One of our group members won a free happy hour here so we booked the date and had an amazing experience. The Service: Our waitress was new to the Howl at the Moon family but she operated like a pro. Our drinks were always filled and food was brought out to us hot, fresh and delicious. She had a fabulous personality and even helped us with song selections The Food: Hot, fresh and delicious. Full of flavor. The Honey Chipolte wings are my favorite. The Show: The dueling piano show was like no other I've ever seen. They took out requests and we showed them mad love aka money. Two of my favorite performances were Trap Queen and The Devil Went Down To Georgia where the female pianist played the violin. It was awesome! And the crowd loved it! I can't wait to go back and plan to make this a regular happy hour spot.
(5)
Patrick H.
I definitely love this place! The live music is great, with good flow in between songs. Most of the singers are great, and they do a great job keeping the crowd happy (they know most requested songs). Music choices are typically feel good music that people can dance and sing to. The atmosphere is great, it's not too hot, and you can always find space to stand. The drinks are good, and their Howl buckets are worth your buck if you have a group of friends (86oz!). ALSO, this place is connected to Down nightclub, the club next door, which is absolutely AWESOME. On Howl's side, we can drink lots of liquor/beer and enjoy live music. Then, as we get progressively more drunk and if we want to go dancing, we can just walk on next door without having to leave the facility, and dance the night away. I don't know what kind of music normally plays there, but it was playing mad good hip hop and old school songs when I went. So this is pretty awesome! Finally, on the downside, the line can become very long, so don't come here too late. Also, it's a $10 cover, which is quite a lot and I don't think this place is really worth $10 to get into. (They might also charge $10 because it's connected to a club) All in all, it's a good experience and I say you should at least go once with a group of friends. Pros: Great vibe and ambiance w/ live music Howl buckets Connected to Down nightclub Cons: $10 cover Long line
(4)
Komal D.
$10 for cover. Ridiculous for the type of bar it is, especially on Philadelphia. They have live music. Which is cool. Too bad the songs weren't great. I expected hip hop, pop, or top 40 or something, unfortunately most of the songs weren't something to dance too. We stood around waiting for the dance floor to get packed or for the music to change, but it never happened. There was a big older crowd, which was a little weird for me for a night out. Maybe it's a good place to bring your parents? Idk. The drinks were weak and expensive. Didn't taste any liquor and walked out sober. Whomp whomp. Go to a regular bar with good drinks instead. The live music wasn't worth it.
(2)
Greg K.
I went to Howl at the Moon on a Friday night and this place reminded me of being in college. Yes, the $10 cover is annoying, but the place is packed as it is, so I imagine the cover prevents too big of a crowd and a line out the door. Honestly, everyone was just having a good time and the music, while not the best I've heard a piano bar, was pretty decent. As far as I can tell, there aren't too many rowdy, dancing friendly bars in Philly, so it's nice to have a spot nearby that covers that option. Drinks are a little pricier than usual, but mixed drinks are strong and they had a few craft brews on tap.
(4)
Erin M.
We came here for happy hour after another happy hour nearby... What? Our group was looking for a neat chill place to throw back more drinks before.. going out for.. more drinks. We split some apps which were decent. My besties and I split an 86oz bucket of Kiss the Sky which was a good bang for your buck and definitely is good for sharing. Jon and I especially liked the live music on the dueling pianos. There's even a decent area to get your dance moves on if you feel like it. Our only issue is they never played the songs we requested. Overall, decent dive bar with fun atmosphere and big drinks!
(4)
Aria S.
I reiterate my comments from before regarding the $10 cover.. the max bars (not clubs) in center city charge is $5. The live music thing just isn't my vibe. Some bars will do this until midnight and then change to a DJ which I think is way better. The crowd here is just..odd. There are lots of people who seem too old to be dancing on stage to the so-so live music. We got one of the "famous" bowls for $25. Even with switching out the 711 for club soda, that bowl was a waste of probably 2000 calories and $25. Wasn't even tipsy after. Here's my major gripe: MY PHONE WAS STOLEN HERE. No I was not just drunk and misplaced it. Maybe if the bowl was more effective that would be the case. After I noticed, I immediately circled the bars and asked them if they had seen it and almost every bartenders scuffed/laughed at me. Even thinking about it pisses me the f off.
(1)
Laura G.
This place is the worst. Yes, the worst. I've come here a few times, waiting to write a review, and hopeful that my opinions would change. $10 cover to listen to Joe Schmo rap to Eminem for 4 hours while bday girls/bachelorettes from South Jersey dance on the stage. I'm all about dancing and live music but this is more of sing along music. As Aria S. said, most bars switch to a DJ at 12, but not howl. Another greif I have is the bartenders. They're just down right rude and for no reason. The fact that my friend had her phone stolen here and the bartenders laughed at her is ridiculous. The crowd is by far the weirdest among all philly bars. Its the indoor riverdeck.
(1)
Christine V.
This place is so much fun when you're with a fun group of friends who are down to just dance or sing the night away. I came here on a Saturday night with a few friends, and while there was a line to get into the bar, it moved by pretty quickly. Only downside that night was paying a $10 cover charge when it wasn't even midnight yet. The band performing the night we went were amazing and definitely got the crowd hyped up. Music was great and ranged from Beyonce to Carrie Underwood to old-school Backstreet Boys. There were a few birthday ladies and bachelorette parties that night, and seeing them on the stage singing and dancing along was very entertaining. I can't comment on the drinks much but the atmosphere was very much enjoyable when we went. The crowd is an eclectic mix, which can either be annoying or fun depending on what the situation is. My group and I had a lot of fun at Howl at the Moon - totally a place we would come back to.
(3)
Natalia C.
Just go already! It's a good time any day of the week. Sing along. Have a drink and unwind. I usually go with friends and split a huge bowl of a drink. The food is decent. Bring ones to tip the musicians.
(4)
Shannon M.
Love the live music, but their drinks are overpriced and I didn't even get the slightest bit tipsy. Not a fan of the wait staff either.
(3)
Louis R.
Every fuckin time I come here I feel like I've wasted 2 hours of my night. Yeah, people singing/rapping and the piano ish can be entertaining, but this is totally a frat party. Yup, my sweater and boots are beer-logged once again. $10 cover. A-Ok.
(3)
Amanda G.
Oh, God. My experience here was...well, it was an experience. The main thing you should take away from my review is this: if you are over the age of 27, you are probably going to feel very uncomfortable here. I went here with some ladies for a bachelorette party. Everyone was between the ages of 28-32. I can say that at least 50% of the songs that were played were completely foreign to me, 20% of them were super duper emo songs from like 2003, and the other 30% were crowd requests that were actually decent (Tom Petty, anyone?). This place may be for you if you are having a 21st birthday, LOVE to be so cramped you can't even rotate your body 360 degrees, if you enjoy waiting in line for the bathroom for approximately 30 minutes, or if you'd like to spend your whole night at the bar trying to get one drink. Last note - one of the girls in our group gave a sexy bouncer who was a Kahl Drogo look-alike the phone number of one of the single ladies in our group. He texted her, and she found out he's IN COLLEGE. Old. This place makes you feel SO. OLD.
(2)
Nancy P.
I came to Howl at the Moon for a work related networking event. I haven't been here before so I didn't know what it would be like. Unfortunately, this place is not really a great place for a networking event. A little after we got there, there was someone up in the front that started singing. It got pretty loud and then the crowd shifted from the working crowd to "Thirsty Thursday" crowd. The food that was sponsored from the event was mobbed with random people in shorts and tank tops. This might be fun for the younger crowd but not a great place for networking or trying to hear people talk. P.S. I never really understood why places have bathroom attendants. I am pretty capable of getting my own paper towels...
(2)
Vanessa T.
The number of bars in center city is countless but Howl at the Moon sets itself apart from the other ones with a live band including 2 pianos. Their performers are versatile in that they can play every single instrument on that stage, ranging from piano, drum, guitar, violin, and most importantly sing. I'm a huge fan of music, so definitely appreciate what they do here. They really know a lot of songs, from the most popular ones on the radio to the older classics. I enjoy Howl on weeknights because they take more requests and play what you want to hear. Also, it is less crowded on weeknights, beats being pushed and shoved at a club. The weekends are always very crowded and the line is ridiculous. Howl is connected to Down (a club next door), in case you get sick of the live music. It is fairly spacious inside with a bar in the center of the room. There are a good number of high top tables scattered around the stage. There's also some space in front of the stage to dance. The restrooms could use a little maintenance, it feels a little trashy at times with no toilet paper.
(4)
David B.
We found Howl at the Moon to be a superb place for some post dinner entertainment. You will hear all of your favorite songs played by some very skilled entertainers. The pianos are definitely the focal point, but for many songs they incorporate other instruments and stretch out into a full band. They work the crowd very well, whom also become part of the show. You are in the city so you can expect to pay a little more for your brew. They charged me $7 per bottle of Goose Island 312. They were staffed up very well behind the bar and came across friendly and attentive. The beer selection was also very good by way of both draught and bottle which surprised me a little. As far as decor goes, I got the feeling if you saw this place with the lights on it would be quite evident that there is not much to it once you get beyond the stage area. Sure they get points for their framed Hextall & Iverson jerseys, but you almost feel like they could box everything up in 30 minutes and get out of town quickly if they needed to. But rest assured, there is a lot of life in that square footage when this place is pumping! Grab a nice meal within walking distance and then say hello to my friends Kyle, Katie and Chris at HATM. There are a dozen or so of these establishments across the nation, and the city of brotherly love has a good one!
(4)
Erin C.
Drink bowls are primarily sugar, let's be real. So are a lot of the "lady drinks" they promote. Nonetheless, they offer a standard array of liquor and there's Sam Adams & Sierra Nevada, so it'll do. The band is very talented, though the playlists are quirky current hits and pop throwbacks. This isn't really my jam, but the guys behind the bar are fluid. One I ordered from was all about business; the other was not only quick but also likeably human. Whatever I mean by that. It helped that he made my drink a tad strong. I was here for a happy hour a friend won. We had access to the "buffet." It was downright lame. But then again, our first 2 drinks were discounted and so was entrance, I think. All in all, an OK place to start a night. Probably not so much for finishing one.
(3)
Khusbu P.
I went to Howl for the first time just a few weeks ago on a Thursday night. Pretty crazy since I've been living in Philly for such a long time now and I've always been wanting to go! My friends and I had an awesome time! The music was great and so was the crowd. The place is fairly large but it was still little a packed- not to the point where we were bumping into people. I know there's usually cover on certain nights...between $5 and $10 but I didn't have to pay when I went. I don't get to go out on weekdays much anymore but in the past I was always at Drinker's on Thursday nights. I will definitely make sure I go to Howl more often now!
(4)
Gwendolyn P.
You definitely have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy this college-like bar atmosphere but if you are in the right frame of mind this place is stupendous. Great band, good nibbles, wonderful drinks served in fish bowls if you want them to be and dancing. This is the only place that I know of in town that has girls walking around in corsets serving jello shots in injection needles! If you think that this place is only a two to four star establishment I recommend that you have a couple of those jello shots and it will get to a be a five star place before you know it!
(5)
Rick B.
Howl at the Moon is just one of those places where you should always expect the unexpected. It could be the best night ever; it could be eating pizza and tears in an alley after hours. Due to the size of the venue and the unpredictability of the crowds, lines, covers, etc., you need to go to Howl more than once to get the overall experience. The one constant is the music. The guys in the band are so incredibly talented, you almost forget it's live music! They cover a nice mix of current, top-40 songs and 80s classic rock. Everything else is very hit or miss. They have some really great bartenders, and they have some not so great bartenders. They have some really cool security/maintenance guys, and they have some less than spectacular ones. Again, it really depends on the night. I was once able to skip the line due to a broken foot and a walking boot. Apparently it's a law that partially disabled customers need not wait in line. Whether or not it's true, I can't complain. The entire staff was more than accommodating. The manager even gave me his name and told me where to find him in case I needed anything. Of course a bar is probably the last place my podiatrist wanted me at, but I was in good hands at Howl. It's a great place to go with a large group of friends celebrating a birthday, engagement, holiday, etc. Just be sure to anticipate waiting. It seems like there is almost always a line, unless you show up at, say, 7 or 8 pm. I'm still wearing sweatpants and haven't even thought about leaving the apartment yet, so unless you're okay with spending your whole paycheck at Howl, your best bet is to have a few (several) drinks at home and accept the 20-30 minute line. 10 or 11 pm seems like a decent time to get there, after a decent amount of pregaming. Heavy emphasis on pregaming. The $10 cover is a bit of a buzzkill, and it certainly does not pair well with the drink "specials." Even without the cover, the drinks would seem overpriced. Some of the more unique drinks (served in bowls and tall plastic things) are moderately strong, but definitely not worth the price you pay. Not only are the beers overpriced, but add to that the probability of getting bumped into and spilling half of it. Come to think of it, Howl seems like a bar right out of a Buzzfeed article, analyzing the life of a young- to mid-20s kid, right out of college or new to the city. With their tall, sugary drinks, $10 covers, jello shot waitresses, and an almost guaranteed cover of "Don't Stop Believin," I think we know exactly the type of crowd they cater to.
