The city is on fire with Phillies fever right now. It’s Philadelphia’s first time in the NLCS since 2010, and the vibes are strong. The three middle games of the series are at home in Citizens Bank Park, but tickets aren’t cheap — seats on StubHub are running $175 and up.
Easy solution: head out on the town to catch the showdowns. If you’ve been looking to bond with your citymates, this is the perfect chance.
Because this is a true fact: There’s nothing like a Philadelphia bar in playoff mode.
Where you choose to watch depends on what kind of fan vibes you’re looking for, what neighborhood you want to travel to, and what drinks and snacks will accompany the play-by-play action.
Here’s a look at some options around town.
Misconduct Tavern
Rittenhouse, Logan Square, University City
This trio of taverns has everything you’d expect in a sports bar, but done with a little extra care. The burgers are juicy, the cheese fries are top, and the beer selection is full of local crafts that are still good for pounding during games.
Bar-ly
101 N. 11th St., Chinatown
More than 60 beers on tap, a ton of TVs so you can catch a glimpse of the game no matter who you’re talking to, plus a menu of snacks that ranges from wings to tacos to Vietnamese specialties like pho and bún.
New Wave Cafe
784 S. 3rd St., Queen Village
Find laid back service, fair beer prices, and surprisingly good food at this corner tavern that’s been open since the 1980s, serving a changing cadre of regulars — most of whom are diehard sports fans.
Good Dog Bar
15th St., Center City
There’s more space than you think in this three-floor pub with a big beer selection, but one of the first floor booths beneath the tin roof make for the coziest spot to get anything from mussels to poke to fries to go with your gametime drink of choice.
Sammy’s Place
1449 N. 5th St., Kensington
What happens when you bring together a hangout for Latine folks in with a gay bar in the middle of North Philly? Under owner Iris Melendez, good things, especially when everyone’s rooting for the Phils.
Founding Fathers
1612 South St., South Street West
Expect specials during every playoff game at this spacious tavern with plenty of tables in the middle, a big windowed front, and lots of TVs around the sides. Classic selection of craft and domestic beers, cocktails, and food to soak it up.
Craft Hall
901 N. Delaware Ave., Northern Liberties
Have kids who might not want to sit through the whole game? Bring them to this combo brewery/tavern on the Delaware waterfront and they can play on the in-house jungle gym while you take advantage of housemade beers and watch the action on big screens.
Garage
1231 E. Passyunk Ave., Italian Market; 100 E. Girard Ave., Fishtown
These sibling bars boast of the biggest selection of canned beer in the city. Food is limited, but you can BYO meal. Pick the Cheesesteak Vegas location for skeeball during game breaks, or the Fishtown spot to add frose and sippy pack cocktails to your options.
Xfinity Live
1100 Pattison Ave., Sports Complex
Right across from Citizens Bank Park, this multi-bar entertainment venue is hosting ~ official ~ NLCS watch parties, and free parking is available (or you can take the BSL to the last stop). Expect a lot of giant TV screens, a lot of people drinking a lot of official beer sponsor Budweiser, and a lot of questionable dancing as a DJ spins during commercials.
South House
2535 S. 13th St., Moyamensing
Not too far from the sports complex, but a world away from Xfinity Live as far as atmosphere, this neighborhood tavern is stocked with all the requirements for great game-watching: wings, buffalo cauliflower, cheesesteaks, and beers.
Woolly Mammoth
430 South St., South Street
Imagine a dive bar and a sports bar had a baby and placed it in the middle of a tourist strip. That’s what you’ll find at this cozy corner spot, with a dozen flatscreens now adorning the walls. There’s $1 off all food dishes during the game, plus $3 and $4 beers..
McGillin’s Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St., Gayborhood
The more crowded this family-owned taphouse becomes, the more it thrives. Open since 1860 and filled with Philly sports memorabilia, the drinks are like the food: way better than you’d expect for the totally reasonable prices.
Jose Pistola’s, Sancho Pistola’s, Pistolas del Sur
263 S. 15th St., Center City; 19 W. Girard Ave., Fishtown; 1934 E. Passyunk Ave., East Passyunk
Baseball and margaritas, why not? This trio of taverns is best known for the owners’ rabid Eagles fandom, but the Phillies are celebrated, too. Look for a top-quality beer list, lots of tequila options, and tacos, nachos, and other Mexican American faves.
Lucky’s Last Chance
4221 Main St., Manayunk; 848 S. 2nd St., Queen Village
With a mantra of “Be nice or leave,” this tavern offers a two options to find hot dogs as satisfying as at the stadium, plus better beers and dozens of loaded burger options — like one with mac n’ cheese and another with peanut butter and bacon..
The Post
129 S. 30th St. University City
This is like a swanky version of Dave & Busters, so it’s good for big groups or casual Phillies fans. Or you can bundle up and head to the rooftop Cira Green, which has streamed games on a big projector.
