The Philadelphia Daily News did a nostalgic article last week on the relocation of the venerable Vesper Club from its century old location on Sydenham Street to a location around the corner - a move that upset many of the old time members. This comfortable watering hole was created as a result of the Pennsylvania "Blue Laws" which decreed that all bars and pubs could not dispense on Sunday. So, unless you were esconced in a hotel, if you had a need to slake your thirst, you would need membership in a "private" club such as this. However, gaining membership was not easy as there was always a waiting list as I discovered when I applied. Coincidentally, it so happened that my aunt's family physician was booked to sail to Ireland on the U.S. Lines S.S. AMERICA - the flagship of my employer at the time. My boss interceded with the passenger department to have Doctor and spouse placed on the "commend list" which entitled them to certain perks during the voyage i.e. the Captain's cocktail party and added attention from the stewards and pursers. The aforementioned physician was a Vesper Club member of long standing and - yada yada yada (as Seinfeld would say) I soon had my sought after membership and entertained clients in comfort on many occasions. There would be a Sunday brunch before Eagles games with buses to take guests to and from the game and for "afters" which could last into the evening. My guests were always amused by the sliding eye panel on the formidable front door reminiscent of speakeasy days. Local politicians broke bread there, deals were made on the tablecloths and friendships forged for a lifetime. It was a great era.
tjs
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