(3)
Daniel C.
Fact: this is the only bar in Philadelphia that is worth the wait. The line does get long, but it does more quickly. Lots of bachelorette and birthday parties attend this facility so it gets crowded. Be patient. Come with a large group and you can't go wrong. The musicians take requests, tip them well and your song is up next. They play a lot of todays hits, and lots of throwbacks from the 90s and early 2000's. Talented musicians, great drinks and specials, guaranteed a solid night out with your friends.
(5)
Rob C.
Came here to Howl at the Moon for the first time last Friday with some friends. The bar is a few steps from the PATCO, which beats following your equally drunk friends like a trail of breadcrumbs. We got there at about 10pm and there was no line. However other reviews have said at times the alleged line wraps around the block. When we entered, we were greeted by security who required a 10 dollar cover to enter. Walking in already down 10 dollars, I hated it even more. At first glance, it looked like my least favorite scene, a mix of young professionals and fraternity/sorority members who peaked in college. I mentioned a few times how I wished we went to a dirty dive bar instead. We skipped past the live music dance floor and went to the bar. My friends went for the expensive fruity mixes, but I kept it classic and got a beer. Other groups were seen drinking buckets of strong mixes including long island iced teas and bacardi 151 mixes. Watching a group of 4 guys drinking out of the same fruity drink bucket through twisty straws, made me glad I got a beer instead. The bartender was very nice and attentive and the staff walking around selling jello shots were friendly as well. There was a good amount of people watching the NHL and NBA playoffs to exchange high fives with when LeBron James' team choked and to exchange groans when the NY Rangers survived elimination. I was starting to enjoy it here. The bathrooms were very clean and had walls between the urinals, so even the tallest of curious creepers couldn't look at your junk. There was even an unnecessary towel attendant to let you know when a toilet is free and give you a towel. After spending too much time writing about the bathroom, I had drank enough to feel less stubborn about going near the live music. The performers were fantastic and I found myself singing along to their top 40 hip hop and pop mashups. Only problem was the dance floor was very crowded and 95% of the people weren't dancing. So your choices were to stand still or unintentionally grind up on the surrounding people. Some of the songs were bigger hits and got the crowd more into it. Everyone there was having a good time. This bar is also a flocking ground for drunk bachelorettes. It's like going to a wedding after party without sitting through pointless small talk and ceremonies. The bachelorettes and other random people get pulled on stage if they know the words. At the end of our night, I didn't even want to leave, but the group out voted me. I took a fearful walk to close my mysteriously priced tab, and was happy to be left with only a 15 dollar charge for 4 beers. Then we walked the short distance to the PATCO to go back to our boring M-F work lives! I'll bring a date next time I go. tl;dr PATCO accessible, 10 dollar cover, white girl wasted, bathroom management, awesome live music, reasonably priced drinks, fun night. "White people making plot twists on yelp reviews"
(5)
Sal D.
If you want to party and drink excessively this is the place to go. Every time I have gone here I have had to wait in line, not a big deal, its usually only 10 minutes and you always meet interesting people in line. Howl at the Moon does charge a cover, on Halloween it was $5 yesterday it was 10 bones. But in all fairness they always have a fantastic band, that put on a fantastic show. Bartenders are quick and friendly and the crowd is a lot of fun. Guy to girl ratio is not horrible. All in all a great place to party it up.
(4)
Megan M.
The staff was outstanding all around from the booking department to the bartenders. It was super easy to email back and forth with the booking and billing departments when things needed to be changed and worked out for our party. The bartenders were so helpful and didn't rush you but you also didn't have to wait long(if at all) for a drink and it was packed that night. The speciality drinks were strong and good but what was even better is they could come in a bucket. That's right the size of your head with 4 straws! The Jump the Line package was absolutely worth it which I was very apprehensive about getting. The line of people waiting was around the block on a Saturday night at 9:30 and did not stop all night. The establishment itself had very sticky floors for so early in the night which is a kudos to them since it means people were non stop dancing. It had plenty of space to dance but you had to find it. Note to bigger groups hang out at the back for more elbow room. The bathrooms were clean and the attendant made sure of that. The music itself was best appreciated the drunken bachelorette and birthday parties which there were tons of. Something seemed to be wrong with vocal microphones some singers were heard better than others. Their playing of instruments was outstanding and the ability to pick up different ones was impressive. Unfortunately there were some (10)repeat songs throughout the night but what are you going to do they take requests and definitely aim to please. Bachelorette parties, girls night out, boys night out and birthday parties this is a must!
(4)
Cordelia J.
Literally the worst! I came here on Saturday for my 25th with about 15 people and it was horrible. I wasn't offered any free drinks for my birthday, or anything special for that matter besides free cover for just me. My boyfriend arrived late and there was an obnoxiously long line outside which wasn't moving. I told the security guy outside that it was my birthday and asked him nicely if he would just let my boyfriend skip the line since the rest of my party was waiting inside. He refused and only let him go to the back of the first line, and it took over 30 minutes for him to get in. Then, at the end of the night, we get our bill.. My cousin and her friends had a separate tab which they paid for earlier in the night before they left. Our bill had their $100 worth of drinks on it. Our server fought with us for a while until she finally reduced our bill, but we still got stuck repaying for some of their drinks. I will never return here. The drinks were stupid expensive and they were weak and the shots were small. Also, the female pianists were TERRIBLE.
(1)
Jessie H.
This place reminds me of this bar I used to go to all the time in Penn State so I love it here. Overall it's a good time, I love how you can request songs and they will play it within a reasonable time. It gets super packed. The line starting forming by 10 so I recommend coming early since there's cover all night anyway. $10 and then coat check (I think it's $1..not sure). The buckets are super sweet but will probably get you trashed by the end of the night. I love live music and they play all the throwback hits as well as new hits. This place gets pretty crazy as the night goes esp with the crapload of bachelorette parties that come through. You start drinking and the next thing you know your jam is playing and you're dancing on stage.
(5)
Jay D.
We love Howl at the Moon, the atmosphere is great for those in their mid-20's to early thirties. The obvious draw is the live music, which is always pretty good. Drink prices are average for Philly. Sometimes there are great specials, like $3 Sam Adams. Not super expensive by any stretch. The dancing is great. If you want to meet people (read target demographic above), this is a great place. Sign up for their list serve- you will win a free happy hour. They're not good on weekends, but it gives you incentive to get there early. One time, it was a tator tot bar- tator tots and maybe 20 different toppings. Get here early for a table. Walk to the right when you enter and get a table in the back. If you're there by 6, those tables will be available. Don't get one in the front- they clear those away for dancing. You'll have a waitress for the night at these tables, and if you're kind, it beats waiting in line for a drink. Cover is $10, usually after 9:30. The real party starts at 10. I've seen lines down the street.
(4)
Lenna L.
It's a bar with Dual Pianos and you can request songs. Super fun for hanging out with friends and chilling. The drinks are reasonable. the food is alright, i only liked the mac and cheese dish. This is definitely a place for hanging out and drinking, not for dining.
(4)
Hauni D.
Band is good but the alcohol is TOO EXPENSIVE! $6 for a 12 oz beer. Spend your money somewhere else.. You'll get more for your dollar.
(3)
Lauren G.
This place is only as good as the music they're playing. It's crowded and expensive and the age range is everything from 21 to like 65. Probably not going back.
(2)
Dylan S.
Typical loud college bar. Overpriced drinks, undeserved cover charge, and a band that obviously wishes they were playing anything else anywhere else.
(1)
Colleen M.
For what this place is, it's a good time. I have been to Duel a few times (or Jolly's or whatever it's called nowadays) and never enjoyed myself. I've also been to the Howl in Baltimore which was fun, but the layout of this place is significantly better. This is a welcome addition to the party scene. When you don't want to go to a bar and just sit, I haven't found too many places in Philly that fit the bill. Keep in mind that you have to be in the mood for a crowd that is mostly wasted 20-somethings and bachelorette parties. Believe it or not, sometimes I am actually in the mood for that. The crowd is rowdy but fun. The piano players are actually really good. They play a diverse cross section of music that appeals to most anyone and they don't torture you by playing the same song more than once. Drinks aren't terribly priced. There is a $10 cover on Fridays but coat check is free (except the tip) which is a nice addition. The back bar is usually not overly crowded and worth the distance from the dance floor. Added bonus: the people watching is some of the best in Philly.
(4)
Otto K.
Bouncer was mean. Not even that fun. Long wait and bad atmosphere. Trying to being something it's not. Trying to act like its a large place but not filled appropriately. Ultimately a let down after hearing good things... not coming back anytime soon!
(2)
Steph C.
Such a love hate relationship with Howl. Oh how I love your live entertainment, dim lighting, and strong mixed drinks. On the other hand I hate how when I walk through your doors I transform into the most BASIC girl in all of Philadelphia. Syringe jello shots with whipped cream? Check. Dancing on stage when I most definitely should not be. Check. Thinking I have Mariah's vocal capacity. Check. But in all seriousness. Howl is a very good time. Even when you're trying not to have a good time somehow you end up singing Journey at the top of your lungs pleading with the bouncers to let you on stage and inflict the whole building with your horrid dance moves. The line gets really long on the weekends obviously. Can't speak to any of their food.
(5)
Nicole F.
The band is phenomenal, atmosphere is great, and the drinks delicious. Can't ask for a better night out !!!
(5)
Jasmine N.
Two words: HILARIOUS TIME. I have never been to a place like this before, but it was definitely worth it. The cover charge was reasonable because all the music that was being played was live from very talented musicians and singers. They played today's latest hits to throwbacks from the 90s which was fun and different. I would definitely go back here because I had a good time and good laughs!
(4)
Andrew D.
Do you like creepy guys with atrocious haircuts from New Jersey fist pumping in your face and spilling drinks on you every ten minutes? Do you enjoy over-priced drinks and lousy service? Do you appreciate waiting in line and paying a $10 minimum cover on the weekend? Lastly, do you enjoy an overcrowded dark space similar to a frat house basement? Well, Howl at the Moon is the place for you! Come on down and enjoy mediocrity because you didn't do enough research to find an alternative bar on a weekend night in Philadelphia. But don't worry! Just like your neighborhood Applebee's, Howl at the Moon is a chain and can be found in any city. Have fun!
(2)
Jen W.
Came here for the first time through a friend who won free drinks at happy hour. It was really fun. The live music was GREAT! And they had dance competitions as well! It's a classy place, not a come-slutty-and-leave-with-vomit-stains bar. Heard the free buffet was not that great, so I didn't try it. The drinks were good and if you ask the bartender to make something, she'll do it.
(4)
Seth T.
Came here for my first night in philly on 8/29. Drinks were very cheap, but it was overrun with college students and obnoxious people. The music was simply amazing as the musicians were able to play almost any song. Defiantly a cool place to check out.
(3)
Patrick C.
Usually I hate the attitude of nightlife places -- acting like they're doing you a favor letting you in. And I hate paying cover too. This place is different, though. The staff was courteous and welcoming. There was cover, but it actually got me something more than getting in the door -- great live musicians and a surprisingly good little buffet.
(5)
Melissa P.
