PHILADELPHIA, PA: we love ourselves a good dive bar and McCusker's Tavern perfectly fits the bill! The building has been an Irish bar since 1907 and McCusker's took it over in 1968. You can feel the Philly pride in here - the walls are full of Philadelphia sports memorabilia, band posters, beer signs, and has the feel of a hometown bar. Jessie, the bartender, let us know that leashed and friendly dogs are allowed inside and that you can bring your own food (they formerly served food, but have since stopped). We had a great time watching college basketball on their big screen TV, checking out original game-used stadium seating from the now demolished Veterans Stadium, and played some old-school games in the back. They will have game nights weekly. read more

McCusker's Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great people. Wonderful, takeout beer, selection, and nicely priced drinks. I don't go there nearly as often as I would like to, but the atmosphere is always the same really nice and relaxing where you could speak to some friends or you could watch a game read more

Great local spot in Deep South philly. Welcoming bartender and staff. Good spot for a game and some beers. You can also order delivery straight to the bar, which is kinda cool. Definitely check it out if you're down that way. read more

Great dive bar vibes. Very chill very friendly staff. Has darts and lots of TVs if you want to watch a game

This is a very personalized, hip tavern on the inside. Unassuming on the outside. The bartender was apologetic to me about not being able to serve me right away or thinking he missed an order but he was busy. He probably thought I was part of the Crokinole group order and was missed. It didn't occur to me at the time. All I knew was that I wanted to try the egg nog cocktail and play Crokinole! I wasn't expecting fast service. Very welcoming and prices are reasonable. I think next time I am here, I will try their food if they have any. When I googled it looked like they might have food. It didn't hit me they might have some because it looked like no one else was having any or maybe their kitchen was closed after 9. It is also possible they had food at one time and no longer do as at least one of the previous reviews says they don't have food here. They are cash only. They also have a fun Crokinole outing Thursday evenings currently. This crowd fits in well with this bar and the friendliness absorbs itself all around. There are people here I would want to connect with more if given the opportunity. read more

See all

great drinks and the guy was super nice and even played the songs we liked without asking.

This is a hidden gem. We came in on a random early Friday afternoon after Eagles's training camp. Doug, one of the owners, waited on us at the bar. He was such a nice guy and we had great conversation with during the few hours we spent there. The place has some awesome memorabilia and represents the Philly teams proudly. Doug explained to us that one of the McCusker's signs was actually made from the original Independence Hall. Overall, great experience. It is cash only but drinks aren't overly priced. We look forward to stopping in next time we are in the city. Thanks, Doug! read more

See all

I wish I'd found this place sooner. It's a perfect dive bar. The brothers, Doug and Ryan, are the nicest guys around. This place is totally unpretentious. The crowd is a mix of all ages. There's a dart board in the corner, and plenty of seats around the bar. There's always a game on the tv. One things to keep in mind: they don't serve food, but you can bring in whatever you want. read more

PROS: Awesome South Philly corner bar. Cheap drinks, good food, good times. MUCH cheaper than Chickie's a just as good, if not better time. A hidden gem that can stand up quite nicely to the commercialized digs near the Sports Complex. CONS: No ATM, doesn't accept credit cards. Better come with cash. Still only a very minor inconvenience. read more

A friend and I decided to head to our favorite corner bar in lieu of suffering through anymore of a terrible Phillies game. I'm giving McCusker's four stars this time for two reasons: awesome food AND gluten-free beer. I ordered potato skins, which were just incredibly satisfying. Not frozen little tater disks pulled out of a box -- actual potato that was cut into quarters and filled with cheese and real bacon (not bacon bits). A hearty scoop of sour cream came with this awesome tater as well. The gluten free beer option was Woodchuck's Cider -- pretty decent and I didn't feel left out surrounded by other beer drinkers. My friend opted for a burger -- looked delish. Substantial piece of beef with a beautiful bun (I really miss you, gluten!), lettuce and tomato (as he requested) PLUS a heaping portion of fries that were quite yummy. read more

No hipsters here, which can be a plus or minus depending on your point of view. Cheap prices, and you can smoke, eat and drink all at the same time! For some unknown reason, my neighborhood (girard estate) seems to live in a nether world where no one pays attention to the rules (on parking, smoking, etc.) and no one cares. Unlike the 2 "taprooms" or e passyunk bars, you will not find a wide selection of microbrews or gastropub fare here. But that's not why you come here. Come here to have a cheap beer and food and smoke and watch the game in lo-key local environment. read more

