Union Transfer is a 1,200-capacity concert hall inside a restored 1889 building at 1026 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia’s Callowhill neighborhood, run jointly by The Bowery Presents (part of AEG Presents) and local promoter R5 Productions since it opened on September 21, 2011.
Beyond the venue’s history as a railway baggage depot, this guide covers everything you actually need before a show there: how tickets and pricing work, box office hours, the bag policy, parking and transit options, and what the room itself looks and feels like once you’re inside.
Quick Answer
Union Transfer is a standing-room, general-admission concert venue at 1026 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia holding about 1,200 people. Tickets sell through AXS (the venue’s official ticketing partner) or at the box office, which opens on show nights at 5pm. There’s a private staffed parking lot behind the building, small bags are allowed but oversized bags are not, and the nearest transit stop is SEPTA’s Spring Garden station on the Broad Street Line.
A Building with a Past
Union Transfer’s name comes directly from its history: from 1918 to 1942 the building operated as the Union Transfer Baggage Express Co., handling storage for railway passengers. Before that, it bore signage for the Spring Garden Farmer’s Market dating to its 1889 construction, and in later decades it cycled through use as a tire shop, a trust company, and a Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant before promoters converted it into a concert hall in 2011.
That industrial pedigree shows in the room’s high ceilings and open floor plan, which the venue’s operators preserved rather than concealed, giving Union Transfer a distinct architectural character compared to typical black-box concert clubs.
A Home for Indie and Alternative Music
Since opening, Union Transfer has built a reputation as one of Philadelphia’s premier mid-sized rooms, hosting acts across indie rock, alternative, hip-hop, electronic, and folk genres. Performers who have played the venue include Tame Impala, Frank Ocean, Dinosaur Jr., and Cold War Kids.
The venue also has a local touch: it pours beer from Philadelphia’s own Yards Brewing Company, and its coat check is named after Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, who worked there in the 2010s before her music career took off.
Tickets, Prices & Box Office Hours
Union Transfer’s box office opens on every evening the venue has a show, from 5pm until close, and sells tickets in cash or by card with no added service fees. Ticket prices vary by show and are set by each artist’s tour, so there’s no single fixed price — a support act in a smaller package will typically run cheaper than a headline tour with tiered pricing.
The venue’s official online ticketing partner is AXS; buying there (rather than resale sites) guarantees a valid ticket at face value. Will Call pickup requires the purchasing card and a matching photo ID and opens two hours before doors. For the current show calendar, exact prices, and doors/show times for a specific date, check the official Union Transfer website, since these details change show to show.
Bag Policy & What’s Not Allowed Inside
Small bags and clutches are allowed, but oversized bags — anything larger than roughly 18″ x 18″ — are not permitted inside and get searched at the door regardless of size. A seasonal coat check (available fall through spring) is the easiest way to store a bag, coat, or merchandise you don’t want to carry all night; it’s card-payment only.
Standard prohibited items include outside food and drink, weapons of any kind (including pocket knives and mace), markers, spray paint, and e-cigarettes; there’s no smoking inside the building, though an outdoor smoking area is available for guests 21 and up. Once you leave, re-entry isn’t allowed, so plan accordingly if you step out.
Parking & Getting to Union Transfer
Union Transfer runs its own private, staffed parking lot directly behind the building, between 10th and 11th Streets and Nectarine and Buttonwood Streets. It opens at 6pm on show nights and is monitored by security through the end of the event; the venue also provides free bike parking.
By public transit, the closest stop is SEPTA’s Spring Garden station on the Broad Street Line, a short walk east along Arch Street. The Market-Frankford Line’s 13th Street station is about a 10-minute walk south, and several SEPTA bus routes run within a block or two of the venue. If you’re coming from Amtrak or regional rail, Jefferson Station is roughly 8-10 blocks away and walkable in good weather.
Seating, Accessibility & the Vibe Inside
Union Transfer is general admission and standing room only on the main floor. A limited number of first-come, first-served bleacher-style seats are available on the upstairs balcony, but they can’t be reserved ahead of time, so arrive early if you want one.
The floor, lobby bars, and restrooms are fully accessible, and the venue can arrange special seating for guests who need it — contact the venue’s accessibility line ahead of your visit. Three full bars serve beer, wine, and liquor, plus water and soft drinks for guests under 21; a photo ID is required at the bar for a wristband.
Union Transfer Philadelphia FAQs
Where is Union Transfer located?
Union Transfer is located at 1026 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia’s Callowhill neighborhood, at the corner of Spring Garden and North 10th Street.
What is the capacity of Union Transfer?
Union Transfer holds about 1,200 people, making it a mid-sized concert venue between Philadelphia’s small clubs and its large arenas.
When did Union Transfer open?
Union Transfer opened on September 21, 2011, as a joint venture between The Bowery Presents and R5 Productions.
Is Union Transfer standing room only, or are there seats?
The main floor is general admission and standing only. A small number of unreserved bleacher seats are available upstairs on the balcony on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is there parking at Union Transfer?
Yes. Union Transfer operates its own staffed parking lot directly behind the building, opening at 6pm on show nights, plus free bike parking.
What is Union Transfer’s bag policy?
Small bags and clutches are allowed and will be searched at the door; bags larger than about 18″ x 18″ are not permitted. A seasonal coat check is available for storing bags and coats.
Where do I buy tickets for Union Transfer?
Tickets are sold through AXS, the venue’s official ticketing partner, and at the box office (cash or card, no service fees) starting at 5pm on show nights.
Is Union Transfer an all-ages venue?
Union Transfer is primarily an all-ages venue, but age restrictions vary by show, so check the specific event listing before buying tickets.
What’s the closest transit stop to Union Transfer?
SEPTA’s Spring Garden station on the Broad Street Line is the closest stop, a short walk east on Arch Street; the Market-Frankford Line’s 13th Street station is about 10 minutes away on foot.
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