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Sheer
Sheer (originally Swanky Bubbles) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has closed. It closed in November 2011 — 3 months after its Bar Rescue episode first aired. Its run exceeded 23% of the 141 rescued bars with a recorded closing date.
The episode
| Status | Closed (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Episode | "Swanky Troubles" |
| Season | Season 1, Episode 5 |
| Originally aired | August 14, 2011 |
| Original name | Swanky Bubbles |
| Relaunched as | Sheer |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Address | 10 S Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Yelp | As Swanky Bubbles |
| Google reviews | Read reviews on Google |
Key dates
- August 14, 2011Bar Rescue episode “Swanky Troubles” airs — Jon Taffer's rescue of Swanky Bubbles, relaunched as Sheer, filmed earlier.
- November 2011Closed.
The rescue
Jon Taffer relaunched Swanky Bubbles as Sheer.
Swanky Bubbles, briefly renamed Sheer during the rescue, closed in November 2011. Its liquor license had become inactive amid a dispute with the landlord, and tax liens had been filed against the bar.
What happened next
The Sheer name did not survive the rescue. Owner John Frankowski reverted to Swanky Bubbles almost immediately after Taffer left Philadelphia, and the bar continued trading under its original name. Reviews were mediocre: a 3-star average across 99 Yelp reviews spanning the period before and after the visit, with recent reviews mixed to negative. The bar also relied heavily on discount promotions, including Groupon deals, to draw customers. Swanky Bubbles closed around November 2011, a few months after its episode aired. Its liquor license had become inactive amid a dispute with the landlord, who claimed the license belonged to the property, and tax liens had also been filed against the bar.
Quick answers
Is Sheer still open?
Sheer (originally Swanky Bubbles) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has closed. It closed in November 2011 — 3 months after its Bar Rescue episode first aired. Its run exceeded 23% of the 141 rescued bars with a recorded closing date.
What did Jon Taffer rename Swanky Bubbles?
Jon Taffer relaunched Swanky Bubbles under a new name: Sheer. The rescue is Bar Rescue season 1, Episode 5 (“Swanky Troubles”), first aired August 14, 2011.
When did Sheer close?
Sheer closed in November 2011.
Where is Sheer located?
Sheer was located at 10 S Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
Sources: Reality TV Revisited · Reality TV Updates · Yelp · Wikipedia episode list. Compiled October 2026; cross-checked against local reporting and each bar's own web presence where available.
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