Not gonna lie this spot is a lil ratchet and could use a bit of remodeling but it's still a good time if you're grabbing a drink with friends or ordering takeout. I usually order on DoorDash but I stopped in to grab something to eat this time. Love their fried shrimp--I'm a big fan actually lol. Switched it up this time and ordered a fish hoagie which was so good the only thing I could've used was a bit more sauce because it was a little dry but definitely flavorful and the fish was fried perfectly. The cook forgot to put my crab fries in my bag but was nice about fixing the mistake and even met me outside to bring the food to me while I was waiting. Love good service and will always rave when I can.. Thanks Bala for hooking me up for my bday lunch :) read more

Bala Inn - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Bring some sunglasses because on the way out you're gonna need them my friend. Catching up with old friends and this was in walking distance. Let's just say, score. I love a good ole dive bar. This is cleaner than most and bumping some great Latin tunes of all things at 3pm. They serve food, have pool tables and let's not forget cheap beer. read more

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There's no place like home. This Bar is really an experience. Staff is great, regulars are cool, and the food is delicious. I miss it more and more every Friday that passes without it. One of the few places you can really have a great time and relax in Philly without any Drama! This place is GOLD read more

Been coming here for sometime to watch The Eagles and the Sixers games. Finally got convince to give the kitchen a chance and I'm thankful I did. The wings had me grateful for having full functioning taste buzz. They had the perfect amount of Sauce to meat ratio. The mac&cheese was unapologetically cheesy and filling. Shout out to the staff who is always on point with the service and attentiveness. Would with a doubt recommend this place to anyone. read more

Delicious wings and cheap beer! The soundtrack is also awesome. Make sure you come with cash because it's cash only.

Waaaaaaaay back in the day I did a stint at St Joe's and I practically lived in the Bala... Flash forward more years than I care to count and many Friday nights you will find me there, again. The Bala is a solid neighborhood bar with good food, good music, good people, and good pool. Friday nights are pretty nice. Happy hour is filled but calm, but by 9-10 pm it's crowded and the DJ is usually killing old school rap (a week or two ago I heard MC Lyte's I'm Not Havin' It for the first time in maybe 20 years! And, i am proud to say, I discovered i *still* know every word!). Drinks are cheap, bartenders are fast and nice. Bar is a giant oval, and if you sit on theo ne side you'll have open sight lines to their tvs, so it's a good spot to relax and catch a game, too. Pool Tables: I wanna say there are 6, but there are at least 4. All are in good condition, almost always at least half in use, and always full of people who are good game. (Even when it's crowded it is possible to get a table for you and a date to mess around on, though...) Kitchen: inexpensive and darn good food. I heartily recommend their chicken (fried, fingers or wings) and fries (thick and salty). The parking lot out back is occasionally host to trunk parties, but that just means you can feel like you're still partying when you go outside to smoke ;) read more

Had throwback outing with some friends on our way to a basketball game and was glad to see this place still has it. This is a great neighborhood bar...very relaxed atmosphere and a good variety of beer. They also do take out which is new (I had not been there for few years, so just how new I'm not sure) Still one of the only establishments in a wide radius that I've found that houses some pool tables in the back. Don't be fooled though, some serious pool players hang there. read more

Bala Inn - Pool tables. They people who play here are no joke. - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Whenever I visit my Fiancé's beautiful home town of Philly I always try to order from new places so I can get a good feel of the town before I relocate here. I am beyond pleased with the service and food I received from this little Philly gem! My husband to be and I ordered buffalo wings, cheese fries, a turkey burger, and also a side of yellow rice and broccoli. When I tell you I instantly made sure to save this place on my DoorDash account, I am not lying! Food took just as long as it was supposed to and it was still hot and fresh and all under $35?! Yup, they have a forever customer with me! read more

Had my first bad experience with the kitchen. Fish was extremely salty and had a ton of pepper on it. I went to inform the cook (Mom) who was very defensive about her food. I was told she doesn't season her fish and that someone implying me that I had put salt and pepper on it. I did have some hot suave on it just a tad and was told hot sauce is salty. Yes I am aware however the piece I tasted w/o any hot sauce was u bearable to eat. I was very surprised that she was u willing to listen to the customer about her food. I just wanted another piece. Keep in mind I come in quiet offer eat the wings and the fish and never experienced this issue. I was highly disappointed in her approach to listening to my concern. Bad business for a person cooking food. read more

The food and drinks are amazing here. Josh the bartender there makes some of the best drinks you will ever have.

