In a twist that has political cartoons shaking their heads, a new bar in D.C. called 'Political Pattie's' ditched its GOP elephant and Democratic donkey after community backlash declared they were more hurtful than humorous.

The owners of 'Political Pattie's' have found themselves in hot water for attempting to serve up political satire alongside cocktails, but community backlash led them to swap out their offending symbols for a more neutral brand of humor. With the GOP elephant and Democratic donkey now unceremoniously sidelined, the bar aims to foster inclusivity — proving once again that in the world of politics, even a watering hole can become a minefield of sensitivities.

Located in the bustling heart of Washington, D.C., 'Political Pattie's' was intended to be a lighthearted homage to the chaotic world of politics. Owners Andrew Benbow and Sydney Bradford envisioned a space where patrons could murmur about the latest Capitol Hill shenanigans while enjoying a well-mixed martini. However, the opening of this politically-themed bar was met not with laughter, but a roll of the eyes and quite a bit of public outcry.

The situation escalated when local community members took issue with the bar’s initially bold decor featuring the GOP elephant—a symbol that reportedly touched a nerve. The backlash was so pronounced that Andrew Benbow and Sydney Bradford felt compelled to remove both political symbols, including the Democratic donkey, from the bar's façade to avoid any further misunderstandings. Though they intended the decor to be playful and to promote unity and discourse, it instead ended up reminding many of the real and often painful divides present in the political landscape.

In defense of their decision, Benbow and Bradford emphasized that the GOP symbol was 'hurtful' to segments of the community, which they had hoped to welcome into their establishment. The owners described the backlash as 'mean-spirited' and noted that they intended to create a place where everyone felt included, regardless of their political beliefs. 'We wanted to poke fun at politics, not the pain politics can often cause,' said Benbow, who now finds himself reflecting on just how deep political sensitivities run in the nation’s capital.

The owners portrayed the backlash as 'mean-spirited', pointing out that their goal was never to poke fun at the pain politics can often produce but rather to celebrate the absurdity of it all. They are sticking to their original mission: promoting unity and discourse—two things as rare in politics as a bipartisan group hug. Without the symbols, they hope that the bar will become a safe space for political discussion, where everyone is free to be either right or wrong, as long as there’s a drink involved.

Despite the removal of the elephant and donkey, 'Political Pattie's' will retain its intriguing name. However, in a somewhat cheeky nod to its more sensitive patrons, the owners plan to reconfigure the signage so that the word 'Political' looms larger in blue letters, perhaps as a way to semantically lighten the tone. No longer are they just a bar with political undertones; they’re a bar with political overtones.

The bar’s location among a cluster of LGBTQ+ establishments adds another layer of complexity to their narrative. Benbow pointed out that their bar's opening in a vibrant, diverse neighborhood was a bold choice meant to challenge the prejudicial views some locals may have harbored towards political establishments. He noted, 'If we can’t poke fun at ourselves in a lighthearted manner, then we have taken ourselves too seriously.'

Even after the removal of the symbols, the spirit of political discourse is still very much alive at 'Political Pattie's'. The owners have vowed to continue to place a focus on humor that transcends party lines—though it's difficult to say whether their humor will land better than their initial branding choice. With beer specials named after famous political figures and trivia nights featuring bizarre political facts, they are clearly committed to creating an environment ripe for conversations that, hopefully, won’t devolve into shouting matches.

As the dust settled on the decision to remove the GOP elephant and Democratic donkey, one could only wonder how much longer the bar would remain a politically neutral zone. A large part of the charm of much-loved establishments is their ability to navigate contentious waters, and 'Political Pattie's' is no different. Yet, they tread lightly, aware that every drink served could stir up a political chicken at the bar's door.

Time will tell whether 'Political Pattie's' can truly become a bipartisan sanctuary or if it will reflect the divisiveness currently plaguing the political landscape. If laughter doesn’t create unity, there’s always the option of a karaoke night. After all, who can argue when the pitch of a '99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall' competes with their latest grievances over brunch?