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, this place was SO FUN for my friend's bachelorette party. We drank blue liquids out of buckets and twirly straws, I threw ice at people from the stage when "Let it Go" came on, we took jello shots out of jumbo syringes, we danced, and wooed, and screamed, and laughed and got on stage and had an awesome time. The singers and dueling pianists and drummers are actually SUPER impressive and talented, so much fun, really get the crowd going, and know all the lyrics to every song, even super difficult Nicky Minaj-esque rap solos. Props to those guys. On the other hand, this place is a Bachelorette Factory. There were literally 9 bachelorette parties going on when I was there (including the one I was there for). This means that even though it's your friend's special last night out as a single woman and all attention should be on her, it's also 8 other sash-wearing, tiara-sporting, stage-hogging girls' special nights, and all their friends have matching shirts/necklaces/penis straws, etc. They have Bachelorette Packages ($30 on Saturdays gets you cover, 1 free drink, skipping the line, and the bride gets called up on stage). I felt a bit ripped off because the drink was any drink up to $8 and the cover was $10, they never called my friend up on stage by name for her own song, and there was no line to skip, so that extra $12 was just for...nothing. However, I have seen the line around the block, so I guess it's just a risk you take. Also, they apparently make a big deal out of signing a contract for the event and telling you you will be charged if you are a no show, and they can only take 1 credit card or cash for this fee. If you are a Maid of Honor planning a Bachelorette and have never been to Philly, and don't want to go through the headache of finding something original and perfect and complicated, this place is awesome and perfect for you. If you are a dude who wants to hit on girls who are watching all of their friend's get married and have attended 5 bachelorette parties this year and are depressed about their prospects of ever finding someone, this place is also perfect for you.
(3)
Rebecca H.
Came here for a free happy hour special last Friday night that my friend set up. We got "free appetizers," which were just tater tots, lol. The drinks were strong and actually pretty good, but the bar was extremely crowded. Well drinks for 4$. The atmosphere was pretty fun, but I'm not the biggest fan of piano bars. The crowd was a bit rowdy, which was strange- because it was a piano bar. I'd give it another shot, but agreeing with another poster- there weren't enough places to sit.
(3)
Sam B.
I have to split the difference on this one- on the one hand I didn't want to come here when it was suggested because the ones I have been to in Texas are tourist traps. However I was the minority of the group and it was a party so I relented. The music and dancing was great, had a blast on that end. That was until I got my bill and it was $$$ for not that much alcohol at all. Not cool. I would come back but definitely do my pregaming elsewhere.
(3)
Lena M.
Why are those musicians still only playing in bars?! Such amazing talent! I loved that you can request songs too. Mac and cheese burger was delicious!
(5)
Nando F.
Owww, oowww.. sorry about that guys that was my attempt at howling? If i knew how to type out a "howling" effect I would, so just go with it. I must say though I was pretty impressed at this place. Who would have thunk dueling pianos (that didn't really duel ) going at it with a crowd of drinkers would be a hit? Right , these guys did with this being a chain type of establishments located through out the country. Picture this a packed place , a line that almost went around the block just to get in just so you can do your best impersonation of Billy Joel ! The staff outside kept everything in check monitoring how many can go in at a time also making sure the walking traffic kept on walking. A $10.00 cover is what is charged , with a stamp that is applied to you so if you wanted to go outside (for the smokers) you could. I thought wasn't so bad, plus you can just walk in and out without waiting while others had to wait to get to that point. They also provide a coat check free of charge for the patrons who enter , we all know the etiquette here is to leave a tip. Howl at the Moon has 2 bars located inside with one big bar located in the center with access points you can get at no matter where you stand. The second bar is located off to the side , this is for the waitresses who take your orders , but also is open to the public. With a packed joint, with that main bar being the hot spot, I would recommend going to the smaller bar. It's not as packed as the bigger bar, you'll see a small group, but I will bet you'd get your drink faster there. A nice selections of crafts that can be perused here for the beer aficionado in you along with drink specials. Howl at the Moon along with the libation gods made sure everyone in this place is feeling good. They do have high-top tables and chairs provided if you wanted to sit, but most likely you'll be on that floor Howling away. You have got to love a packed place and the sounds of Bon Jovi where EVERYONE just became Jon himself in that chorus of "Livin on a Prayer" Whoooaaa , we're half way there Livin on a prayer, take my hand and we'll make it I swear !! Sorry guys I had a relapse there, that and jello shot girl with the jello shots in a big plastic syringe making her rounds. In all I and the group I was with had a great time , the waitresses did a great job, bartenders did the best with orders being shouted at them. The piano players and singers were fun to watch getting request in from the audience on the floor. Howl also provides for you if you couldn't see the stage, they had the action being fed on the flat screens TVs all around. I'd defiantly go back again, personally I think or well I thought I sounded better than Steve Perry from Journey when it came "Don't Stop Believin". Ok minus that one portion of the song where its all high notes with the consumption of delicious concoctions I was on point.
(4)
Joey P.
I've got to hand it to HatM, they really came through. My fiance set up a birthday package for me that included a table. We got there...no table. The staff, including the manager, sprung into action. They were able to get us a table pronto and also took care of us the rest of the night. Music was great, too. I really like this place and the great service will keep me coming back. Word to the wise...arrive EARLY. A few friends wanted to get in around 11 PM and the line was down to Fox and Hound. In December. Chilly.
(5)
Mike L.
My sister had a happy hour at this bar last night and it was a horrid experience. She brought 50 paying customers to that happy hour and they refused to serve her. Before she even got her first drink a barback started in a confrontation with her just because she was being courteous. He was trying to come under the bar so she lifted to the bar top to help which he responded "I don't need your f***ing help" as he came back with stacks of glasses he looked at my sister and said "Now you can f***ing help me." so she lifted it to help him but was unaware at how terribly made the hinges were and it accidentally bumped a bartender but no harm done, she was just trying to help despite his attitude. He yelled at her "What the fuck are you doing?" then he yelled at the bartenders not to serve her. She didn't have a single drink yet and she brought everyone to that happy hour, roughly 50 people. This was degrading service. The barback (he had gauges) should be penalized for his appalling display of "service" for a truly pitiful experience. What a shame a place like this thinks high volume means they don't have to care for their patrons.
(1)
Danan R.
We had a friend's birthday event here, and it was a great night with performances at the dueling piano, solid drink specials, and efficient, helpful servers. There is a central bar but servers also circulate the room taking drink orders, which is a nice plus. If you are looking for a range of song covers from the Backstreet Boys to Usher to Journey to Billy Joel, then this is the place for you. A dance floor typically forms between the two stages, and the audience sings along, making for a memorable night. It was crowded but the space is very open and didn't feel overwhelming. I had a great time, and I will say that the bartenders here are amazingly fast and attentive.
(4)
Alick W.
Howl at the Moon is a fun piano bar in the Rittenhouse area. It can get really packed on weekend nights and often a huge line around the block. We went to Howl during SIPS one week and their Wednesday special is one of the best value deals. They have any burger and a craft beer for $10. I got the Mac & Cheese Burger which was decent (Not as good as Lucky's in Manayunk) and a good size. Some of their other burgers looked good to and worth going back for a try. A beer here is pretty expensive, usually around $7 for a craft beer so Burger Wednesdays is worth it. Not sure about their other specials during the week, but the price of the beers can be worth the entertainment from the musicians that play. They also sell fishbowls here which are large alcohol drinks in a huge bowl for sharing. I always like live music better than a DJ and Howl can be a very fun atmosphere when not overly crowded.
(4)
Christina G.
I had a really fun girls night. I'm a big fan of the drink bowls for $25 and what a great idea that they give different color straws so you know what straw belongs to those in your group. I've had the fish bowl at graffiti bar many times and I like the taste of the bucks at howl of the moon much better. But they are very sweet and we had trouble finishing our second bucket. It is entertaining and great people watching. Bartenders are very nice. Get there early because cover goes up throughout the night.
(5)
Tom Z.
We went here for a birthday party and had a blast. Keep in mind this isn't a typical piano bar. There is minimal seating intentionally as it has more of a bar/club feel than a lounge. The place is pretty relaxed until about 10-11pm. Then they clear out tables for a dance floor. It has a very energetic vibe. If you want seating you need to get there early, 6 or 7, and camp out. Treat your server well if you are going to kerping seats all night. Choose a table on the side or back so it doesn't get taken away later in the evening. On a Saturday there was no cover when we arrived at 8pm, making it convenient for friends who weren't with the birthday group. Now for the birthday group reservation. The package offered free entry plus a drink per person and a few other perks. It ended up being very convenient for our group as it carved out an area where we can all comfortably hang out with seats as well as mingle with friends who showed up spontaneously. The personal service with the group reservation was fantastic. They take good care of the birthday group and make sure everyone always has a fresh drink in hand.
(5)
Brittney A.
It honestly was the most ridiculous bizarre thing I've ever seen in my life. The two bouncers at the door which were a JOKE were taking IDs. I noticed a group of younger girls in front of me talking about how "I hope my fake ID works". So as it was my turn to step up they really had the audacity after letting all of these little girls in to tell me it was fake. My ID was obviously not fake. I argued with the bouncer and then the manager comes out, without even looking at my ID sends me away. The most RIDICULOUS thing I have ever seen in my life. I will not be returning and neither will the 200+ I told.
(1)
Andrea H.
LINDSAY was beyond fantastic and brought all of our fish bowls. Thank you! We miss you and treasured our time with you. You were awesome!!! Tip her well or feel our wrath
(4)
Konstantinos V.
I really enjoy there party happy hours where if you win you and up to 100 people can get your first 2 drinks (only certain kinds though) for only $1 and then they have the free buffet for people who one the happy hour although the food isn't great honestly...but its free. It can get very crowded if you go later at night on a Friday or Saturday. Despite this its a fun place to hang out after work or school especially on a Friday. The bands playing can be kinda good to. If you or your friends ever win a happy hour (which can happen often) then by all means go for it,but I have never personally gone without being part of or having a happy hour.
(4)
Mike H.
Although cover is $10 and the drinks are pricey, the live band is awesome a great place to go with a group of friends for a fun night!
(4)
Yara Q.
Don't get me wrong- this is a very fun place. However, two bar fights happened while I was there tonight and unfortunately I was a victim of one of them. Got knocked to the ground and did not feel like the management took full responsibility and handled the aftermath very well.
(2)
Ren H.
This place restored my faith in mixed drinks. I am a normally a beer kind of guy and have strayed away from mixed drinks due to nasty experiences in the past. However, my friends and I tried out as much mixed drinks as we humanly can and they never failed to impress. They had the smoothest and best Long Islands I've ever had. In addition, they have live music that played dancable and sing-alongable songs that ranged from country to pop and fun oldies! Even one of their TVs at the bar showed the live music playing. Pretty cool. Despite the short line (the place was packed) and the cover, it is a Great place for a night out, dancing, people watching, and meeting new people. I would definitely be back here.
(4)
Ashley L.
Howl is so much fun! I've been to the location in Boston and this is the perfect addition to the Philly night scene. It took over Bucca de Beppo's lot so it's pretty spacious. Depending on your arrival time you may have to wait in line, but it moves quickly. There's a $5 cover but during their opening month they have a coupon on their Facebook page for free admission. The performers were awesome, but as the first review said they're more like a cover band than dueling pianos. Regardless, very entertaining and a ton of fun to dance and sing along. The area in front of the stage is really loud and gets pretty hot, but the rest of the bar is fine. The drinks were expensive and not strong, which was disappointing. The speciality drink there is the huge bucket of booze, meant to serve 4 people. Tasty, but again, not strong enough. If you're looking to sing and dance the night away, come to Howl!
(4)
Dana S.
Was excited to check this place, I've been to other piano bars, including Jolly's in Philly and really enjoyed them. While it had the piano element, it was a lot more party. The place was super crowded and the area near the piano's was kinda sloppy. The prices for songs and other piano related activities I thought were a little pricey. On the plus side, there were two bar stations and both handled the crowd well and were pretty quick to get you a drink. If you're looking for a party, then you will like this place. I much prefer the traditional piano bars with a lively but not chaotic crowd, wasn't what I was looking for.
(2)
Sean S.
This place is a straight up tourist attraction. The majority of the crowd are non-locals from the burbs, bachelorette's parties, and bros/sorority girls. Drinks are as good as the bar from Applebee's - a good metaphor since this place is also a chain.
(1)
Margarita H.
This place is super over rated. Here's the jist. They crowd this place with people way past capacity to the point where its unbearable. There's absolutely no place to stand or sit let alone enjoy yourself. Drinks are sub par, I had way better elsewhere especially for the prices they charge. The music is so-so but if you were expecting a good variety forget it. The crowd closest to the stage will always get their music first. So don't waste the money or time trying to request anything. The requests for songs are handled in such a ridiculous way that you'll be lucky to get the song played even if you pay some serious cash. If you plan on coming here, don't bother. I know I won't be ever again.
(2)
Chrissy M.
