Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in June 2018.
While Victor Fiorillo went out for a drink at night, he decided to go to the Old Philadelphia Bar in the City of Brotherly Love. He wanted a beer and some good company, but when he saw the sign etched on the window, it gave him pause. Nevertheless, he went inside and voted with his dollars by buying a beer, and that’s when a man spoke up so the whole bar could hear him.
Interior of the ‘Old Philly’ Bar, Photo Credit: Philly Mag
And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the USA
The bar tries to stand by the values listed in the song. That is why Victor Fiorillo noticed the sign emblazoned on the front of the building when he first walked in.
Decal of the bar’s controversial message on the window, Photo Credit: Philly Mag
The bar has been a staple in its Philadelphia neighborhood for decades. However, this sign is a new addition to the classic bar. They just want people to know that they’re about to be greeted with patriotic good cheer when they step inside.
The bar is proud to be hipster-free. It attacks “real men,” and not yuppies and the working professionals who are quickly infiltrating the neighborhood and ruining everything in sight.
One Google review put it succinctly, “Not overrun with hipster douchebags. And even if you do see some hipster douche McDouchebags, they know to keep their abject stupidity to themselves.”
The exterior of the ‘Old Philly’ Bar from street view, Photo Credit: Philly Mag
Locals are even afraid of the bar if they are not white men. A woman from Fairmount knows about the bar nicknamed “Old Philly” and said she would not go because she has an Indian boyfriend with a beard.
The bar manager doesn’t seem to get what all the fuss is about. As a bartender told Fiorillo, “If you’re in this county, you should be proud to be an American.”
What do you think of the sign?
Sources: Philly Mag