13 Best Bars In Philadelphia To Watch The Super Bowl

We're going to be upfront: Go Birds. Whenever there's a game as big as this Sunday's in Philadelphia, if you're at all familiar with the fanbase here, you know it is anything but boring. Yes, you can have a watch event at home with your friends and family full of Super Bowl party appetizers, beating on pots and pans every time a touchdown happens (as you should), but if you're in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas, there is just something about being in the city to watch the game. The energy is electric, everyone is excited, and (knock on wood) when the Eagles win, the streets will be flooded with people pouring out of the bars to celebrate the huge win.

If you're not sure what bars or places to go to watch the game in Philly, we've got your back. In some of these places, you have to get tickets ahead of time, and others are operating on a first-come-first-serve basis (and others are a mix of the two). We will note, though, that three very popular bars have already run out of space: McGillin's Olde Ale House, Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse, and The Post are all sold-out venues. So it just goes to show that if you're eyeing up one of the places on this list where you can get tickets, get them as soon as possible. 

One bite, everyone knows the rules. Potentially the second-most popular spot in town to watch the Super Bowl (Kansas City fans, you will be heckled if you come here) is the Barstool Sports Bar. Yes, the very same Barstool that used to be home to "Call Her Daddy" and is a giant media company producing content on the internet about everything from food to sports and beyond. Yes, that company has a bar in Philly, and it's ridiculously popular.

It's so popular that, at the time of publication, the tables have already sold out. However, not all hope is lost if this is your ride-or-die Super Bowl destination. On the day of the game, general admission will be first-come-first-serve, meaning you should get there as soon as possible. Like, 3 p.m. early. We're not kidding. This place is going to be mobbed but in a fun Philly way. If being right in the thick of it is your cup of tea, this is the place to be. Plus, its location in Center City is ideal for the impromptu parade that's bound to happen (again, knock on wood) when the Birds win, so it won't be necessary to try and catch the Septa when it's crowded with people trying to get to Center City.

On a similar level to spots like McGillian's Olde Ale House and The Post, which are both sold out, Tradesman's is likely to sell out quickly. And we understand why — it's the perfect place to watch the game. The space is huge and can hold a ton of people, which means you can throw your arms up in the air after a touchdown without being afraid you'll knock someone in the face. Plus, the food and atmosphere are also generally excellent.

We're a fan of Tradesman's because you know true Philly fans will be going to this spot to watch the big game. And not only that, but these are some of the best wings around, and they're totally worth coming for alone. So if your friends are dragging you to a different bar to watch the game, definitely come back to Tradesman's another day to have a great dinner. Try the wings, watch the game, and enjoy yourself.

Talk about a place that does it all! Tabu, located in the Gayborhood in the middle of Philadelphia, truly set its sights on attracting a wide variety of people and achieved that goal. With three floors all promising different Super Bowl experiences, it's a great place to bring a group of friends with different football-watching goals. You know what we mean: Some folks lean towards the T.V., want to see every breath the players take, and analyze how that will affect the game. Other people are there for the food and drinks and use the game as an excuse to spend time with their friends. Some people kind of care about football but are just happy that Philly has a winning chance at something this year and care most about the city's pride. Other folks just love the creative Super Bowl commercials. And finally, some people can't believe there's going to be a football game in the middle of a Rhianna concert. What gives?

All of those people will have an amazing time at Tabu, and in a space so inclusive, no one will be judged if they wish to yell at the ref all night or if they want to go upstairs to the dance floor for a little break from the stress of the game. There's also no cover charge at the door and no tickets in advance. Get there early, people.

South Jersey folks, don't despair. You don't have to take the Patco into the city to watch the Super Bowl unless you really want to. (There's no way you'd even be able to drive into the city anyway; lots of the roads will be blocked off in anticipation of our, knock on wood for the third time, big win). You can have a fun and memorable experience watching the championship somewhere you've probably been going to ever since your T-ball team won its first game: P.J. Whelihan's.

If you've grown up coming here to eat with your family, it might be funny to think of it as an option to go watch the (arguably) biggest game of the year. But it's a fantastic spot. There is a genuinely obscene amount of T.V.s in any P.J. Whelihan's location you step into, the food is fantastic (the buffalo chicken salad is our personal favorite), and the whole place, no matter what location you're at, is bound to be filled with Eagles fans ready to cheer on the team.

With two locations to choose from, one in Passyunk and the other in Fishtown, Garage is a great spot to spend Super Bowl Sunday at. If you're a big fan of trying out specialty drinks, Garage's "Fun Bags" are something different to sip while you watch the game. There are also nine T.V.s here, so you won't have to worry about craning your neck to try and get a fleeting glimpse of the reason you're at a bar on a Sunday night.

Garage is also a great choice if you need a bit of a distraction from the game, as you can play a variety of bar sports, from pool to darts and more. Both locations also aren't centrally located in the city (where all the chaos will be), so if you're looking for a fun experience without as much of the crowds, either Garage location will work well for you, your friends, and your family.

Another excellent bar that might not be on your radar is Buffalo Billiards, located right by Penn's Landing. If you couldn't guess from the name, Buffalo Billiards specializes in billiards, and it has many, many pool tables for you and your friends to play and enjoy. The bar will be packed, like every other pub in the city, and it's good to note that this place usually opens around three hours before the start of any game but will likely be open even earlier than that because, you know, it's the freaking Super Bowl.

This goes for any bar or spots you're looking to go to watch the big game: It can't hurt to call ahead and ask what time they're opening on Super Bowl Sunday. Whatever the open time is at wherever you're going, get there then. Yes, it may be a little boring hanging out for a few hours before kickoff, but it's better than standing in a line outside in the February cold waiting to get in the already-packed bar. Shoot some pool, through some darts, shuffle some board ... trust us, there are worse ways to pass a pre-Bowl Sunday afternoon.