In 2018, a Philadelphia bar known locally as “Old Philly” attracted attention after displaying a provocative message on its front window: “If you’re not proud to be an American, do not bother to come in.” The sign quickly sparked debate among locals and visitors, with some seeing it as a patriotic statement while others viewed it as unnecessarily exclusionary.

According to a report by Philadelphia Magazine, one evening a customer named Victor Fiorillo entered the bar for a drink and noticed the sign. While he was there, another patron walked toward the jukebox and announced that he was a former firefighter and joked about being Mexican before selecting Lee Greenwood’s 1984 patriotic song “God Bless the USA.” As the music began playing, people throughout the bar joined in and sang along.

The bar had long been known as a neighborhood establishment and promoted itself as a place with an old-fashioned, patriotic atmosphere. It also emphasized inexpensive drinks and a “hipster-free” identity, which became part of its unusual reputation. But the window sign generated criticism online after someone photographed it and shared the image with a local Philadelphia Facebook group.

Not everyone in the neighborhood felt comfortable with the message. Some residents said they would avoid the bar, particularly because they interpreted the sign as suggesting that certain people might not be welcome. The controversy ultimately showed how a simple statement on a business window could provoke very different reactions—some seeing it as an expression of patriotism, while others saw it as a reason to stay away.