Liberty Point, the largest outdoor restaurant in Philadelphia, opened its doors earlier this month after five years of planning. The space has three levels, five bars, indoor and outdoor seating, views of the Delaware River and seating for 1,400 people.
Located at 211 S. Columbus Blvd., the restaurant and entertainment venue clocks in at almost 30,000 square feet and is owned and operated by FCM Hospitality, a prominent group in the Philadelphia restaurant and entertainment industry. FCM Hospitality already held the record for the largest restaurant in Philadelphia with Craft Hall, which seats 500 guests. Their other properties include Morgan’s Pier, Rosy’s Taco Bar, Concourse Dance Bar and Harper’s Garden, among others.
Avram Hornik, owner of FCM Hospitality, has locked down most of the waterfront. Craft Hall and Liberty Point are stationed at each end, while Morgan’s Pier, Cherry Street Pier, and River Beer Garden are scattered between. Liberty Point sits right next to the Independence Seaport Museum.
Neina Langford, events and promotions director at FCM Hospitality, shared some of the inspiration behind the creation of Liberty Point.
“One of my favorite goals for Liberty Point is the idea of reconnecting the Delaware River Waterfront back to Center City,” Langford said. “We are excited to be a part of the revitalization of the waterfront, a part of town that is so entrenched in Philadelphia history, that has been separated by [Interstate] 95 for too long.”
Melissa Zee, a server at Liberty Point who has worked at other FCM locations, said she had been looking forward to the May 3 opening.
“I feel like there’s something for everyone here,” Zee said. “It’s a massive space and a great atmosphere.”
As the summer kicks into gear, Liberty Point will offer a vibrant nightlife scene, including live entertainment, DJ appearances and a dance floor.
“The nightlife is going to be great on weekends,” Zee said. “It’ll definitely be the spot to be this summer. They’ll have DJs and live performances, and they’ll be moving the picnic tables over by the stage to create a dance floor.”
With many different seating options, guests can find any atmosphere they want. There is a main bar, stage bar and indoor bar, as well as a sky and boat bar. There’s seating for couples, small groups and large events. The bottom level of outdoor seating is both dog and family friendly. There are even smaller seating nooks that provide a more intimate space.
The drink menu is substantial, with prices ranging from $5 to $12. Liberty Point offers eight draught cocktails, five specialty cocktails, a selection of frozen drinks, and a rotating menu of beer, wine, and seltzer. Beer from FCM’s own brewery, Mainstay, is also served.
Mary McGuinness, a local resident from New Jersey, enjoyed Liberty Point’s drink offerings at a preview event on April 29.
“I got the Liberty Punch,” McGuinness said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect from a draught cocktail, but it’s surprisingly really good.”
The food menu is casual for the most part, with lunch and dinner options that include sandwiches, salads, shared plates, desserts, and even a kid menu. There is also a raw bar selection, with fresh and fried seafood. The shared plates and sandwiches range from $6 to $17, while seafood ranges from $13 to $40.
“Qadir Jordan, Liberty Point’s Executive Chef who is a born and bred Philadelphian, brings over 20+ years of experience,” Langford said. “You can just taste how much he cares.”
Sean McClellan, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, said he enjoyed sampling the drink and food options at the preview event, including the signature Liberty Rickey, which is a mixture of beer, vodka, and fruit puree.
“It’s really good and super refreshing,” McClellan said. “We got some fries to share for the table and I ordered the brisket cheesesteak. Everything is so good.”
Liberty Point is open Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