For me, this place is pretty awful. I didn't enjoy my time here at all. Other may, but Howl at the Moon is really not my scene. Live music is great. I didn't really get their concept though. They're supposed to be a dueling piano bar, but the pianos were not the focus in the slightest. They also had a saxophone, bass and guitar, as well as a drum set. Some people may like this set up, but when I want to hear pianos, I expect to hear them. One of the players had their keyboard playing a piano patch while the other played synth patches. Really not what i expected. The drinks were fine. The service was quick, but no personable; but how could you be in a place like this? at 9 PM on saturday, there were already a couple hundred people crowding this place. There were no tables and there was hardly any place to stand. It was so crowded that a rude waiter shoved into me and spilled my drink onto the already sticky floors. Luckily, a manager was close by who was able to get me a new drink free of charge, which was nice. Drink prices were fine- they're not cheap, but I expect that for a place like this. So, if you're looking for a super crowded fun place to get completely hammered that also happens to have live music, this is your place. They sell these huge buckets filled with booze that you can share with your friends which is cool. But if you're looking for a classy establishment where you can sip a cocktail, relax, and have a conversation with your friends, look elsewhere. The crowd at this place is very early-20-somethings, either still in college or recent graduates. When I was here, I mostly felt out of place and old- strange, considering I'm only 25. But I don't like loud music and i like to talk to my friends while enjoying my beverage I paid $13 for. Oh well, not my jam.
(2)
Jackie N.
I love this place! The drinks are great and when you get free happy hours it is awful. The music is great but sometimes they play the same stuff over and over again. My only problem is for a dueling piano bar they should have more places to sit. Other dueling piano bars I have been to have plenty of sitting so you can enjoy the music. These places are down south though so up north maybe different. This place is still great!
(4)
Kevin F.
This is a chain piano bar and this was the weakest of the three I have been to. That being said the atmosphere is still fun and the folks do a solid job.
(3)
Beth H.
I came here last night b/c a friend had won a free happy hour. (Apparently, they give them away like candy cuz there were a couple of groups that were getting it.) I got there around 9:30pm and it was already in full swing. I didn't get a mixed drink, so I really can't speak to the bar aspect. The food they provided was good, though I'm glad I ate dinner beforehand, as it was just corndogs and two types of fries. (The funnel cake fries were amazing!) The piano playing was awesome and I definitely got out on the floor a few times. (Though, can we PLEASE stop playing that rapey song by Robin Thicke? Thnx.) It was hard to socialize b/c it was so loud. I could barely hear myself talk. Not really my scene, but I can understand if it would be for other folks.
(3)
Patti Z.
went to this place last night it was a blast.. great partying crowd and music...the singers wee very entertaining and they all. have great talent... this is a must see and check out
(5)
Cristina L.
I had an absolute blast at Howl at the Moon for an event last week. Because of the event, I got in for free, but as far as I know, there is usually a pretty hefty cover. The entire night was so fun because the rotating piano players were absolutely AMAZING! I was so impressed by their talent, and by their ability to cover such a vast array of songs. One particularly awesome lady played Cups by Anna Kendrick. I swooned. I really recommend this place for anyone into music at all (AKA everyone, unless you're not into music... in which case, who are you and what is the purpose of your life?). I'm sure every night is different from the next based on song requests and the players, and yes there is a cover, but this is a night out that is so different from the average overpriced center city hubbub. Come here with a close group of friends. I imagine it would be especially fun for a birthday or other event.
(4)
Kt W.
Not living in the city, we would've never actively sought out this place. However we had a $50 gift card that was found at a charity event. So we decided to use it up after our Valentine's dinner at The Capitol Grille. We had an early reservation so by time we made it to howl at the moon it was still only 6:30. There was no cover at that time. And just a handful of tables filled. The bar wars completely open so we decided to sit there. We went in with zero knowledge of this place. It really had a great atmosphere (at 6:30). The entertainment was great. Our seats from the bar were a perfect spot to watch. Based on the small crowd and the amazing show, this place was 5 stars. However after looking over their drink menu for a few mins, that's we're things started going down hill. The features were all super sweet mixed drinks (shots and buckets too) and a lacking beer menu. Since we had $50 to kill, when in Rome, I took the plunge and ordered the 'x-boyfriend'. I had to endure watching our bartender make this stomachache in a glass. All three times I ordered she dumped the cup into the ice been. Holy germs. Then quickly looked at the menu to see what goes in it. And completely winged it on measurement. As expected, every drink was terrible. Ended with a bottled beer, can't screw that up. By 8ish the place was packed with a super loud shot having crowd. It would be safe to say I thought we were at a campus bar at this point. We no longer could see the stage, the group of 6 boozing frat guys were pushing up on our bar stools, and sadly we had $7 more to spend.... Wasn't worth it. We decided to pack it up. When we managed to snake our way to the door, I noticed people paying a cover. And a line down the block. Dumb. You couldn't even get me to use a whole gift card there.
(3)
Rebecca Z.
I was shocked by the $10 cover because most places in the city do not charge a cover. They had decent drink specials. It felt like I was back in college For dueling piano bar.. they had more than just pianos.. a drummer, a bass player, and more. If I wanted a concert.. I would have gone to a concert but i wanted dueling pianos and thats not what I got. It was like a HS band playing their first gig. Very unimpressed and the vocals were terrible. My first and last visit. Their t-shirts said they are the better piano bar.... lets see if you last a year first...
(2)
Brian A.
Good change of pace from the normal bar-with-a-DJ scene thanks to the dueling-piano thing they have going on. Gets stupid busy on the weekends, so if you're thinking about going I'd suggest hitting it earlier than you normally would (maybe 8:00-8:30) and starting your party earlier. Also, if I remember correctly, there's a $10 cover charge. The drinks are decent and not overpriced ($4.50 for mixed drinks), and they don't stiff you on the alcohol. I'd advise staying away from their bucket, though; it wasn't terrible, but it was mostly ice and mixer and it felt a little like a rip-off. The live music is definitely the draw here. It was entertaining and there was a good group of performers there when I went, and there was a lot of good dancing tunes for when you inevitably have one too many.
(3)
Jackie D.
I was here with a bachelorette party for the first time this past weekend and it was awesome! The band is amazing and so talented, and its so nice to come to a place that has live music. I was expecting dueling piano players and didn't exactly get that, but it was fun none the less. The mixed drinks were tasty and the rest of the bar selection was great. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Majlinda K.
Decent place to go out on a weekend to do something different in the city. Its a piano bar (not dueling). We went early around 8pm and were able to get in w.o the cover charge (i think there is one after 9pm?). So we were able to pick a seat pretty close to the stage. They played pretty much all the songs that were requested which was nice. The downfall of that is that everyone has different taste but overall it was a good experience. They have reasonably priced drinks for a center city location!
(3)
Pat I.
Had a good time. Not a bad place to go with your girl. Not too pricey but a good scene.
(3)
Christopher D.
This place is a lot of fun! I went for my first time this past Saturday. I've never been to a piano bar before and it's not what I expected at all. The band they had there was really good. They took song requests too. The only thing that was kind of pricy was the $10 cover to get in. Then again, it is a Philly bar so I didn't really mind. Everyone there was having an awesome time and my friends and I will be going back!
(5)
Marissa B.
Went on a more recent trip about a month ago. I had a gift card in trough so I decided to take advantage of that along with free admission that came along with it. Had an awesome time, though, I'm not so sure a Hurricane bucket should only be shared between 2 people. Aha. It was still delicious. Need to really try the food next time.
(4)
Casey R.
My compliments to Amber who was a gracious and fun bartender when I attended an event here last week. I was pleased to find they have a wide offering of craft beer options and I even tried a specialty cocktail thanks to her powers of persuasion. The spinach dip was delicious and the music was fun and entertaining.
(4)
Kevin W.
When I go to a place that calls itself a dueling piano bar, I want to see a dueling piano show. I've gone to good dueling shows all over the U.S. and this simply is not dueling pianos. It's a cover band like you would see in any big bar with a band. If that's what you're into, then it's not a bad spot but they didn't play any of my requests, even though I paid for all of them. They didn't roast our birthday girl and they simply ARE NOT dueling pianos. Luckily we went around the corner to an actual dueling piano bar which we've been to before. They brought our friend on stage and did a hilarious song for her and did every request we put up. Just know what you're getting into is all I'm saying.
(1)
Nicole L.
We made a reservation for a Bachelorette party for Sat night. We had great seats enjoyed our package and when we had a little bit of a snafu the manager Kyle made sure we were well taken care of and resolved things quickly. It was a great time we enjoyed ourselves and I would return to celebrate and have fun again. Loud music dancing and fun cocktails = lots of laughs.
(4)
Joe W.
The music was good, but the crowd stinks and the drinks are overpriced even for downtown. Way too many Jersey and burbs people with popped collars. Maybe I should try a weeknight.
(2)
Mary D.
First time. I'll give 2 stars because the bucket is a fabulous idea. I'm not too crazy about the setup because it bottle necks at a certain point. I tipped the piano player $5 for a song that he didn't even know! Better Be Good To Me by Tina Turner. I was pretty pissed, but I let him keep it. I left early because it wasn't my crowd. Way to early if you win a party since who goes out before 10?! The main bar was ok, but the little bar is better if you want better, nicer, and quicker service. I do believe I was overcharged for a certain drink. Once again, it was my first time. I might go back....but after 10.
(2)
Mike C.
I was taught If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything At All... :/
(1)
Kate G.
I went to Howl at the Moon on a Friday night. My friend had won a "free happy hour", meaning you can invite 100 people that pay no cover charge and get your first mixed drink free. Pretty cool! We arrived at 7:30pm, and the place was packed! If you like loud, crowded bars, this is your place. The band was very good, and played a variety of music. Also they have 2 bars, which decreases the amount of time you wait for a drink. I gave it 3 stars because I found the drinks a bit pricey, but if you are looking to drink and dance, this is a great place. NOT great for conversation, I could barely hear myself think.
(3)
Sarah O.
This place is PHENOMENAL!! My friend and I were in town and were so surprised at the night we ended up having. For the next month we were still hearing songs and saying to each other in excitement "OMG and they played this song too!!" It was such a blast. This was months ago now and we are still talking about it. Love it!!
(5)
Shayna M.
We'd visited a Howl at the Moon bar on International Drive in Orlando a few years back and loved it, so when we were planning my friend's bachelorette party and she heard that a location had just opened in Philly, she asked if we could go and we planned our night around it! It was, in a word, amazing! The setup wasn't quite like the other one we'd been to (no mirrors behind the pianos, not quite as large of a stage, but Philly has a larger dance floor area and a more centralized bar), so you can't go expecting an identical experience to another HATM location, but it was still great. I got in touch with Katie Thomas (who was wonderful and easy to work with via email and phone) and we decided on the Jump the Line package for 10 girls- $30 each included cover (typically $10), 1 drink token each, a stage call for the bride (we made a song request and they happily obliged), a jello shot injector for the bride), and if there was a line when we got there, we would've been able to jump it (not needed, but a nice touch)! We also had the option to add a gift basket with a shirt and some other goodies for $25, but decided to pass on it. There were some other packages available as well (including one with reserved seating- recommended if you're getting there anytime after 7 pm) and the website was really informative, so setting it all up was easy. In retrospect, the package may not have been worthwhile for us, as there wasn't a line when we arrived and the best drinks (in the tall cups and buckets) weren't an option with the included tokens (just call drinks). Bummer, but we still got the good drinks (for $15-$25) and loved them...and if there had been a line, we would've been thankful to jump it in the cold...so no regrets. We got there this past Saturday night around 8:30 and it was already pretty busy. The staff was welcoming, helpful and sweet throughout the night. The drinks were great, and (most importantly) the bride had a blast! There were a few other bachelorette parties, at least one bachelor party, many birthday celebrations, and as the night progressed, more and more people coming for a great time! The place filled up fast! The music was great and the musicians were very talented. This was a winning choice :) A few other notes: If you park at the Academy House deck across the street (NOT the Avenue of the Arts one next door) from Howl at the Moon and bring your ticket in the to the cashier, you can get it validated and get $12 parking for the night. There's a manned coat check right inside the front door, so if it's a cold night, you don't have to leave your jacket in the car! There are a number of tv's around the main bar, and there's a 2nd bar if the main one gets a little crowded. Lastly, I saw a note on the website that the space is available for large events on Sundays, which is good to know if: 1) you're interested in renting it out for a large event, or 2) you wanted to go out for a show on a Sunday night (in which case, you're out of luck). Hope this is helpful!! This is definitely a bar you need to check out, and you'll want to bring your friends.
(5)
Kelly N.
Long line to get in, 10$ cover plus $3 for each coat at coat check. Drink prices are average for the bar in that area of the city. Lively entertainment, staff is rapid and professional.
