Thursday at Delilah’s

Stopped into Delilah’s while in Philly and it feels like an older, traditional club that hasn’t changed much over the years. Parking is easy, which is a big win for the city, and getting in was straightforward. Inside, the layout is simple with one main stage, TVs on the walls, and seating around the floor. The place is not filthy, but it definitely feels dated and worn in. The biggest negative right away is the smoke, which is heavy and constant and really hurts the overall experience.

Music was loud enough to keep energy up but nothing special, and the DJ was fine but not memorable. Lighting is dark and old school, which fits the vibe but does nothing to make the place feel upscale. The crowd was mostly guys, a mix of regulars and out of town visitors, and nobody seemed overly drunk or aggressive. I didn’t feel unsafe, but it’s still very much a late night strip club atmosphere. The smoke lingers everywhere and after a while it gets uncomfortable and makes you want to leave sooner than planned.

Dancer quality was better than expected. There was a decent variety and a few girls who actually worked the stage and put effort into their sets. Like most clubs, it probably depends on the night, but the rotation stayed interesting while I was there. Dancers were approachable but not overly pushy. Staff was average, bartenders and servers did their jobs but weren’t especially friendly or fast. Bouncers were visible but not overbearing.