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Bartender Paul MacDonald works on a Carousel cocktail at Friday Saturday Sunday on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Philadelphia.
Bartender Paul MacDonald works on a Carousel cocktail at Friday Saturday Sunday on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Philadelphia.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff Photographer

The Lovers Bar

Center CityBar, Modern American, American$$-$$$

Tucked beneath the upstairs dining room at Friday Saturday Sunday, the Lovers Bar offers a walk-in-only, à la carte experience that stands on its own. The menu is anchored by standout dishes like a prime N.Y. strip steak crusted with black pepper, thyme, and dried shiitake, over a smooth potato mousseline and finished with a rich oxtail-chile jus. While the upstairs tasting menu gets most of the attention, the food downstairs is no less thoughtful.

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The Inquirer aims to represent the geographic, cultural, and culinary diversity of the region in its coverage. Inquirer staffers and contributors do not accept free or comped meals — all meals are paid for by the Inquirer. All dining recommendations are made solely by the Inquirer editorial staffers and contributors based on their reporting and expertise, without input from advertisers or outside interests.