Cheap, dirty, rough. All describe Oscar's Tavern. Staff is friendly, can get busy on the weekends. read more

As good as it gets for a dive bar! I love that this is located right in the heart of the city, and more importantly right near my house! I cannot believe it's taken me so long to find this place. It's such a nice respite from the ridiculously overpriced lounges in the city! I love Oscar's! read more

Oscar's is pretty awesome. If you are looking for a Phill Dive Bar? Come here. Cool place with TV's, Great Food and Cheap beer. The Crowd is an awesome mix of people. Some regulars, some locals just in for a beer and some out of towners. It makes for good convo with people and occasionally fun people watching. The staff are very friendly, which is a must. The beer is cold and cheap, my favorite! They have a good selection to choose from. Music is good here! Great place for moderate sized groups. Overall. Come on in and experience a taste of Philly - you won't regret it. read more

The best kind of filthy hole-in-the-wall. The servers here are remarkably kind and, while there is clearly a high showing of the local alcoholic demographic, they are all very sweet drunks. I'm reasonably sure I put ten dollars in the juke box and picked every song that played that night. I quite dug on this dingy dive -- damn cheap, fab juke, dirty in all the right ways. We pulled the trifecta out by coming three nights in a row, you should too! read more

Oscar's... I love you!!! This bar is truly Philadelphia. dirty, cheap, and fun. 3 dollar draft beers at 22 ounces each. five dollar whisky sours. and for five bucks, a decent sandwich, the best mozzarella sticks in the city, or mini pierogies with a portion cup of fried onion on the side?!?! count me in!! read more

I was skeptical at first.... But! The food is GREAT.. Z the drinks are CHEAP and the service is good. I am from Philadelphia and I night recommend this dive bar ! read more

Oscar's Tavern - We are enjoying this dive! - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great hot beef n cheese n horseradish. Cold beer a plus. Ripped seats, dirty bathroom and smell of stale beer. All add up to an excellent dive bar. read more

Oscar's Tavern - 1st time to Oscars! - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

24 oz Tokyo Teas! For cheap! Only downsides are they close the kitchen fairly early and they do not accept debit/credit cards. read more

Great dive bar...one set of taps is your usual domestic offerings, one is a little more daring. Good, attentive bartenders. Cash only. (haven't tried the food yet, but I'll report back when I do!) read more

Was staying in the area for a concert and our hotel was by this place after looking on Yelp. Would not recommend, I don't know why this place gets such good reviews. We went in, ordered a couple drinks, took out my card but was told it is cash only. No big deal except there isn't even an ATM in the bar. Annoyingly walked like 5 blocks to a close ATM, came back and was told it was 40 bucks for 2 shots of crown and 2 vodka tonics. I am used to going out to bars in big cities, but for a supposed "dive bar" seems pretty overpriced, skip this place and go to a nicer bar in the area. read more

Cheap beer More quantity Huge Cheese steaks (very good too) Dive Sold Sold Sold (sold) Sold read more

My host and I happen to stumble upon this place looking for a decent cheesesteak (as I am from out of town). Upon inquiring about said foodstuff, the smoking guy outside of the door merely stated, 'Here you get steak and a half!'. Considering that both of us were pretty hungry, that sealed our fate to entering what looked like a shady establishment (at least from my west coast eyes). Upon entering, it was dark, crowded, loud, and had a pretty positive vibe in the air. Couldn't see many faces, but it sounded like they were all pretty happy. We managed to snag down a server to request a booth, and good thing we did, as the server made it happen (to the chagrin of the group behind us. I know, we're only two, but we both had heavy bags). As I am not a beer drinker, I was unsure as to what to order for a beverage. Luckily, my host had an idea, and I merely ordered what she did (we had two of whatever she ordered, which I should have remembered). That, along with the 'steak and a half' really hit the spot and allowed some bonding to happen. I think the whole thing came out to like $30, so I was rather surprised of the cost-effectiveness for something in downtown Philly. If I'm ever back again, I may take a detour for a 'steak and a half'. read more

Oscars is the dive bar you've always wanted. The drinks are so cheap ($4 for a huge beer) and the bar is dark with music playing loudly in the back. It gets hard to grab a seat by the bar later in the night but during the afternoon it's easy to grab a booth and catch up with friends. The service is always fast and attentive. It's cash only so make sure you come prepared read more

Great place for cheap beers in Philly. Bartenders were super friendly, service was fast. Delicious bar food to soak up all your drinks as well. Bar is cash only, signs all over the place saying so. There is no atm at the bar but one on the corner of 16th, bartender was helpful and pointed us in the right direction! read more

If you're looking for a small dive bar, check out Oscar's. They don't take cards or an ATM, so come with cash. Cheap beer for Philly and surprisingly good mixed drinks. Waitresses were helpful and attentive. read more

Real Philadelphians, Cheap, 32oz servings of Yeungling Black & Tan on draft and the friendliest bartender in town. Did I mention she speaks French beautifully? You can't go wrong in here. Unless you're an asshole. read more

Decent bar, reminded me of a bar j go to regularly at home. We went for the food but the fryer wasn't working. We stayed and had a beer while we watched the game. The juke box was fun, but when it wasn't in use there was absolutely no music, that was a bummer. read more

If you're a local and have never been here, shame on you! If you're visiting Philadelphia, stop by. Bring cash. Ask for Bill. He's the best!