This place is so awesome. They probably have some beer you'd like to drink. Super friendly. They have a shrine to Pearl Jam, which embarrassed me because I was telling someone, I think Pearl Jam sucks. I'm a Melvins guy. But I'll listen to Evenflow 100 times just to hang at this chill-ass jawn. Love!!! read more

Came here during an Argentina game in June... The bartenders there were cool as hell. When we asked for them to turn up the volume for the World Cup, they did that for us. I remember getting the sriracha burger there. I liked it a lot. Very chill spot in a good neighborhood. Cheap drinks and they have a lot of different kinds. I got myself some Brooklyn Ale and loved it. Great spot to chill. read more

Best south philly bar, period. My boyfriend refuses to go anywhere else on a Friday night.

I would like to thank Doug and Ryan and the staff for being so kind and generous to my daughter Lynn. Last nights benefit for Lynn was wonderful. The boy said they take care of their own and they certainly did. They raised money for Lynn's upcomming surgery. I can't thank you all enough for the friendship, love and support you have shown for Lynn. Our family and friends enjoyed the evening, For those who live or visit the South Philly area you must stop by Mc Cuskers and visit this wonderful family establishment. Thank you just does not seem to say what is in my heart for you all. God Bless you all. Hugo Seta read more

It's been our trusty neighborhood bar since we moved to S. Phila. seven years ago. Always enjoyed it, welcoming from the very first time my wife and I went in there. Whenever we have visitors, we try to take them in for a drink. And now with the expanded menu, even better. Good service, and the food is well above what you'd expect for a corner tavern. It's clear they put a lot of thought into it and definitely are going for better ingredients. Reasonably priced, good stuff and you can tell the McCuskers care about what they're doing. The menu's in the photos for the place on here- check it out and stop by. I'm sure there's something on there for you. So far, I've tried the tuna melt, chicken wrap, turkey club and tuna wrap. All have tasted great, the stuff's homemade and I have a feeling I'm going to end up trying just about all of it. read more

I went here the night the Phillies won their second straight National League title. Great people. Great times. I'd give the food a c but the drinks were definitely an A. Chrissy put it spot on with the whole preconceived notion that your 5th generation South Philly Grandpa Louie might be chillin' on the corner of the bar waitin' for little miss 22 year old but that's definitely not this place at all. I should probably try and return on a night when the Phillies are not about to clinch to get a more on point perspective of what this establishment is really about. read more

Great place. Really only go here because the coolest guy on earth Jarrett McGlone goes there. He's the really cool wanna be Irish guy with the Jeff cap. He kinda looks like the guy in the Hot Fries potato chip bag. He has a big upper body and skinny legs (he skips leg day all the time) but man he sure can pound those twisted teas. Thanks for all the good times McGlone. You're a real hero. read more

I been here 3 times . The atmosphere here is pretty laid back & fun. My boyfriend & I are not from this neighborhood but everyone in here treats you as if you were. The bartenders are great. The drinks are great !parking isn't the best but it's well the trip to South Philly. read more

I was here a long time ago and forgot to review. I'm going to be up there this weekend so I hope I can stop in again!

So many good times here so many good friends here. This place is not a bar this place is more of a friends hang out. Inexpensive shots so you can't go wrong. So stop by and support your local businesses. read more

Not your typical South Philly bar, run by 2 brothers that took it over from their father, but in true S. Philly style the bartender is also the cook, so food is what you would think, but it is not a restaurant, it is a bar. As a corner bar it is one of the best. read more

Blue cheese burger is the best!!!! Nice and juicy too

Neighborhood pub. Family owned. Friendly people. Smoke free until midnight. Big screen tv. No kitchen but you could probably bring in food. read more

Comfy, superbly-Phillies/baseball oriented neighborhood bar. $2.75 for Yuengling draft, $4 for jalapeno poppers. As mentioned in other reviews, a number of regulars here, everyone seems to know each other. Some folks pop in to get a 6-pack. Bartender Ryan and owner John set the tone, both good-natured and engaging. Conversation mainly around the Phillies game. Ryan aired some Primus and Led Zep after the game. I'll be back. read more

