Good Times, Cold Drinks & Good Friends
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Louis “Lou Capp” Capozzoli, who passed away on February 1, 2026, surrounded by his family. Lou was the beloved husband of Rose, the cherished father of Anthony, Dyan, and Luann, and the treasured grandfather of Louis, Daniel, and Delaney.
Lou was the long-time owner of Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar, the front-man of The Rage Band (among many other bands throughout the years), and an all-around extraordinary entertainer. He was the guy who would greet you with a joke, put a smile on your face, and immediately make you feel loved, whether you were a stranger or a friend.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lou’s viewing at Pennsylvania Burial Company, 1327-31 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm and Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:30am – 11:00am. Services will begin at 11:00am, followed by Lou’s interment at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, PA. Additional service information can be found here.
*The family is collecting jokes and stories about Lou. If you have a JOKE or a STORY about Lou that you would like to share with the family, kindly email it to: rayshappybirthdaybar1@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ACCT-Philly or an animal shelter of your choice.
A Tribute to Lou and “His” Songs …
Lou was too good to be true With his presence, you can’t take your eyes off of Lou
His ways were touching to me … touching to you He made good times feel so good, so good, so good
He had us sing, sing a song. Sing out loud Which made our love for him so strong
When he walked through the door, there came familiar laughter With a smile on his face, he always called your name Those were the days of our father and friend We thought, but wished they’d never end
When you see trees of green and skies of blue Take a moment to think of Lou And think to yourself … What a Wonderful World!
Open Mic Wednesdays – Unleash your creativity at Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar with Open Mic Madness every Wednesday at 9 PM! Whether you sing, play an instrument, tell jokes, or have a unique talent to share, the stage is yours. It’s a night of endless possibilities, great vibes, and amazing performances. Come to showcase your talent or cheer on others—either way, it’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend! 🎤🎸🎭
Karaoke Fridays with DJ Lars – Friday nights just got better at Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar! Starting at 9 PM, the one and only DJ Lars brings the party with an unforgettable karaoke experience. Whether you’re belting out a ballad or jamming to a classic. Bring your friends, grab a drink, and take the stage—it’s your time to shine! 🎤✨
$4 gets you a shot of Windsor Whiskey
and a can of Lucky Streak.
Must be on actual Birthday. ID Required.
Start your night off with your Free Shot of Vodka on Ray.
Put on the Hat, Smile for the Camera & Take your Shot!
85 year old "everybody knows your name" neighborhood bar located in heart of South Philly on East Passyunk at Federal. Karaoke on Friday nights and a free shot on your birthday (ID required).
Louis “Lou Capp” Capozzoli
April 4, 1939 - February 1, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Louis “Lou Capp” Capozzoli, who passed away on February 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Lou was the beloved husband of Rose, the cherished father of Anthony, Dyan, and Luann, and the treasured grandfather of Louis, Daniel, and Delaney.
Lou was the long-time owner of Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar, the front-man of The Rage Band (among many other bands throughout the years), and an all-around extraordinary entertainer. He was the guy who would greet you with a joke, put a smile on your face, and immediately make you feel loved, whether you were a stranger or a friend.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lou’s viewing at Pennsylvania Burial Company, 1327-31 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:30am - 11:00am. Services will begin at 11:00am, followed by Lou’s interment at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, PA.
*The family is collecting jokes and stories about Lou. If you have a JOKE or a STORY about Lou that you would like to share with the family, kindly email it to: rayshappybirthdaybar1@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ACCT-Philly or an animal shelter of your choice.
A Tribute to Lou and “His” Songs …
Lou was too good to be true
With his presence, you can’t take your eyes off of Lou
His ways were touching to me … touching to you
He made good times feel so good, so good, so good
He had us sing, sing a song. Sing out loud
Which made our love for him so strong
When he walked through the door, there came familiar laughter
With a smile on his face, he always called your name
Those were the days of our father and friend
We thought, but wished they’d never end
When you see trees of green and skies of blue
Take a moment to think of Lou
And think to yourself …
What a Wonderful World!
