Party in a ball pit: Concourse Dance Club sets its opening

We should be in for a lively winter, if two new nightspots pan out as they promise.

First up will be Clubhouse Sports Lounge, opening Friday, Jan. 26 at 111 S. 17th St. in the underground space beneath Davio's that was G Lounge and 1925 Lounge. The sports-themer also will have an ice lounge, two themed escape rooms, and two full-service bars.

Then, 2½ blocks away and a week later, comes Concourse Dance Bar, whose debut will be 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2 on the lower level of 1635 Market St., aka Seven Penn Center, where the off-track betting club was. Avram Hornik and his band from FCM Hospitality (Morgan's Pier) are branding Concourse as a "dance bar" opposed to a lounge or bar.

Concourse's entrance will be through the rear of Seven Penn Center, the former transit concourse. FCM is building a retro atmosphere with a 500-person dance floor, hue lighting system, DJs playing a mix of throwback and current music tunes, and two large bars with what they say will be reasonably priced drinks. Behind the bars, TV monitors will stream music videos. A lounge on the mezzanine level overlooking the dance floor will be furnished with classic rugs and thrifted furniture.

They're also installing a ball pit — equipped with lighted balls — that can fit 20 people. (An early plan to allow entry to the club via a slide was scrapped.)

Cover will be $5 and there will be no dress code.

"It's like a celebration of being young," Hornik told me. "It's what I kind of think we need these days."

Through February, Concourse hours will be 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. From there, Thursdays and Sundays will be added, including theme nights such as old-school hip-hop parties, '90s emo dance jams, and industry nights.