Philadelphia's Top Sports Bars
By Luke Field
The perfect storm of the sporting world is quickly approaching. The baseball season is winding down just as both the professional and college football seasons are kicking it into high gear. It's the perfect time to join in on the natural camaraderie of eating hot wings, drinking beer, and screaming at a television with strangers. Here are a few choice spots for watching almost any sporting event.
Chickie's & Pete's
1526 Packer Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 218-0500
Hours: Kitchen: Sun to Thurs 11am-12am, Fri to Sat 11am-1am; Bar: Mon to Sat 11am-2am
Price: Moderate
Website & Reviews
If you don't have tickets to the Phillies or Eagles game, Chickie's & Pete's is the place to be. Located in the South Philadelphia stadium area, this hot spot attracts all the biggest Philadelphia fans that couldn't get in the door. There are three 14'x10' HD screens situated among tons of other televisions. Grab a beer and indulge in their hugely famous crab fries. Chickie's & Pete's is the biggest party on game day in the city.
Mad River
126 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 923-5553
Hours: Tues to Sat 5pm-2am; Sun 3pm-2am
Price: Moderate
Website & Reviews
At night, Mad River is a crazy party haven. But during college football season, Mad River is Nittany Lion country. As the home of the Philadelphia Chapter Penn State Alumni Association, you'll feel like you are back at State College with your favorite drinking buddies during every game. Watch Joe Pa on the huge projection screen and 11 well-placed plasma televisions. Top off your beer with a bowl of Penn State Creamery ice cream and authentic grilled stickies.
Field House Sports Bar
1150 Filbert Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-1520
Hours: Mon to Fri 11am-2am; Sat to Sun 11:30am-2am
Price: Moderate
Website & Reviews
On football Sunday, you can literally watch every game at the Field House. That is because they have over fifty HD televisions in a very impressive space. The Field House is very large, enabling tons of fans to comfortably fit in there on game day. And you can really pick your poison here; they show all the Big Four sports games, college games, professional soccer and UFC fights. With so many televisions, you'd be hard-pressed to not find something you would enjoy.
South Philly Bar & Grill
1235 East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 334-3300
Hours: Mon to Thurs 5pm-2am; Fri to Sun 11am-2am
Price: Moderate
Website & Reviews
This is the bar where Rocky Balboa would have watched the Flyers win the Stanley Cup. South Philly Bar & Grill has an ideal location; after the game you can soak up all the beer you drank at Pat's or Geno's right next door. With a large projection screen and plenty of South Philly charm, it's no wonder the South Philly Bar & Grill made the Top 25 Sports Bars in America list in The Philly Post as well as two-time defending champions of the Best Sports Bar in Philadelphia according to The Philly Hotlist.
Buffalo Billiards & Metropolitan Lounge
118 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 574-7665
Hours: Mon to Fri 4pm-2am; Sat to Sun 12pm-2am
Price: Moderate
Website & Reviews
If you need a little bit of your own action during the game, Buffalo Billiards is worth checking out. Not only do they have 17 HD televisions to watch any game, there are tons of other activities to amuse you during halftime or when the game is a blowout. There are 9 pool tables, 2 shuffleboard tables, 5 dart boards, Skee-ball and a Foosball game. It's a great place for anyone who doesn't like sitting on a bar stool for 4 hours at a time.
Have a favorite sports bar? Share your thoughts!
Luke Field is a writer, comedian and office drone living in Center City. You can see him perform every month with The Philly Improv Theater.