In the City of Brotherly Love, if you are under 21 it may be more difficult to find regular Gothic events outside of Shampoo’s Nocturne. This is also a city that closes at 2AM, unlike the never ending nights of NYC and LA. Most of these events start around 9PM, but don’t get filled until 11 or Midnight. I recently took some time to explore the current club scene and here is what I found in the dark streets of Philly.

Revolution
When: about every other Sat. night (see web for schedule)
Where: Metro Lounge – 624 N. Front St (corner of Front & Fairmount)
groups.myspace.com/RevolutionPhilly
www.metroloungephilly.com

Revolution features DJs 23, Chas, and Corrupted Bios spin EBM, Industrial, Synth, etc. The space boasts 4,000 square feet with many rooms, full bar and beautiful decor, located in the hipster neighborhood of Northern Liberties. The DJs have a long and interesting pedigrees; Corrupted Bios has performed live on the 2005 tour as the keyboardist for VNV Nation and Combichrist, DJ 23 participated in the recent multi band Anti-violence fund raiser, and DJ Chas works for WDRE 103.9FM. All three are also involved in putting together Intrepid Jam’s Fusion Fridays at Emerald City. Revolution always features guest DJs too and their success has reached into planning events into early 2006.

Nocturne
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Shampoo – Willow between 7th & 8th Streets (across from the Electric Factory)
$7 over (all ages/21+ to drink)
www.dancingferret.com

Four rooms of music, two full bars, secluded areas lined with red velvet, and host to many Dracula’s Ball events makes Nocturne the number one place for the Goth scene in Philly. Associated with Digital Ferret, Isotank and Asleep By Dawn, etc. Patrick and his crew have been bringing this night to every Wednesday since 1996. Retro new-wave to the latest in Metropolis industrial, all you have to do is wander from room to room to dance to whatever rhythm your dark heart desires, and see the best Goth fashions in the city. It’s been around for a while, so you have to deal with typical club politics, but it’s also a place you can go to just every full moon and still feel at home amongst the Philly creatures of the night. Elder Goths from the vampiric days of Asylum and the old Revolution industrial scene of The Trocadero back in the early 90s have all gravitated to Nocturne. The all ages area also makes this night extremely popular, encouraging baby bats to strut their stuff and guarantees a consistently evolving scene. Its location right off 95 and a spacious, free parking lot makes this an easy commute for suburbanites too. If you want to get into the Goth scene in Philadelphia, Nocturne is the place to start.

Despondent Heaven
When: Monthly Party on Thursdays
Where: Ulana’s – 2nd & Bainbridge, Philadelphia, PA
$3 cover (21+)

Happening at Ulana’s just off South Street, once a month you can get your weekend started on a Thursday night at this intimate little gathering. This night also features the “Kinder Bats” program for Goth parents of small children, an event that happens a few hours before Despondent Heaven. It is a true labor of love to create this Gothic community and it strives to keep things relaxed and real. Organizers were all part of the original 13th Child scene that inhabited Ulana’s every Saturday night for years, and they are determined to keep that independent spirit alive. They started Despondent Heaven at a little bar called Doc Watson’s, but now have relocated to the comfort of Ulana’s. This is an intimate hang out with an average of 20-30 regulars who socialize to the eclectic mix featuring everything from local Goth, light old school industrial and even some unique Goth covers. The most amusing highlight is the after midnight Scaree-oke! Yes, you can howl like Peter Murphy and screech with Siouxsie to entertain other silly Goths who know how to laugh (gasp!). This is a good way to break up the week and hang with other Goths in a friendly setting. Autumn, the bartender from Shadowland, is the featured drink Goddess again on this night.

Fusion by Intrepid Jam
When: Fridays
Where: Emerald City – 460 N. 2nd St
$7 cover/$5 with flyer (All ages)
www.intrepidjam.com/events.htm
groups.myspace.com/FUSIONFRIDAYS

Very industrial and fetish oriented. On one side of the club every First Friday, Octavio spins his electronic mixes to the fetish scene during themed Vesago events. The Fusion side is all industrial/electronic but the subculture does overlap with Goth to an extent. DJ 23 and DJ Phranque spin for the regular troupe of go-go dancers. The night’s mistress also adds, “Weekly, there are projections by local artist/photographer Jenx. Madame Jynx is the “official Fusion bartender” and she tells us they “have DJ Syn as the regular guest when he is not on tour with such bands as Combichrist, Front 242, and the Genetorturers.” Emerald City is an easy location to get to both city dwellers and suburbanites, especially with the convenient parking lot. The club has high ceilings, some interesting outer space paintings in one room, and an Oz-Emerald City theme on the walls of the largest room. There is an over 21 area with a bar and everyone can enjoy the frequent live shows like the recent E-Craft, Terrorfakt, Mono No Aware, Cenotype, Genitoturers and Combichrist performances. If you are planning to check out both events, you have to pay separately for Vesago and Fusion (one promoter wrote that you can buy a dual pass, but I have been charged separately at each door every time I have attended – $7-$13 each entry, depending on if I had a flyer and if a band was playing.) It’s also too loud to find anywhere to talk, but great if you are into the heart pounding thuds and oomps of hardcore industrial – the scene here is filled with leather clad enthusiasts.

