Friday Saturday Sunday, a beloved establishment in Philadelphia, is making headlines as it vies for the prestigious James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar this year. This recognition is particularly remarkable for the restaurant, which won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant just two years ago.
Co-owner Hanna Williams expressed her astonishment at the honor, stating, “I’m completely shocked. Absolutely, completely shocked. To be back there two years later as a finalist is wild. It’s absolutely wild.”
The journey for Hanna and her husband Chad, who co-owns the restaurant, began with a bold gamble when they took over the historic venue in 2015. For over 40 years, Friday Saturday Sunday has been a cherished destination for romantic dinners, with Chad serving as the chef and Hanna overseeing the front of the house.
Making the decision to purchase and revamp the iconic restaurant while retaining its name was fraught with risk. Chad reflected, “I don’t think we were fully aware of how powerful the history was going to be. We had a ton of people who were really mad at us for changing everything. So from the jump, we were like, Ooh, maybe this was not the best idea keeping the name, because there are expectations.”
Despite initial backlash, the Williamses have successfully transformed skepticism into widespread acclaim. The charm of the Lovers Bar, now considered a standout, comes not just from its expertly crafted cocktails but from the rich history associated with the venue.
The bar earned its enchanting title due to the many romantic stories linked to the restaurant, living up to its name as a gathering place for couples.
Chad noted, “The number of stories, after a while, is just overwhelming. Hundreds of people come in – literally hundreds – about how they either started dating and they come there still, or their parents did. It’s really wild.”
Hanna shared a personal connection, revealing that her own parents met at Friday Saturday Sunday on a blind date over 40 years ago, and they continue to celebrate anniversaries there.
In a poignant turn, the couple’s own love story intertwines with the restaurant’s history. They were married at the venue before it officially opened to the public. Hanna recalled, “When that happened, it’s because we were completely out of money. We had just bought this building. We were trying to open this restaurant, and we ran out of money well before then. Looking back on that, if we had all the funds in the world, I wouldn’t have changed that. It’s totally unique to us, and made the place special.”
Central to the dining experience at Lovers Bar is the couple’s philosophy that the bar deserves its own identity and atmosphere. Hanna explained, “Chad and I have always been bar people. We’ve always kind of wanted to go out to dinner on a whim, not making reservations. The bar is the best way to do that for the most sought-after reservations.”
They emphasize that a bar should not merely serve as a waiting area but can provide an exceptional dining experience in its own right. The Lovers Bar was designed to be spacious and inviting, allowing patrons to enjoy cocktails and meals at the counter.
Hanna said, “It was meant to be its own space and have its own identity, from the beginning.”
The couple, known for their preference for spirit-forward cocktails, recommends the “Assassin’s Handbook,” a unique concoction featuring cognac, Jamaican rum, averna, and a hint of habanero. They also tout their “octopus and beans” dish as a menu favorite, having been featured since the restaurant opened.
Hanna remarked, “That’s just a pretty special plate altogether, not necessarily for a first date, but for any time.”
The ambiance of the Lovers Bar is another contributing factor to its success. Chad and Hanna both recognize the importance of lighting, music, and the overall feel of the space in creating the desired atmosphere.
Chad stated, “Lighting is important. Music is important. It’s the way you feel when you try to add up all those things. You know, the textures that you have in the space, the bar, the seats, just a bunch of ingredients that go into making it welcoming and intimate.”
The zebra-patterned upholstery on the bar stools, the wide marble countertop, and the warm glow of ambient lighting all contribute to the intimate and inviting setting.
With their eyes set on the James Beard Awards in Chicago, the Williamses are eager to celebrate this new recognition of their restaurant. Reflecting on their previous experience at the awards two years ago, Chad shared a memory of a night they spent celebrating at a karaoke bar, despite Hanna playfully disputing his recollection of their early exit.
Hanna laughed, “We did not go home early! We were out until 4 a.m. We went to the after-hours bar … Chicago showed us the absolute best time. So, the first time around, we were there with the whole staff. Well, most of the staff anyway, so everybody was just on cloud nine, celebrating.”
The recognition and acclaim from their patrons have been overwhelming, and they are grateful for the journey they’ve undertaken together. “To be in the finals is kind of already a win,” Hanna expressed. “So we’re all just looking forward to being back in Chicago and hanging out with one another and celebrating the success that it already is … We’re up against some of the best in the business.”
Chad added, “We’ve been doing this for almost 10 years. It’s a quarter of our life, or more so it really has become an extension of who we are, and I think we’ve become more of the restaurant. We are one unit right now. You know, we don’t have a bunch of other restaurants, it’s just this one. So it is very personal. It still feels very personal, even 10 years in.”
image source from：https://billypenn.com/2025/05/30/friday-saturday-sunday-james-beard-finalist-chad-hanna-williams/
