On a stretch of the Delaware River that has seen little nightlife activity since Festival Pier closed, a new bar has opened its doors. Lucky Duck began serving customers on March 18 at 501 N. Columbus Blvd., located inside the Rivermark apartment complex near the intersection of Spring Garden Street and North Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Its grand opening on Wednesday night drew a large crowd.
From its position at street level, the bar looks out toward the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The riverfront view, long present but rarely paired with evening activity, now frames a space designed around food, drinks, and gathering.
The business is the second Philadelphia bar from the team behind Libertee Grounds in Francisville, which opened five years ago. That earlier concept combined mini golf with craft beer and an Asian fusion kitchen known for its lamb kheema cheesesteak. For this new project, the group partnered with the owner and executive chef of Sidecar Bar and Grill to introduce a tavern-style spot along the water.
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Lucky Duck operates as a bar first. The food menu centers on tavern-style thin-crust pizza, described as crispy and influenced by North Jersey-style pizza bars. A few additional dishes round out the offerings, including items such as duck bolognese and steak frites. On Fridays and Saturdays, after the kitchen closes, an indoor “hot slices” window serves late-night pizza.
Drink options include cocktails, wine, sparkling selections, and a Guinness pour. The layout includes a bar area, dining space, and a small room with a dart board. Near the entrance, an arcade claw machine filled with rubber duckies adds a playful detail to the setting. Outdoor seating is planned for warmer months, extending the space toward the river.
Lucky Duck is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from noon to 1 a.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Both reservations and walk-ins are accepted.
The opening introduces a new activity to this section of Columbus Boulevard, placing a working bar and restaurant directly along the waterfront with clear views of the bridge and river.