Shadowland
When: Every Saturday
Where: Ulana’s – 2nd & Bainbridge
$5 cover (21+)
angelfire.com/goth2/darkeuphoria/shadowland.html

“If Nocturne is the heart of the Philly scene, this is the soul.” – DJ Zophiel

Many Goth of Philadelphia used to frequent John’s Dark Corner at this venue, until the abrupt passing of organizer and scene supporter, John Rambo. A lot of familiar faces creep out every Sat. to attend Shadowland in the refurbished space of Ulana’s. Promoters Jim and Fred spent a lot of money, time and effort to improve the space and they advertise this weekly event as “run by Goths for Goths.” There is an intimate dance floor, two bars, and a lounge room complete with an intimate loft area. The upstairs features vendors like fang makers and jewelry sellers. On the first evening I attended, promoters from the new Drop Dead Magazine stopped in to meet and greet. Shadowland has also hosted Gothic belly dancers, promises an art show in the near future, but have yet to feature any bands. The dance floor features industrial to Goth both old and new, pleasing patrons from the elders to the new, all provided by DJ Knobhead. The lounge area, hosted by DJs Zophiel and Anorexotica, is old school Goth from Bauhaus to Siouxsie. After dancing, it’s great to curl around a lounge table, chatting with friends new and old, drinking exceptionally strong Red Death’s from the “foxy mixologist”, Autumn. The promoters were passionate about creating a space to fill the void left when Ulana’s was briefly lost to the Goth scene. I personally like the location of this space, only a block off South Street and walking distance from most Center City locations. The best part is the people – everyone I talked to was exceptionally friendly and ranged from elder Goths to younger, very enthusiastic, fashionable faces. This is the kind of cozy lair and event that any Goth could find a home frequenting.

Fast, Cheap and Out of Control
When: Every Sunday
Where: Fluid (614 S. 4th Street, above the Latest Dish)
$7 cover/21+
www.fastcheapparty.com
&
Sex Dwarf
When: Every Third Friday
Where: Fluid
$5 cover/21+
www.djrobertdrake.com/wst_page2.html

Mix Glam, Punk and Goth with down and dirty fun and you have Fast, Cheap and Out of Control. Stir in the infamous Psydde Delicious who also DJs Punk Rock Karaoke nights and is co-creator of Delicious Corsets. While technically not a Goth night, it’s not uncommon to hear Sisters, Bauhaus, Siouxsie, Joy Division, etc. mixed with punk/Glam metal and 80s retro in a way only Psydde can do. Fluid’s very small, but cave-like environment offers lots of dark areas to lurk in when you’re not enjoying the central dance floor. Perks include the punk go-go dancers and your chance to fulfill your Suicide Girl wanna-be fantasies by strutting your stuff for the “Cheap Slut of the Week” title. Sometimes tasteless with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Sundays here are always interesting for sight seeing, music and general debauchery.

And if you enjoy Fast, Cheap and Out of Control, come back every third Friday for New Wave classics at Sex Dwarf with DJ Robert Drake and DJ Pussy Galore. Recently voted “Best DJ Night to Get 80s New Wave Nostalgic At” by the City Paper People’s Choice Awards, where the night is compared to the very legendary club Revival. As noted in the same write up, you can hear The Cure, Siouxsie, Love & Rockets, etc. while you sip your Lager.

Exotique
www.exotiqueparty.com
Diabolique Ball
www.phillyfetishball.com
www.passional.net/store

While not strictly Gothic, the scene does tend to cross into the fetish area in Philadelphia and therefore deserves a brief mention. Exotique is a brand new members-only club. Membership is $25 per year and the decor caters to the kinky party goers. Fridays have more of a Goth feel with DJ Kiltboy spinning Electronica, New Wave Punk and Goth music. The official opening has been delayed a few times, but this promises to be a haven for dark and naughty creatures.

Diabolique and the Libertine Ball are two themed fetish Balls held each year by fetish/corset store, Passional. They are held in November and July every year. These events run about $20-$30 dollars and are fund raisers for AIDS outreach programs or other support for the Gay/Lesbian/etc. community. Music is electronic oriented, much like Octavio's Vesago fetish nights. The costuming is high end and a strict dress code is enforced. Themes in the past have included the Cirque, Fairy Tales and Atlantis. Check out their web sites for upcoming parties.

Flux
When: Sat., Jan. 21st
Where: The Trocadero, 10th and Arch Street
$11 age 18-20
$9 21+
($3 off with flyer - flyer available at Digital Ferret and Crash Boom Bang off south Street)
www.darkwave-produktions.com

After a decent run at Conduit in Trenton, DJ Schmitty has moved his Industrial/Punk/Electro/80s party to the Troc in Chinatown. Fusion’s DJ Chas Paris and the infamous Psydde Delicious will also be spinning. This is the the premier night, and rumor has it that it will become a monthly event. I am not sure how Goth specific it will be, but it will surely have some appeal to dark music lovers, especially industrial lovers. It will be interesting to see if the return of a Goth-Industrial night at the Trocadero will be successful. This is also an 18+ event, which will draw an expanded audience. The Troc. is easily accessible from the Market East Septa train station (only one block north.)