Thinking about places to park it outside the stadium and far from home once football season unofficially kicks off with the Eagles pre season match against the New England Patriots on August 13? This fall, as Philadelphia's road to the Super Bowl looks as shiny as the one that Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz" ran down to get home, there's plenty of comfy bar stools to settle into for a Sunday afternoon or Monday night at sports bars and restaurants around the city.
McFadden's Ballpark
The closest thing to actually being at the stadium on game day is being across the way at McFadden's. Thirty-three high definition plasma TV's and two projector screens make every seat in the house the best one to watch the game. Two bars supply all your draft or bottle refreshments and the McFadden's menu is a fan's food fantasy-wings, cheesesteaks, and a few entrees for more conservative diners.
McFadden's Ballpark, 1 Citizens Bank Way, 215.952.0300.
Dark Horse
For those who want to watch the game without all the gusto, Dark Horse is the perfect spot to set up shop with a pint and an order of chipolte-spiced wings. Although known for showing international football games (soccer if you live across the pond) and rugby matches, you'd better believe that Dark Horse gets in on it when Eagles' fever sweeps through town. The main floor bar is full without ever being packed and Dark Horse's English and Irish fare is one of the most celebrated and affordable gourmet menus around town.
Dark Horse, 421 South St., 215.928.9307.
Champions Sports Bar
Located inside the Marriott hotel, Champions caters to die hard fans looking for the complete sports experience. Twenty-two TV's broadcast games happening all over the world while assorted memorabilia covers anything where you can hang a nail. The staff even dresses in ref-inspired threads to serve your over-sized plates of burgers and appetizers. It's a bit corporate and very commercial but, then again, isn't football?
Champion Sports Bar, 1201 Market St., 215.625.6066.
Bayou Bar
A hidden hot spot on Main Street in Manayunk for football is the Bayou. You won't find as many TV's as some sports bars, but if a rowdy crowd of fans is what you had in mind, then you've come to the right spot. Food and drink specials, like $1 bottles on select beers, make Bayou a popular outpost for college co-eds. The New Orleans inspired menu spices things up a bit for the adventurous eater and game day staples like wings and Bayou's "Build A Burger" will fill you up enough to last the entire game.
Bayou Bar, 4245 Main St., 215.482.2560.
McGillin's
This watering hole pulls double duty as a historical landmark for its 150 years of service to the good drinkers of Philadelphia. Lucky for us, McGillin's has changed with the times and is one of the best places to find (literally- it's located on a side street in Center City) at football season for their game day food and drink specials. The appetizer list- or "grazer" section of the menu- is one of the best around and includes typical bar munchies and pizza. Not a lot of TV's but plenty of good seats for this small space.
