Like Taylor Swift More than the Birds?

Go to Big Charlie's

Diehard Swifties — Big Charlie’s Saloon, South Philly

Inside Big Charlie's Saloon, a Kansas City Chiefs theme bar in South Philly, a white man wearing a Chiefs sweatshirts stands in front of a wall full of Chiefs memorabilia.
Inside Big Charlie’s Saloon.

Did you become a football fan last year when T-Swift started dating Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, better known as the younger brother of our very own Jason? Good for you (just remember that PA-born Tay-tay grew up with a Birds jersey in her childhood bedroom). The Eagles don’t face their former coach Andy Reid’s team in the regular season, but, should the teams rematch in Super Bowl LIX (and should Big Charlie’s, Philly’s only Chiefs-loving bar, choose to remain open, unlike they did for the Eagles-Chiefs LVII matchup), fans more loyal to a pop star than their home team can find a safe haven at a corner East Passyunk pub that flies a red and gold flag. 1953 S. 11th Street

The Vibe: South Philly before its most recent gentrification.

Food and drink: This corner joint is currently collaborating with Pennsport’s Poe’s Sandwich Joint on game-day food. If you can stomach being a traitor, take your pick from a rotating menu of Philly staples like roast pork and cheesesteaks with Cooper sharp.

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Things to Do

NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia

Plan to do a little Bird-watching this Sunday? Here’s a round up of the best things to do, eat and wear to celebrate our Eagles making it one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Things to Do

NFC Championship Game in Philadelphia

Plan to do a little Bird-watching this Sunday? Here’s a round up of the best things to do, eat and wear to celebrate our Eagles making it one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Eagles game days in Philly are beautiful things, aren’t they? The ability to park your keister in some cozy bar for three-plus hours while drinking beer and eating bar food among fellow citizens of Birds Nation is, next to seeing the team play in person at the Linc just off the 50-yard line, the sweetest of game-day pleasures. Even sweeter: When that happens during the NFC Championship.

You may already have your own favorite Birds-watching hang. Or, you might be tired of waiting in line to get into the same old, same old sports bar / Irish pub. You may even be in the mood for something that feels more … you. The Philadelphia Citizen is here to help.

Below, 12 Philly breweries, taprooms, dives, refined refuges and “here for the snacks” spots for every vibe.

Environmentally + Socially Conscious Beer Lovers: Attic Brewing Co.

Courtesy of Attic Brewing Company via Facebook.

Craving the feeling of a tailgate without having to brave the crowds at The Linc? Or simply prefer the fresh air and a dose of plant life? Attic Brewing Co. — one of The Citizen’s 12 Philadelphia breweries that do good — hosts a weekly Eagles watch party with all of the above and then some.

For the playoffs, Attic Brewing continues their season-long game-day festivities. DJ Ju$ Fresh spins tunes. You can snag raffle prizes and beer discounts and nosh on empanadas from Pocketful of Flavors, a veteran- and woman-owned food truck. As per yoozh, watch the game on the big screen with sound so you don’t miss a second of color commentary. 

Plus, you can feel great about spending your time and money here: Attic has donated thousands to local schools and nonprofits, and even gives its spent grain to nearby gardens, farms and bakeries. 137 Berkley Street

Neighborhood: Germantown

Vibe: Shabby-chic beer garden meets cantina. Play lawn games or grab a board game for some added entertainment. (Indoor seating too.)

Food and drink: Snacks from rotating food trucks. And Attic Brewing Co.’s locally brewed craft beer — 14 on tap.

People Who Love Beer and Black-Owned Businesses: Two Locals Brewing Company

 A crowd of mostly African American people sit around a barrel table at Two Locals Brewing in West Philadelphia. The brewery is Black-owned and offers special during Eagles games.

Two Locals Brewing.Brothers Mengistu and Richard Koilor’s University City brewery earns props for its Nubian Brown ale, Prolific Hazy IPA and laid back vibes. On all Saturday and Sunday football game days — not just during Eagles’ games — they charge $5 for lagers and $10 for Bird Gang Whiskey sours — same goes for the playoffs. The spot’s officially on Drexel’s campus, but it’s definitely not a college-only crowd. 3675 Market Street

Neighborhood: University City

Vibe: A few big screens, with bigger windows overlooking Market Street, the vibe here is chill and friendly — especially if you’re cheering on the owners’ favorite hometown NFL team.

