I must have walked by this place a dozen or so times when I used to work in center city. Didn't think much of it. Was just introduced to it this past weekend and loved it. Cheap beer and cheap food. They had $3.75 for 23oz domestic drafts all night, I think. I got the Oscar burger which was a standard hockey puck with cheese, lettuce and tomato for five bucks and change. They got some tvs, a little bit of space and a touch tunes. What more do you want. If you're looking for an awesome dive bar in Philly, this is it. read more

I love Oscar's - great center city dive ( they are dwindling, sadly... ) with $4 giant beers, decent bar food and super friendly staff! There's no judgement here. With Nodding Head gone ( not that it was a dive, but a nice place with decent clientele) I hope this section of Sansom Street doesn't turn into the club district. Ugh. Long Live Oscar's! Only con - Cash only - but I imagine it keeps their prices down so I wont complain. read more

Oscar's Tavern - Big beer! - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dive bar. Dim lighting. Leather booths that were falling apart. Ceiling tiles that were soaked brown from leaky pipes. Staff was nice. Domestic draft beers for $4. read more

Oscar's Tavern - $4 pints - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A group of friends and I walked into the bar and immediately all felt unwelcome due to receiving multiple judgmental stares. The staff was also very rude and just seemed like they didn't want us there when asking for our ID's and our orders.. because of that we didn't want to stay any longer, but felt bad since we came in and sat down and even had our ID's checked so we decided to just each take a quick shot and go. Even then we overheard one of the staff complaining and sounded very annoyed that that's all we ordered. Definitely would have ordered more if we hadn't felt so unwelcome in the first place. read more

Nice place, drinks not to expensive, but kinda small. Service was really good. Friendly and very helpful as haven't been to Philly in about 15 years. P read more

It was a night out with friends and when we walked in to the bar the employees were very unwelcoming and gave us judgmental stares. The service was also low quality and we all overheard them talking negatively of us. read more

Great dive bar. Cheap cheap drinks at happy hour and friendly bartenders. Place has been updated since the 70s. But a really fun dive to hang in read more

Great bar in center city. Bartender Bill is the best around. A must stop if your a local, or just spending the night in town.

I was in town for work and was looking for a fun dive bar. This place is it. Bartenders are awesome and hilarious. I felt like I was in the show "it's always sunny in Philadelphia". I will definitely be back! read more

Greasy Awesome Fun Safe Exactly what you want in a kick ass dive bar. Jaime the waitress and Angela the bartender will make you have a good time. read more

Look up 'All American Dive-Bar' in the dictionary, and you will see a pictures from inside Oscar's. It's dark, the booze is cheap, the foods good and there are plenty of characters saddled up at the bar. The day of light dare not seep into such a place I came here for no particular reason and left buzzed and full on a weekday afternoon. The Yuengling Black & Tan on tap flowed freely and the shitty well whisky coated the bar. I ordered a cheeseteak. Five minutes later a woman yells across the bar "WHAT KINDA CHEESE". I felt it would be rude to return her question with another so I shouted PROVOLONE!. It was f******g good. Delicious even. It was too dark to really see it so I can't comment on if it was beautiful too. But that doesn't matter. Come here, get blitzed at 2pm. You know you want to. read more

Let me start off by saying the music selection is not what you think it will be.. wow. You choose the song you want but it won't be played until later on. The seating is ok.. the booths are only located on the western side and the eastern side are only made of wood! Cash only! And they let you know it bitch! Only a mirror in the women's bathroom... wtf? The wine selection... limited at most. Only Chardonnay and merlot ....... lol am I supposed to drink those? But the staff.. omg perfection *chef's kiss* .all around a great place to take the family. read more

Love this place. Calm, friendly and very very good value for money. Food is basic but decent. Huge beer on draft just $6.50. Tiny entrance but goes back a good 40-50yds. Just ordered a second beer and only $4. Update : I'm here again in May '16 and still just as good. Consistency. read more

Oscar's Tavern - $4 Yuengling. Why not? - Dive Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cash only. Diverse groups of people. Red lights, cheap domestic beers on tap, and lots of fried foods. The men's bathroom toilet has duct tape on it. Yep, dive bar. read more