As i read the other reviews I can't agree more with the good things said. I've been going there for like the past 12 years or so and I've had some of the best times and great memories from my times there. 2 Thumbs up!!! It's definatly like Patrick said. "A hidden gem" Couldn't have said it better myself. McCusker's Rocks!!! read more

This place is great. Easy going crowd, awesome memorabilia on the wall, pacman, American dart board, and cheap drinks, and most of all, shots that are served in regular 1oz shot glasses. Just check it out doofus. read more

I went to Philly with my brother on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason football game. At the recommendation of a friend I was told this is a great local neighborhood bar to check out. Well we ended up here before the game and after the game. The place was great, drinks were cheap, and everybody there was so cool from the 2 brothers that own/run the place to the local patrons who kept us laughing the whole time we were there. We even had the wonderful opportunity to meet the brothers father while we were there before the game. If you want to experience a great local south Philly corner bar this is the place to go, you won't be disappointed. read more

First time there tonight with my wife, now our new favorite place. Ambiance, food, beer, prices all just right. Doug the bartender makes you feel at home. Don't miss out on this place for the next Phillies game. read more

I always have a great time here. I don't always remember it. But thanks to cameras being on just about everything there are pictures to prove it. LOL Great people- Great time Great music. PS Thanks for taking my birthday phone call Darlene Murphy read more

This place is awesome, I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!!! From the moment we stepped in Doug and Ryan (two bros who run the show) looked after us and also talked to us as if we had been friends for years. Not only do they serve you quite cheap drinks and food but they do it with such a friendly manner that you don't wanna leave. We were only going to stop in here for 1 drink but we ended up drinking for hours and also having some good food cooked fresh for us later on. My fiancé and I are from Australia and are travelling around the US for a few months, we were staying in Philadelphia for only 3 nights, we had already got tickets for the Flyers game months in advance so by the time we arrived they were sadly out of playoff contention but that didn't stop us from having an absolutely awesome night thanks to McCuskers Tavern!! We were staying downtown and got the train out to the stadium, we got off a stop early so we could go to a few drinking spots before the game. This was the first stop, and ended up being the last because we didn't leave till right before the game, they made such a good impression on us that we walked back there after the game to have a few celebratory drinks as the Flyers got up over Boston. This was our first time to South Philly and we had such a good time, really can't say enough about it, I wish this place was my local pub!!! Thanks Doug and Ryan read more

Since I first set foot in McCusker's in 2004 it has been the ONLY bar in Philly that I want to go to. From the family friend staff and regulars it's a GREAT atmosphere to go to watch a game and have a drink. I feel safe and familiar amongst the people who work and go there. It's also a GREAT place to go to for a post sporting event or concert drink since they are 10 minutes from the sporting complexes. Besides the drinks they've have also stepped up their kitchen with some great food. When ever I have friends in from out of town I HAVE to bring them to McCusker's aka "my second home". read more

Great little bar that no one has ever heard of. This place is a neighborhood bar but everyone in there treats you like you belong. I've even seen a former Philadelphia Phillie and Up and Coming comedian in this place. It has a decent drink selection...it could be better. But overall, i'll take a friendly bar with okay food that happens to be a little smokey over any other bar within a 2 mile radius. read more

Good food, great staff and definitely the reason they were ranked top 10 "Dive Bars" in Philadelphia by PlayBoy! Slight reminder...cash only and on street parking. read more

Good people, good beers. What more do you need? Doug and Ryan are great. Prices aren't ridiculous like some of the other local spots. I'll be a regular for sure. read more

This is the type of place that a tv show should be made out of. Two twin brothers, south Philly born and raised, running their father's bar that was single family owned and run since the 40's. Full blooded Irish Americans that don't take your shit but you bring a good argument about any good rock band or phillies/eagles and you could hang all night discussing your view w all the locals. Now to the service; the menu has increased in size and quality over the years. The hot wings are definitely worth the visit, as well as most of the typical bar fare. But we all know it's the drinks that draw us to a bar. The selection is fair, cold, and in comparison to every center city bar, rather cheap. And the tenders can make you almost any drink you can think of. The ambience is great for a small corner bar. A 100" projection screen tv for all local games as well as 2 other plasma on the walls, tables and chairs and a large wrap around bar w stools. Talented music is always playing here whether it's over the iPod stereo or a local/regular band stuffed in the corner playing live. Fun times aplenty are had at this family owned bar. Put it on your list of new places to check out; you won't be sorry. read more