Food and drink: The cider’s not too sweet, the Nubian Brown is rich and satisfying, and the made-on-premises hoagies come from Liberty Kitchen. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for details.

People with Kids and / or Dogs: Craft Hall

Craft Hall. Photo by Stephanie Ramones.

Bonus: Craft Hall is family- and dog-friendly, offering kid-centric distractions that include pool, shuffleboard, skeeball, arcade games and an actual playground, indoors, with a pirate theme, plus a mini dog park. For folks who prefer to pay attention, there’s a 360-view of the game, thanks to a 140-square-foot and 60-square-foot LED video wall, three screen projectors and several more large-screen TVs. 901 N. Delaware Avenue

Neighborhood: Northern Liberties

Vibe: There’s a little dash of everything at this expansive refurbished warehouse — even for dogs, who can hang out at Unleashed, the bar’s hybrid dog park / beer garden.

Food and drink: Food specials include smoked brisket cheesesteaks ($15), smash burgers ($15), Buffalo chicken pizza ($15), 8-piece wings ($14) and a smorgasbord of snacks called the Eagles Tower ($70). Mainstay Independent brews a dozen or so house pours, including Penn’s Wood pale ale and Bowline IPA.

Fans of “Black folk-Style Cooking”: Big Rube’s Kitchen at Pitcher’s Pub

Big Rube's signature cheesesteak.
Big Rube’s signature cheesesteak.

Frequent The Citizen readers know our go-to guy for insider knowledge on Philadelphia culture: chef, photographer, iconic brand builder and Citizen contributor Reuben “Big Rube” Harley, who understands nothing pairs better than an Eagles win than one of his famous halal cheesesteaks. On game day, this Main Street mainstay offers $4 Bud Lights and a sandwich cooked up by Big Rube himself. Bud Light not your style? No problem! Pitcher’s offers more than 30 beers on tap.

To sample some of his fare, head to just-divey-enough Pitcher’s Pub where he operates Chef Big Rube’s Kitchen. 4326 Main Street

Neighborhood: Manayunk

Vibe: Manayunkers looking to find some shelter from the St. Joe’s crowd and much louder JD McGillicuddy’s. Feels kinda like Cheers.

Food and drink: Chef Big Rube has mastered classic pub and comfort food. His fried chicken is always the best, but lately, people have been into his halal cheesesteak.

Fancies: Figo Ristorante

A group of white people hold pints of beers and martini glasses with mimosas and smile. They are wearing Eagles gear at Figo.
Figo on an Eagles game day.

Fancy an espresso martini and spicy rigatoni while you watch the Birds? Figo Ristorante offers an elevated Eagles game watching experience. Game day specials include bottomless mimosas and a DJ that plays through commercial breaks to keep the momentum going. Plus, take your pick from indoor or outdoor viewing. 1033 N. 2nd Street

Neighborhood: Northern Liberties

Vibe: Swanky indoor and outdoor bar with twinkling lights and pinkies out (while you sip your mimosa, of course).

Food and drink: Sunday brunch includes traditional breakfast options plus Italian-American antipasti, paninis, pasta and specialty pizza. Pair your dish with a selection from the lengthy cocktail and wine menu.

Snackers: Bar Jawn 

Mozzarella triangles with marinara sauce, seasonal spritz, cheesesteak cottage fries, chicken parm sandwich and Buffalo wings.
Snacks from Bar Jawn. Top left: mozzarella triangles with marinara. Center: seasonal spritz. Top right: cheesesteak cottage fries. Bottom left: chicken parm sandwich. Bottom right: Buffalo wings.

Sure, this Main Street spot has Jawn in its name, but that doesn’t mean it’s Philly in the way of someone might flip a table if Hurts throws an interception. The small space is best suited for casual viewers who are at least as interested in the Italian comfort food as, if not the final score, then whatever down it is. 4247 Main Street

Neighborhood: Manayunk

Vibe: Part elevated dive bar, part Italian bistro with a prominently displayed “Go Birds” neon sign to snap a game-day Insta-pic next to.