There is no real reason to serve 23 ounce Long Island Iced Teas. A L.I.T. in a pint glass is certainly adequate for all stripes of boozehounds, but Oscar's takes it right past the line of logic. I saw our young, bruised waitress sweep up broken glass three times in our visit there. Also sweeping up spilt pierogies (at least paper plates can't shatter), and policing the many underagers who attempted to get served. Oscar's is such a dive: a smoke-filled room, sticky vinyl booths, cash only. But surely the cheapest hangover you will every purchase. read more

Came here to try to watch the Phillies game on 4/21, but the nasty, lowlife waitress (owner's sister?) was so rude and angry, we left before we had the chance to spend any money. A business is supposed to try to get and keep customers, not chase them away. Place was filthy and smelled disgusting anyway. read more

Dive-tastic. Upon walking in, you will smell the odor that is Oscar's. It's probably left over from years of smoke. It's a little dim, there are a couple of TVs, booths and tables in the back. Beer is on the menu here. I've never ordered anything else. You come here to have a decent draft for a really good price. If you're short on change, Lager bottles will do just fine for ya. I'd bring a group of friends and get a little rowdy. That's basically the accepted code of conduct. The waitresses might have a little bit of an attitude, but it's understandable. Kudos to them for putting up with all the drunks that make there way in here. Don't forget to wash your clothes after coming here. The stench on your soul however is not coming off and you'll be back. read more

I get the appeal of a dive bar. I just don't think Oscars does. Drinking at Oscars is the equivalent of stuffing your coat with slightly skunked beers and riding the Patco train from NJ. Apparently, spilling your beer is a group activity. For the same reason I don't want to buy my steak from a slaughter house, I don't want to eat fried food prepared in the front of the bar. The booths are too small for more than two, and you must order from the bar. The upside is you can have a front row seat when its time for the ceremonial spilling of the tall beer. Like a mangy stray, I'm sure somebody loves Oscar. In my minds eye though, i picture Dirty frank and Mr. McGlinchey walking by quickly with noses upturned. read more

For a dive bar, this place really has its charm. After the latest YEE, some of us headed here to continue the night; we were in full cocktail attire after all. Why squander a good opportunity to hit the town when you're all dressed up?? I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to seat our relatively large party right away. Usually places like this never have full tables ready to go--maybe the rain scared people away. Other than that, there's not much to say: the beer is cheap, the food is yummy, and the company is questionable (at best). It's exactly what you come to expect and love at a dive bar! read more

Beer as tall as ey can see, Towering high, way above me, Pour a glass and toast the air, Wave and wink, to the maiden fair. This is Oscar's, Tavern Inn, Comfort for the wretched sin, Take a seat and drink your fit, Once you start, ye never quit. Oscar's, Oscar's, bar and all, Serving lager proportions tall, Where else can you get R&R? Sansom isn't very far... read more

An ugly stew of derelicts, hipsters, and classless underagers. The red vinyl swells and moans under you as each new degenerate enters to the sound of hot grease licking water in the make-due kitchen next to the doorway. The smell is smoke and sweat, and for some reason the 23oz beers just seem wetter coming out of these draughts. No matter what the weather is outside, once you sit down in here, it always feels like its raining. This place is good. read more

I spent my last night in Philadelphia at Oscar's and I had the time of my life. It was a friend's birthday, so we had a large group. We all drank a fair bit, and had a round of shots, and the total bill was some ridiculously low number like $150. Oscar's, I love you. And one last thing: The German Burger - BELIEVE THE HYPE. That was, hands down, the best burger I've eaten in my life. I'm not even a burger person, really, but I made it my mission to try it based solely on the glowing reviews of my fellow yelpers, and I was not disappointed! My tastebuds experienced the sublime last night, and to be honest, I'm not surprised it was at Oscar's - that place really is a hidden gem, and will be dearly missed upon my immediate departure from Philadelphia. read more

