SET Hospitality is expanding beyond New York City with the debut of their first out of market concept right here in Philadelphia. SET NoLibs will make its official grand debut this Friday, August 21, 2020 at 3:00pm at 1030 N. 2nd Street in Liberties Walk. SET NoLibs aims to present a unique, relaxing and interactive dining and drink experience in a spacious, colorful and hip atmosphere. For their Philadelphia grand opening, owners of SET Hospitality have partnered locally with management partners Glu Hospitality for the new location. SET NoLibs launches with dinner, brunch and drink service. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 3:00pm to 10:00pm, and Friday through Sunday, 12:00pm to 10:00pm. From the launch, outdoor dining, take-out and pick-up, delivery and cocktails to go are available. Delivery is available via Seamless, Grubhub, Caviar, Doordash and UberEats. Reservations are available by calling 646-715-4986. Reservations on Open Table will go live starting next week. Stay tuned for social media for more info and final menus. Engage with SET NoLibs on Instagram and Facebook at @set_nolibs.

Set Nolibs, New Restaurant, Northern Liberties

"SET Hospitality is thrilled to join the amazing dining scene in Northern Liberties and in the city of Philadelphia," said SET Hospitality Managing Partner Michael Tang. "While visiting Philadelphia and dining out numerous times, I really enjoyed and appreciated the food scene. From really authentic vietnamese cuisines to high end steakhouses and unique bars, I felt like the level of restaurants and hospitality groups were definitely on par with what we have in New York City. We were so impressed we wanted to be part of the talent and energy here. What really drew us into Philadelphia was the city’s unique camaraderie and culture. I felt that the city’s acceptance of ethnic cuisines was a well blended melting pot for everyone. Expanding was already in our plans and an opportunity was presented to me in Northern Liberties. I fell in love with the area and felt like our concept and unique culinary offerings would be a great addition to the area."

When open this Friday, SET NoLibs will feature nearly 2,400+ square feet of indoor space, including the dining room, bar, bar lounge and private event space. The dining room is ready to open as soon as local and state officials give the green light. For outdoor seating, SET offers expansive sidewalk seating on 2nd Street, an extended and festive parklette/ streetery on 2nd Street, and seating in the Liberties Walk courtyard.

SET NoLibs joins the massive stretch of N. 2nd Street that is now filled with the most outdoor dining and parklettes in the entire city of Philadelphia along one main stretch. This area has also become a hot spot for socially distanced outdoor dining as it coincided with no cars on that stretch of second street due to a road closure around Girard and 2nd - so it organically made this stretch car free at the present time.

From the kitchen, enjoy an Asian-fusion menu of elevated bar and gastropub favorites. Menu offerings include shareables, sliders, skewers, seafood, tacos and wings all made with only the best, hand-picked ingredients to ensure quality and freshness. Signature dishes include Bulgogi Cheesesteak Sliders (Korean BBQ Marinated Sliced Ribeye, Bell Peppers, & Tex Mex Cheese with Chipotle Mayo), Jalapeno Cheeseburger Springrolls, Thai Chili Sriracha Wings (Eat At Your Own Risk), Bahn Mi Chicken Tacos (Lemongrass Chicken with Pickled Carrots, Cucumbers, Cilantro, & Sriracha Aioli), New York City Chopped Cheese Tacos (Ground Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Tater Tots, Pico De Gallo, & Chipotle Aioli), Skewers, Charbroiled Oysters, Cajun Garlic Buttered Clams and much more.

Right out of the gate, SET will launch in Northern Liberties with a must-try brunch menu including Steak and Eggs Skillet (Vietnamese Buttered Skirt Steak, Sriracha Garlic Home Fries, 2 Sunny-Side Eggs), Pat Lafrieda 30 Day Dry Aged Burger (Bacon, American Cheese, Caramelized Onion, Sunny-Side Egg, & Garlic Aioli on A Brioche Bun, with Choice of Home Fries, Tots, or Waffle Fries) and Fried Breakfast Wontons (Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, & Caramelized Onions).

