These 19 Sports Bars Are Home Runs

by Michele Edington, food and wine editor

Lead photo via PJ Whelihan’s

Spring means one thing to sports fans: the Phillies are back. It’s the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the eternal optimism that maybe, just maybe, this is the year that the Phillies will win it all.

What’s the best place to watch the Phillies? Citizens Bank Park, of course. But work, life, and school often take priority over going to the Bank for a game. Luckily, our region has great sports bars where you can catch every pitch, argue over the bullpen’s choices, and celebrate each Schwarbomb like you’re in the stands.

A great sports bar needs three things: plenty of TVs, a solid beer list, and a crowd that actually cares about the game. Add in good food, an energetic atmosphere, and a few upscale options for people who prefer cocktails with their baseball, and you’ve got something for every kind of Phillies fan. Ready to play ball? Head to one of these sports bars.

Jockey Tavern (Malvern)

Don’t let the equestrian décor distract you; Jockey Tavern is a great place to watch a Phillies game. With a bank of TVs around the bar, Jockey Tavern is a fun place to spend a few hours rooting for the Fightin’ Phils.

Jockey Tavern’s happy hour is amazing, and the regular menu is stacked with shareable starters, “dips and nibbles,” burgers and lots of seafood. Bountiful booze options include signature beers like the Steeplechase Hazy IPA and Whispering Meadow Ale, but the bourbons are the real standouts. Try the Galloping Sour, Jockey Julep, and the High Stakes, all of which are Jockey Tavern takes on traditional cocktails.

Barnaby’s Restaurant & Pub (Havertown, Media, West Chester)

Barnaby’s is the kind of place that fills up fast on game day, and for good reason. The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a sports bar: loud, packed with fans, and fueled by cold beer and solid bar food. There’s no such thing as a bad seat here, with TVs mounted in every direction and a lively crowd that erupts after every big play.

The beer list is stacked with local and national favorites, with plenty of drafts and buckets to keep the table going through extra innings. The menu leans classic, with wings, nachos, and burgers all delivering exactly what you need when the game gets tense. If you’re looking for a rowdy, no-frills spot to watch the Phils, this is it.

PJ Whelihan’s (Wynnewood, Malvern, West Chester, Broomall, Conshohocken, Newtown Square, Downingtown, Oaks)

PJ Whelihan’s has mastered the formula for a great sports bar. Plenty of seating? Check. Dozens of TVs with every game on? Check. A crowd that actually cares about baseball? Absolutely. This Phillies-friendly chain has a reputation for wings and wall-to-wall TVs, which is why every PJ’s gets packed with fans in Phillies gear, making this one of the best bets for game day.

PJ Whelihan’s wings are what made them famous, and for good reason. Whether you go for the classic hot sauce or the signature honey BBQ, the wings are always crispy, messy, and exactly what you want with a cold beer. With a rotating selection of drafts and enough bar specials to make a night of it, PJ’s is an easy go-to for a Phillies watch party.

The Great American Pub (Wayne, Conshohocken, Phoenixville)

Spacious, energetic, and a little more polished than your typical sports dive, Great American Pubs might be the places to order your game-day Martinis. If you’re looking for a place that balances sports bar energy with a more refined feel, Great American Pubs are the move. The pubs always have good mixes of die-hard Phillies fans and casual watchers who are just there for the drinks.

Great American Pub’s beer lists are solid, with mixes of craft brews and game-day staples, but the real draw is the food. The menus go beyond wings and burgers, offering everything from seafood pasta to grilled ribeye. If you want a spot where you can grab a real meal while watching the game, Great American Pubs are among the best options around.

Workhorse Brewing Company (King of Prussia)

Take your beer as seriously as you take your baseball? This brewery is for you. A non-traditional sports bar, Workhorse Brewing is an expansive brewery with an industrial-chic vibe, great beer, and a setup that still makes watching the game a priority.

The taproom features massive projector screens, so there’s no chance of missing a play, and the beer lineup is one of the best in the area. Their flagship New England IPA is always a winner, but Workhorse Brewing keeps things fresh with seasonal releases and limited-run lagers. The food truck schedule changes weekly, bringing everything from tacos to BBQ, making it a great spot for fans who want a little variety with their baseball.

Stove & Tap (West Chester)

Elevated pub food, a selection that will make the biggest whiskey-snob happy, and plenty of TVs? That’s a triple play.

For fans who like their ballpark bites a little more upscale, Stove & Tap offers the perfect mix of comfort food and quality drinks. The bar is lined with TVs, ensuring a clear view of the game no matter where you’re sitting.

But the real highlight is the menu. Here, burgers are a step above a typical sports bar. The Nashville hot chicken sandwich has a cult following for a reason, and Stove & Tap’s loaded fries never disappoint. More of a cocktail person? The whiskey selection is excellent, and Stove & Tap bartenders mix a mean Manhattan. Whether you’re there for happy hour or a full sit-down dinner, this spot makes watching the game feel like an event.

Locust Lane Craft Brewery (Malvern)

Locust Lane Craft Brewery was built by Philly sports fans, for Philly sports fans. This Malvern brewery was designed as a place to bring people together over great beer and good conversation. On game days, that means the Phillies are always on, and the taproom turns into an unofficial watch party.

Locust Lane’s beer lineup is straightforward but well-executed, with approachable styles like a crisp Pilsner, malty ESB, and hoppy IPAs. Locust Lane regularly brings in food trucks, so there’s always something good to eat, and the space itself is relaxed, welcoming, and just the right level of rowdy when the Phillies take the field.

City Works (King of Prussia, PA)

If you are in the market for a polished sports bar with 90+ beers on tap, this is your spot. In addition to the beers, City Works has an extensive cocktail list, and walls lined with TVs. It’s the kind of place that can handle everything from a casual happy hour to a full-blown, game-day outing.

The beer menu covers everything from local craft brews to international imports, and the food menu is stacked with elevated bar fare, from cheese curds to smoked BBQ ribs. It’s a great choice if you want to watch the game in a setting that’s a step above the usual sports bar.

No matter where you watch, one thing is guaranteed. There will be highs, there will be lows, and there will be plenty of moments that make you yell at the screen. Because that’s baseball in Philly. And honestly, would we want it any other way?

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