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes
Lise L.
One of our group members won a free happy hour here so we booked the date and had an amazing experience. The Service: Our waitress was new to the Howl at the Moon family but she operated like a pro. Our drinks were always filled and food was brought out to us hot, fresh and delicious. She had a fabulous personality and even helped us with song selections The Food: Hot, fresh and delicious. Full of flavor. The Honey Chipolte wings are my favorite. The Show: The dueling piano show was like no other I've ever seen. They took out requests and we showed them mad love aka money. Two of my favorite performances were Trap Queen and The Devil Went Down To Georgia where the female pianist played the violin. It was awesome! And the crowd loved it! I can't wait to go back and plan to make this a regular happy hour spot.
(5)Patrick H.
I definitely love this place! The live music is great, with good flow in between songs. Most of the singers are great, and they do a great job keeping the crowd happy (they know most requested songs). Music choices are typically feel good music that people can dance and sing to. The atmosphere is great, it's not too hot, and you can always find space to stand. The drinks are good, and their Howl buckets are worth your buck if you have a group of friends (86oz!). ALSO, this place is connected to Down nightclub, the club next door, which is absolutely AWESOME. On Howl's side, we can drink lots of liquor/beer and enjoy live music. Then, as we get progressively more drunk and if we want to go dancing, we can just walk on next door without having to leave the facility, and dance the night away. I don't know what kind of music normally plays there, but it was playing mad good hip hop and old school songs when I went. So this is pretty awesome! Finally, on the downside, the line can become very long, so don't come here too late. Also, it's a $10 cover, which is quite a lot and I don't think this place is really worth $10 to get into. (They might also charge $10 because it's connected to a club) All in all, it's a good experience and I say you should at least go once with a group of friends. Pros: Great vibe and ambiance w/ live music Howl buckets Connected to Down nightclub Cons: $10 cover Long line
(4)Komal D.
$10 for cover. Ridiculous for the type of bar it is, especially on Philadelphia. They have live music. Which is cool. Too bad the songs weren't great. I expected hip hop, pop, or top 40 or something, unfortunately most of the songs weren't something to dance too. We stood around waiting for the dance floor to get packed or for the music to change, but it never happened. There was a big older crowd, which was a little weird for me for a night out. Maybe it's a good place to bring your parents? Idk. The drinks were weak and expensive. Didn't taste any liquor and walked out sober. Whomp whomp. Go to a regular bar with good drinks instead. The live music wasn't worth it.
(2)Greg K.
I went to Howl at the Moon on a Friday night and this place reminded me of being in college. Yes, the $10 cover is annoying, but the place is packed as it is, so I imagine the cover prevents too big of a crowd and a line out the door. Honestly, everyone was just having a good time and the music, while not the best I've heard a piano bar, was pretty decent. As far as I can tell, there aren't too many rowdy, dancing friendly bars in Philly, so it's nice to have a spot nearby that covers that option. Drinks are a little pricier than usual, but mixed drinks are strong and they had a few craft brews on tap.
(4)Erin M.
We came here for happy hour after another happy hour nearby... What? Our group was looking for a neat chill place to throw back more drinks before.. going out for.. more drinks. We split some apps which were decent. My besties and I split an 86oz bucket of Kiss the Sky which was a good bang for your buck and definitely is good for sharing. Jon and I especially liked the live music on the dueling pianos. There's even a decent area to get your dance moves on if you feel like it. Our only issue is they never played the songs we requested. Overall, decent dive bar with fun atmosphere and big drinks!
(4)Aria S.
I reiterate my comments from before regarding the $10 cover.. the max bars (not clubs) in center city charge is $5. The live music thing just isn't my vibe. Some bars will do this until midnight and then change to a DJ which I think is way better. The crowd here is just..odd. There are lots of people who seem too old to be dancing on stage to the so-so live music. We got one of the "famous" bowls for $25. Even with switching out the 711 for club soda, that bowl was a waste of probably 2000 calories and $25. Wasn't even tipsy after. Here's my major gripe: MY PHONE WAS STOLEN HERE. No I was not just drunk and misplaced it. Maybe if the bowl was more effective that would be the case. After I noticed, I immediately circled the bars and asked them if they had seen it and almost every bartenders scuffed/laughed at me. Even thinking about it pisses me the f off.
(1)Laura G.
This place is the worst. Yes, the worst. I've come here a few times, waiting to write a review, and hopeful that my opinions would change. $10 cover to listen to Joe Schmo rap to Eminem for 4 hours while bday girls/bachelorettes from South Jersey dance on the stage. I'm all about dancing and live music but this is more of sing along music. As Aria S. said, most bars switch to a DJ at 12, but not howl. Another greif I have is the bartenders. They're just down right rude and for no reason. The fact that my friend had her phone stolen here and the bartenders laughed at her is ridiculous. The crowd is by far the weirdest among all philly bars. Its the indoor riverdeck.
(1)Christine V.
This place is so much fun when you're with a fun group of friends who are down to just dance or sing the night away. I came here on a Saturday night with a few friends, and while there was a line to get into the bar, it moved by pretty quickly. Only downside that night was paying a $10 cover charge when it wasn't even midnight yet. The band performing the night we went were amazing and definitely got the crowd hyped up. Music was great and ranged from Beyonce to Carrie Underwood to old-school Backstreet Boys. There were a few birthday ladies and bachelorette parties that night, and seeing them on the stage singing and dancing along was very entertaining. I can't comment on the drinks much but the atmosphere was very much enjoyable when we went. The crowd is an eclectic mix, which can either be annoying or fun depending on what the situation is. My group and I had a lot of fun at Howl at the Moon - totally a place we would come back to.
(3)Natalia C.
Just go already! It's a good time any day of the week. Sing along. Have a drink and unwind. I usually go with friends and split a huge bowl of a drink. The food is decent. Bring ones to tip the musicians.
(4)Shannon M.
Love the live music, but their drinks are overpriced and I didn't even get the slightest bit tipsy. Not a fan of the wait staff either.
(3)Louis R.
Every fuckin time I come here I feel like I've wasted 2 hours of my night. Yeah, people singing/rapping and the piano ish can be entertaining, but this is totally a frat party. Yup, my sweater and boots are beer-logged once again. $10 cover. A-Ok.
(3)Amanda G.
Oh, God. My experience here was...well, it was an experience. The main thing you should take away from my review is this: if you are over the age of 27, you are probably going to feel very uncomfortable here. I went here with some ladies for a bachelorette party. Everyone was between the ages of 28-32. I can say that at least 50% of the songs that were played were completely foreign to me, 20% of them were super duper emo songs from like 2003, and the other 30% were crowd requests that were actually decent (Tom Petty, anyone?). This place may be for you if you are having a 21st birthday, LOVE to be so cramped you can't even rotate your body 360 degrees, if you enjoy waiting in line for the bathroom for approximately 30 minutes, or if you'd like to spend your whole night at the bar trying to get one drink. Last note - one of the girls in our group gave a sexy bouncer who was a Kahl Drogo look-alike the phone number of one of the single ladies in our group. He texted her, and she found out he's IN COLLEGE. Old. This place makes you feel SO. OLD.
(2)Nancy P.
I came to Howl at the Moon for a work related networking event. I haven't been here before so I didn't know what it would be like. Unfortunately, this place is not really a great place for a networking event. A little after we got there, there was someone up in the front that started singing. It got pretty loud and then the crowd shifted from the working crowd to "Thirsty Thursday" crowd. The food that was sponsored from the event was mobbed with random people in shorts and tank tops. This might be fun for the younger crowd but not a great place for networking or trying to hear people talk. P.S. I never really understood why places have bathroom attendants. I am pretty capable of getting my own paper towels...
(2)Vanessa T.
The number of bars in center city is countless but Howl at the Moon sets itself apart from the other ones with a live band including 2 pianos. Their performers are versatile in that they can play every single instrument on that stage, ranging from piano, drum, guitar, violin, and most importantly sing. I'm a huge fan of music, so definitely appreciate what they do here. They really know a lot of songs, from the most popular ones on the radio to the older classics. I enjoy Howl on weeknights because they take more requests and play what you want to hear. Also, it is less crowded on weeknights, beats being pushed and shoved at a club. The weekends are always very crowded and the line is ridiculous. Howl is connected to Down (a club next door), in case you get sick of the live music. It is fairly spacious inside with a bar in the center of the room. There are a good number of high top tables scattered around the stage. There's also some space in front of the stage to dance. The restrooms could use a little maintenance, it feels a little trashy at times with no toilet paper.
(4)David B.
We found Howl at the Moon to be a superb place for some post dinner entertainment. You will hear all of your favorite songs played by some very skilled entertainers. The pianos are definitely the focal point, but for many songs they incorporate other instruments and stretch out into a full band. They work the crowd very well, whom also become part of the show. You are in the city so you can expect to pay a little more for your brew. They charged me $7 per bottle of Goose Island 312. They were staffed up very well behind the bar and came across friendly and attentive. The beer selection was also very good by way of both draught and bottle which surprised me a little. As far as decor goes, I got the feeling if you saw this place with the lights on it would be quite evident that there is not much to it once you get beyond the stage area. Sure they get points for their framed Hextall & Iverson jerseys, but you almost feel like they could box everything up in 30 minutes and get out of town quickly if they needed to. But rest assured, there is a lot of life in that square footage when this place is pumping! Grab a nice meal within walking distance and then say hello to my friends Kyle, Katie and Chris at HATM. There are a dozen or so of these establishments across the nation, and the city of brotherly love has a good one!
(4)Erin C.
Drink bowls are primarily sugar, let's be real. So are a lot of the "lady drinks" they promote. Nonetheless, they offer a standard array of liquor and there's Sam Adams & Sierra Nevada, so it'll do. The band is very talented, though the playlists are quirky current hits and pop throwbacks. This isn't really my jam, but the guys behind the bar are fluid. One I ordered from was all about business; the other was not only quick but also likeably human. Whatever I mean by that. It helped that he made my drink a tad strong. I was here for a happy hour a friend won. We had access to the "buffet." It was downright lame. But then again, our first 2 drinks were discounted and so was entrance, I think. All in all, an OK place to start a night. Probably not so much for finishing one.
(3)Khusbu P.
I went to Howl for the first time just a few weeks ago on a Thursday night. Pretty crazy since I've been living in Philly for such a long time now and I've always been wanting to go! My friends and I had an awesome time! The music was great and so was the crowd. The place is fairly large but it was still little a packed- not to the point where we were bumping into people. I know there's usually cover on certain nights...between $5 and $10 but I didn't have to pay when I went. I don't get to go out on weekdays much anymore but in the past I was always at Drinker's on Thursday nights. I will definitely make sure I go to Howl more often now!
(4)Gwendolyn P.
You definitely have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy this college-like bar atmosphere but if you are in the right frame of mind this place is stupendous. Great band, good nibbles, wonderful drinks served in fish bowls if you want them to be and dancing. This is the only place that I know of in town that has girls walking around in corsets serving jello shots in injection needles! If you think that this place is only a two to four star establishment I recommend that you have a couple of those jello shots and it will get to a be a five star place before you know it!
(5)Rick B.
Howl at the Moon is just one of those places where you should always expect the unexpected. It could be the best night ever; it could be eating pizza and tears in an alley after hours. Due to the size of the venue and the unpredictability of the crowds, lines, covers, etc., you need to go to Howl more than once to get the overall experience. The one constant is the music. The guys in the band are so incredibly talented, you almost forget it's live music! They cover a nice mix of current, top-40 songs and 80s classic rock. Everything else is very hit or miss. They have some really great bartenders, and they have some not so great bartenders. They have some really cool security/maintenance guys, and they have some less than spectacular ones. Again, it really depends on the night. I was once able to skip the line due to a broken foot and a walking boot. Apparently it's a law that partially disabled customers need not wait in line. Whether or not it's true, I can't complain. The entire staff was more than accommodating. The manager even gave me his name and told me where to find him in case I needed anything. Of course a bar is probably the last place my podiatrist wanted me at, but I was in good hands at Howl. It's a great place to go with a large group of friends celebrating a birthday, engagement, holiday, etc. Just be sure to anticipate waiting. It seems like there is almost always a line, unless you show up at, say, 7 or 8 pm. I'm still wearing sweatpants and haven't even thought about leaving the apartment yet, so unless you're okay with spending your whole paycheck at Howl, your best bet is to have a few (several) drinks at home and accept the 20-30 minute line. 10 or 11 pm seems like a decent time to get there, after a decent amount of pregaming. Heavy emphasis on pregaming. The $10 cover is a bit of a buzzkill, and it certainly does not pair well with the drink "specials." Even without the cover, the drinks would seem overpriced. Some of the more unique drinks (served in bowls and tall plastic things) are moderately strong, but definitely not worth the price you pay. Not only are the beers overpriced, but add to that the probability of getting bumped into and spilling half of it. Come to think of it, Howl seems like a bar right out of a Buzzfeed article, analyzing the life of a young- to mid-20s kid, right out of college or new to the city. With their tall, sugary drinks, $10 covers, jello shot waitresses, and an almost guaranteed cover of "Don't Stop Believin," I think we know exactly the type of crowd they cater to.