Food and drink: Come hungry: $30 at gets you all-you-can-eat pizza and wings. Those tired of standard beer specials can opt instead for cosmopolitan game-day drink deal: half-priced spritz towers and margarita pitchers. The tiny space books up fast, so text (610) 291-6779 for a reservation.

College Crowd — The Post at Cira Garage

A large group of people wearing Philadelphia Eagles gear crowds into a bar. Some lean on a bar.
The Post at Cira Garage.

Look, you can’t beat Philly college-crowd institutions like Cavanaugh’s and McGillin’s. But capacity limits are real, and maybe you and your crew are looking for a little more breathing room — and the ability to book ahead, for a fee, of course. This University City watering hole shows the game on 11 screens. 129 S. 30th Street

Neighborhood: 30th Street Station

Vibe: Airy beer hall decorated with local teams’ regalia. Decompress before or after that big matchup with pool tables, air hockey and skeeball.

Food and drink: Game-day specials include deals on Bud Light, Hoop Tea and Miller Lite. Here again, bring your friends — but make sure to book a table in advance. High top (seats up to 3 people) for $100, booth (seats up to 6 people) for $200 or a communal table (seats up to 10) for $250. Your booking fee counts as a credit applied to your final tab.

Fusion Foodies: Bar-Ly

Bar-Ly, a taproom in Chinatown, hosts regular Eagles game day specials. Here, people wearing Bar-Ly and Eagles gear are in the bar.
Bar-Ly in Chinatown.

Bad news: Tables for the big game are already sold out at this popular, wall-to-wall TV Chinatown hang. Good news: You can still try and grab a spot at the bar, but wear your most comfy shoes because it’s standing room only. Doors open at 2pm. 101 N. 11th Street

Neighborhood: Chinatown

Vibe: Handsome sports bar aura meets Chinatown with a huge bar and high ceilings.

Food and drink: Toasty bowls of pho share a menu of global cuisines: Vietnamese classics, Tex-Mex dishes and standard American fare. Also: 60 different drinks on tap.

Taco Lovers — Sancho Pistola’s

Tacos at Sancho Pistola's.
Tacos at Sancho Pistola’s.

Sancho Pistola’s inexpensive playoff game-day specials are enough of a reason to pack this bar (see below). Another is, they crank up the sound, so you won’t have to guess why a yellow flag was thrown. 19 W. Girard Avenue

Neighborhood: Fishtown

Vibe: Laid-back, no-nonsense corner bar with indoor and outdoor seating and a less boisterous approach to the game watching.

Food and drink: NFC Championship specials include Mexican hot dogs ($6), carnitas steamed buns ($7), chorizo fries ($8) and cheesesteak empanadas ($8). To wet your whistle, have a $5 Allagash White or a classic marg for $7.

LGBTQ+ Crowd: Tabu

Tabu. Photo by Jeff Fusco.

Looking for an LGBTQ+ inclusive space on game day? While there are plenty of places to catch the Birds in the Gayborhood, Tabu is the neighborhood’s favorite sports bar. Watch them play downstairs, then head up to dance on the second floor — or get some fresh air on the third-floor roof deck. It’s the perfect place to spend your whole, entire Sunday. 254 S. 12th Street

Neighborhood: Washington Square West

Vibe: Ideal for sports fans who also like to get down at the club.

Food and drink: Pick something off of their short but sweet menu which includes vegan and omnivore sandwiches, salads, wraps and snacks Grab a $4 Coors Light draft or Miller Lite bottle, or a $7 Stoli special.

Bowlers + Rockers: Brooklyn Bowl

Inside of a bowling alley, with high ceilings and bowlers standing at the end of a long line of lanes.
Brooklyn Bowl.

If you have a group of friends divided into sports fans and folks who couldn’t care less about football, try going to a crowd-pleasing upscale bowling alley that doubles as a concert venue. With no cover charge and plenty of food and drink specials, this spot is perfect for big friend groups who want something to do while they watch the game. Ensure you snag a spot by reserving one. Email [email protected]. 1009 Canal Street

Neighborhood: Northern Liberties

Vibe: Trendy bowling alley (no funky patterned carpet or claw machines to be found) with a full bar.