This is my favorite bar in Philadelphia. It's dark. It's not too crowded (except for Friday night after work...stay away). And the drinks are giant and cheap for the most part. Just watch out for getting Oscar'd, since the beers and shots are twice as big as usual. You may leave wondering what's going on if you only had 4 beers and 2 shots. It's a lot easier to do the math the next morning. I'm not so sure why most people on here seem kind of scared of the food. Stopping at Oscar's after work for a beer and a burger is one of my guilty pleasures. Anyone I've ever convinced to get a German Burger (provolone, sweet peppers and egg) has been hooked right away. And if that's not your thing, they give you a steak and a half on any steak they have after 5 PM. A side of fries is, like $1.75. Which is my kind of price. Someone recently told me that Bill the bartender used to work over at Davio's and makes the best Manhattan in the city. I've also seen him telling people that his wife told him not to buy anything else from crackheads. He then promptly bought some stuff off a gentleman who fit this description. They are closed on Sundays, so don't try it. Also, it's cash only and there's no ATM. But there are plenty close by if you need to run out to get money / more money. There's also a cigarette machine out of view in the back past the bathrooms if you need it. It took me about a year and a half to realize it was there. read more

This is basically one of my favorite bars in town. Why? Because if you're here, you probably want to be here. If not, you leave quickly. What's left is a fairly enjoyable mixed crowd that likes to have fun. Plus, you get a total grab bag of what type of individual you're going to have sitting next to you at the bar. Don't want to sit at the bar? The tables are entirely enjoyable as well. And then there's the beer... the sweet beer that is stupid cheap for 20-23 something ounces per tall glass. You have a $20 bill? You can drink for hours. Bar flys, old drunkards, and kids alike find Oscar's to be a welcome safe haven. It's darkly lit, kind of dingy, and just plain awesome. Why just last night, myself and two other people had 13 tall beers and food from the grill amongst the three of us for a $50 total. Yes, that is just plain awesome. read more

Gotta love a dive bar with a friendly waitress. She didn't even give me attitude when I knocked over and broke one of their very tall beer glasses of which I had a few rounds of the $5 flying fish. I wish I had known their kitchen closed around 10, cause I was hungry and really could have used a nice plate of fries. It feels like my great uncles basement, only dingier and I don't have to sneak sips when the grown ups aren't looking. Also they have 1960 era place mats with old school cocktails on them. Very stylish - I just wish you could order off of it. read more

Oscar's is a bit hard to find, overshadowed by the Nodding Head sign and the stream of fit bodies flowing into the hot yoga studio next door, but it's worth finding. Why? Because its dark in there, and cool, and none of the people inside look like the belong together. That's the secret - there is no scene. The beer is cheap, the music is good, and it's a great place to hide out for awhile when stuck in Center City. Yes, it smells. Like grease. Because everything you can order is deep fat fried. But hey, if you don't like it, don't eat there. Just grab yourself a booth, order up a "tall" beer (24 oz. Lager) and put your feet up. Do it again next week while playing hooky from work. You won't regret it. read more

CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG!!!! I was reminded of my glory days of college. And thus I knew I was in Oscar's. Anyplace that plays a mix of Prince, Steely Dan, MJ, The Doors, and Kanye West on the jukebox gets a 5 stars just for the awesome music choices by the other patrons. Fantastic tunes playing all night long, the tvs playing the Phillies, excited and often too drunk to walk without help patrons, and fantastic beers calls for a solid night of fun. A delicious and perfectly chilled bottle of magic hat #9 for $4.25 is what my poor self is looking for. And 23 ounces of blue moon/sly fox for 6 bucks is the finisher. Let's go. If stupid Septa had trains that ran later than 11 on a Friday night in my neck of the woods, I would have been here til closing. My fellow yelper and I mingled with friendly patrons, gawked (and laughed) at stumbling drunk girls, and waited in line for a divey but sanitary (thankfully) bathroom. This place is perfect for some rowdy entertainment, cheap brews, and good music. A perfect place for a casual drunk night. I will be back and my wallet will mourn. read more

My pal Emily P. always sang the praises of Oscar's, so I knew upon the first time coming, I was in for a treat. And boy, was she right. Oscar's is an unexpected dive bar smack dab in the middle of Center City - with all the sass, smoke, and cheesy jukebox music you could ever dream of. The bar food - greasy, but delicious. Beer - cheap cheap CHEAP, and served in 22oz glasses. Dear God, I've died and gone to heaven. The crowd here is always mixed - obvious UArts hipsters, alcoholic business types in fancy suits, and your fair share of sketchy Philly dudes. Oscar, we must hang out more. read more

