We ask the question “What separates a good sports bar from a great sports bar? The number of HDTVs? Multiple game feeds? The location? The atmosphere? The staff? The food? We look at the best sports bars around the world and find out what makes a sports bar a destination of choice.

With that in mind we’re compiling a list of the Best Sports Bars in North America for possible filming so if you have a favourite please let us know. Also tell us why you feel your Sports Bar is a great place.

It is a Philly (and soccer) bar, tho, so i don’t know that people searching for an out of town game will have much luck there. If you are, Smith’s has pretty good food, some good staff (especially if Abby’s behind the bar) and great TVs. It doesn’t get too crowded unless it’s a Cleveland Browns or Georgetown game, tho…so if you want a crowd, might be better to go elsewhere. like across the street to whistle bar (I’ve never been, so I have no idea if it is any good. can’t say I like the name).

Head to St. Stephen’s Green in Fairmount to watch the games. In the bar area, a good number of HDTv’s, great food (try the catfish BLT and roasted wings), and good staff.

In that order

Misconduct.
Cav’s on penn/drexel campus.
Onion straws?

Misconduct Tavern at 15th and Locust has plenty of big TVs behind the bar, as well as agreeable food, and a admirable, but not overwhelming beer list.

Just down 15th St., the upstairs room at Jose Pistola’s also has a nice array of TVs. They have plenty of $9.50 Belgian alcohol bombs, but a decent selection of more easy drinking beers. I haven’t had the food since they switched chefs, but the last guy made some respectable Tex-Mex at a reasonable price. Still, my girlfriend was crushed when they took off the onion straws.

The food needs to be solid but simple. Pub food works, stuff that is not overly pretentious and not so daring that you can’t pull it off. Wings, fries, burgers, etc. are necessities. If you have the chops to go further, than by all means, but not until you’ve nailed the basics. Beer, also should be relatively simple. No, I don’t mean BudMillerCoors, but you don’t need 20 taps and 10 obscure belgians. Most people are coming to sit for 3+ hours and don’t need a 10%+ alcohol beer that runs $9.50. Beers should be mostly locals (people are coming in mostly to watch local sports, their from the area and take pride in it) and should be on the less filling, more refreshing side of the spectrum. Pilsners, IPAs, Lagers, Stoudts, Maibock, etc. There isn’t much need for Doubles and Triples or Belgian Strong Ales.

In summation: 1) TVs, in HD and multiple w/ different games; 2) No music; 3) Solid food of the bar sort w/ local fresh beer. That doesn’t sound too overly difficult, but so far in my 8 years in Philly being a big sports fan I have yet to find a go-to bar for watching sports. I don’t want to hear about Fox&Hound and their horrendous, microwave food and junky TVs reguardless of how many there are (quality beats quantity as always). Smiths, Barristers, Fado, etc. all have the same issue, food. Actually, that seems to be a theme in Philly “sports-bars” lack of edible food. Places like the Standard Tap, N. 3rd, Graces, Sidecar can all do good food. Why can’t a place with 7 TVs do it too?