MANAYUNK

Since 1993, The Bayou Bar & Grill Manayunk has been one of Manayunk’s favorite neighborhood bars. After growing up and studying at Temple University together, Joe Jowett and Joe Abruzzo worked different nightclub jobs all throughout college. Upon graduation they ended up in Manayunk and were looking to stay in the restaurant business. Soon after, they found out that the property 4245 Main Street was for sale and they knew they had to have it. Jowett says, “We just got lucky! We pounded on the bank’s door until we finally got a loan. The next thing we know we own a bar.”

Growing up in Fairmount, Jowett says, “Bars were the centerpiece of the neighborhood. That was the place where you met your friends after work or after your softball league on the weekends. When somebody got Christened, you had it in the back room of the bar. It’s how we grew up.” Jowett and Abruzzo wanted to bring that same neighborhood feeling to Manayunk. “That was the whole idea behind Bayou,” Jowett says. “We thought what better theme than a New Orleans Bar? Easy, casual, good food, friendly face. We range anywhere from having an engagement party to big football parties for every Eagles game.” Jowett would describe The Bayou Bar & Grill as “every guy’s bar.”

The Bayou Bar & Grill has been your ideal stop for American tavern classics. The menu includes all-time favorites like burgers, cheesesteaks, buffalo wings, chili, wraps and classic hard shell crabs. Are you fan of french fries? The  Bayou has got you covered! They have a tempting fry menu which includes old bay, sweet potato and the decadent loaded fry basket of waffle fries with melted cheddar cheese, bacon and sour cream. If that’s not enough to make your mouth water, then you must try Bayou’s Buffalo Wings. Their famous sauce won the Mayors Cup Taste Test Challenge. But don’t forget to snag a deal by washing down all the wings and fries with a drink.

Every bar has that one thing they’re known for and The Bayou Bar & Grill is no exception. For the past 20 years, Bayou’s happy hour has been the best deal in Manayunk. Every Friday at 6pm, Bayou has $1 drinks until 7pm when the prices climbs to just $2 until 9pm. “We try to always maintain that dollar which we are famous for,” Jowett says. “It’s harder and harder with increases in price, but it’s something we sacrifice. Just because it’s what we do.”

But if you can’t make it in on Friday to catch this deal, don’t worry! You can always find a reason to go to The Bayou Bar & Grill thanks to their different specials each day of the week. Check out their website here for a breakdown of their specials.

In addition to all the great specials that the Bayou offers, Jowett and Abruzzo believe it’s important that customers feel at ease when in their restaurant. When hiring staff, they always make personality a key priority. “We look for personality,” Jowett says. “We want someone who can convey - as you walk in the door - that you are welcome here.” This is our home and we want our staff to make this their home too and if they don’t, then it’s not the job for them, Jowett says.

For more than 20 years, the Bayou has always stuck to their mission from the start. They’ve never tried to say they were a gourmet restaurant trying to attract fine diners, they aim to serve post-college graduates and young adults in Manayunk, Jowett says. “We saw that post-college graduates were moving to this area and we wanted a place like where I grew up,” Jowett says. “The neighborhood, staple bar where you could still get something to eat, you can hang out with your friends, and you can take your family if you stay here.”

Interested in learning more about the Bayou? Check out their website here.