Before reading about this bar, peep the category overhead: Dive Bars. Just because a place is considered to be a dive bar doesn't mean it won't be a great time or that there are vagrants waiting in the shadows to take your money. That being said, Oscar's is one of my favorite drinking establishments in the city. The ambience of the dim lighting, and low drum of conversation allow one to blend in and peoplewatch without drawing attention. Went down to Center City to go out for SIPS but started and ended my night at Oscar's. When their everyday special is .25 more than the SIPS special, save the crowds, I'm all set.If you stopped in last night you got to hear some 58 year old man named Rick rock out to 4 Van Halen songs on the jukebox wearing clip-on sunglasses and fistpumping. The waitstaff here is awesome! Extremely personable, family-run business and they aim to keep it that way. The food is okay, you're at a dive bar, not a gastropub, drink and the food gets better. Regardless, the waitress was nice enough to give us food that somebody ordered and didn't show up for gratis, can't beat free food & cheap drinks. Don't be that guy who brings the ATM/Debit/Credit card, businesses like this survive running cash-only. read more

When I think of Oscar's I think of duck sauce.* Has to be that the light gives the joint an orangey haze in the night...and it can be a wee bit sticky there too. My experiences at Oscar's have been nothing but sweet. This duck sauce analogy is working out a lot better than I expected. "See I'm NOT crazy**!" I just yelled...at myself. Cash bar. Big cheap beers for three dollars and change can be found here. Inexpensive mixed drinks are not watered down either- Oscar's don't skimp! We've had a such a variety of times and odd conversations here. Odd in a good way, usually. I've had a discussion about baking rugelach as Prince and Frank Sinatra played back to back on the jukebox. I've also been at Oscar's when it's been so packed to the rafters that I've barely been able to hear the weirdo thoughts in my own head, much less what tunes are playing. We've found Oscar's Tavern to be a comfortable, friendly place to get some drinks when we're in the neighborhood or when our funds are running low. We keep on coming back. *Disclaimer: Oscar's has nothing to do with cheap Chinese sauce take-out packets **There is a good chance that I'm terribly insane. read more

I love dive bars. Dive bars are fun. They're inexpensive. They have an unpretentious attitude. They have real chill bartenders..... Most of the time. Came here on a Friday to get some late night drinks. Everything seemed fine when we walked in. Place looked chill. When we went to go sit down though the bartender snapped at us. Apparently someone was sitting there. There was no way for us to know. It wasn't a huge deal. I'm not gonna slam the place, it had a chill vibe, cheap drinks, and it looked like everyone was having fun. After our round though, we felt we should take our business elsewhere. read more

Probably my fave go to dive bar in Philly and I think anyone who works or lives in Center City knows about this wonderful establishment. Sure it is cramped, the interior needs some updating, and the exposed springs in the chairs could possibly hurt you. But do you go to dive bars for ambiance? Ummmmm last time I checked you do not. The drinks are cheap, strong, and huge if you get a long island. If I remember correctly the long islands are $12 and it is the best $12 I have spent in Center City. It normally gets packed pretty early so get there by 5-6ish or plan on standing. Bring cash and the lady working the bar with blonde hair is an absolute sweetheart. I forgot to mention this is a dive bar with a great selection of top-shelf liquor as well? Well it is! Thank you Oscar Tavern for the awesome nights and here is to more. read more

There's nothing really terrible about Oscar's, but I just can't bring myself to really like it. We each got one of the tall beers for $3.50 a piece, which is a great deal. The pierogies were actually pretty good, but served on a styrofoam plate with a plastic fork. I don't really mind this, I just thought it was funny. The bloody mary was good, but STRONG. Again, not a bad thing. It did kind of smell like an old bathroom that had just been attempted to be cleaned. read more

