If you’re like me, watching a game means more than what happens on the field or court. The people you watch with, the atmosphere around you, and the food you are eating make the experience more enjoyable. As someone who enjoys eating food and hanging out with friends while watching a game, I decided to explore some of the best spots around West Chester to do just that.
For West Chester University students, there are many different spots in the area that allow you to get out of your dorm or apartment. Whether you want to watch an Eagles game, a Phillies game or even watch LeBron James and the newly assembled 76ers squad take the court this season, the West Chester area has many unique places for you and your friends to enjoy a game while eating some great food.
If you are looking for somewhere to watch the next big game on TV with friends, here are six places in the area worth checking out.
Place 1: Barnaby’s Restaurant and Pub
The first stop is Barnaby’s Restaurant and Pub, located right on South High Street. Having another location in Havertown, the West Chester spot embraces the historic charm of the town and its building. The restaurant and bar emphasize its connection to family, sports, food, and community. Not only that, but Barnaby’s also occasionally has live music to add to the amenity of the game.
For sports fans specifically, the biggest appeal of Barnaby’s is the great setup they have for watching games. With many screens throughout the restaurant and bars, along with the different seating areas, such as indoor and outside seating, the place gives you a unique experience. The menu offers a variety of options, including wings, burgers, sandwiches, and nachos, giving your group plenty of options while you watch.
Barnaby’s is a convenient location, as it is within walking distance of campus itself. Overall, Barnaby’s combination of charm, sports, music, and food not only makes it a great place to watch a game, but a convenient one as well.
Place 2: The Stone Tavern
Moving away from West Chester, The Stone Tavern 1867 offers a different atmosphere for sports fans on West Chester Pike. The Irish-inspired pub combines its Irish heritage with a modern twist. The pub offers food and drinks with sports, making it a fitting place for a group of friends to enjoy. The restaurant was previously known as the Blarney Stone before being reimagined into The Stone Tavern in 1867 after 25 years.
For sports fans, The Stone Tavern provides a traditional Irish pub atmosphere to watch a game with friends. The bar has several TVs with different games playing throughout the bar, making it a potential spot for fans looking to get out of their house to watch a game.
The Stone Tavern also offers a variety of food options, including soups and salads and pub plates, along with sandwiches and burgers. Along with that, the location offers events such as music trivia from 8-11 on Thursday nights, live music from 8-11 Saturday nights, and Blarney Bingo from 6-8 Sunday nights.
Place 3: Saloon 151 Whiskey Bar and Grill
Back in West Chester is Saloon 151, located right on Gay Street. Saloon 151 is a whiskey bar and grill with a country and rustic feel that offers a variety of food and drink options for customers.
For sports fans, Saloon 151 provides an energetic and social atmosphere to watch a game with friends. With TVs throughout the restaurant and bar, fans can keep up with the game while enjoying their food and drinks. Located right in the heart of West Chester, it is a close option for students to watch a game.
Along with its sports atmosphere, Saloon 151 offers a variety of food and drink options. They offer whiskey bar wings, flatbreads, burgers, and sandwiches, giving your group plenty of choices while you watch a game.
Place 4: Stove & Tap
Stove & Tap West Chester is another in-town option that offers a more modern ambiance with a variety of food and drink options, giving sports fans a different setting to watch games with friends. This spot is located on Gay Street and provides a more casual and sit-down setting for customers who would like to enjoy food while watching a game.
The menu at Stove & Tap gives groups plenty of options to choose from while watching a game. Some of the options include burgers, nachos, sandwiches, and mac and cheese, giving customers a lot to choose from depending on what specifically they are looking for.
Stove & Tap offers many specials and events, such as a chili cook-off on October 11th and Halloween-themed events this month.
Place 5: Square Bar
The Square Bar represents a more traditional neighborhood vibe, with American bar food and a casual dining option for visitors. Located back on East Chestnut Street, Square Bar provides a more laid-back atmosphere that represents the small-town local feel. This atmosphere makes it a great location to meet with your friends for a game.
For many sports fans, the Square Bar can be a good choice to watch some of Philadelphia’s best teams while having a good time with your friends. The bar is known for supporting teams of its own, such as the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and all other Philly action.
This spot offers a variety of food options for customers to enjoy while watching the game. Some of the options include wings, cheesesteaks, burgers, and chicken tenders, giving groups plenty of options to enjoy while watching their teams play.
Place 6: Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef
Heading back outside of town is a casual option and a personal favorite of mine. Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef, located right on West Chester Pike, is known for its hot roast beef sandwiches. Nick’s offers a casual setting where you can grab a great meal while watching a game with friends.
While Nick’s is known for its hot roast beef, the menu offers other options as well. They offer other sandwiches such as pork, ham, and turkey. Along with that, they have french fries, gravy fries, and a variety of drinks as well.
For me, Nick’s stands out because of its cozy, casual atmosphere. It gives you a spot to hang out and share great food without having to deal with a long wait. If you are looking for a more relaxed place to watch a game, Nick’s is a great choice.
Overall, West Chester has many great places to check out when looking for somewhere to watch the game with your friends. There are many different options depending on what you are looking for, from traditional sports bars to sit-down restaurants to more relaxed options.
At the end of the day, there is more to a game than just watching, as who you are with and where you can watch builds the experience. The next time your favorite team is playing or there is a big game, consider getting out and stopping at one of these local spots.