No one really wonders where to catch an Eagles game in Philly; pretty much any place that has both beer and a TV is an "Eagles bar" here. But what if your allegiances lie elsewhere? In a town that uniformly bleeds green and is notoriously unfriendly to fans of the opposition, non-Eagles team bars are a rarity. Still, it's possible to find a few surprising places to hook up with fellow supporters of other franchises.
Below, find our round-up of the best places to catch the Patriots, Steelers, Packers and more with a color-coordinated crowd. (If you're a fan of the Cowboys, well, please accept our apologies — or better yet, tell us in the comments below where you and your brave friends gather to watch.)
And it's not just NFL — we've also gathered intel on where you'll find the most enthusiastic groups of fans of many college teams, from nearby Penn State to the full, far-flung complement of Pac-12 schools.
There aren't many things in the world that feel less likely than a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs bar in the middle of South Philly, but here we are. The family that owns Big Charlie's doesn't have Kansas City ties, and neither do many of the customers — many of them actually became Chiefs fans by hanging out here. Also known as "Arrowhead East" (after the Chiefs' Arrowhead stadium), this place was featured in an NFL Films feature in 2003, and caught even more attention after longtime Eagles coach Andy Reid went to KC last year. (In case you're wondering, the crowd here cheers for Philly teams in all other sports, and Eagles fans are welcome.)
Who knew Philly had a Browns bar? For a couple years running, this bar on the fringes of Rittenhouse has been the official home of the Philadelphia Browns Backers, making it the number one spot in town for homesick Clevelanders to catch a game.
Smiths is currently home to a committed group of New England Patriots supporters — over the years, the group has grown to a point where organizer Michael Horowitz says they now get a turnout of about 75-100 Pats fans per game. (If you want to keep up with the group, you can email him to get on their mailing list.) But this bar is a good bet to meet up with other fan groups, too — there are smaller regular groups of Giants and Bengals fans, and several alumni groups call Smiths home for college games.
If you're looking for a smaller-scale place that's guaranteed to have the Saints game on, this Louisiana-themed spot is your go-to. They've got five TVs, a little more chill than the mega sports bars, and as a bonus, you can pair the game with some gumbo and Abita.
Ladder 15 is one of the official meeting places for fans and alumni of The Ohio State University. When OSU plays a day game, this is where you'll find the group. (For evening games, they flock to Tavern on Broad.)
Another one of the major players, Cav's is a good bet no matter what game you're trying to track down. It's also the home base for many alumni groups — among others, you'll find groups rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks. (We've also heard murmurs that you might find some Bears fans here.)
Sto's is the sort of neighborhood sports bar that will cheerfully open at 8:30 a.m. if Penn State's playing in Ireland for some reason, which makes it worth checking out no matter who you root for. But if you're looking to connect with Pitt fans, this is where you'll find the Philadelphia Pitt Club gathering for every game.
Tavern on Broad has so many partnerships with alumni groups that they could probably support themselves on college football alone. The Tavern is most notably the current home of groups from all Pac-12 schools. Whether you're cheering on the Golden Bears, Bruins, or Sun Devils, this is where you'll find your people. But you'll find some SEC and ACC fans here, too, including supporters of Florida State. As for the NFL, this place sees significant traffic from New Yorkers, and is a go-to spot for Jets games.
Fox and Hound is often maligned, whether because of the ambiance or the fact that it's a chain or its rep as a Steelers bar, we're not sure. Maybe all of the above? Still, fans of all stripes flock to this place on game day — if you're looking to connect with University of Michigan fans, for instance, this is your place.
Field House is another massive spot, conveniently located by the convention center and Reading Terminal, where you're sure to find every games. For college games, though, this spot is a notorious Penn State haunt. You'll also find lots of other alum groups here, including those from Syracuse and Michigan State.
O'Neals has two stories and calls itself "a house divided," because while they love the Eagles here, this is a Steelers bar, too. If the Steelers are on but you don't see a fan presence when you walk in, just head right upstairs for a change in scenery. (By the by, if you happen to be a fan of The Other Football, you'll also find Everton supporters here.)
For three years running, Milkboy Philly has been home to a large group of Green Bay Packers fans — cheeseheads and novelty wigs are more than welcome. (They also run specials during the games, including $3 draft specials, and have some complimentary snacks at halftime.)
With another location at Citizens Bank Park, many people think of baseball when they hear the name McFadden's. (That is, if they don't think body shots and Mardi Gras beads — yes, this place is fratty as hell.) But if you've never stopped into the 3rd Street version, you might be surprised to find out that it's a Buffalo Bills bar. So strong is their fan contingent here that the bar even serves a special Bills menu, with (yes) Buffalo wings in Anchor Bar sauce and that infamous Rochester specialty, the Garbage Plate.
Another good go-to sports bar in general, City Tap House doesn't report having any organized college groups, but they say they see notable numbers of Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens fans here. (We salute that last group especially for their bravery.)
