When you think about places to hang out in Philadelphia, there's a spot that often comes up in conversation, and that is Barstool Sansom Street. It's a place that, honestly, has a bit of a story to it, a story that goes beyond just being a bar. It's known by many as a go-to for catching a big game or maybe even celebrating something special with friends, so it's almost a fixture for some folks looking for a good time in the city.
You might walk by it, and from the outside, it could seem a little unassuming, even a bit, well, rough around the edges, if we're being completely honest. That's because it sits in what's sort of a hidden alleyway, a lane that doesn't really draw attention to itself right away. But once you step inside, the feel of the place is actually quite welcoming, very relaxed, and just generally a nice environment to spend some time.
This spot, at 1213 Sansom Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has quite a following, with many people having visited and quite a few talking about it online. It's a place that has seen its share of good times, with folks gathering for various reasons, from enjoying sports to just having a night out. It's a part of the city's social fabric, more or less, for those who seek out a lively atmosphere.
The feeling you get when you step inside Barstool Sansom Street is, honestly, pretty relaxed and welcoming. Despite what the outside might suggest, tucked away in a somewhat hidden lane, the inside opens up into a really spacious area. It's a place where you can usually find a spot to settle down, even during the day, which is a good thing if you're just looking for a casual hang. Folks who have been there often talk about the good attention they receive from the staff, even when things get busy, and the people behind the bar are typically quite friendly. So, it really does tend to be a place where you can feel at ease.
This popular gathering spot, Barstool Sansom Street, makes its home at 1213 Sansom Street in the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's a location that many people know, and it's quite a draw for those looking for a place to catch a big game or simply enjoy a night out. The exterior, as mentioned, is a little understated, making it seem, well, just a little bit out of the way, sitting in a lane that isn't particularly flashy. But once you know where it is, it's pretty easy to find your way to Barstool Sansom Street and see what it's all about.
One thing that stands out about Barstool Sansom Street is how much room there is inside. It's quite a large place, which means that, generally speaking, you can almost always find a table or a spot to stand, even when it feels like a lot of people are around. I mean, during the daytime, it's pretty rare to see it so packed that you can't get comfortable. This spaciousness helps keep things feeling pretty calm, even when there's a lot going on. The people who work there are also known for being able to keep up with the flow of folks, making sure everyone gets served and feels looked after, which is really important for a place that gets busy.
Barstool Sansom Street actually offers a couple of different atmospheres within its walls, giving people choices for how they want to spend their time. Upstairs, you'll find what feels like a more traditional bar setting, a place where you can gather around with friends, perhaps watch a game, and just enjoy a drink. Then, if you head downstairs, there's a whole other area that's set up for dancing, providing a space for those who want to move and enjoy some music. So, it's kind of like two different experiences under one roof at Barstool Sansom Street, catering to different moods and activities.
On a Saturday, May 3, 2025, something quite unexpected and serious took place at Barstool Sansom Street. A group of folks who were there for bottle service ended up ordering a sign that, when shown, had an antisemitic message. A video of this incident, showing someone holding the sign, started circulating very quickly online. It spread far and wide, and honestly, it left very little room for anyone to wonder about what had actually happened. This event caused a lot of people to question things and certainly created a stir, casting a very difficult light on Barstool Sansom Street.
The day after that video began to spread, the Barstool location in Philadelphia, Barstool Sansom Street, was closed down. This happened on a Sunday, right after the sign incident gained so much attention. The establishment put out a statement on social media, on Instagram, expressing how they felt about what had occurred. They wrote that they were feeling quite sad, pretty embarrassed, and certainly very upset by the whole situation. This quick closure and the public statement showed just how seriously the incident was taken, leading to an immediate shutdown of Barstool Sansom Street.
The place, Barstool Sansom Street, is actually part of Barstool Sports, a company that deals with sports and culture content and has, you know, a history of attracting a bit of debate. Dave Portnoy, who started the company and owns the bar, and who is Jewish, spoke out about the incident. He put out a video on social media, where he said he planned to send the people who had ordered that sign on a trip to Auschwitz. This was a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. His hope, as he said, was that they would "hopefully learn something" from that experience. This was a pretty strong and direct response from the owner regarding the events at Barstool Sansom Street.
While Barstool Sports is, you know, pretty used to dealing with public discussions and disagreements, the antisemitic sign shown at its Barstool Sansom Street spot really brought on a lot of public disapproval. There were many strong reactions, and the company's outspoken leader, Dave Portnoy, made several statements in response. Footage that was shared online showed people working at the Barstool Sansom Street bar in Philadelphia holding up this illuminated, antisemitic message on a really big board right there on the club's dance floor. Portnoy, in his comments, mentioned that he hoped those involved would "hopefully learn something and maybe their lives aren’t ruined and they think twice." On that Sunday, a person named Daniel Stewart, who wasn't aware of the incident, said that around 4:00 p.m., they were suddenly told the bar was closing and everyone had to leave. Fox 29, a local news channel, was there and saw many others trying to get in later that afternoon, but the door to Barstool Sansom Street was locked.