Philadelphia's Largest Outdoor Restaurant Liberty Point Opens At Penn's Landing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's largest restaurant is now open for business. Liberty Point at Penn's Landing had its grand opening on Tuesday.
When we say this is the biggest restaurant, we're talking that it can seat 1,400 people. It wraps around the entire backside of the Seaport Museum, giving spectacular views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge.
"I didn't expect it to be so elaborate. I had no clue it had all these different levels," restaurant-goer Lark Lyn Brown said.
The family-friendly spot has three levels of food, drinks, and live entertainment. The first level is dog friendly.
Guests were left in awe after seeing just how expansive Liberty Point restaurant is.
"It's new, it's different and it's exciting because I love the water," restaurant-goer Barbara G. said.
The entire restaurant is open air. The Ben Franklin Bridge is to the north and the Walt Whitman Bridge is in the distance to the south. Restauranteur Avram Hornik says the idea for the space was born out of the pandemic. He was one of the loudest voices against the city's COVID protocols.
"I think we're realizing the hospitality businesses in Philly is kind of like the auto business in Detroit. It's a major part of the character of Philadelphia, it's a major employer. The pandemic has taught us the value of how important restaurants and hotels are," Hornik said.
"With all my experience being in Philly half of my life, I'm just so happy to see it blossoming again," Brown said.
A recent survey by the Center City District shows that tourism is recovering in Philly. The survey showed foot traffic is 71% of what it was pre-pandemic, making the christening of Liberty Point that much more significant.
"This is the front end of the entire Waterfront Redevelopment which is going to overpass I-95 over time, so they're really at the forefront of what's an amazing destination to an extraordinary destination," Gregg Caren, with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, said.
The decks of the restaurant are seasonal, but there is an inside area for the colder months. They also say they're going to have coverings for rain.