Not only is the Bala Inn a chill affordable spot, but the new kitchen (Sasha) is amazing. Quality food. I very delicious, and I love special touches. Aside from the set menu, her pop up Mac and cheese was sooooo good! Much try. Literally coming back just for the food. And did I mention she's cute as hell read more

My 1st time here and all the food ordered was excellent!! I will definitely be back for that MAC & CHEESE & sweet chili chicken...

This place is trash i tell you. I went out for a couple of drinks with my friends and the place was empty and it made us a bit scared. We ordered a couple budlites and the bartender who was on her phone half the time took 20 minutes to get the drinks! How hard is it told get a pack of budlite?! The place was infested with roaches and mice i could see them crawling in a corner. I felt nauseas and was regretting to come here when a few big black guys showed up( not trying to be racist) they yelled and shoved a group out of the pool table area and the employees did nothing about it. AWFUL DO NOT COME HERE I REPEAT DO NOT COME HERE!!!!! read more

bad bar. there has been a shooting here before. would not recommend for your safety. Place is dirty and parking is terrible. almost had my ferrari scratched by another customer. really needs to work on their interior. read more

a fine establishment that radiates that true blue collar classy feel of Philadelphia. i have been known to occasionally go there after work for a couple pints to watch the first (and sometimes second) period of Flyers' games so i consider myself an expert on the place. ancient wood work and dank corners make you think it's a dive but it's always a good time. the food is outrageously delish, and they sometimes have sushi AND sashimi. the Bala Inn Roll is my favorite; it combines Pennsylvania land crab, lettuce, broccoli, ground beef and honey mustard, encrusted with sesami seeds. friendly locals abound, i've never had an uninteresting time there. great for meeting friends or a beer after going to the nearby LA Fitness gym or just relaxing after a hard day at work. read more

The lady and I decided to check out this place after hearing that they had pool tables and cheap beers. Looks pretty divey from the outside, not that that is always a bad thing, after all, I said I was looking for cheap drinks. Place was pretty busy on a Thurs nite, with most of the patrons gathered around the several pool tables in the back. I'm a pretty crappy pool player so I was too intimidated to go and try to get into the mix with all the players so we opted to sit and the bar and feed the Megatouch (3 games for a buck). The interior is pretty no-frills but not not terrible. The beers were definitely not cheap: 2 Victory and 2 Yuengling were almost $18 bucks. Service was kind of on the lackluster side but not unfriendly. At one point one of the employees told my girl to "put her purse on her lap" (it was hanging on the bar chair she was seated at, but clearly under her control and supervision) "because someone will walk out with it". Really, it's like that in here? I'm sure he said this to be nice but I don't generally think it's a great idea to tell a woman how to look after her purse. As she said, "do I tell guys where to put there wallets?" Point taken little lady. Anyway, it didn't exactly contribute to a relaxed night out. We probably won't be back, except possibly during the day if it is empty enough to shoot some pool. Just a little too expensive for the slightly shady/divey factor. But if you are a pool shark this spot could be worth checking out. read more

Bala Inn is a nice clean welcoming place. The bouncers and security are friendly and keep the place very well-managed and operating with no problems. The server was quick to serve the group of 4 I came in with. There are (4) pool tables plenty of space to play pool, a snack vending machine in case you need some late night snacks, a jukebox with a large music selection. I saw the kitchen by the pool table and wish I came in when the kitchen was open. Noticeable, a noticed signage for a cookie specials Chocolate chip and oatmeal. I will definitely try them next time I come in. read more

I haven't been back to the Bala Inn in a while but after driving by last week, I was so happy to see how awesome this place is! It was completely renovated and looks so amazing! I sat at the new window seats and had such a great experience. There was a great selection of beer for a great price. Will definitly be back soon! read more

Great specials and the hands down greatest fried chicken ever! Celebrated the birthday here over a bucket of beers and apps, great time. Landmark's got nothing on this gem. Wish it was what it used to be for SJU students. read more

I like it cause it's close to my apartment, which means I can get shi*t faced and walk home. Also, it's the closest place that sells takeout beer. I always stop by and get my 40 here after a long day of work. If I have the time, I will school a sucka or two at the pool tables. read more