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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 22% of the 143 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 | View on Yelp · 3★ from 99 reviews |
| 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 closed in November 2011 after failing to secure a liquor license and amid landlord issues. The bar had been renamed Sheer during the rescue, but the owners reverted to Swanky Bubbles very quickly.
What happened next
The Sheer name did not survive the rescue. Owner John 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 in November 2011.
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 22% of the 143 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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