A refreshing juxtaposition from the posh-ness of nearby Rittenhouse Square, Oscar’s Tavern is a Center City staple when you want to bypass all the fancy-pants cocktail lounges and wine dens in the area for cheap beers, greasy pub grub and a friendly yet take-no-bullshit waitstaff.
The joint, which opened in 1972, has an almost diner-like feel, decked out with wood-paneled walls, a lineup of stools at the bar and a row of ripped red-vinyl booths, which fill up fast when the after-work crowd rolls in, roughly between 5 and 8pm. In the back, you’ll find tables, single-stall bathrooms and a jukebox cranking nostaligic tunes.
The bar situation is pretty straight-forward, featuring familiar beers such as Rolling Rock, PBR and Yuengling—all for around $4 or $5. Cocktails are run the gamut from Screwdrivers and martinis to gin and tonics and Long Island iced teas. On the food from, there’s massive cheesesteaks, chicken fingers, no-frills burgers, drippy cheese fries and other plates perfect for soaking up all the alcohol.
Order up and take in the scene. This is a Philly dive bar at its very best.