Strangelove's — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Terrible Experience!

My boyfriend and I went to a comedy show at this establishment tonight. We ordered 2 drinks and an appetizer off the virtual menu. When my boyfriend returned to the table with our drinks, he mentioned having to say something about being over charged on our bill. He said it was rectified so I thought ok, no problem.

Approximately 45 min later, while we were listening to the comic on stage, a bartender walks up to our table and starts yelling "thanks for the Yelp review, you can leave". I was astonished to say the least. Both my boyfriend and myself were confused. The guy who arranged to comedy show, Keith 2x asked my boyfriend to step outside to talk. I sat there for a minute or two bewildered watching the said bartender( I later learned her name is Lisa) on a rant saying things like "you wanna leave a bad review, you can get out"! I then stepped outside to see what was happening. When I get outside, the comedy show promoter Keith 2X was apologetic and said the manager will not allow us back into their establishment. We asked to speak to the manager and our request was denied. At that time, we left the premises.

Once outside, I learned my boyfriend did post a review regarding his experience with the bartender, she was rude and condescending after being questioned about a discrepancy on the bill. The thing is, my boyfriend was right about the overcharge for which she rectified and was rude about it.

When my boyfriend spoke to someone from the establishment after we left, via social media, they said the bartender claimed my boyfriend cursed at her. If that were true, why'd she wait almost an hour and after the negative review to have him thrown out? The only interaction my boyfriend had with her(Lisa the bartender) was when he ordered our food and drinks. The bartender didn't appear to be afraid when I was watching the exchange across the room. Nor did any patrons within earshot appear to be staring and watching as if a threatening/intimidating exchange were taking place. As I watched him from my seat, It didn't appear anything was going on, if so, I certainly would have went to the bar to see what was happening. Do you think if a man was cursing out a woman(especially an employee of the establishment) in a crowded bar, other patrons wouldn't bat an eye? Where was security? It didn't appear to be any issue/tension/scene at all. We proceeded to enjoy our food, drinks and the comedy show for almost an hour after said incident without a word from anyone.

Lisa was rude and disrespectful! Her actions were unprofessional. This is the person Strangelove's has representing their business. As if that wasn't enough, the owner/manager added insult to injury by blindly defending her actions. I do NOT recommend this establishment to anyone. It's sad to have to leave such a review and I see this isn't the only negative review about Lisa's behavior. It appears to be an ongoing issue which has not been addressed. This was a terrible experience at an establishment we pay for a service, don't waste your time or money.

Update

Response to owner’s comment: To date (05/12/2024), I have not spoken to anyone from your establishment since the incident. You may have spoken to my partner and he agreed to remove HIS review. This review is MY experience. Lisa’s behavior was too egregious for me to even consider an apology. At this point, it’s best we move past this. Moving forward, I hope no other customer has to experience Lisa’s “wrath” and she can conduct herself as a respectful representative of your...

Service was just horrible. Three bartenders.. just standing there Note: idk if who served me water was a bartender or server?! But she was serving the entire resturant. 👏🏽 And while we as customers may not know your issues occurring for the day… a simple “my machine is down” wouldve sufficed.

Meanwhile: when i entered, there were two pple staring down the bar and another focused on the Pos machine (5:10 ish i entered and three pple behind bar, for note). I watched one of the two serve a beer to the other end, then eventually two leave. The tender at the pos?!.. still at the pos! A fourth individual entered offered water and a menu (she was serving ALL the tables too): then another entered for tvs and whatever else purpose [thats 5 people at this point] Mr tv. …asked the bar if anything was needed(ms server, already provided me water and menu). So i dont need anything as of yet. But when i was ready. Ms. Bartender, looked extremely busy( you know the tables no one else was tending to?) so yes lets ask the others, right?! ……No!

Did anyone come back???? No!

To said bartender who offered water and a menu (thank you btw, in no way does this refer to you)

Pre/post water: i watched a customer join a group presently at the bar, each got served a drink/ a piece (by said pos bartender) in the time i was waiting (sooo you had time for refills), the man next to me got asked if he would like a refill (from said tv monitor) … i was right next to this man….. . Idk why you would immediately turn your back after a single order ( and yes this guy and i looked like …ummm) but again im a customer who doesnt know what there talking about, right?!

Exits 5:25pm

Trust, i do not care to wait for a service but to service three people before me when i came in 15mins ago. Gladly walked out. Thank you for the water but still service is trash esp if that was a “gm” present with 3-4 servers /bartenders, whats the excuse?!

Ms was really the only person running to tables. (me, plus three tables looking dumbfounded like why do you not have help) if youre serving tables, its no need for you to break your neck trying to serve the bar too. Esp WITH people standing right there. Thats insane… you deserve better!

( sincerely a fellow airport and independence beer garden...

My husband and I were on our way to Moriairty’s for their delicious and giant wings but since we’ve had them a few times we decided to try something new when we saw the sign outside of Strangelove advertising their wings and 30 different flavors.

We had very high hopes after starting with the buffalo cauliflower. It’s was $12 which felt overpriced for the amount you’ll get but they were very good! They were the last good thing about the experience.

We were the only guests but the food took longer than expected considering what we ordered and there being no one else. We waited at about 25 min but honestly still weren’t phased because we were looking forward to the meal.

I ordered the chicken tenders ($14) which came with waffle fries. THESE CHICKEN FINGERS WERE IMPOSSIBLY, RIDICULOUSLY THIN AND SMALL! The pictures I’m including don’t even do it justice. They were comically small, cartoonishly thin and to add insult to injury, you only get 4 of these chicken jerky pieces. They were so embarrassingly tiny that I commented to my husband “that they don’t even make chicken this small and thin so somebody is back there taking a tiny chicken breast and thinly slicing them to make them even smaller.” They aren’t chicken tenders at all. It’s more like a piece of chicken breast that’s been filleted to the point of transparency and then deep fried.

A man “presumably the owner” or manager was within earshot and instead of offering any kind of explanation, sarcastically smiled and said “thank you.” Yea friend. YOU are most welcome because you just sold me about $1.50 worth of unseasoned deep fried chicken jerky that your passing off as tenders for $14 with a straight face.

They were so insultingly thin and small that I can’t believe they were even served. As an owner, cook, waiter etc, I would have been EMBARRASSED to serve that to someone.

Needless to say I would never return and would encourage you to save your money unless you’ve first confirmed that something in the kitchen has changed and you won’t...