(3)Daniel C.
Fact: this is the only bar in Philadelphia that is worth the wait. The line does get long, but it does more quickly. Lots of bachelorette and birthday parties attend this facility so it gets crowded. Be patient. Come with a large group and you can't go wrong. The musicians take requests, tip them well and your song is up next. They play a lot of todays hits, and lots of throwbacks from the 90s and early 2000's. Talented musicians, great drinks and specials, guaranteed a solid night out with your friends.
(5)Rob C.
Came here to Howl at the Moon for the first time last Friday with some friends. The bar is a few steps from the PATCO, which beats following your equally drunk friends like a trail of breadcrumbs. We got there at about 10pm and there was no line. However other reviews have said at times the alleged line wraps around the block. When we entered, we were greeted by security who required a 10 dollar cover to enter. Walking in already down 10 dollars, I hated it even more. At first glance, it looked like my least favorite scene, a mix of young professionals and fraternity/sorority members who peaked in college. I mentioned a few times how I wished we went to a dirty dive bar instead. We skipped past the live music dance floor and went to the bar. My friends went for the expensive fruity mixes, but I kept it classic and got a beer. Other groups were seen drinking buckets of strong mixes including long island iced teas and bacardi 151 mixes. Watching a group of 4 guys drinking out of the same fruity drink bucket through twisty straws, made me glad I got a beer instead. The bartender was very nice and attentive and the staff walking around selling jello shots were friendly as well. There was a good amount of people watching the NHL and NBA playoffs to exchange high fives with when LeBron James' team choked and to exchange groans when the NY Rangers survived elimination. I was starting to enjoy it here. The bathrooms were very clean and had walls between the urinals, so even the tallest of curious creepers couldn't look at your junk. There was even an unnecessary towel attendant to let you know when a toilet is free and give you a towel. After spending too much time writing about the bathroom, I had drank enough to feel less stubborn about going near the live music. The performers were fantastic and I found myself singing along to their top 40 hip hop and pop mashups. Only problem was the dance floor was very crowded and 95% of the people weren't dancing. So your choices were to stand still or unintentionally grind up on the surrounding people. Some of the songs were bigger hits and got the crowd more into it. Everyone there was having a good time. This bar is also a flocking ground for drunk bachelorettes. It's like going to a wedding after party without sitting through pointless small talk and ceremonies. The bachelorettes and other random people get pulled on stage if they know the words. At the end of our night, I didn't even want to leave, but the group out voted me. I took a fearful walk to close my mysteriously priced tab, and was happy to be left with only a 15 dollar charge for 4 beers. Then we walked the short distance to the PATCO to go back to our boring M-F work lives! I'll bring a date next time I go. tl;dr PATCO accessible, 10 dollar cover, white girl wasted, bathroom management, awesome live music, reasonably priced drinks, fun night. "White people making plot twists on yelp reviews"
(5)Sal D.
If you want to party and drink excessively this is the place to go. Every time I have gone here I have had to wait in line, not a big deal, its usually only 10 minutes and you always meet interesting people in line. Howl at the Moon does charge a cover, on Halloween it was $5 yesterday it was 10 bones. But in all fairness they always have a fantastic band, that put on a fantastic show. Bartenders are quick and friendly and the crowd is a lot of fun. Guy to girl ratio is not horrible. All in all a great place to party it up.
(4)Megan M.
The staff was outstanding all around from the booking department to the bartenders. It was super easy to email back and forth with the booking and billing departments when things needed to be changed and worked out for our party. The bartenders were so helpful and didn't rush you but you also didn't have to wait long(if at all) for a drink and it was packed that night. The speciality drinks were strong and good but what was even better is they could come in a bucket. That's right the size of your head with 4 straws! The Jump the Line package was absolutely worth it which I was very apprehensive about getting. The line of people waiting was around the block on a Saturday night at 9:30 and did not stop all night. The establishment itself had very sticky floors for so early in the night which is a kudos to them since it means people were non stop dancing. It had plenty of space to dance but you had to find it. Note to bigger groups hang out at the back for more elbow room. The bathrooms were clean and the attendant made sure of that. The music itself was best appreciated the drunken bachelorette and birthday parties which there were tons of. Something seemed to be wrong with vocal microphones some singers were heard better than others. Their playing of instruments was outstanding and the ability to pick up different ones was impressive. Unfortunately there were some (10)repeat songs throughout the night but what are you going to do they take requests and definitely aim to please. Bachelorette parties, girls night out, boys night out and birthday parties this is a must!
(4)Cordelia J.
Literally the worst! I came here on Saturday for my 25th with about 15 people and it was horrible. I wasn't offered any free drinks for my birthday, or anything special for that matter besides free cover for just me. My boyfriend arrived late and there was an obnoxiously long line outside which wasn't moving. I told the security guy outside that it was my birthday and asked him nicely if he would just let my boyfriend skip the line since the rest of my party was waiting inside. He refused and only let him go to the back of the first line, and it took over 30 minutes for him to get in. Then, at the end of the night, we get our bill.. My cousin and her friends had a separate tab which they paid for earlier in the night before they left. Our bill had their $100 worth of drinks on it. Our server fought with us for a while until she finally reduced our bill, but we still got stuck repaying for some of their drinks. I will never return here. The drinks were stupid expensive and they were weak and the shots were small. Also, the female pianists were TERRIBLE.
(1)Jessie H.
This place reminds me of this bar I used to go to all the time in Penn State so I love it here. Overall it's a good time, I love how you can request songs and they will play it within a reasonable time. It gets super packed. The line starting forming by 10 so I recommend coming early since there's cover all night anyway. $10 and then coat check (I think it's $1..not sure). The buckets are super sweet but will probably get you trashed by the end of the night. I love live music and they play all the throwback hits as well as new hits. This place gets pretty crazy as the night goes esp with the crapload of bachelorette parties that come through. You start drinking and the next thing you know your jam is playing and you're dancing on stage.
(5)Jay D.
We love Howl at the Moon, the atmosphere is great for those in their mid-20's to early thirties. The obvious draw is the live music, which is always pretty good. Drink prices are average for Philly. Sometimes there are great specials, like $3 Sam Adams. Not super expensive by any stretch. The dancing is great. If you want to meet people (read target demographic above), this is a great place. Sign up for their list serve- you will win a free happy hour. They're not good on weekends, but it gives you incentive to get there early. One time, it was a tator tot bar- tator tots and maybe 20 different toppings. Get here early for a table. Walk to the right when you enter and get a table in the back. If you're there by 6, those tables will be available. Don't get one in the front- they clear those away for dancing. You'll have a waitress for the night at these tables, and if you're kind, it beats waiting in line for a drink. Cover is $10, usually after 9:30. The real party starts at 10. I've seen lines down the street.
(4)Lenna L.
It's a bar with Dual Pianos and you can request songs. Super fun for hanging out with friends and chilling. The drinks are reasonable. the food is alright, i only liked the mac and cheese dish. This is definitely a place for hanging out and drinking, not for dining.
(4)Hauni D.
Band is good but the alcohol is TOO EXPENSIVE! $6 for a 12 oz beer. Spend your money somewhere else.. You'll get more for your dollar.
(3)Lauren G.
This place is only as good as the music they're playing. It's crowded and expensive and the age range is everything from 21 to like 65. Probably not going back.
(2)Dylan S.
Typical loud college bar. Overpriced drinks, undeserved cover charge, and a band that obviously wishes they were playing anything else anywhere else.
(1)Colleen M.
For what this place is, it's a good time. I have been to Duel a few times (or Jolly's or whatever it's called nowadays) and never enjoyed myself. I've also been to the Howl in Baltimore which was fun, but the layout of this place is significantly better. This is a welcome addition to the party scene. When you don't want to go to a bar and just sit, I haven't found too many places in Philly that fit the bill. Keep in mind that you have to be in the mood for a crowd that is mostly wasted 20-somethings and bachelorette parties. Believe it or not, sometimes I am actually in the mood for that. The crowd is rowdy but fun. The piano players are actually really good. They play a diverse cross section of music that appeals to most anyone and they don't torture you by playing the same song more than once. Drinks aren't terribly priced. There is a $10 cover on Fridays but coat check is free (except the tip) which is a nice addition. The back bar is usually not overly crowded and worth the distance from the dance floor. Added bonus: the people watching is some of the best in Philly.
(4)Otto K.
Bouncer was mean. Not even that fun. Long wait and bad atmosphere. Trying to being something it's not. Trying to act like its a large place but not filled appropriately. Ultimately a let down after hearing good things... not coming back anytime soon!
(2)Steph C.
Such a love hate relationship with Howl. Oh how I love your live entertainment, dim lighting, and strong mixed drinks. On the other hand I hate how when I walk through your doors I transform into the most BASIC girl in all of Philadelphia. Syringe jello shots with whipped cream? Check. Dancing on stage when I most definitely should not be. Check. Thinking I have Mariah's vocal capacity. Check. But in all seriousness. Howl is a very good time. Even when you're trying not to have a good time somehow you end up singing Journey at the top of your lungs pleading with the bouncers to let you on stage and inflict the whole building with your horrid dance moves. The line gets really long on the weekends obviously. Can't speak to any of their food.
(5)Nicole F.
The band is phenomenal, atmosphere is great, and the drinks delicious. Can't ask for a better night out !!!
(5)Jasmine N.
Two words: HILARIOUS TIME. I have never been to a place like this before, but it was definitely worth it. The cover charge was reasonable because all the music that was being played was live from very talented musicians and singers. They played today's latest hits to throwbacks from the 90s which was fun and different. I would definitely go back here because I had a good time and good laughs!
(4)Andrew D.
Do you like creepy guys with atrocious haircuts from New Jersey fist pumping in your face and spilling drinks on you every ten minutes? Do you enjoy over-priced drinks and lousy service? Do you appreciate waiting in line and paying a $10 minimum cover on the weekend? Lastly, do you enjoy an overcrowded dark space similar to a frat house basement? Well, Howl at the Moon is the place for you! Come on down and enjoy mediocrity because you didn't do enough research to find an alternative bar on a weekend night in Philadelphia. But don't worry! Just like your neighborhood Applebee's, Howl at the Moon is a chain and can be found in any city. Have fun!
(2)Jen W.
Came here for the first time through a friend who won free drinks at happy hour. It was really fun. The live music was GREAT! And they had dance competitions as well! It's a classy place, not a come-slutty-and-leave-with-vomit-stains bar. Heard the free buffet was not that great, so I didn't try it. The drinks were good and if you ask the bartender to make something, she'll do it.
(4)Seth T.
Came here for my first night in philly on 8/29. Drinks were very cheap, but it was overrun with college students and obnoxious people. The music was simply amazing as the musicians were able to play almost any song. Defiantly a cool place to check out.
(3)Patrick C.
Usually I hate the attitude of nightlife places -- acting like they're doing you a favor letting you in. And I hate paying cover too. This place is different, though. The staff was courteous and welcoming. There was cover, but it actually got me something more than getting in the door -- great live musicians and a surprisingly good little buffet.
(5)Melissa P.