Oscar's is one of my favorite spots in Center City. I'm definitely partial to dive bars and it's awesome that Philly manages to keep a decent handful of them downtown as an alternative to the sea of shitty overpriced bars with lines full of douchebag college kids and/or young professionals who don't know better than paying $5+ for a Yuengling. Like everyone else mentioned, you can't beat their huge $3 drafts and their mixed drinks are strong and cheap too. Oscar's is kind of like McGlinchy's except that the waitresses aren't all constantly miserable and you're more likely to end up sitting next to the neighborhood shoeshine guy (literally) than a bunch of aging hipsters. Also, after like 6 or so when you order a cheesesteak you get an additional half for free. It's a good deal and also an excuse to eat a cheesesteak and half, which you'll need to soak up all that alcohol you probably shouldn't have consumed immediately after work on a weekday... This is definitely a stop in for a drink, end up tore up by 8:30pm kind of bar, which warrants a glowing review in my eyes. read more

"It goes in easier if you get it wet." Get your mind out of the gutter. This is just what the waitress told me when I was trying to slide a dollar bill into the jukebox. This place gets really crowded. It seemed like a bunch of people were trying to pre-party here before going to that club next door. Once my friend and I got our seats at the bar, it was a great time. And that didn't take too long either. Oh, it's cash only, and their atm is at the bank around the corner. read more

Oscar's is the kind of place that you can take a few friends and end up having a crazy night....even though the place itself seems to be nothing special. I consider it a gem because it's the epitome of a dive bar housed in the middle of classy center city. I have never been here and not had amazing fried food and one-too many beers. All good memories up in here. OSCAR'S TAVERN IS CASH ONLY. I REPEAT, BRING YOUR CASH TO THIS BAR! I have definitely embarrassed myself a time or two forgetting that this is a cash-only place. Normally this also makes me really angry....but this place is just that kind of cheap dive bar. Note that there are place mats that have a bunch of cocktails on them.....they can't make most of them. You don't go here for fancy cocktails. You go here for their cheap tall beers or the Long Island Iced Tea made in a glass way too large that will do the body good. Cannot stress enough that this is a mozzarella sticks and lager kind of place. Don't mess with perfection. read more

I love cheap dirty bars. I used to live and work at one, but I guess I shouldn't have come here starving and after having fancy glasses of wine at a nice fundraiser at a hoity-toity steakhouse. I got a sausage sandwich and promptly puked it up, it was so nasty. It made my stomach recoil on contact. I think it may have actually been a turd in a bun. Cheese fries were OK, made with actual Cheez Whiz, yay. You can tell by that plasticky aftertaste that only brand name Cheez Whiz has! My giant beer was nice to look at but warm and took about 10 tries at the waitress and bartenders to actually get. OK, it's really cheap, but it doesn't matter if it's so piss warm that I can't drink it. I'd rather spend $4 on something I can actually consume than $2.50 on nothing. Also I'm pretty sure the cook relieved himself in it. And Jesus Christ Mr. White, are all of the staff members on crystal meth?! Like I said, I like gross nasty cheap bars best, but at least pour me a beer the first or second time I ask for it, and stop trying to tell me to ask a different server. I asked YOU! You're at the damn bar! read more

My favorite bar in all of Philadelphia. I don't need stemmed crystal. I don't need crown moulding or stools I can actually sit on. Those are ill-afforded luxuries that play no part in me enjoying the people watching and the fun I always have when I come here with my friends when I'm in town. The dim, red lights; the shabby stools, everything is falling apart and I love it. The dive into this bar is very deep, very cheap and I wouldn't want it any other way. Those LITs and $3 tall drafts will set you right (or upside-down, if you're not careful) read more

Wow this place is awful! We ordered some food and but not everyone had cash. This place is cash only and has no freaking ATM. So two of my friends only had cards and the waitress said they couldn't stay because they weren't ordering anything. She said "this isn't just a hangout place for you guys so please leave." No. You don't kick out good-willed people who just don't happen to have cash and there's no ATM. Welcome to the 21st century. When we canceled our order cordially she was super passive aggressive too. I am not usually one to give negative reviews but the that treatment was literally crap. read more

Def a fan of Oscar's for a late night drink, but I think that is the only time I would come here - after I went out to a real bar and got lit and wanted to relax and continue the night with some friends. It's a v small location and also very divey, that being said, I do love a good dive and that is exactly what Oscar's is. Ample seating, cheap drinks, friendly staff. Beware - cash only. ATM located inside. read more