Where to Watch the Phillies in the Playoffs (Besides Your Couch)
Philly bars where you can bank on being surrounded by other fans who are just as excited/anxious as you are.
Phillies fans at the bar at Xfinity Live / Photograph courtesy of Xfinity Live
The simple truth is that every Philadelphia bar with a TV morphs into a Phillies bar during Red October. Come to think of it, practically any corner deli where some guy behind the counter is streaming the game on his phone morphs into a sports bar, too. But that’s probably not where you want to watch the Phillies in the playoffs. Instead, try these bars where you can bank on being surrounded by other fans who are just as excited/anxious as you are, plenty of TVs, and “Dancing on My Own” on repeat.
Xfinity Live!
Will it be overwhelmingly loud and crowded? Yes. And with its prime location smack dab in the middle of the stadiums and its massive size, Xfinity Live! definitely brings its own kind of hardcore viewing experience. In fact, it’s probably the closest thing to actually being at the game. Table reservations are available in NBC Sports Arena (which also has a 32-foot LED screen and a full-service menu for bar food and drinks) and 1100 Social. Tables in Broad Street Bullies Pub and Victory Beer Hall are first come, first serve. (Doors open at 3 p.m. and you’ll want to get their early.) Outside, you’ll find a 24-foot-tall screen, too. Note that kids are only allowed for pre-game; one hour before first pitch, it switches to 21-and-up.
1100 Pattison Avenue, South Philly
Chickie’s and Pete’s
Emotionally speaking, watching the Phils at Chickie’s & Pete’s while nervously housing an order of Crabfries is as close as you can get to the ballgame without actually attending. From its start in Northeast Philly, you’ll now find locations of this energetic sports bar throughout the Philadelphia area, each with plenty of TVs, beer, and fans to celebrate/commiserate with. One notable game-day location (for obvious reasons) is the massive, 24,000-square-foot spot right by the stadiums on Packer Avenue. If you want to ensure a spot on game day, you can reserve a table ahead of time through the website.
Multiple locations, including 1526 Packer Avenue, South Philly, and the OG at 4010 Robbins Avenue, Northeast Philly
Dock Street South
Dock Street Brewery is toasting to Red October with Phillies playoff watch parties and food and beverage specials for every NLCS game (except those on Mondays, when they’re closed) at its Point Breeze location. Games play on a large projector screen with sound, and food specials $5 include deviled eggs $6 tots, and $8 sliders. They’ve also got game-time drink specials, including $1 off all drafts.
2218 Washington Avenue, Point Breeze
Phillies shepherd’s pie and Red October-hued beer / Photographs courtesy of McGillin’s
McGillin’s Olde Ale House
McGillin’s is showing all of the Phillies playoff games in high definition on projector screens, which is probably not what Ma and Pa McGillin intended for the place when they opened it in 1860, but is exciting for fans nonetheless. It’s a Philly institution and there’s really not a bad seat in the house. And they’ve brought back their red beer in honor of Red October, as well as additional specials including a Phillie-tini and a shepherd’s pie topped with a mashed-potato Phillies logo.
1310 Drury Street, Midtown Village
Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse
Last year, this popular Center City sports bar moved into a bigger, better space a block away from the original location, now filling out two floors on 1921 Sansom Street. Despite the larger capacity, it still fulfills a key requirement for game-day viewing: wherever you are, you can see a screen (and they’re high enough up that crowds at the bar won’t disturb your sightline). The new space seats nearly 200 people total and has 24 TVs and an 11-foot-high media wall. The menu is exactly what you’d want to eat while watching a game — wings, burgers, various appetizers — and there’s even a kids’ menu. Cav’s also has Headhouse Square and Riverdeck locations, FYI.
1921 Sansom Street, Rittenhouse
Kyle Schwarber’s “Philly Standard” at Yards Brewing / Photograph courtesy of Yards Brewing Co.
Yards Taproom
Yards Brewing Co. partnered with Kyle Schwarber earlier this year to create the “Philly Standard” golden ale. So, what better place to watch Schwarbombs than a beer devoted to them? They’ve also got everything else you’d want while watching the Phils: plenty of TVs, wings and soft pretzels, and lots of fans.
500 Spring Garden Street, Spring Garden, Poplar
Founding Fathers Sports Bar and Grill
This South Street game-day staple offers fans a relatively relaxed atmosphere with more than a dozen TVs lining the walls, and 20 different draft lines for a great beer selection. During all Phillies games during the playoffs, they’re offering $5 Kona Big Waves. Arrive early to grab seats or prepare to stand for nine innings.
1612 South Street, Grad Hospital
Sports & Social at Live! Casino
With a massive 52-foot screen and 24 additional TVs, the sports bar inside South Philly’s Live! Casino is a fun place to watch (and bet on) games. On Phillies game days, they’ve got $5 Budweiser, specialty player-inspired cocktails and giveaways.
900 Packer Avenue, South Philly
Craft Hall
Craft Hall is lined with TV screens for watching the game, partly because the place is located inside a 35,000-square-foot warehouse. It’s also a great place to bring the whole family, since they have a massive pirate-ship playground, old-school Nintendo games, and tabletop shuffleboard. You’ll find a large craft beer selection from Mainstay Brewing, drink specials, and snacks, sandwiches, and BBQ to fuel you though the action.
901 North Delaware Avenue, Northern Liberties
O’Neals Pub
This Irish pub and sports bar has been holding it down just off South Street for four decades, and it shows (in the best way). They’ve got an enviable bottle list, a great selection of Irish whiskeys, rare scotches and cognacs, and “19+ beers on draught.” (Why not just say 20? Why, O’Neals?) The bigger-than-it-looks-from-outside space has lots of TVs, and food-and-drink specials on game day.
611 South 3rd Street, Queen Village
Phillies fans at the bar / Photograph courtesy of Xfinity Live
Bar-Ly Chinatown
Bar-Ly has more TVs in their bar than the Phillies have players on their roster. Which is to say that you’ll have ample opportunity to clock what’s happening on screen. Plus, no where else on this list serves a lycheetini and it’s crucial you’re aware of your options so you can make responsible decisions for the sake of the Phillies. Note: Table reservations for games have a $50 minimum spend per person.
101 North 11th Street, Chinatown
Misconduct Tavern
Misconduct is nautical-themed, which is a fun fact that doesn’t really affect your game-day viewing but worth sharing nonetheless. They expanded their original Rittenhouse location during the pandemic so it’s even bigger and has even more TVs. They’ve also got 12 draft beers and over 50 bottles available, as well as a solid food menu that includes your basics (burgers, wings) along with lobster sliders and oysters (possibly explaining the nautical theme). All three locations serve a Ballpark Dog, if you’re looking for some baseball-adjacent eats. They’ve also got locations in Logan Square and University City.
1511 Locust Street, Center City
Additional reporting by Hannah Albertine.
