Friendly Lounge

With spots like Ray’s Happy Birthday, Bonnie’s Capistrano, and Dive Bar, among the options; South Philly is a destination that isn’t without its timeless neighborhood dive bar institutions. And it hits the point where its difficult to figure out which destination stands out among the others.
But Friendly Lounge is one of those classic dive bars that has always left a lasting impression on me. Especially when I’ve been fortunate enough to catch Elliot Levin and a bunch of other timeless local musicians impressing during an impromptu open music session. you won’t find much on the beer menu that goes beyond Yuengling, PBR, and other standards. You may be in trouble if you only enjoy your rum or bourbon in a fancy cocktail. And you won’t find much in the line of food options. But for reasonably priced shots & brews, and a solid jukebox that features plenty of classics; Friendly Lounge might be #1!

Possibly the diveiest dive bar I’ve ever dove into. They don’t have beer on tap, bottles only. Beer is limited to mostly domestics, in a fridge off to the side of the bar that you could practically serve yourself. Some alcohol on the wall. There wasn’t really any music on when we came in.
Sort of depressing and dirty. The kind of place that you’d go to at noon just to make your hand stop shaking. Not much in the way of personality either.
It really weirds me out that this place has a 4 star rating on Unilocal.It’s hilarious reading some of the reviews about the stimulating, intellectual conversation that occurs here. You’d think you were entering the Roman Senate.
Smells like an ashtray. Maybe a positive if you are a smoker.

I have to say, this place is old, dark, and dingy, but I love it. Yuengling’s were $ 3.25, Henikien’s were $ 4.50 and Whiskey Ginegers in a small glass were $ 3.50. We were there on a Tuesday at 9ish and there were 2 other locals in there. The bartender was a nice guy, definitely nice to chat up.
The best part of the place was the old Jukebox, this place keeps it real, we were listening to some great music, Doors, Pink Floyed, Janis Joplin… the good stuff. Will definitely be back.

I wanted to write a review after I had been here more than once. Now, it’s time. I came here my first time last May for a birthday hangout. I really liked it, and when I came back the second time a few nights ago, it was to gather some friends and hang out. Our friends were a half hour late, but my boyfriend and I decided to sit at the bar and order. I really like the fact that they have basic American beers, nothing complicated and nothing on tap. It makes it that much easier to choose. As for me, since I don’t drink beer b/​c of my gluten allergy, I figured I’d ask if they even had cheap red wine. They did. I was surprised it was a step up from Carlo Rossi, they had Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Grigio. I had the Cabernet, it was great, just like I wanted.
The bartender, Ted was hilarious. When we got there, he was watching Antique Roadshow so we started betting on what the items would be worth. We also got to watch the Phillies game and just hung out with our friends. We were there for 4 hours.
It’s so much better than just a dive bar. I love the fact that it’s small, dark, and not a big deal. Love this place!

This place rocks. The bartender was not only serving us drinks but playing songs on guitar. Even though I knew none of the songs it was still pretty awesome. No frills just your better than average South Philly dive bar.

as a reguler, i would appreciate it if all the pbr drinking hipsters would stay the fuck out of this
they have ruined all the other dive bars in this area of south philly for me. thank you for understanding. now fuck off.

Great bartender. Cash only bar.

Cool Place. Less hipsterish on the week days.

What you see is what you get. grab a stool and a bud heavy, light one up, talk about the phils or politics by informed people or otherwise.

Now that 12 Steps Down, the Dive and the Wishing Well are full-​blown, ²⁴⁄₇ db hangouts, the Friendly has gone from being my hideout-​when-​i-​need-​a-​beer-​during-​lunch spot to my Go-​To spot whenever I’m near the italian market and feel like hanging out over drinks…
Why I love it:
–reasonable prices.
–dark and very low-​key
–still an actual neighborhood bar and not a trendy db hangout (please god, don’t let that change)
–Friendly (imagine that) bartenders who will offer you a glass of ice water when you walk in, and keep your hand filled with beers as long as you want them to (and are paying for them)
–good company and intelligent conversation when you want it, solitude and respect when you don’t.
–you can still smoke
Please, God, keep all the hipsters and assorted trendy dbs away. Let them stay above carpenter and be happy over there. In your mercy, let the Friendly remain just as it is…

What a surprise. Some friends and I happened to find this corner bar for a late night drink. It is so old school that you half expect your elderly neighbor to be sitting at the opposite side of the bar. While this is not on our normal path of watering holes it is someplace that I would stop by again and enjoy the simpleness and warm hospitality.

You know you’ve found a great place when a customer asks about the ancient cash register and the owner/​bartender says «It was here when I got here in ’71 so I’m thinking maybe ’67? ’68?». I doubt if this place has changed much since it opened in the 1950’s. And that’s awesome.

Awesome. Mollywoppers NYB approve!

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.

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.

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.

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».

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.

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?

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 crème de la crème 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.