Philadelphia-based GuestCounts Hospitality, the company behind the popular Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar brand, has acquired three Philadelphia area full-service restaurants from Ohio-based Paladar Restaurant Group. GuestCounts officially took ownership of Paladar Latin Kitchen in King of Prussia and Bomba Taco + Bar in Malvern and Newtown on March 27, 2025.
“It’s a deal that was nearly two years in the making. Since the acquisition we have been gearing up to bring new energy, improvements, and a local perspective that will enhance the guest experience at all three locations,” said Barry Gutin, principal & co-founder of GuestCounts Hospitality. “As long-time Philadelphia operators, taking over management from a Midwest-owned group gives us the opportunity to bring our local history, knowledge, and connections to these already very successful concepts.”
In addition to funding the purchase, GuestCounts’ partners Barry Gutin, Larry Cohen, and Bob Gallo committed at least a combined half million dollars in improvements for the three concepts. At Paladar, physical upgrades include a new sound system, additional bar area televisions, and improved patios and lounge areas. The two Bomba locations also are being outfitted with newly enhanced sound and additional televisions, new video signage displaying cheeky taco and tequila sayings daily, and enhanced outdoor seating options.
Gutin noted that GuestCounts will crank up the vibe at their newly acquired restaurants. “We’re bringing more fun and energy to Paladar and Bomba, enhancing celebration dining experiences and introducing new late evening happy hours and late night weekend events to the suburbs.” He added that there will be ongoing culinary collaborations between the Cuba Libre, Paladar, and Bomba teams. “We’ll share food and beverage recipes, including bringing inspiration from Cuba Libre’s amazing empanadas and award-winning mojito recipes to our new restaurants.”
GuestCounts will bring enhanced catering and private party options to the three suburban locations, calling upon culinary and operational experience gained in founding Brûlée Catering by Chef Jean Marie Lacroix and growing it to a regional leader before it was sold to a division of Comcast in 2017.
The three partners have also been leaders in the Philadelphia nightlife scene as owners or operators of some of the most storied nightlife venues going back decades, including Pulsations Nightclub (Glen Mills, PA), Egypt on the Waterfront, Shampoo Nightclub, 32⁰ Luxe Lounge, Élan (Philadelphia) and Touché Nightclub (King of Prussia). “Today’s upscale guests increasingly seek IRL social interactions in smaller, less glitzy venues, such as restaurants and bars. We will use our nightlife experience to bring more energy and social ‘magic’ to the bar areas of our newly acquired restaurants, particularly during later hours,” noted Gutin.
Beginning Friday, June 20, Paladar’s already successful and newly upgraded bar, lounge, and covered patio will be reintroduced as “610 SOCIAL Bar + Lounge” with programming geared to the many corporate workers and professionals residing in and around King of Prussia. To promote new, later operating hours, 610 SOCIAL will adopt the tagline “King of Prussia’s New Last Call,” highlighting a second, later “610 Happy Hour” Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 to 10 p.m., with Paladar’s popular bartenders DJing until 11 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays rotating DJs will spin decades of top 40 and Latin hits from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and $10 late night menu items and $10 featured drinks will be offered 8:30 p.m. to midnight.
At both Bombas, Gutin said “Everything is going to be ‘extra’ with an edgy narrative and updated décor, focusing on the mischievous side of tacos and tequilas. “Our name has evolved from Bomba Taco + Bar to Bomba ¡Tacos + Tequila!, reflecting our deeper commitment to tequila-centric mixology and to delivering an experience that is well beyond ‘basic.’”
Beginning in July, both Bombas will extend their hours, with the addition of the brand’s ¡Tequila Time! happy hour from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. At the Newtown location, expanded outdoor seating will feature a view of the Village at Newtown’s public amphitheater. In Malvern, guests will enjoy new fire pit dining tables that will warm guests on cooler nights, a special s’mores menu, and great views of the entertainment provided during the warm weather season at The Grove’s public green.
The GuestCounts team has enhanced online reservation availability at the three restaurants. At Bombas, online reservations are being offered for the first time, while at Paladar party size availability has been increased. Both will now offer bookings for groups of up to 12 people. Larger groups seeking reservations at the restaurants will be directed to the sales department for special attention. Gift cards purchased at any of the GuestCounts Hospitality restaurants – whether before the acquisition or after – will now be valid at any Cuba Libre, Paladar, or Bomba.
