Dobbs on South closes after sexual assault allegations in Philadelphia

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Dobbs on South has closed permanently following a sexual assault allegation earlier this year that devastated the business financially, the bar owner has said.

The bar, located at 304 South St., closed in mid-June, owner Ron Dangler said. Its closure was officially announced on social media on Tuesday in a post thanking staff members, entertainment promoters and bands who performed on site.

You mean the world to us, the message read. Thank you all for believing in us.

Dobbs’ closure came about five months after a Philadelphia woman alleged a bar worker served her drinks and sexually assaulted her after an indie rock performance. This investigation is still ongoing.

The allegations led to a swift reaction for Dobbs on South, with dozens of bands scheduled to play there canceling or moving their shows. The response from the local music community had a serious impact on the bar’s revenue, and it was unable to recover financially, Dangler said.

The issue has worsened an already tight budget situation for Dobbs, who also saw his bottom line last summer following a mass shooting on South Street in which three people were killed and 11 others injured. As Dobbs recovered from a downturn in business after the shooting, the sexual assault allegations came.

It was a nail in the coffin situation, Dangler said. We couldn’t stay ahead of everything.

As a result of the allegations, Dangler added, the bar lost sponsorships, bookings and around 70% of its staff, who had to look for other work to make ends meet due to declining business. As a result, the bar fell behind in its operating overhead and was unable to earn enough money to continue. In March, Dangler put the bar up for sale, but despite a number of interested parties, no one ultimately bought it.

Another bar operator, whom Dangler would not name, partnered with Dobbs to run the bar earlier this year, but the business was ultimately unable to overcome debt and financial issues. Then, in mid-May, a lien holder seized Dobbs’ liquor license, and it was later sold, Dangler said. After that, despite trying to stay afloat and find a new license, it was all over.

Now the building owner has taken over the property and the bar is completely finished at this point, Dangler said. While Dangler doesn’t plan on bringing Dobbs back, he hasn’t ruled out his return to someone else’s hands.

Who’s to say there won’t be another version of Dobbs on the road, Dangler said. The turnkey buildings we have done all the work. They just have to come up with a new license.

It would not be the first time.

Originally opened in the 1970s as JC Dobbs, the bar became something of a legendary music venue in Philadelphia, hosting pre-arena shows for bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis and Green Day before they only get big. This iteration ended in 1996.

It was later sold and renamed the Pontiac Bar & Grill, which closed in 2005. This business reopened under new management in 2010, borrowing from the original name the Legendary Dobbs, but closed in 2015.

The building remained vacant until 2021 when it reopened as Dobbs on South.

Dangler, a retired military veteran, said he wasn’t sure what was next for him. His time with Dobbs on South used up a nest egg he had saved up, he said, and wiped him out financially. But he tries to stay positive.

I’m starting from scratch and thinking about what’s next for me, Dangler said. I believe in karma. In the end, I think things will work out for me down the road.

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