ALLENTOWN, Pa. – After a nine-month hiatus, a venue serving up fresh food, drinks, and nightlife entertainment will welcome back guests this weekend.
Love’s Restaurant & Lounge, offering American pub fare along with craft cocktails, DJ entertainment, and more, has announced that its grand reopening will be held at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at 1019 Union Blvd. in Allentown.
The business has been temporarily closed since a fire caused minor damage, primarily on the property’s lower level, in late January, owner Bazz Jarjous told 69 News.
Love’s Restaurant & Lounge is located at 1019 Union Blvd. in Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
Electrical upgrades and cosmetic updates, including the addition of new lighting and lounge furniture, have been completed in advance of the business’ reopening.
Friday’s grand reopening event, hosted by Jona Hut, will feature music by DJ J Valentine, DJ Bri Love and DJ Breezzy.
Individuals interested in attending Love’s grand reopening event can RSVP by calling 484-268-7795.
“The day we’ve all been waiting for is almost here!” reads an announcement on Love’s Facebook page.
“After everything, we’re beyond excited to finally welcome you back to LOVE’S LOUNGE! This Friday, October 23rd, we’re bringing the LOVE back to Allentown! Doors open at 10 p.m. Dress to impress, bring the energy, and come celebrate this new chapter with us!”
Love’s, “the perfect indulgence for food, drinks, and late-night vibes,” will have new operating hours of 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, according to another post on the business’ Facebook page.
“We’ve evolved,” the post reads. “Love’s Lounge is entering a new chapter, transitioning into a full nightlife destination.”
Love’s opened in April 2024 in a renovated space that previously housed other dining establishments, including Top Diner and, most recently, East Side Family Restaurant.
“We put a lot of work into the building, menu and overall atmosphere because we saw a need for this type of venue in the community,” Jarjous told 69 News shortly after the business’ opening.
“We’re offering elevated food, cocktails and nightlife.”
Love’s Restaurant & Lounge is located at 1019 Union Blvd. in Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
Jarjous is no stranger to the restaurant industry.
He previously operated East Side Family Restaurant at the site from 2019 to 2023, and he’s also a former owner of East Siders Bar & Grill on Union Boulevard on Allentown’s East Side and Cuzin’s Pub & Grill on Tilghman Street in Allentown’s West End.
Before opening Love’s, a team of contractors spent nearly a year updating the Union Boulevard property to include new flooring, ceilings, lighting, furniture, bars, bathrooms, kitchen equipment, and a front patio with folding glass doors that open during nice weather.
Love’s also features new high-definition TVs, along with a digital jukebox and sound system.
Modern design touches include an illuminated bar, a photo op wall, and various color-changing LED lights throughout the space.
The rear portion was “completely overhauled” with new flooring, accent walls, banquette and high-top seating, and LED lights on the walls and ceiling, Jarjous said. There’s also a new DJ booth.
Jarjous got the idea for Love’s from frequenting unique and vibrant restaurants and lounges in other parts of the country, including major cities in Florida and New York.
“I was always amazed at these out-of-state places, offering fantastic food and drinks in really cool atmospheres,” Jarjous said.
“They’re unlike anything that we have around here. So, I wanted to change that. I wanted to bring that elevated experience to the Lehigh Valley.”
In addition to updating physical components of the venue, Love’s is modifying its operations – with condensed food offerings and condensed hours – as it reopens, Jarjous said.
Guests will still be able to enjoy made-to-order appetizers such as chicken wings and fries as well as handhelds such as burgers, cheesesteaks, sandwiches and tacos, but entrees will no longer be available, Jarjous said.
Additionally, sushi will no longer be served, and a former sushi bar that was situated at the front of the venue was removed to make room for more lounge furniture.
“We’re going to be leaning more into the nightlife,” Jarjous added.
Love’s Restaurant & Lounge is located at 1019 Union Blvd. in Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
Love’s recently held hiring events, and all front- and back-of-house positions have been filled.
Some employees from Love’s original iteration are returning, and the business also recently held hiring events to fill remaining front- and back-of-house positions, Jarjous said.
The inspiration behind Love’s name is co-founder Brianna Morales, a popular local DJ operating as DJ Bri Love.
For the latest Love’s updates, follow the business’s Facebook page.
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