ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Love's Restaurant and Lounge, its owners said, was born out of the emotion in its name: Love.
It's Bazz Jarjous's third restaurant. He previously owned East Sider's Bar and Grill and Cuzin's Pub and Grill before transforming the former diner into Love's.
Jarjous said inspiration hit after he shut down the diner following the COVID-19 pandemic and turned space at the back of the restaurant, at 1019 Union Blvd., into a night club.
Several trips to Florida and New York City, where spaces like Love's are more common, and Jarjous said he knew he wanted to bring a concept like that to the Lehigh Valley.
"So I kind of just wanted to bring something different to the Valley," Jarjous said. "There's really nothing like this thing in the area."
The night club part of the restaurant still exists, complete with lounge areas and a DJ booth, which likely will feature appearances from co-founder and DJ Brianna Morales.
The two met in 2017 when Morales began working for JarJous and kept in touch since. Around that same time, Morales continued building up her DJ career, where she was known as DJ BriLove.
"Five years, six years in, he sat me down for an opportunity and was like, 'How about partnering up?'"Love's Restaurant and Lounge co-owner Brianna Morales
"Five years, six years in, he sat me down for an opportunity and was like, 'How about partnering up?'" Morales said.
Enter Love's Restaurant and Lounge, a play on Morales' known DJ name and one that represents the pair's passionate work ethic.
"That's where that originated from," Morales said. "Just a brand, just a lifestyle based on this love bringing people together, socializing with drinks and music."
Set apart from other area establishments
The two said they want to preserve that energy within the space.
A variety of unusual features are strewn throughout the restaurant, including a glowing bar top, an Instagram-able bench with a backdrop that reads "Mas Amor, Por favor" — which means "more love, please" — a water feature sign and a sushi bar.
All that exists alongside restaurant classics such as cheesesteaks, nachos, quesadillas and salads.
As time goes on, Jarjous said, he hopes to bring in "different talents," such as a belly dancer or a saxophone player, to keep the Love's experience special.
That atmosphere is what Jarjous and Morales said they hope sets the restaurant apart from other bars in the area.
A slew of violence in the surrounding area — some occurring near late-night establishments — drew scrutiny from the community over the past year.
In January 2023, a shooting on Union Boulevard killed a 28-year-old woman. Months later, a fatal stabbing in June 2023 closed Synergy Hookah Lounge at 1522 Union Blvd.
"A lot of that stuff is what they call 'after hours. We're not an after-hours spot. We're open until 2 a.m. [Those spots] that's nothing to do with us, we're totally different."Love's co-owner Bazz Jarjous
"A lot of that stuff is what they call 'after hours,'" Jarjous said. "We're not an after-hours spot. We're open until 2 a.m. [Those spots] that's nothing to do with us, we're totally different."
The restaurant's late-night hours and dress code are designed to discourage violent activity.
The fatal stabbing outside of Synergy Hookah Lounge took place about 2:55 a.m. on a Sunday — a timeframe outside of Love's set night club hours, which operates exclusively from Thursday through Saturday.
And customers who dine there are likely "dressed their best to feel their best," Morales said, not incite violence.
'I love it here'
The dress code, posted outside the restaurant and on social media, does not allow sweat pants, joggers, athletic/active wear, swimwear, tank tops, crocs, flip flops, slides, durags, ski masks or hoods worn over the head.
Ultimately, Jarjous and Morales said they just want to bring an elevated experience to the Lehigh Valley's restaurant landscape. So far, they said, their customers' rave reviews seem to prove that dream come true.
When you walk in the host area, we have the touch of our slogan 'I love it here' to bring on [the sense] that's what we really want: for you to do what you love.Love's Restaurant and Lounge co-founder Brianna Morales
If what the pair hear from word-of-mouth isn't enough, Love's Restaurant and Lounge currently boasts of a five-star rating with nine reviews on Google and two rave reviews on Facebook, just over a week after opening.
"From the professionalism when I called in down to the food and music," Joseph Herrera said in a five-star review. "Took my mom and sister here and they had a great time! Highly recommended!"
Just like the restaurant slogan, Jarjous and Morales said they hope their customers "love it here."
"When you walk in the host area, we have the touch of our slogan 'I love it here' to bring on [the sense] that's what we really want: for you to do what you love," Morales said.
