Anthony’s Café, located at the corner of Oxford and Girard, has been serving patrons, sponsoring local athletics, and acting as a gathering place for the community for over sixty-five years.  That makes Anthony’s Café, which spans three generations, the oldest family owned bar in Fishtown.

The Zysk family has owned the Café since 1947 when family matriarch, Mary Zysk, a first generation Polish immigrant purchased it.  Mary decided to name the tavern after her husband Antonio (Anthony).  The bar was later taken over by Mary’s son Anthony (also known as George) and his wife Agnes in the 1960s.

Mary’s grandson, Joey, took over the bar in the 1980s. Joe Zysk had been tending bar in his family’s café since he was eighteen.  Joe is one of three children of Anthony and the late Agnes.  Joe’s older sister Arlene, who also tended bar, still lives above the Café with her husband Pat Hart and their son Daniel.  Joe Zysk now resides in Bucks County with his wife Heather and their three children.

For Joe, owning and running a bar has always been about family and friends.  His childhood friends have been with him since the very beginning.  Greg Fox, Ricky Spross, and Billy Spross grew up with Joe; they went to school together, played sports together, and twenty years later, they are still working at the Café tending bar.

Part of owning a successful bar means being able to expand the business and keep up with the demands of new patrons.  The Café has gone through many changes over the years, the biggest change being in 2009 when a backroom was added-complete with new flat screen TVs, more seating, and brand new restroom facilities.

Going back to the late 70s and early 80s, Anthony’s has always played a major role in the Fishtown community, donating to charities and sponsoring all types of local organizations.  Anthony’s has sponsored dozens and dozens of athletic teams; everything from bowling and shuffleboard teams to basketball and softball.

Most recently, the Café has sponsored an old-timers or “over 50” softball game at Hetzell’s field.  The event, which is organized by Greg Fox, is now in its second year.  Last year’s game was such a huge success, bringing back so many of the old familiar faces from days past at the Café that they decided to make it an annual event.  This year’s “old-timers” game will be held on Saturday, May 5th from noon until 7 PM.

Like many of the Philadelphia neighborhoods, Fishtown has experienced a kind of renaissance over the past five to ten years.  Part of this rebirth has been an infusion of younger people into the neighborhood that are looking for more than what the traditional corner bar has to offer.  This new generation of bar patrons wants a wider selection of beer choices (including micro beers), more food choices, and DJs or live bands.  As a result, bars like Anthony’s Cafe are becoming scarce.

Recognizing  this reality, Joe and the Zysk family decided it was time to step aside and make a graceful exit from the bar business.   Fortunately for Joe, one of his lifelong friends, Kenny Hepworth, was in the market for a bar of his own.

Kenny’s vision of a Fishtown bar was very similar to that of Joe’s.  Kenny was not looking to reinvent Anthony’s. Kenny wanted to maintain the history and traditions of Anthony’s but simply use his experience and social contacts to bring in more patrons.

For both Joe Zysk and Kenny Hepworth, the arrangement was a winner.  Anthony’s would essentially remain Anthony’s, but Kenny would infuse new life into the bar by implementing his own ideas and bringing his many loyal followers into the Café.  Joe and Kenny even made a deal to keep Joe’s old bartenders in place while adding Kenny’s own bartenders.  Joey himself has even remained on board and continues to tend bar.

In the meantime, Kenny has wasted no time in implementing some of his ideas.  The beer taps are operational again for the first time in three years.  There is now a DJ every Friday and Saturday night after 9 PM.  There has even been a live band at the Café already.  Other things that Kenny has talked about are guest/celebrity bartenders, Quizzo trivia, karaoke, and last Friday night Kenny announced the First Annual Anthony’s Beer Olympics to be held on May 19th.

So for those who loved the old Anthony’s Café, the good news is it is not going anywhere.  And for those who are looking for something more, Kenny Hepworth promises you will not be disappointed.

Anthony’s Café is located at 319 East Girard Avenue. They are opened Mon thru Sat from 9 Am until 2 Am, and on Sun from 11 am until midnight.

You can “like” Anthony’s Cafe on their new Facebook page, Anthony’s Cafe Philly.