There aren't many things in the world that feel less likely than a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs bar in the middle of South Philly, but here we are. The family that owns Big Charlie's doesn't have Kansas City ties, and neither do many of the customers — many of them actually became Chiefs fans by hanging out here. Also known as "Arrowhead East" (after the Chiefs' Arrowhead stadium), this place was featured in an NFL Films feature in 2003, and caught even more attention after longtime Eagles coach Andy Reid went to KC last year. (In case you're wondering, the crowd here cheers for Philly teams in all other sports, and Eagles fans are welcome.)
Who knew Philly had a Browns bar? For a couple years running, this bar on the fringes of Rittenhouse has been the official home of the Philadelphia Browns Backers, making it the number one spot in town for homesick Clevelanders to catch a game.
Smiths is currently home to a committed group of New England Patriots supporters — over the years, the group has grown to a point where organizer Michael Horowitz says they now get a turnout of about 75-100 Pats fans per game. (If you want to keep up with the group, you can email him to get on their mailing list.) But this bar is a good bet to meet up with other fan groups, too — there are smaller regular groups of Giants and Bengals fans, and several alumni groups call Smiths home for college games.
If you're looking for a smaller-scale place that's guaranteed to have the Saints game on, this Louisiana-themed spot is your go-to. They've got five TVs, a little more chill than the mega sports bars, and as a bonus, you can pair the game with some gumbo and Abita.
Ladder 15 is one of the official meeting places for fans and alumni of The Ohio State University. When OSU plays a day game, this is where you'll find the group. (For evening games, they flock to Tavern on Broad.)
Another one of the major players, Cav's is a good bet no matter what game you're trying to track down. It's also the home base for many alumni groups — among others, you'll find groups rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs and South Carolina Gamecocks. (We've also heard murmurs that you might find some Bears fans here.)
Sto's is the sort of neighborhood sports bar that will cheerfully open at 8:30 a.m. if Penn State's playing in Ireland for some reason, which makes it worth checking out no matter who you root for. But if you're looking to connect with Pitt fans, this is where you'll find the Philadelphia Pitt Club gathering for every game.
Tavern on Broad has so many partnerships with alumni groups that they could probably support themselves on college football alone. The Tavern is most notably the current home of groups from all Pac-12 schools. Whether you're cheering on the Golden Bears, Bruins, or Sun Devils, this is where you'll find your people. But you'll find some SEC and ACC fans here, too, including supporters of Florida State. As for the NFL, this place sees significant traffic from New Yorkers, and is a go-to spot for Jets games.
Fox and Hound is often maligned, whether because of the ambiance or the fact that it's a chain or its rep as a Steelers bar, we're not sure. Maybe all of the above? Still, fans of all stripes flock to this place on game day — if you're looking to connect with University of Michigan fans, for instance, this is your place.
Field House is another massive spot, conveniently located by the convention center and Reading Terminal, where you're sure to find every games. For college games, though, this spot is a notorious Penn State haunt. You'll also find lots of other alum groups here, including those from Syracuse and Michigan State.
O'Neals has two stories and calls itself "a house divided," because while they love the Eagles here, this is a Steelers bar, too. If the Steelers are on but you don't see a fan presence when you walk in, just head right upstairs for a change in scenery. (By the by, if you happen to be a fan of The Other Football, you'll also find Everton supporters here.)
For three years running, Milkboy Philly has been home to a large group of Green Bay Packers fans — cheeseheads and novelty wigs are more than welcome. (They also run specials during the games, including $3 draft specials, and have some complimentary snacks at halftime.)
With another location at Citizens Bank Park, many people think of baseball when they hear the name McFadden's. (That is, if they don't think body shots and Mardi Gras beads — yes, this place is fratty as hell.) But if you've never stopped into the 3rd Street version, you might be surprised to find out that it's a Buffalo Bills bar. So strong is their fan contingent here that the bar even serves a special Bills menu, with (yes) Buffalo wings in Anchor Bar sauce and that infamous Rochester specialty, the Garbage Plate.
Another good go-to sports bar in general, City Tap House doesn't report having any organized college groups, but they say they see notable numbers of Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens fans here. (We salute that last group especially for their bravery.)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60208887/170327_GOLDIES_1469.27.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59435567/credit_sam_oberter_2.20.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60348391/GettyImages_125392821.8.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38790364/teambars0914.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002105/bigcharlies.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002107/roguesgalleryFB.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002109/smiths.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002111/catahoulaFB.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002113/ladder15.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002115/cavsrhouse2.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002117/stosbar.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002119/tavonbroad.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59654011/GettyImages_1235960517.32.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002121/foxandhound3.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002123/pennstatefieldhouse2.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63879341/76685569_2556033291160039_6317256014575960064_o.7.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002125/oneals3.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002127/milkboypackers2.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002129/mcfaddens1.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62002131/citytaphouse1.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58492491/shutterstock_517349776.19.jpg)
Loading comments...