I LOVE dive bars...bars you walk into and you know the same people come in here every day, the waitress can spot your new..she's a little gruff at first and then becomes your best friend by the time you leave. That's the feel at this one....AND their cheese fries are made with cheese wiz! Omg...I will be back to indulge on those again....plus my drink was strong...you knew they actually put alcohol in it. GREAT little place. read more

Booths, crummy cheeseburgers, indoor smoking, any kind of person under the rainbow, shamelessness, and a pretty amazing jukebox are a few of my favorite things at Oscar's Tavern. I love it. read more

Met a few friends here before going out. For a Saturday night, it wasn't too crowded which came as a surprise considering how cheap everything was. I never had an appreciation for dive bars until I became an adult who had 'bills' and 'responsibilities'. Def worth a try. read more

"Cafuné" is a Brazilian Portuguese word meaning "The act of tenderly running one's fingers through someone's hair." The first time I was at Oscar's, there was a man sitting at the bar with what can only be described as televangelist hair (http://www.indypendent.org/wp-content/photos/page3_Rev_Billy.jpg). My friend dared herself to pull a cafuné, because that's how she rolls. So she sidled up to the bar, introduced herself, confessed a desire to stroke that silky mane, and was given the go-ahead. Hilarity ensued. Oscar's is a glorious dive where you can drink cheaply and get your cafuné on. Enjoy. read more

I never write reviews but I was so insulted by the service I was met with at the hand of bartender Bill last night, if that's his real name, that I feel compelled to make others aware. I have been going to Oscars for quite some time, it's a great bar with good food and drink specials. While the waitresses too seem like they have better things to do than serve paying customers, the environment and the company of friends allow me to easily overlook their rolling eyes. Until last night. I came with a group of friends, celebrating a loved ones homecoming and Bill left us feeling personally victimized. It was to the point that I had to ask him if there was something we were doing to earn his obvious disdain. He replied nothing but his surliness remained. When I ordered nachos he informed me that would be a pain for the cook and I could only have something fried. No problem, I ordered fries and Bill scoffed turning his back as he said "yeah, good luck." I watched 10 other patrons receive their food while Bill continued to glare at me and my friends in disgust. This was unlike anything I've ever seen before, I couldn't make this up. It was enough to make me never want to go back to what was once favorite bar in this city. I will follow up this review with a call to management. It's the only thing I can think to do to save this bar or to at least find out the nights Bill works so I can avoid it like the plague and advise others to do the same. read more

Scummy taps, smoky room, surly waitresses, no thanks.

I have never been to an establishment where the bartenders and entire staff have had such an attitude and made their patrons feel like second class citizens. Specifically, the bartender Bill was so rude and obnoxious when ordering drinks it made me want to throw my drink in his face. The guy is an absolute Bum who has no business working in a Burger King. The show Bar Rescue is the only thing that comes to mind here. read more

Everything I ever wanted to say about Oscar's I says it here: I really, truly don't want to spill the beans. No, I really don't want to tell you about the 24 ounce beers for three dollars. Or the ashtrays that get more butt than the Jonas Brothers, even after this bullshit "Smoke Free Philly" nonsense. You don't need to hear about the great selection from the classic jukebox, or the fact that the entire bar will sing along if you choose the right song. I can't tell you how many glasses are smashed on the floor each night, and how much the crowd gets riled up in the glass menagerie. I'll keep mum about the huge long island iced teas that, for 9 dollars, will make you slip off your bar stool. If I tell you, you'll go. And if you go, it won't be the cool ass, tight knit bar my friends and I know and love. If you go, maybe Oscar's will turn trendy; maybe they will up their prices and clean the bathrooms and start carding at the door. But if you read this review and find anything I just wrote even remotely enticing, I guess I can count you out of the yups around Center City; shit, maybe we could even get a beer sometime. (Not for Tourists Guide to Philadelphia, http://ww.notfortourists.com/viewRadar.aspx?city=PH&radarID=24732) read more

Great little place located in center city. I went here for happy hour and left at midnight!!!! Cheap drinks. Good food. Awesome people...both the regulars and bartenders! Will always come back when I'm in Philly!!! read more

$3 for 22 oz. of lager or $6 for 22 oz. of Guiness. Oh, and $3 Manhattans. Plus some ridiculously good onion rings. (But I'm not sure I'd eat anything else there.) If you can overlook the film of grease on everything and your wallet is feeling a bit light, go to Oscar's. They still allow some clandestine smoking, too. Best part is their drink picture menu placemats. I try to order a new thing every time I go. read more

