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Friendly Lounge
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
8 reviews for Friendly Lounge
It may look like a shady corner bar on the fringe of safety. but step inside and it's not that bad. not really even what i expected. i stopped in after an art opening at t & p which is about a block and a half away.
they only serve bottled beer. basically budweiser or yuengling. plus your liquor staples, jack daniels, makers mark, etc. the bartender was a dapper 59 (i'm guessing) year old Italian (i'm assuming) man. Not quite friendly, maybe because i was new, yet he didn't give me any reason to complain.
the crowd was mostly older men. only saw one hipster couple. a young slick backed black hair italian guy who had chinese food delivered to his bar stool. as i left, a guy twice my age yelled, 'hey, you look exactly like my boss." i didn't know how to take it, so i said 'ok' and finished walking out the door.
Update - the service is always fantastic for me everytime I go here now.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/17/2008
I really like this place. Which is weird because
1) it really isn't as cheap as it should be
2) the… Read more »
Oooh, I am so scared to write such a favorable review for this joint because I want it to stay empty. No tap, bottled beer, mixed drinks, juke box, game machine, the ballgame always on when the Phils are playing, fritos for $.50. Don't overlook the portrait of Norma Jeane Mortenson getting showered with tip money by the barkeep/owner or his sometime strumming on the guitar while Elvis is playing.
It's a bar. No more , no less. Stay clear of it, because I basically just want it to myself so I can buy a pretzel across the street at midnight and nurse my bottle of beer.
Let's put it like this:
My fave place to go after work on a Friday is here. There is always a seat at the bar, they have Bud, and Tully, douchey hipsters aren't really *appreciated*, and I NEVER have a problem getting a drink. Or good service.
I've been coming here on and off for almost 8 years. Thumbs up.
Just went here the first time tonight. There was something plain and regular about this place that just put me at ease. Kinda like a bar my grandfather would go to. Nuthin' fancy just a place to go and grab a beer. There wasn''t anything cool or hip about this place, and I think thats why I liked it so much. Not even a dive really just a local round the corner bar.
It was pretty cool when someone played Tom Jones on the jukebox and the bartender pulled out this beat up old acoustic from the sliding cabinet and started playing along. Not something you would expect at this place. The funny thing was that there were two guitars in the cabinet. Odd that they would need two??
I was told that its a privately owned bar so you can smoke there if you desire. They were listed in Esquire magazine as being on of Philly's best bars. Maybe thats because this place is simple and to the point.
Friendly Lounge was a great experience!! I was vistiing from San Diego and wanted to find a really good dive bar and it delivered. The co-owner Dominic was friendly and gave us a full history of the establishment. There is some great pictures of his family perched behind the bar. The service was attentive and friendly and there was a good mix of younger and older patrons. If I lived in Philly it would be my home base. Plus you can make a short walk after to Gino's or Pat's if your hungry. I agree with the comment from John P that says "not even a dive really just a local round the corner bar".
Calling this bar "Friendly" Lounge must have been somebody's idea of a sick joke. The bartender (it's almost always the same dude) is downright surly (which it must be said, I usually do go in for). He kind of perches on the bar and doesn't really move when people come in. There is definitely a negative vibe directed at anybody under forty, particularly those in ironic t-shirts and thick black frames. Also, you're more than likely to hear some offensive (most likely racist) joke told between the staff and the regulars if you stay around long enough. There are no beers on draft and a very limited selection in the bottle. I think Yuengling was the creme de la creme of that selection. I believe ordered a Jameson and Ginger and got it in a tiny little highball glass. Like they were saying drink up and get out, chica.
a good time, within walking distance. huzzah!
i've never had anything but a chill time here, the jukebox cracks me up, and there is a distinct lack of hipster douchebaggery. the owners/bartenders are nothing but awesome, so i am confused by the bad service thing...? i can't even imagine M being jerky to anyone, much less his wife...so who knows?
best thing about the friendly?? never crowded. second best thing? the stories that M tells. third best thing? delicious, hot, fresh pretzels across the street after closing.
here's hoping the negative reviews keep it fabulous, no?
