While we weren’t looking, South St. watering hole Copabanana turned 30 this fall. As she gets older, she grows more mature. To wit: on October 12, they opened an upstairs Tapas and Wine Bar called Coconut Grove with Chef Nicquan Church who used to sling hash at El Vez and Alma De Cuba. What year is this? How long have we been asleep?

We will always remember Copa as the place that had awesomely delicious, craptastic Margaritas that came with a full shaker of MORE MARGARITA. Make no mistake, the Stephen Starr ‘here’s a tiny shaker of Martini’ touch was stolen from this dive that invented it for different reasons entirely. They like their patrons slurrifically tipped. They also have really good Garlic Bubble Bread, which pairs well with cursing and spilling your whole fucking drink on the window sill.

With a vibe that teetered between trashy and downright dangerous, the crowd was usually one wrong look away from all-out bedlam, which, if you think about it is a Philadelphia microcosm. We’ve heard tons of stories about Copa nights, from accidentally picking up trannies to marfing in the marg shaker because the bathroom line was too long. One thing they all have in common: you only committed these acts because you were so decked you couldn’t see. We’re proud to say it, guilty pleasure and all: We love the Copabanana. Happy Birthday, you dirty and drunk harlot.