Louis "Lou Capp" Capozzoli
April 4, 1939 - February 1, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Louis "Lou Capp" Capozzoli, who passed away on February 1, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Lou was the beloved husband of Rose, the cherished father of Anthony, Dyan, and Luann, and the treasured grandfather of Louis, Daniel, and Delaney.
Lou was the long-time owner of Ray's "Happy Birthday" Bar, the front-man of The Rage Band (among many other bands throughout the years), and an all-around extraordinary entertainer. He was the guy who would greet you with a joke, put a smile on your face, and immediately make you feel loved, whether you were a stranger or a friend.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lou’s viewing at Pennsylvania Burial Company, 1327-31 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 9:30am - 11:00am. Services will begin at 11:00am, followed by Lou's interment at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, PA.
*The family is collecting jokes and stories about Lou. If you have a JOKE or a STORY about Lou that you would like to share with the family, kindly email it to: rayshappybirthdaybar1@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ACCT-Philly or an animal shelter of your choice.
A Tribute to Lou and “His” Songs …
Lou was too good to be true
With his presence, you can’t take your eyes off of Lou
His ways were touching to me … touching to you
He made good times feel so good, so good, so good
He had us sing, sing a song. Sing out loud
Which made our love for him so strong
When he walked through the door, there came familiar laughter
With a smile on his face, he always called your name
Those were the days of our father and friend
We thought, but wished they’d never end
When you see trees of green and skies of blue
Take a moment to think of Lou
And think to yourself …
What a Wonderful World!
It saddens our hearts to let everyone know that our beloved father, husband, bar owner and everyone’s favorite South Philly musician has passed away tonight. We want to thank everyone who has been a part of his amazing life for showing him the love and respect he deserved. He took pride in continuing what his father Ray started... the iconic institution of Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar.
Details of all services celebrating his life will be posted once arrangements are confirmed.
Capture the essence of Philadelphia at the “Everybody Knows Your Name” neighborhood watering hole.
Located in the heart of South Philly just a stone’s throw away from the world famous Geno’s Steaks, our hidden gem welcomes tourists and locals alike.
Photos of music legends, autographed pictures of the Sopranos, and collages of customers, friends and family adorn the wood panel walls of this nostalgic place. There is a back room with a separate entrance that used to be the ladies waiting area.
At Ray’s you can belly up to a bar that is an extremely rare relic made out of oak and tile with a trough that runs trough that runs along the base.
In the early part of the century bar owners replaced spittoons with a constant flow trough running through the full length of the bar where fresh water would wash away unpleasantries to an awaiting drain. Very few of these flow through spittoons remain in North America today.
Come and Enjoy the Live Entertainment Events Throughout the Week!
Born as Anthony Capozzoli, Anthony, like most in South Philly was given a nickname. Legend has it the nickname “Ray” stuck with him when he would get in trouble outside of his home, he would always give the fake name “Ray”. Another story says that his two best friends were nicknamed Doe and Me, so he ended up being the Ray in that musical scenario.
But whatever he’s known as, he was always known for making “everyone” feel welcome in his bar in an era where that was not commonplace.
We are one of the very few bars that open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM on Sundays.
These hours created a home for our early risers and graveyard shift workers looking for a place to go after work.
ATM inside.
Smoke Free Interior. Smoking permissible outside.
B.Y.O.F. – With a limited menu for food, we recommend and invite you to bring in your own food (and by food we obviously meant cheesesteaks as well) from any of the local places!
Beer on Tap as well as Bottles & Cans. Also available for Take Out.
Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar has a long history of serving the South Philadelphia community. It all began in 1938, when Anthony “Ray” Capozzoli opened the “saloon” and dedicated his life to greeting everyone who stepped though the door with “Happy Birthday!” After Ray’s passing in 1997, his son, Lou, took over running the place. In honor of his father, Ray’s Bar was renamed Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar. Since that time, Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar continues to grow, drawing in locals and tourists alike.
Ray’s “Happy Birthday” Bar has truly become a South Philly institution.
Proudly Operating continuously for:
