The lines aren’t that long when you go early, but it can definitely get long later on in the night, as this is an afterhours spot. Honestly, the free cover and short lines are the only things that I liked about Lit.
Bouncers are rude. Straight up, if you didn’t buy an open bar or didn’t get a table, they treat you differently than the «VIP» people. I haven’t had problems with them, but I’ve seen them harass people in line and heard stories from my friend that they were denied entry for stupid reasons.
Inside looks nice. Great lighting, and a bar on the side and an island bar in the back of the club. Drinks are typical for a club and overpriced. Sound system is ridiculous. I heard they boast a 12K watt sound system, which is pretty cool until you stand about 20 feet away from the speakers and think to yourself «I might go deaf tonight.» The music is straight up electro house, progressive house, big room house, and maybe one or two trap songs. This brings out the super weird rave people and the people who jump up and down for 5 hours. I can’t stand that. If you love house music and the typical «EDM», this is the place for you.
If Lit adapted Rumor or Whisper’s concept of bringing in Open Format DJs, it would be a way bigger attraction. However, they attract house music fiends, and I can’t tell you the countless times I’ve been approached and asked if I have molly on me.
I won’t be back for a while.

Meh. The club was so empty at 11pm on a Friday. When you arrive they make you text some number to be a «member» of their club in order to get $ 5 off your admission. I stood outside for a good 15 minutes because I didn’t get a text back since I had Sprint. Like seriously? What if I didn’t want to get spam texts then I wouldn’t be allowed admission. Anyways, my friend had $ 500 worth of bar tab but it was only valid towards bottom shelf vodka, whiskey, run, or tequila and coors. But there was an open bar from 10:30 — 11:30pm as long as you had the wristband, so the bar tab money did not matter.
One thing different from Philly clubs vs. NYC clubs was the smoke everywhere. People are allowed to smoke indoors so it was just a hazy smoke screen in one of the sectioned areas. We ventured to the back of the club and found some sofa seats and tables. My friends ordered a hookah set for $ 30 which helped pass the time. We wanted to see Manufactured Superstars but they took forever to go on set so we ended up leaving.

Well. I’m finally doing it. I’m finally giving a one-​star review.
I’ve been to Lit a couple times in the past and it was decent. I was there this past weekend and it was horrid. My boyfriend won an open bar and was told his name would be on «the list». We arrived and they had no idea who he was. Only after his getting angry did they decide to just write his name down and let us in. The bouncers were complete meatheads and made fun of one of my friends for being nerdy. Not cool.
I paid my $ 20 cover (ouch) and headed up to the bar. I decided on a beer, but for open bar they were only serving Coors Light and Yuengling. Sigh. The place filled up slowly with a lot of girls in short skirts and guys in button-​downs. Let’s face it, I’m pretty out of place there.
I finished my beer and decided not to drink here anymore. My friends felt the same way and we bailed as soon as the open bar was over (12:30).

I went to Lit after the electric run. I got in for free (coming from the run) and saw a friend who had some extra free drink tickets. The cover and drink prices here are really high, so I got lucky to avoid them.
I really like what they’ve done with the lights and sound here. I came here back in the day when it was Emerald City and it wasn’t as nice.
They’ve got a large outside area with its own bars and sound system. Great way to get some air without leaving the party. They had a food truck inside of the outside area, which is awesome.
The beer selection was terrible. I think they only had 4 beers. Glad I had those drink tickets so I didn’t have to pay concert prices for yeungling.
Although I had a great time, I don’t see myself returning anytime soon. The cover is way too high, and the crowd that wasn’t part of the electric run, didn’t seem like my scene at all.
Glad to see however that there is a decent EDM club in the city.

I don’t have much to add original over what the majority of the rest of the 1 and 2 star people have said.
So loud it will cause permanent hearing damage, insane cover, overpriced drinks that they barely put alcohol in, rude, abusive, and dishonest staff.
Looking forward to them going out of business.

I was visiting Philly for the weekend and my friends wanted to take me to a different club than the usual few that we hit up. A few of my friends are semi-​regulars but I previously have never been here before and we decided on Lit because they provided us with a great deal, $ 20 for open bar or free cover under our guest list. How could we pass up either of those deals?! We had no problem at the door, neither did anyone in our group. Although our ratio was mixed, we still rolled in with more guys than girls– still wasn’t an issue.
What kind of threw me off is that Lit is located a little out of where we normally go out… and by a little out of Center City, I mean the area is just soso… so come in a group or arrange a ride to bring you there or pick you up. Once inside, we were looking to coat check because it is still a little nippy out in April. Umm… to me, coat check is basically free money for clubs– $ 3 is nothing. However, there was no coat check on this Saturday night, which really annoyed me. Aside from this little hiccup, my friends and I had an amazing Saturday night at Lit.
Although the drinks are a little weak in my opinion, Lit makes up for this with amazing DJS, great visuals and a nice space to get your bootay shake on. There is even a sectioned off section if you want to go outside and smoke or attempt to get some cough cough“fresh air“coughHHhh among all the smokers… okay this area is really only good for getting a breeze. Regardless, our group of friends danced the night away listening to really good mixes the DJ was playing. Although it was quite packed, the lines at the bar and bathroom moved quickly and service was great. My friends and I were all really pleased with our club experience at Lit, I cannot wait to go back the next time I’m in Philly!