Food and drink: Game-day specials include $1 wings and discounted finger foods, plus cheap 12-ounce cocktails.

Jerseyans: Locust Rendezvous Bar & Grill

A group of white women and one man, all wearing black t-shirts that say "Locust Rendevous" stand behind a bar and smile.
The crew at the Vous.

South Jersey fans are a huge part of Eagles nation. Are you a Jerseyan looking to celebrate the Iggles in the city they call home — but don’t want to pay exorbitant parking fees — or drive after you’ve had a few lagers? Locust Rendezvous (lovingly referred to by patrons as “The Vous”) is literally steps from the 15th/16th and Locust PATCO stop. Get there early because this joint is small and fills up with regulars fast. 1415 Locust Street

Neighborhood: Center City

Vibe: Classic dive bar with well-loved-booths nestled cozily in the city’s hustle and bustle.

Food and drink: Tailgate favs like Buffalo wings and chili, plus breakfast served till midnight — all at affordable prices.

Tailgate Must-Haves for Birds Fans

Iggles Donut — Federal Donuts & Chicken

The Iggle donut from Federal Donuts + Chicken.

This Sunday, grab a special cake donut doused in Kelly green icing and sugar —aptly named The Iggle for $3. While you’re there, also grab some fried chicken for your tailgate (not dyed green because … even that’s a bridge too far for us Birds fans.) Find your closest location here.

Gritty Matcha — Càphê Roasters

Get pumped up on game day with a boost of caffeine and dash of team spirit with the Gritty matcha, Càphê Roasters’ take on a dirty matcha. Condensed milk, matcha, a double shot of Vietnamese espresso all blended together produce a beautiful Eagles green bev. 3400 J Street, G1

Wooder Ice IPA — Evil Genius Beer Co.

Back just in time for the playoffs, this Fishtown taproom and brewery resurrects its so-very-Philly mango wooder ice-inspired IPA Fly Like An Eagle. 1727 Front Street

Green Cheesesteak — Marchiano’s Bakery

Eagles green cheesesteak bread with long hots. Nuff said. See all this Manayunk bakery’s game day specials here. Pro tip: Pre-order — or run the risk of missing out. 4653 Umbria Street

Fancy Eagles Bread — Parc Rittenhouse

Eagles boule from Parc.
Eagles boule from Parc.

Fancy a theme bread to go with your dip of choice? Grab an Eagles boule ($9) from the Rittenhouse restaurant’s bread window available Sunday from 9:30am until sold out. 227 S. 18th Street

WIP Announcer Beer — Conshohocken Brewing Co.

Celebrate your favorite Eagles radio announcers with the brewery’s hazy IPA named Mike & Merrill Philly Special. Added bonus: It’s partially a fundraiser for First Tee of Greater Philadelphia, a youth development organization that is empowering kids and teens through golf. Find your closest location here.

Game-Day Gear

Girly Birds Gear — Minor Details

Calling all girlypops! Women-owned Minor Details in Manayunk has everything you need to make sure your gameday fit totally adorbs from cute sweaters that say “Go Birds” to custom-made Kelly green heart sunglasses. Plus, Jason Kelce and Saquon Barkley prayer candles in case you want to put some good juju out there for the Birds. Order online or stop by the storefront. 4401 Main Street

Funny Fan Gear — South Fellini 

You won’t find official gear at this South Philly staple, but you will find some of the funniest fan gear like the beanies you see everywhere that say “No One Likes Us” on the front and “We Don’t Care” on the back. Highlight: Fingerless gloves that say Bird Gang. Functional at keeping you warm? Not so much. Badass? Hell yeah! 1507 E. Passyunk Avenue

Vintage Eagles Gear — Jawn Supply

Vintage enthusiasts to the front. If you don’t feel like sifting through the thrift store to score some Eagles swag from yesteryear, stop by this West Chester store and take your pick from curated items in mint condition. New items restock daily. 40 S. High Street, West Chester

MORE ON OUR BIRDS FROM THE CITIZEN

Reuben "Big Rube" Harley, chef at Pitchers Pub in Manayunk, with some Eagles fans.

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