Bookshelf

Tonight, Belly Up to ‘The Regulars’

McGlinchey's regular Robert Fleeger
McGlinchey’s regular Robert Fleeger Photo: Sarah Stolfa

Of all the many dive bars in Philly, McGlinchey’s out-dives them all - including Dirty Frank’s, Bob & Barbara’s and The Dive. Where else will bike messengers sneer at you, waitresses snarl at you and cigarette smoke force itself down your throat until the only cure is to drink more cheap beer and down a dirty water hot dog?

Yes, it’s awful, but a special, lovable Philly kind of awful. And now photographer Sarah Stolfa has unleashed its magnificent awfulness on world with her book, The Regulars. The Drexel grad and longtime McGlinchey’s bartender, has been photographing her clientele for the past several years; the results have been bundled into a book with an introduction by author Jonathan Franzen. Gallery 339 is hosting a launch party for The Regulars tonight from 6-8 p.m. No word on whether dirty water dogs will be served, but Stolfa will be there signing books.

Tonight, Belly Up to ‘The Regulars’