Scandal T-Shirts
Tempe Tavern’s 9/11 Shirt Scandal: Blaming a Young Staffer’s Post
May
Dive into the Tempe Tavern 9/11 shirt controversy, where a t-shirt design sparked outrage. Learn why the bar blamed a young staffer and the lessons for businesses.
A T-Shirt That Ignited Fury
In late April 2025, Tempe Tavern, a popular bar near Arizona State University, found itself in hot water after a social media post showcased a t-shirt design that compared a recent underage drinking bust to the September 11, 2001, attacks. The shirt, emblazoned with “#TavernStrong” and “Our 9/11,” was met with widespread condemnation, with critics calling it “tasteless” and “disgusting.” The bar’s response was to point the finger at a young staff member, claiming they posted the design without grasping its insensitivity. This incident, reported by outlets like AZFamily, underscores the risks of poorly judged apparel and lax social media oversight, offering a cautionary tale for businesses navigating sensitive topics.
The Controversy Unfolded
A Design That Went Too Far
On April 25, 2025, just one day after Tempe police arrested 173 individuals for underage drinking at Tempe Tavern, the bar’s Facebook page shared a photo of a black t-shirt. The design featured “#TavernStrong” and “Our 9/11,” with the caption “They hit the second tower!”—a reference to another local bar’s closure. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the design was created by an ASU student and posted by a young employee after circulating in student chats. The comparison to 9/11, which killed nearly 3,000 people, was deemed offensive, especially in a community that honors the tragedy with annual memorials. The post was deleted, but screenshots fueled ongoing outrage.
Tempe Tavern’s Apology and Blame Game
On April 30, Tempe Tavern issued an apology via Facebook, calling the t-shirt “reprehensible” and attributing the post to a young staffer unaware of 9/11’s gravity, as noted by AZFamily. They clarified that the shirts were never intended for sale and that management removed the post promptly. The bar also highlighted their cooperation with authorities during the underage drinking raid, providing ID logs and footage to avoid citations. However, the apology, which leaned heavily on blaming the young employee, failed to fully appease critics who questioned the lack of oversight that allowed such a post to go live.
Why the 9/11 Reference Hit a Nerve
The 9/11 attacks remain a deeply sensitive subject, particularly in places like Tempe, where the Healing Field memorial displays nearly 3,000 flags each year to honor victims. Equating a bar’s legal troubles to this tragedy was seen as trivializing profound loss. Similar controversies, like a Wisconsin golf course’s 9/11-themed promotion or Etsy’s criticized Garfield 9/11 shirts, have faced comparable backlash, as reported by People. The Tempe Tavern incident reinforces the need for businesses to tread carefully with historical references in their branding.
A Wake-Up Call for Responsible Branding
The Tempe Tavern 9/11 shirt scandal, widely covered by sources like AZFamily, serves as a stark reminder of the pitfalls of insensitive apparel and unchecked social media. By blaming a young staffer for a post that trivialized a national tragedy, the bar sidestepped full responsibility, leaving questions about their oversight lingering. This incident urges businesses to prioritize sensitivity in design and rigor in content management. T-shirts should inspire and unite, not divide. Let’s take this lesson to heart and create messages that honor our shared history with respect.