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, this place was SO FUN for my friend's bachelorette party. We drank blue liquids out of buckets and twirly straws, I threw ice at people from the stage when "Let it Go" came on, we took jello shots out of jumbo syringes, we danced, and wooed, and screamed, and laughed and got on stage and had an awesome time. The singers and dueling pianists and drummers are actually SUPER impressive and talented, so much fun, really get the crowd going, and know all the lyrics to every song, even super difficult Nicky Minaj-esque rap solos. Props to those guys. On the other hand, this place is a Bachelorette Factory. There were literally 9 bachelorette parties going on when I was there (including the one I was there for). This means that even though it's your friend's special last night out as a single woman and all attention should be on her, it's also 8 other sash-wearing, tiara-sporting, stage-hogging girls' special nights, and all their friends have matching shirts/necklaces/penis straws, etc. They have Bachelorette Packages ($30 on Saturdays gets you cover, 1 free drink, skipping the line, and the bride gets called up on stage). I felt a bit ripped off because the drink was any drink up to $8 and the cover was $10, they never called my friend up on stage by name for her own song, and there was no line to skip, so that extra $12 was just for...nothing. However, I have seen the line around the block, so I guess it's just a risk you take. Also, they apparently make a big deal out of signing a contract for the event and telling you you will be charged if you are a no show, and they can only take 1 credit card or cash for this fee. If you are a Maid of Honor planning a Bachelorette and have never been to Philly, and don't want to go through the headache of finding something original and perfect and complicated, this place is awesome and perfect for you. If you are a dude who wants to hit on girls who are watching all of their friend's get married and have attended 5 bachelorette parties this year and are depressed about their prospects of ever finding someone, this place is also perfect for you.
(3)Rebecca H.
Came here for a free happy hour special last Friday night that my friend set up. We got "free appetizers," which were just tater tots, lol. The drinks were strong and actually pretty good, but the bar was extremely crowded. Well drinks for 4$. The atmosphere was pretty fun, but I'm not the biggest fan of piano bars. The crowd was a bit rowdy, which was strange- because it was a piano bar. I'd give it another shot, but agreeing with another poster- there weren't enough places to sit.
(3)Sam B.
I have to split the difference on this one- on the one hand I didn't want to come here when it was suggested because the ones I have been to in Texas are tourist traps. However I was the minority of the group and it was a party so I relented. The music and dancing was great, had a blast on that end. That was until I got my bill and it was $$$ for not that much alcohol at all. Not cool. I would come back but definitely do my pregaming elsewhere.
(3)Lena M.
Why are those musicians still only playing in bars?! Such amazing talent! I loved that you can request songs too. Mac and cheese burger was delicious!
(5)Nando F.
Owww, oowww.. sorry about that guys that was my attempt at howling? If i knew how to type out a "howling" effect I would, so just go with it. I must say though I was pretty impressed at this place. Who would have thunk dueling pianos (that didn't really duel ) going at it with a crowd of drinkers would be a hit? Right , these guys did with this being a chain type of establishments located through out the country. Picture this a packed place , a line that almost went around the block just to get in just so you can do your best impersonation of Billy Joel ! The staff outside kept everything in check monitoring how many can go in at a time also making sure the walking traffic kept on walking. A $10.00 cover is what is charged , with a stamp that is applied to you so if you wanted to go outside (for the smokers) you could. I thought wasn't so bad, plus you can just walk in and out without waiting while others had to wait to get to that point. They also provide a coat check free of charge for the patrons who enter , we all know the etiquette here is to leave a tip. Howl at the Moon has 2 bars located inside with one big bar located in the center with access points you can get at no matter where you stand. The second bar is located off to the side , this is for the waitresses who take your orders , but also is open to the public. With a packed joint, with that main bar being the hot spot, I would recommend going to the smaller bar. It's not as packed as the bigger bar, you'll see a small group, but I will bet you'd get your drink faster there. A nice selections of crafts that can be perused here for the beer aficionado in you along with drink specials. Howl at the Moon along with the libation gods made sure everyone in this place is feeling good. They do have high-top tables and chairs provided if you wanted to sit, but most likely you'll be on that floor Howling away. You have got to love a packed place and the sounds of Bon Jovi where EVERYONE just became Jon himself in that chorus of "Livin on a Prayer" Whoooaaa , we're half way there Livin on a prayer, take my hand and we'll make it I swear !! Sorry guys I had a relapse there, that and jello shot girl with the jello shots in a big plastic syringe making her rounds. In all I and the group I was with had a great time , the waitresses did a great job, bartenders did the best with orders being shouted at them. The piano players and singers were fun to watch getting request in from the audience on the floor. Howl also provides for you if you couldn't see the stage, they had the action being fed on the flat screens TVs all around. I'd defiantly go back again, personally I think or well I thought I sounded better than Steve Perry from Journey when it came "Don't Stop Believin". Ok minus that one portion of the song where its all high notes with the consumption of delicious concoctions I was on point.
(4)Joey P.
I've got to hand it to HatM, they really came through. My fiance set up a birthday package for me that included a table. We got there...no table. The staff, including the manager, sprung into action. They were able to get us a table pronto and also took care of us the rest of the night. Music was great, too. I really like this place and the great service will keep me coming back. Word to the wise...arrive EARLY. A few friends wanted to get in around 11 PM and the line was down to Fox and Hound. In December. Chilly.
(5)Mike L.
My sister had a happy hour at this bar last night and it was a horrid experience. She brought 50 paying customers to that happy hour and they refused to serve her. Before she even got her first drink a barback started in a confrontation with her just because she was being courteous. He was trying to come under the bar so she lifted to the bar top to help which he responded "I don't need your f***ing help" as he came back with stacks of glasses he looked at my sister and said "Now you can f***ing help me." so she lifted it to help him but was unaware at how terribly made the hinges were and it accidentally bumped a bartender but no harm done, she was just trying to help despite his attitude. He yelled at her "What the fuck are you doing?" then he yelled at the bartenders not to serve her. She didn't have a single drink yet and she brought everyone to that happy hour, roughly 50 people. This was degrading service. The barback (he had gauges) should be penalized for his appalling display of "service" for a truly pitiful experience. What a shame a place like this thinks high volume means they don't have to care for their patrons.
(1)Danan R.
We had a friend's birthday event here, and it was a great night with performances at the dueling piano, solid drink specials, and efficient, helpful servers. There is a central bar but servers also circulate the room taking drink orders, which is a nice plus. If you are looking for a range of song covers from the Backstreet Boys to Usher to Journey to Billy Joel, then this is the place for you. A dance floor typically forms between the two stages, and the audience sings along, making for a memorable night. It was crowded but the space is very open and didn't feel overwhelming. I had a great time, and I will say that the bartenders here are amazingly fast and attentive.
(4)Alick W.
Howl at the Moon is a fun piano bar in the Rittenhouse area. It can get really packed on weekend nights and often a huge line around the block. We went to Howl during SIPS one week and their Wednesday special is one of the best value deals. They have any burger and a craft beer for $10. I got the Mac & Cheese Burger which was decent (Not as good as Lucky's in Manayunk) and a good size. Some of their other burgers looked good to and worth going back for a try. A beer here is pretty expensive, usually around $7 for a craft beer so Burger Wednesdays is worth it. Not sure about their other specials during the week, but the price of the beers can be worth the entertainment from the musicians that play. They also sell fishbowls here which are large alcohol drinks in a huge bowl for sharing. I always like live music better than a DJ and Howl can be a very fun atmosphere when not overly crowded.
(4)Christina G.
I had a really fun girls night. I'm a big fan of the drink bowls for $25 and what a great idea that they give different color straws so you know what straw belongs to those in your group. I've had the fish bowl at graffiti bar many times and I like the taste of the bucks at howl of the moon much better. But they are very sweet and we had trouble finishing our second bucket. It is entertaining and great people watching. Bartenders are very nice. Get there early because cover goes up throughout the night.
(5)Tom Z.
We went here for a birthday party and had a blast. Keep in mind this isn't a typical piano bar. There is minimal seating intentionally as it has more of a bar/club feel than a lounge. The place is pretty relaxed until about 10-11pm. Then they clear out tables for a dance floor. It has a very energetic vibe. If you want seating you need to get there early, 6 or 7, and camp out. Treat your server well if you are going to kerping seats all night. Choose a table on the side or back so it doesn't get taken away later in the evening. On a Saturday there was no cover when we arrived at 8pm, making it convenient for friends who weren't with the birthday group. Now for the birthday group reservation. The package offered free entry plus a drink per person and a few other perks. It ended up being very convenient for our group as it carved out an area where we can all comfortably hang out with seats as well as mingle with friends who showed up spontaneously. The personal service with the group reservation was fantastic. They take good care of the birthday group and make sure everyone always has a fresh drink in hand.
(5)Brittney A.
It honestly was the most ridiculous bizarre thing I've ever seen in my life. The two bouncers at the door which were a JOKE were taking IDs. I noticed a group of younger girls in front of me talking about how "I hope my fake ID works". So as it was my turn to step up they really had the audacity after letting all of these little girls in to tell me it was fake. My ID was obviously not fake. I argued with the bouncer and then the manager comes out, without even looking at my ID sends me away. The most RIDICULOUS thing I have ever seen in my life. I will not be returning and neither will the 200+ I told.
(1)Andrea H.
LINDSAY was beyond fantastic and brought all of our fish bowls. Thank you! We miss you and treasured our time with you. You were awesome!!! Tip her well or feel our wrath
(4)Konstantinos V.
I really enjoy there party happy hours where if you win you and up to 100 people can get your first 2 drinks (only certain kinds though) for only $1 and then they have the free buffet for people who one the happy hour although the food isn't great honestly...but its free. It can get very crowded if you go later at night on a Friday or Saturday. Despite this its a fun place to hang out after work or school especially on a Friday. The bands playing can be kinda good to. If you or your friends ever win a happy hour (which can happen often) then by all means go for it,but I have never personally gone without being part of or having a happy hour.
(4)Mike H.
Although cover is $10 and the drinks are pricey, the live band is awesome a great place to go with a group of friends for a fun night!
(4)Yara Q.
Don't get me wrong- this is a very fun place. However, two bar fights happened while I was there tonight and unfortunately I was a victim of one of them. Got knocked to the ground and did not feel like the management took full responsibility and handled the aftermath very well.
(2)Ren H.
This place restored my faith in mixed drinks. I am a normally a beer kind of guy and have strayed away from mixed drinks due to nasty experiences in the past. However, my friends and I tried out as much mixed drinks as we humanly can and they never failed to impress. They had the smoothest and best Long Islands I've ever had. In addition, they have live music that played dancable and sing-alongable songs that ranged from country to pop and fun oldies! Even one of their TVs at the bar showed the live music playing. Pretty cool. Despite the short line (the place was packed) and the cover, it is a Great place for a night out, dancing, people watching, and meeting new people. I would definitely be back here.
(4)Ashley L.
Howl is so much fun! I've been to the location in Boston and this is the perfect addition to the Philly night scene. It took over Bucca de Beppo's lot so it's pretty spacious. Depending on your arrival time you may have to wait in line, but it moves quickly. There's a $5 cover but during their opening month they have a coupon on their Facebook page for free admission. The performers were awesome, but as the first review said they're more like a cover band than dueling pianos. Regardless, very entertaining and a ton of fun to dance and sing along. The area in front of the stage is really loud and gets pretty hot, but the rest of the bar is fine. The drinks were expensive and not strong, which was disappointing. The speciality drink there is the huge bucket of booze, meant to serve 4 people. Tasty, but again, not strong enough. If you're looking to sing and dance the night away, come to Howl!
(4)Dana S.
Was excited to check this place, I've been to other piano bars, including Jolly's in Philly and really enjoyed them. While it had the piano element, it was a lot more party. The place was super crowded and the area near the piano's was kinda sloppy. The prices for songs and other piano related activities I thought were a little pricey. On the plus side, there were two bar stations and both handled the crowd well and were pretty quick to get you a drink. If you're looking for a party, then you will like this place. I much prefer the traditional piano bars with a lively but not chaotic crowd, wasn't what I was looking for.
(2)Sean S.
This place is a straight up tourist attraction. The majority of the crowd are non-locals from the burbs, bachelorette's parties, and bros/sorority girls. Drinks are as good as the bar from Applebee's - a good metaphor since this place is also a chain.
(1)Margarita H.
This place is super over rated. Here's the jist. They crowd this place with people way past capacity to the point where its unbearable. There's absolutely no place to stand or sit let alone enjoy yourself. Drinks are sub par, I had way better elsewhere especially for the prices they charge. The music is so-so but if you were expecting a good variety forget it. The crowd closest to the stage will always get their music first. So don't waste the money or time trying to request anything. The requests for songs are handled in such a ridiculous way that you'll be lucky to get the song played even if you pay some serious cash. If you plan on coming here, don't bother. I know I won't be ever again.
(2)Chrissy M.
For me, this place is pretty awful. I didn't enjoy my time here at all. Other may, but Howl at the Moon is really not my scene. Live music is great. I didn't really get their concept though. They're supposed to be a dueling piano bar, but the pianos were not the focus in the slightest. They also had a saxophone, bass and guitar, as well as a drum set. Some people may like this set up, but when I want to hear pianos, I expect to hear them. One of the players had their keyboard playing a piano patch while the other played synth patches. Really not what i expected. The drinks were fine. The service was quick, but no personable; but how could you be in a place like this? at 9 PM on saturday, there were already a couple hundred people crowding this place. There were no tables and there was hardly any place to stand. It was so crowded that a rude waiter shoved into me and spilled my drink onto the already sticky floors. Luckily, a manager was close by who was able to get me a new drink free of charge, which was nice. Drink prices were fine- they're not cheap, but I expect that for a place like this. So, if you're looking for a super crowded fun place to get completely hammered that also happens to have live music, this is your place. They sell these huge buckets filled with booze that you can share with your friends which is cool. But if you're looking for a classy establishment where you can sip a cocktail, relax, and have a conversation with your friends, look elsewhere. The crowd at this place is very early-20-somethings, either still in college or recent graduates. When I was here, I mostly felt out of place and old- strange, considering I'm only 25. But I don't like loud music and i like to talk to my friends while enjoying my beverage I paid $13 for. Oh well, not my jam.
(2)Jackie N.
I love this place! The drinks are great and when you get free happy hours it is awful. The music is great but sometimes they play the same stuff over and over again. My only problem is for a dueling piano bar they should have more places to sit. Other dueling piano bars I have been to have plenty of sitting so you can enjoy the music. These places are down south though so up north maybe different. This place is still great!
(4)Kevin F.
This is a chain piano bar and this was the weakest of the three I have been to. That being said the atmosphere is still fun and the folks do a solid job.
(3)Beth H.
I came here last night b/c a friend had won a free happy hour. (Apparently, they give them away like candy cuz there were a couple of groups that were getting it.) I got there around 9:30pm and it was already in full swing. I didn't get a mixed drink, so I really can't speak to the bar aspect. The food they provided was good, though I'm glad I ate dinner beforehand, as it was just corndogs and two types of fries. (The funnel cake fries were amazing!) The piano playing was awesome and I definitely got out on the floor a few times. (Though, can we PLEASE stop playing that rapey song by Robin Thicke? Thnx.) It was hard to socialize b/c it was so loud. I could barely hear myself talk. Not really my scene, but I can understand if it would be for other folks.
(3)Patti Z.
went to this place last night it was a blast.. great partying crowd and music...the singers wee very entertaining and they all. have great talent... this is a must see and check out
(5)Cristina L.
I had an absolute blast at Howl at the Moon for an event last week. Because of the event, I got in for free, but as far as I know, there is usually a pretty hefty cover. The entire night was so fun because the rotating piano players were absolutely AMAZING! I was so impressed by their talent, and by their ability to cover such a vast array of songs. One particularly awesome lady played Cups by Anna Kendrick. I swooned. I really recommend this place for anyone into music at all (AKA everyone, unless you're not into music... in which case, who are you and what is the purpose of your life?). I'm sure every night is different from the next based on song requests and the players, and yes there is a cover, but this is a night out that is so different from the average overpriced center city hubbub. Come here with a close group of friends. I imagine it would be especially fun for a birthday or other event.
(4)Kt W.
Not living in the city, we would've never actively sought out this place. However we had a $50 gift card that was found at a charity event. So we decided to use it up after our Valentine's dinner at The Capitol Grille. We had an early reservation so by time we made it to howl at the moon it was still only 6:30. There was no cover at that time. And just a handful of tables filled. The bar wars completely open so we decided to sit there. We went in with zero knowledge of this place. It really had a great atmosphere (at 6:30). The entertainment was great. Our seats from the bar were a perfect spot to watch. Based on the small crowd and the amazing show, this place was 5 stars. However after looking over their drink menu for a few mins, that's we're things started going down hill. The features were all super sweet mixed drinks (shots and buckets too) and a lacking beer menu. Since we had $50 to kill, when in Rome, I took the plunge and ordered the 'x-boyfriend'. I had to endure watching our bartender make this stomachache in a glass. All three times I ordered she dumped the cup into the ice been. Holy germs. Then quickly looked at the menu to see what goes in it. And completely winged it on measurement. As expected, every drink was terrible. Ended with a bottled beer, can't screw that up. By 8ish the place was packed with a super loud shot having crowd. It would be safe to say I thought we were at a campus bar at this point. We no longer could see the stage, the group of 6 boozing frat guys were pushing up on our bar stools, and sadly we had $7 more to spend.... Wasn't worth it. We decided to pack it up. When we managed to snake our way to the door, I noticed people paying a cover. And a line down the block. Dumb. You couldn't even get me to use a whole gift card there.
(3)Rebecca Z.
I was shocked by the $10 cover because most places in the city do not charge a cover. They had decent drink specials. It felt like I was back in college For dueling piano bar.. they had more than just pianos.. a drummer, a bass player, and more. If I wanted a concert.. I would have gone to a concert but i wanted dueling pianos and thats not what I got. It was like a HS band playing their first gig. Very unimpressed and the vocals were terrible. My first and last visit. Their t-shirts said they are the better piano bar.... lets see if you last a year first...
(2)Brian A.
Good change of pace from the normal bar-with-a-DJ scene thanks to the dueling-piano thing they have going on. Gets stupid busy on the weekends, so if you're thinking about going I'd suggest hitting it earlier than you normally would (maybe 8:00-8:30) and starting your party earlier. Also, if I remember correctly, there's a $10 cover charge. The drinks are decent and not overpriced ($4.50 for mixed drinks), and they don't stiff you on the alcohol. I'd advise staying away from their bucket, though; it wasn't terrible, but it was mostly ice and mixer and it felt a little like a rip-off. The live music is definitely the draw here. It was entertaining and there was a good group of performers there when I went, and there was a lot of good dancing tunes for when you inevitably have one too many.
(3)Jackie D.
I was here with a bachelorette party for the first time this past weekend and it was awesome! The band is amazing and so talented, and its so nice to come to a place that has live music. I was expecting dueling piano players and didn't exactly get that, but it was fun none the less. The mixed drinks were tasty and the rest of the bar selection was great. I will definitely be back!
(5)Majlinda K.
Decent place to go out on a weekend to do something different in the city. Its a piano bar (not dueling). We went early around 8pm and were able to get in w.o the cover charge (i think there is one after 9pm?). So we were able to pick a seat pretty close to the stage. They played pretty much all the songs that were requested which was nice. The downfall of that is that everyone has different taste but overall it was a good experience. They have reasonably priced drinks for a center city location!
(3)Pat I.
Had a good time. Not a bad place to go with your girl. Not too pricey but a good scene.
(3)Christopher D.
This place is a lot of fun! I went for my first time this past Saturday. I've never been to a piano bar before and it's not what I expected at all. The band they had there was really good. They took song requests too. The only thing that was kind of pricy was the $10 cover to get in. Then again, it is a Philly bar so I didn't really mind. Everyone there was having an awesome time and my friends and I will be going back!
(5)Marissa B.
Went on a more recent trip about a month ago. I had a gift card in trough so I decided to take advantage of that along with free admission that came along with it. Had an awesome time, though, I'm not so sure a Hurricane bucket should only be shared between 2 people. Aha. It was still delicious. Need to really try the food next time.
(4)Casey R.
My compliments to Amber who was a gracious and fun bartender when I attended an event here last week. I was pleased to find they have a wide offering of craft beer options and I even tried a specialty cocktail thanks to her powers of persuasion. The spinach dip was delicious and the music was fun and entertaining.
(4)Kevin W.
When I go to a place that calls itself a dueling piano bar, I want to see a dueling piano show. I've gone to good dueling shows all over the U.S. and this simply is not dueling pianos. It's a cover band like you would see in any big bar with a band. If that's what you're into, then it's not a bad spot but they didn't play any of my requests, even though I paid for all of them. They didn't roast our birthday girl and they simply ARE NOT dueling pianos. Luckily we went around the corner to an actual dueling piano bar which we've been to before. They brought our friend on stage and did a hilarious song for her and did every request we put up. Just know what you're getting into is all I'm saying.
(1)Nicole L.
We made a reservation for a Bachelorette party for Sat night. We had great seats enjoyed our package and when we had a little bit of a snafu the manager Kyle made sure we were well taken care of and resolved things quickly. It was a great time we enjoyed ourselves and I would return to celebrate and have fun again. Loud music dancing and fun cocktails = lots of laughs.
(4)Joe W.
The music was good, but the crowd stinks and the drinks are overpriced even for downtown. Way too many Jersey and burbs people with popped collars. Maybe I should try a weeknight.
(2)Mary D.
First time. I'll give 2 stars because the bucket is a fabulous idea. I'm not too crazy about the setup because it bottle necks at a certain point. I tipped the piano player $5 for a song that he didn't even know! Better Be Good To Me by Tina Turner. I was pretty pissed, but I let him keep it. I left early because it wasn't my crowd. Way to early if you win a party since who goes out before 10?! The main bar was ok, but the little bar is better if you want better, nicer, and quicker service. I do believe I was overcharged for a certain drink. Once again, it was my first time. I might go back....but after 10.
(2)Mike C.
I was taught If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything At All... :/
(1)Kate G.
I went to Howl at the Moon on a Friday night. My friend had won a "free happy hour", meaning you can invite 100 people that pay no cover charge and get your first mixed drink free. Pretty cool! We arrived at 7:30pm, and the place was packed! If you like loud, crowded bars, this is your place. The band was very good, and played a variety of music. Also they have 2 bars, which decreases the amount of time you wait for a drink. I gave it 3 stars because I found the drinks a bit pricey, but if you are looking to drink and dance, this is a great place. NOT great for conversation, I could barely hear myself think.
(3)Sarah O.
This place is PHENOMENAL!! My friend and I were in town and were so surprised at the night we ended up having. For the next month we were still hearing songs and saying to each other in excitement "OMG and they played this song too!!" It was such a blast. This was months ago now and we are still talking about it. Love it!!
(5)Shayna M.
We'd visited a Howl at the Moon bar on International Drive in Orlando a few years back and loved it, so when we were planning my friend's bachelorette party and she heard that a location had just opened in Philly, she asked if we could go and we planned our night around it! It was, in a word, amazing! The setup wasn't quite like the other one we'd been to (no mirrors behind the pianos, not quite as large of a stage, but Philly has a larger dance floor area and a more centralized bar), so you can't go expecting an identical experience to another HATM location, but it was still great. I got in touch with Katie Thomas (who was wonderful and easy to work with via email and phone) and we decided on the Jump the Line package for 10 girls- $30 each included cover (typically $10), 1 drink token each, a stage call for the bride (we made a song request and they happily obliged), a jello shot injector for the bride), and if there was a line when we got there, we would've been able to jump it (not needed, but a nice touch)! We also had the option to add a gift basket with a shirt and some other goodies for $25, but decided to pass on it. There were some other packages available as well (including one with reserved seating- recommended if you're getting there anytime after 7 pm) and the website was really informative, so setting it all up was easy. In retrospect, the package may not have been worthwhile for us, as there wasn't a line when we arrived and the best drinks (in the tall cups and buckets) weren't an option with the included tokens (just call drinks). Bummer, but we still got the good drinks (for $15-$25) and loved them...and if there had been a line, we would've been thankful to jump it in the cold...so no regrets. We got there this past Saturday night around 8:30 and it was already pretty busy. The staff was welcoming, helpful and sweet throughout the night. The drinks were great, and (most importantly) the bride had a blast! There were a few other bachelorette parties, at least one bachelor party, many birthday celebrations, and as the night progressed, more and more people coming for a great time! The place filled up fast! The music was great and the musicians were very talented. This was a winning choice :) A few other notes: If you park at the Academy House deck across the street (NOT the Avenue of the Arts one next door) from Howl at the Moon and bring your ticket in the to the cashier, you can get it validated and get $12 parking for the night. There's a manned coat check right inside the front door, so if it's a cold night, you don't have to leave your jacket in the car! There are a number of tv's around the main bar, and there's a 2nd bar if the main one gets a little crowded. Lastly, I saw a note on the website that the space is available for large events on Sundays, which is good to know if: 1) you're interested in renting it out for a large event, or 2) you wanted to go out for a show on a Sunday night (in which case, you're out of luck). Hope this is helpful!! This is definitely a bar you need to check out, and you'll want to bring your friends.
(5)Kelly N.
Long line to get in, 10$ cover plus $3 for each coat at coat check. Drink prices are average for the bar in that area of the city. Lively entertainment, staff is rapid and professional.
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