From the bar, sip on unique and well-balanced craft cocktails that feature SET's own spin on the classics, plus playful selections that pair with the Asian-influenced cuisine. A full selection of craft beer, wines by the glass and other beverages are also available - including frozen cocktails during the heat of the summer months. Signature cocktails include Lychee Martini, Jalapenos Popper and Cheeky Tiki.

For vibe, SET NoLibs looks to expand on what a neighborhood restaurant and sports bar typically looks and feels like inside. SET NoLibs features one-of-a-kind art and light installations that were created with help from local artists that spotlight local sports teams and iconic city scenes. Interior design by Anne White of AGW Interiors who did Blume, Tinsel, Tradesman's and Leda and the Swan.

Tang said, "At SET, we aim to present a fresh vibe to a classic idea. Whether it's a date night, celebrating a birthday, night out with friends or watching a game on our 10+ tv’s, we want to be the neighborhood go to spot to enjoy a satisfying meal and drinks. We look forward to being a second home where everyone knows your name. While we want to cater to our local neighbors, and present a relaxing vibe, we wanted to also present a visually appealing, colorful and artful atmosphere that is truly unique and special that you can't experience anywhere else."

Come ready with your phone charged as the food, cocktails and atmosphere all come Instagram ready! For SET's Northern Liberties location, SET Hospitality worked with White for an interior and atmosphere that was fun, bright and energetic. The walls are covered with both Philadelphia Sports themes and iconic scenes of Philadelphia. Decorative lighting was installed and there are several light installations and selfie walls including the main wall that is lit up with Ready Set Go! plus a second feature wall that says Be Bad Until You Are Good, and Be Good Until You Are Great. The bar is 25 feet long and features a custom concrete bartop. The space design was meant to be casual, artsy, hip, colorful and welcoming with bright orange and yellow, blues, and teals. Two sculpted walls of vintage road bikes are painted bright yellow as guests transition from the bar to the private dining room that faces the inside of Liberties Walk. Local graffiti artist Dave Henry drew inspiration from Philadelphia's local sports teams and well as some iconic city scenes and figures of Philadelphia

Tang said, "SET was created as a neighborhood restaurant and sports bar that was a spot for locals to hang out, feel comfortable and relax. Through the design process, we wanted to reinvent and expand on the definition of what a typical neighborhood sports bar looks and feels like. I wanted it to be approachable, fun and energizing - with lots of memorable features and original art mixed in with the sports memorabilia. We also wanted to give a nod to local iconic images and sports teams. We look forward to safe, socially distanced indoor dining so guests can see what we have prepared for them."

For SET NoLibs, SET Hospitality has partnered locally with management partners Glu Hospitality for the new location - Glu partnered last week for the opening of Anejo, they have Germantown Garden, Leda and the Swan, Hunnies Crispy Chicken, Vesper Day Club, Vesper Center City and other concepts. Glu Hospitality will announce and open another new food concept in Northern Liberties this fall. Stay tuned for more information.

SET Hospitality also owns the original SET L.E.S. in New York's Lower East Side at 127 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

SET owners have health and safety at top of mind both for employees and patrons. All employees must wear masks at all times, and customers must wear masks whenever they step away from their table. Bathrooms are sanitized every 15 minutes. All dishes, utensils, and glassware are run through high temp dishwashers that sanitize while cleaning. Single disposable alternates are also available upon requests. Employees sanitize tables fully after each seating.

Tang added, "We take everyone’s temperatures every day upon their arrival. Employees must wear masks at all times and sanitize constantly. We will continue to follow all local and state health recommendations and evolve our process as needed for everyone's health and safety."

SET NOLIBS TEAM

Management Team:
General Manager - John Barry
Beverage Director - Megan Mc Cloy
Executive Chef - Jose Cruz
Managing Partner - Michael Tang
Partners/ Owners - Michael Tang and Peter Wong
Management Partners - Glu Hospitality