Friendly Lounge

Superior South Philly bar, Dom is a great guy and it's a good place to catch up with friends.

Where else can ya chain smoke 10 lucky strikes and hear a raucous joke about tiny peckers at the same time

Stumbled across this gem with a few buddy’s!! This place is awesome! Just a little dive bar with some cool history! We will definitely be back soon. The bartender Kelly awesome also she has some good stories about the history of this place. 5 stars across the board

If you are looking for discrimination, you found it. They refused entry to disabled persons because they had real, professionally trained service dog with them for mobility support, balance, and seizure alerts. They said they don't allow dogs. These were not pets, emotional support dogs, or therapy dogs. They obviously didn't know the law. However, they were unwilling to listen, and extremely rude about it. We did notice how dark, dank, and smelly it was in there, so my friend and I probably didn't miss out on anything. Still, this incident has been reported to the U.S. Department of Justice for a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A service dog is a "medical device" You wouldn't tell someone with a wheelchair that they can't come in because you don't allow wheelchairs. Do you not allow crutches either? Maybe you should ban hearing aids too. In such a great city, it is disappointing to have walked into this place. Very hostile and unfriendly. This incident tarnishes an otherwise great experience in the city of brotherly love, just not here.

This place rules. Tiny corner neighborhood bar with super friendly regulars and staff. Wall hangings remind you of times past, which apparently may have involved mob connects:) Kelly our adorable bar tender was so cute and fun to talk to! Drinks are cheap and the company was awesome.

For the sake of your own safety and peace of mind, please DO NOT come in. I used Ladies’ room and the bartender chased me, started banging on doors and told me to get out because it was allegedly not working. I wanted to change my pad, and he kept yelling. As I dressed back on, another lady joined the bartender and started yelling and telling me to get out. Not sure what’s going on, but this is not a safe place to be at. Ironical that they call themselves a “Friendly lounge”

Quiet, no frills bar off of Washington. If you're for looking somewhere off the beaten path to relax, Friendly is definitely a good option. Prices are pretty standard for Philly dive, but be aware it's cash only.

Norb is an amazing bartender - nice easy vibe in a classic old school bar.

We loved the friendly lounge! Dom was great and the fellas at the bar were also sweet. Fun little dive bar with a really cool cd player. Don't knock it till you try it, this bar is awesome!

Step back in time to 1975 - dark and smokey and great music! Friendly patrons and bartenders!

I came here on one of the last days of June while awaiting my cars inspection. I go to the best at dons auto repair...but I still needed to finish my days work so I headed to the closest bar. I came upon friendlys. Walking into this place on a suuuuper hot day was refreshing and not. I noticed immediately this was a smoking bar (no problem for me) but that was the not so refreshing part...walking into the ac was glorious! Bartender was friendly. I posted up and asked what types of white wine they had and he said "I think a Chardonnay" to which I said I'll take a Tito's and seltzer. They didn't have Tito's so he served me their only white wine (Pinot Grigio) in a water glass. I found this refreshingly comical and relaxed. This bar isn't about being fancy it's about being casual and comfortable. I also asked about WiFi...no WiFi so I hot spotted..honestly..no big deal to me. So I posted up for about an hour until my car was finished..I enjoyed two glasses of wine for a total of 8$ (cash only) while I worked and eves dropped on some of the locals conversations. You really can't beat 4$ glasses of wine, entertainment from the locals and the World Cup on tv! No complaints from me...everyone was friendly as advertised!!!

The laid back atmosphere here is amazing, with Tom tending quickly and talkative patrons sharing life stories fitting a bestseller. The cold Yuengling really helped in the hot afternoon too

I wasn't around or there long enough to assume or rate its friendliness. good location, great city! Sucker for good signage!

Your experience here will really depend on the time of day/night when you visit. It varies from a depressingly bleak AA drop-out scene to overly hyped & tragically hip place to be. Cash only I believe. Pinball machine or two. Bathrooms to rival Dirty Frank's. Not a bad pit stop all told. At least they aren't trying too hard to be authentic. The times & clientele may vary, but Friendly's forges on.

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.

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!

What can I say. Ever since Smockey passed away, god rest his soul, this is indisputably the best bar in Philly. Real people. No craft beer. Action News and the Phillies and random movies. Refreshing water. Classic jukebox. Smoke all you want. Listen to the excellent barkeeps tell you stories. Have insanely intense conversations with interesting people. Marvel at the endless blue towel and Black Snake Moan poster in the men's room. Grab a Miller and soak it in. This is the real. You are SO lucky this place still exists. Don't eff it up.

Around the corner from Italian Market, Geno's, and Pat's, this is by far my favorite Bar in South Philly. The name (Friendly Lounge) is justified by owners', and bartenders' positive attitudes. I started coming here some time ago, and by now know all of the staff and regulars by name, and get treated, and greeted like a part of extended family. Juke-box is very eclectic, and not too loud. There are no tap beers, but the bottled offerings are always comfortably cold. Here, you'll never miss any of the home-team games (any sport) as long as they are broadcasted. Another plus (for me at least) is that smoking is allowed, and if you are hungry, you can actually order from any near-by eating establishment, and eat at the bar. All around, really great, comfortable place to hang out!!!

Look, let's not kid ourselves here, this place is a dump in the shitty Kensington area of Philly. In spite of that, it hasn't been overrun with dopey hipsters with problem glasses and food allergies so it's actually not bad. Do not come for the food, unless what you're craving is a month old bag of chips but if you're looking for a cheap place to soak up the local atmosphere and enjoy a cold Bud, this is the place.

Am I more "sophisticated" than my friends? I take them there for a laugh & they fall head over heels for this classic dive. Very limited beer selection, really dark, and cigarette smoking is encouraged. A bar crawl must but not a a place for more than a drink or two. We did find the bartender & patrons to be friendly and totally cool. Fun tunes on the jukebox and DARK. The smoke sucks but is tolerable for a non smoker like me. Would be a 3 star but the absence of hipsters was a plus. Of all Philly attractions, this is the spot my out-of-town friends seem to remember most. I don't get it but will likely find myself back at the Friendly.

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 yelp. 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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

Completely underwhelming, uninspiring and depressing. Feels dirty. Looks dirty. The beer selection ranges from coors to miller to Heineken if you feel like splurging. That said, the owner does seem to make an effort at actually being "friendly". Or at least, willing to engage in small talk. I'd recommend going as early as possible to really soak in the midday south Philly sadness.

my favorite of all time. haven't been there in i don't know how long. when i had dom was tending. all the regulars were his extended family. if you didn't show up for a day or two guarantied you'd be at tattooed moms or walking down the street and somebody would say he was asking if anyone had seen you and if you were okay. the best period no substitute. 7B comes second but make no mistake.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.