The Philadelphians M.C.

In April of 1974, a small group of men in Philadelphia began meeting on a regular basis to "bind together ... in a brotherhood of fraternal fellowship." By October, the group had grown to 19, and these original 19 men became the Charter Members of a new back-patch leather club, the Philadelphians MC.

The Philadelphians MC has continued this tradition by actively participating with and engaging in our community locally, regionally and nationally.

The original home bar of Philadelphians M.C. was The Post located at 1705 Chancellor Street. The club had its first public social at The Post on Monday, February 24, 1975. In 1977 the club moved its home bar to The 247 Bar, located below the apartment where their club was founded at 247 S. 17th Street (the 247 closed in 1996 and is now home to an Irish pub). In 1982, the club moved its home to The Bike Stop. The Bike Stop was opened by one of the club’s members, the late Ron Lord, and its first manager was former Captain John Rocco. Ron converted The Bike Stop from a drag performance bar into a leather bar. The stage where the drag entertainers performed is now home to a pool table, and Ron Lord’s motorcycle still hangs from the ceiling.

Two traditions stand out in the history of Philadelphians M.C. cocktail parties. From its very first anniversary party (October 1976) Philadelphians M.C. has had a propensity to host cocktail parties at bathhouses. This second year anniversary of the club was celebrated at the Barracks Baths on Sansom Street. This tradition was revived over New Year’s 1998-99 with the club incorporating bathhouse parties into its New Year’s run, Tri-Cen XIII.

The other tradition is a special cocktail, created first by Frank DeAngelis, known as the Philadelphia Freedom. This potent cocktail has a secret recipe known only to a few select club members. In the early 1980’s A.M.C.C. became concerned that clubs were competing to create the most potent cocktail punch. So well-liked throughout the A.M.C.C., the Philadelphia Freedom cocktail was the only exception to A.M.C.C.’s request that cocktail parties use open bars and refrain from ever-stronger punches. There are three versions of the recipe: Classic, Lite, and Virgin.

In 1976-77 Philadelphians M.C. held their first run over the New Year’s weekend. After a long year of Bicentennial celebrations in Philadelphia, the club chose to mark the beginning of the nation’s third century by naming the run TRI-CEN. This first run was held at the Holiday Inn on Walnut Street in downtown Philadelphia, and was the first “hotel run” of its kind. The first run was chaired by Ron Lord.