philadelphia- city of historical venue love: The F.U.E.L. House

Next up in Philly, we hopped back in our minivan and skadoodled in to Olde City to visit what I thought might just be a sure thing. No one else in my party had {yet} heard of it:

The F.U.E.L. House:

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Working backwards- The FUEL House is currently a modern art gallery, hosting the artwork of cutting-edge emerging artists. I am all about supporting the arts- especially young up-and-comers. I totes get it (as in been there in my own way) and it would be super cool if my event could help fund the next exhibit.

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Before it became this incredible event space and art gallery, it lived a strange year as the MTV Real World house in 2004, thus beginning its contemporary-cool transformation from its original role as The Girard Corn Exchange Bank built in 1902. In the '70s, it was placed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Why so special? Must be the a-ma-zing location, down the street from Independence Hall and next door to:

  The Betsy Ross House

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Oh! Hello childhood obsession amazing woman who sewed the first American Flag during the coolest time in history! I didn't see you there!

I'm sorry? Are you telling me that if I book the F.U.E.L. House for my reception venue, I can have a cocktail hour, or even my wedding ceremony in the courtyard of your historical home next door!??! Yes. Please. Who do I make the check out to??

Other awesomeness includes picking your caterer from an extensive list of approved vendors so you can be sure to get along, the beauty of the architecture of the FUEL House of course, dinner on the mezzanine level, dancing and bar on the first level....

Here's where I must present any problems with this swoon-worthy venue. Among the many eyes and opinions that came along in the minivan that day, the following issues arose: The noise from the band on the first dancing/bar/fun young level will (we assumed) echo throughout the FUEL House space, so there will be nowhere for delicate ears to hide or conversations to be heard. Dinner on the mezzanine level would be LOVELY, but the only way to get there is a set of stairs, or a jankity old freight elevator. We don't want our older guests to suffer doubly from noise and inconvenience. 

I tried putting up a fight that folks successfully celebrate here all the time and love it... but when faced with the cost, the need for valet, etc.. I had to give it up. Bummer.

What other dreamy venues are out there and just a tad imperfect? Has anyone tried putting up with these issues for the sake of a really cool venue, or did you play it safe?