I had a really good time here. I was already 2.5 sheets to the wind when I got here with a margarita and lots of Saki under my belt. I ordered a Sam Adams Summer Ale, and my girlfriend ordered a Long Island Iced Tea. Out they came, both in these huge glasses. I think they were like 24 oz. I've never seen a mixed drink this huge. I don't recall everything from that evening but I think hers was the ridiculous price of like only 8 dollars or something. As I do with every new bar I encounter I thoroughly inspect the jukebox. It was pretty darn good for a dive, and it had one of my favorite Tom Waits albums "Small Change". Among other stuff I played something from that album. This must of inspired me, because I was singing "The Piano has been Drinking(Not Me)" from that very album at National Mechanics by the end of the night. read more

This is probably my favorite steakhouse in town!!! You can always find a table no matter what time of day you come. This place actually invented happy hour!!! It's especially ideal if you want to try the dry martini and the steak tartare. This place is ideal for finding "my song". If you are an older gal, probably mid 50s, and you want to slur your speech in front of your friends, this is the place for you!! They legitimately played Tobey Keith!! He's my song!!! read more

I'm afraid to move back to Philadelphia. No, not because of the crime or the shitty politics. I'm afraid I'll never leave the bar. What can you say about Oscar's? You don't have to think about what you want because you have to get a big Yuengling and if your feeling frisky a shot or three. The bar stools were packed with a definite variety of people and some even offering Christmas cookies and chocolates. Others seemed to be lost in their own world, staring off into space and others making no sense but still trying to talk with any random patron that walked through the door. Forget Cheers, this is the bar they need to make a TV show about. read more

Tall Lagers and wings? Yes! 3 doors from work? Oh yes! Cheap? Yep! Laid back? Totally! Is Scotty The Man? YES! Do they own me? Absolutely. I love going there after work, no matter what time it is. If you aren't difficult and just want beer and relax, this is it! read more

Waitress was rude to my group and asked us to leave before we had a chance to order. When I stayed and asked her to explain her rudeness she shouted at me that she needed the table for other customers. We were planning on ordering drinks and food, but we won't be coming back to Oscar's. Bartender says the waitresses' brother owns the place. read more

You will spend the best years of your underaged life here, find solace in its strict adherence to the rules of head down drinking: long, dark and narrow. Dig into a 23oz lager for 3 and change, admire the way the waitress moves between tables, conversationally, think for a moment that you might marry her, remember that it's Tuesday and there's probably a few pretty girls at Fox & Hound for pint night--but karaoke's over, so why bother--and turn to a friend to make a point on Chase Utley's on-base percentage, stab your finger on the table to prove you're serious, and spill a bit out of your glass by accident. read more

Haven't had the food and haven't been here after dark; for some reason I only end up here in the afternoon, usually after an early day at the office. What a comfortable dive bar; Oscar's takes me back in time with it's porch-light yellow lamps, classic tunes, and $3.00 beers (that's a $3.00 23oz. beer). You just slip past the bar and disappear in a booth, Tina's the only one who knows you're there as she delivers you lager after huge lager. Blink twice and you will miss this genuine dive dream so look up for the green sign that leads you to cheap beer heaven. read more

i love this bar. however, i dont drink so dont continue reading this review in hopes of it being helpful. i love this bar bc its dark but has enough bad lighting for good people watching. it has plenty of sad weirdos, tired business men/women, and kids who read NYLON to make the crowd interesting. music is good and loud. food is greasy. service is rude but in a good natured way. but my favorite thing about this bar are the placemats... yes, the placemats. they are made of paper with drawings of different drinks on them and the drinks' names. fantastic. i make people play the game "what drink am i thinking of?" with me while they're getting drunk. it's like "20 Questions" but you can only use the placemat drink drawings as a referrence. "Does it have a cherry in it?... Is it in a small glass?... Will it get me laid?".... and so on. read more

Oh, Oscar's. Your enormous beers for 3-something dollars all day, every day hold a special place in my heart (and liver). I am a huge fan of this place because of the aforementioned beer special, the no-hassle service, and the creepily-endearing red tinted lighting. This is a great place to go with coworkers and friends - it is casual and laidback. And I guarantee that you will have at least one conversation with someone in the teeny-tiny ladies' room. Those random encounters always make my visit that much more interesting. Oh, and the pierogies are fantastic, too. Only thing is: they don't take credit, and navigating to an ATM after ingesting the large beers isn't always the best idea. read more

I love Oscar's. If you come after 4:00 you can get a cheesesteak and half of one for the regular cheesesteak price. It isn't just a bar, it is a great place to grab a late lunch on Saturdays. I have loved this place since I moved here.The staff is very friendly and the food is great. It isn't opened on Sundays unfortunately. read more

This place seemed neither divey nor run down to me. It is just not posh, which is great. Down to earth waitress, big tables and booths are great for meeting a crowd of friends. Super friendly seeming patrons. I like that it was a diverse mix of folks, black and white, which isn't always the case in all establishments. I don't go to bars often, but when I do, this is my new go-to. read more

They got the best cheeseburgers, the bartender gave me one of the best kamakazi shot ever, it was delicious!