A bar has recently gone viral on social media after introducing a drink named after 57-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp. However, the drink has nothing to do with his acting career but rather his status in the eyes of many as a domestic abuse victim. The drink serves as a signal alerting bar staff that a customer is in an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation.
The unknown tavern has since sparked a huge debate after the sign was posted on social media.
The sign, originally shared on Reddit, says:
“Feeling unsafe or scared, just come to the bar and order a Johnny Depp shot.”
The sign also explains that three versions of the shot will prompt different responses from the bar staff.
It explains that by ordering the drink “neat,” staff will safely escort you out of the bar. By ordering the drink “ont he rocks,” the bar staff will call you a taxi and make sure you get in it. And by ordering the drink with lime, bar staff will call the police.
“We will handle things discreetly and without fuss,” the sign explained at the bottom.
The drink may be an interpretation of another drink called an “Angel Shot,” which was created to help women who find themselves in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation, whether from a date or other customers.
However, the Angel Shot has received praise for its initiative, while the shot named after Depp has received mixed reviews.
One user on Twitter shared the sign, and many people weighed in with different opinions.
A supporter wrote:
“There’s a long way to go but Johnny is already making a difference for male targets of abuse.”
https://twitter.com/lilylysandra/status/1548263425775583235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548276695966556160%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fbar-divides-opinion-with-johnny-depp-shot-created-so-men-can-discreetly-ask-for-help
Another said: “I’m glad you highlighted this was in a male bathroom. I’ve seen posters for the angel shots & glad there’s a male equivalent!”
https://twitter.com/lilylysandra/status/1548263425775583235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548366809472020480%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fbar-divides-opinion-with-johnny-depp-shot-created-so-men-can-discreetly-ask-for-help
A third commented: “Absolutely love this so glad male victims are being [recognized] as victims too and they are making positive changes so male victims can come forward.”
https://twitter.com/lilylysandra/status/1548263425775583235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548583167870869505%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fbar-divides-opinion-with-johnny-depp-shot-created-so-men-can-discreetly-ask-for-help
But there were others who strongly disagreed with using Depp’s name, being unconvinced of the actor’s claim as a domestic abuse victim despite his recent victory against ex-wife Amber Heard in a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit.
One user said:
“A) Yes, everyone should be able to have access to help without alerting whoever they’re with for safety. B) This is the dumbest possible thing they could’ve called it.”
https://twitter.com/tarteauxroses/status/1548149753212329985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548151216617574400%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fbar-divides-opinion-with-johnny-depp-shot-created-so-men-can-discreetly-ask-for-help
Another commented: “I hope they have the same in the girl’s toilets and not just the men bc??? ‘We will call the police’ does sound a bit unhinged tho. Highly doubt they’ll call the police on any client who asks without questions?? The signs for women never say that.”
https://twitter.com/tarteauxroses/status/1548149753212329985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1548149753212329985%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvt.co%2Fentertainment%2Fbar-divides-opinion-with-johnny-depp-shot-created-so-men-can-discreetly-ask-for-help
The tavern named the drink the “Johnny Depp shot” after details emerged concerning the actor’s troubled relationship with his ex-wife, who initially claimed he abused her.
However, a Fairfax, Virginia, jury found in favor of Depp after he sued her for defamation following her 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post, in which she claimed to be a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”
The actor was awarded nearly 10.4 million in punitive and compensatory damages, while Heard was awarded $2 million in her countersuit due to a statement made by Depp’s former attorney.
You can also watch the video below for more on this story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbe6QrLuz_U
Thanks for reading. Please be so kind as to pass this story along to your friends and family?
Sources:
- “Bar divides opinion with Johnny Depp shot, created so men can discreetly ask for help” Vt. Asiya Ali. July 18, 2022.