An original Victorian bar in historic Old City, Philadelphia.
I was in Old City this weekend, filming a movie.
It’s a noir thriller… A tale of intrigue and surprising revelations.
Written by me. Also, directed, by me. And (obviously) starring me.
In other words – I started my Halloween post. AND IT IS AWESOME.
(last year’s Halloween front porch)
I am single-handedly redefining the phrase – stupendous magnificence.
Not to mention the phrase – making a spectacle of myself.
Clearly, Sassafras, on 2nd street in Old City is the only suitable setting for my masterpiece.
Originally a Longshoremen’s bar, within walking distance to Front Street, and almost to the Delaware River.
It’s operated as a bar & restaurant (with a brief stint as a speakeasy) continuously since it was built – sometime around 1870.
The bar survived Prohibition, and the midcentury design-plague known as paneling… But it nearly did not survive my attempts to dismantle all of it and shove it in my handbag.
I whispered to Paul – go get your chisel. I need to take this tile home.
Then I climbed up on the bar and hugged it.
And yes, that IS the original tin ceiling. And also why I always carry a GIANT handbag.
Old City is a few small blocks in Philadelphia… full of historic buildings and cobblestone streets, bars and restaurants, art galleries and coffee shops, and the kind of boutique that only sells useless stuff.
I used to go out here ALL the time, back when I was cool.
That would have been the early 2000’s. An unfortunate time when techno music was really popular, so that anywhere you went, you could not hear yourself think.
I met Paul, right around the corner from here, at the now-defunct Five Spot.
You cannot know the depth of my love for this place, without understanding that my original plan was to go to The Ritz. And film in their lobby/bar… really fast… before getting kicked out.
I cannot say I was looking forward to that.
At all.
And then, it turns out that The Ritz has done something horribly misguided with their interior design. Something that involves mirrored cubes and purple uplighting, and apparently it has been like that for a while… So I guess my preproduction team needs to get out more.
So I posted on Facebook – does anyone have a contact at a classic bar or restaurant in the city?
And not even two hours later, a total stranger wrote – my best friend owns Sassafras.
Sort of like if I had posted for a leading man… And Channing Tatum had responded– also known as the best possible scenario.
Aside from having perfect taste in friends, my total-stranger savior writes a food and cocktail blog. And if you are having a holiday party, you should be making her recipe for autumn-spiced cocktails.
And then you should invite me (and Channing) over.
When I finally finished and got back to the car, it was just like old times– I got a parking ticket.
Unlike old times, I did not get towed. Or forget which lot I parked in.
Or get hit on by any lacrosse players.
Also unlike old times, I had a husband cameraman in tow… And he was irritated that I did not set the alarm on my phone, like he told me to, to remind us that the meter was going to expire.
I was like – seriously? Do you think Al Pacino is responsible for feeding the meter?
Probably not.
So… if you live in Philadelphia. Or sometimes go to Philadelphia. Or one time you visited Philadelphia… I would LOVE to hear your favorite place.
But please leave out anywhere that is so unbearably pretentious it makes my teeth hurt.
(I am talking to you, Stephen Starr.)
October 22, 2013 @ 10:18 am
You know, people are going to start getting very nervous and anxious when they see you enter their establishment with a large bag and tools in tow!
October 22, 2013 @ 10:18 am
So when will we be able to see your film, Ms. Barnes? The location looks gorgeous, and I am suitably impressed/jealous.
October 22, 2013 @ 10:22 am
You of all people will appreciate my cinematic masterwork. The only way it could be better is if it was the sequel to Magic Mike.
October 22, 2013 @ 1:46 pm
I am *highly* anticipating your film debut. Keep us posted, doll!
October 22, 2013 @ 10:22 am
Glad you didn’t get towed. Like that one time…
October 22, 2013 @ 10:25 am
concrete evidence of my maturity.
October 22, 2013 @ 10:23 am
YOU M U S T HAVE IT!!!!
I KNOW it’s not on Craigslist…. but still….. you will find room for it! 🙂
October 22, 2013 @ 10:24 am
Love your blog! I mentioned you on FB.
https://www.facebook.com/LesliMess
October 22, 2013 @ 10:25 am
I absolutely cannot wait to see this movie!!
I love, love, love your blog! My only complaint is I wish you posted more!!!
October 22, 2013 @ 10:26 am
Love your blog! Also live in the area and my favorite old bar is McGillin’s. Many fun times there back when I was also cool.
October 22, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Jon Hamm is gonna be jealous – two mentions of Channing Tatum in here…
This looks stupendous and I am eagerly awaiting the Filmings to End All Filmings from the Sassafras. You make me want to visit Philadelphia.
