Philadelphia Dive Bar Raises Minimum Age to 25

Owner says the change was needed to combat underage drinking and disruptive behavior.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Dirty Franks, a beloved dive bar in Philadelphia, has raised its minimum age requirement from 21 to 25 years old. The owner, Jody Sweitzer, says she noticed an increase in unruly behavior from a younger crowd using fake IDs, prompting the change. While some patrons support the decision, others who are just under the new age limit are unhappy about not being able to access the bar.

Why it matters

The move by Dirty Franks highlights the challenges bars face in preventing underage drinking and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for their regular customers. As fake IDs become more sophisticated, some establishments are taking stricter measures to keep out those who are not of legal drinking age.

The details

Dirty Franks, a popular dive bar in Philadelphia, has raised its minimum age requirement from 21 to 25 years old. Owner Jody Sweitzer says she noticed an increase in disruptive behavior from a younger crowd using undetectable fake IDs, prompting the change. The bar is also in the process of getting a more advanced ID scanner to help detect fake IDs. While some patrons, like 25-year-old Elijah Calhoun, support the decision, others just under the new age limit, like 24-year-old Ryan Cooperman, are unhappy about not being able to access the bar.

  • Dirty Franks raised its minimum age requirement about two weeks ago.

The players

Jody Sweitzer

The owner of Dirty Franks bar in Philadelphia.

Elijah Calhoun

A 25-year-old patron of Dirty Franks bar who supports the new age requirement.

Ryan Cooperman

A 24-year-old patron of Dirty Franks bar who is unhappy about not being able to access the bar due to the new age requirement.

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What they’re saying

“These were not 21-year-olds. They don't want to be in a bar. They just want to be obnoxious … bringing in their own booze, vaping, just not abiding by being in public as a normal person. It just kind of made us understand that there's something wrong.”

— Jody Sweitzer, Owner of Dirty Franks bar (kttc.com)

“I mean, 25, it's a number for sure, but I believe it was needed. A lot of people in here who shouldn't be in here, who don't know how to behave.”

— Elijah Calhoun, 25-year-old patron (kttc.com)

“I'm 24. I've been there before. I've never caused a fuss. I've never caused a problem. My ID is real. It's like the Prohibition Era. Like, what is this?”

— Ryan Cooperman, 24-year-old patron (kttc.com)

What’s next

The bar's owner says she is also in the process of getting a more advanced scanner that can detect fake IDs. Until then, the bar plans to stick with its new rule of admitting only people 25 and older.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges bars face in preventing underage drinking and maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for their regular customers. As fake IDs become more sophisticated, some establishments are taking stricter measures, like raising the minimum age requirement, to keep out those who are not of legal drinking age.