Really. 🙂
October 22, 2013 @ 10:30 am
So glad that I had stumbled on to you from HOUZZ Blog. Love your style, ideas and humor. Can totally relate!!! I really enjoyed the photos of the bar…makes me homesick for old architecture….something we lack, here in Houston, TX! They are of the mind to tear down and replace with crap!! There is less and less of any remnants of original out here! We live in a 100 year old American Foursquare, which we purchased from an estate two years ago. It took about six months to empty out the deceased owners life, rip up carpets (GROSS) and have it painted. It is still almost a hopeless cause!!! Old bathroom and a kitchen done cheaply in 1970’s Home Depot (would have preferred the old!). But your renovations have held me strong! Anyway..just a note (which I have never done before!) to let you know that I am a fan for life!!! And thanks for posting about old Philly! I was born at the old Saint Agnas hospital in South Philadelphia and I STILL miss the east coast. Moved to Houston when I was 23 (married!) and have been here ever since! I am DEFINITELY not a suburban mentality gal, so I have to make my own way and usually they are waves!!!!! Take care, Thanks!!!!
October 22, 2013 @ 10:37 am
Oh Victoria. I don’t know why I didn’t think to tell you about this place earlier. It is a wonderland of old beautiful forgotten things. Things like fireplace surrounds, full bars, every type of furniture, hundreds of old seltzer bottles, and full stained glass windows. Did I mention all this is in a 3 floor warehouse? 3 floors of thinking you’re going to turn the corner, go back in time, and be horribly under-dressed. It’s massive, and terrify, and I want all of it. 715 North 2nd st. Architectural Antique Exchange. It’s less than a mile from where you were. You might want to bring some water and a handkerchief with you. You know, for when you faint on an antique fainting couch and need to fan yourself. My apologies to Paul in advance.
October 22, 2013 @ 10:45 am
PLEASE. If I win the lottery, I am just going to buy that place and move in. Then I will have everything I ever wanted. (And never have to clean.)
October 22, 2013 @ 10:38 am
Try the bar at the Washington House in Sellersville, Bucks County, similar to above but not quite as cool, although they have a great concert venue next door and the building has a nice Victorian tower. And, there’s a guy with architectural salvage on Route 113 in nearby Blooming Glen who is usually open weekends. An Autumn outing! And, there’s my friend Bill Baxter’s things at the Golden Nugget market on Route 29 near Titusville, N.J. Surely, you’ve visited the vast architectural salvage place in Northern Liberties with the GIANT things?
October 22, 2013 @ 10:41 am
Have you ever seen these? They might have your name written all over them.
http://www.decorativeceilingtiles.net/white-styrofoam-ceiling-tiles/
October 22, 2013 @ 10:42 am
Name a date and time and I’ll meet you there with a wagon. You can have the ceiling, I’ll take the woodwork.
Val
October 22, 2013 @ 10:42 am
I am in the midst of trying to create a similar bar into an 8 ft space. If you could fit the curved corner and an 8 ft section of the bar bottom (and possibly some of that brass foot rail) into your bag, I’d appreciate it.
I’ll spring for the shipping and any subsequent bail bonds. (The brass rail is not entirely necessary, as it is readily available new, so please don’t make any extra effort to get it)
You are THE BEST. I can’t wait to get all dressed up for the premiere of your opus!
October 22, 2013 @ 10:52 am
I’ve only been to Philadelphia once but it made an impression as a charming, old, other-wordly place. I didn’t get to see enough of it for long enough to give you a specific place that is my favorite, it was more like a moment. I was walking in one of those tiny alley ways that are now multi-million dollar condos (so I’m told) and I found myself stopped between two tiny doorways that remind me of all those BBC Dickens’ dramas and hanging above both of them were baskets of petunias and geraniums (I think, I just remember flowers). It was right there where I decided this was a fabulous place that I wanted to know better.
Here on the West coast, we have some places old and charming but mostly we have trees that are old. Which are charming in themselves, but you can’t fit them in your big handbag and set them up at home.
October 22, 2013 @ 11:15 am
I am too quaint to visit any place that is not unbelievably pretentious, so I leave you to your own devices dear Victoria. 😉
October 22, 2013 @ 11:19 am
I had a negative experience in Philadelphia in middle school and had an aversion to that city for a long time. Besides my mother and family are from Pittsburgh, so we are supposed to hate Philly, right? In the past five years I have been to Philadelphia several times, and I must say that I have had positive experiences. Unfortunately, I still don’t know the city well enough to give you any recommendations, but I hope to rectify that one day.
Are we going to get to see this movie?
October 22, 2013 @ 11:24 am
The Art Museum is an easy favorite, but we also love exploring the outer neighborhoods and seeing gems like the Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill.
October 22, 2013 @ 11:31 am
I’ve been loving your blog for a while but you won me for life with the S.S. comment. I’m a fan of the old, the REAL. The stitched together, a place with a story. Have no time for a house OR a restaurant that looks like there was an explosion at a bad TJ maxx. Warmth, charm and class can’t be assembled in a boardroom. Thanks for your voice!
October 22, 2013 @ 11:38 am
My dear. You never disappoint. Ever.