Bonner's Irish Pub
The 23rd Street local — a real neighborhood Irish pub west of Rittenhouse.
Bonner's sits on a quiet block of South 23rd Street, west of Rittenhouse Square proper. It's one of those pubs that regulars protect: dark wood bar, decent jukebox, Guinness on tap, and no pretense about being anything other than the neighborhood Irish local.
On St Patrick's Day it's the calm alternative to the chaos five blocks east. You can actually get a seat, order a burger, and hear the person next to you.
Come here when the Cavanaugh's line is 45 minutes deep and you just want a pint.
The escape valve when Rittenhouse gets overwhelming. Cash-and-carry, quiet corner, proper pour.
Philadelphia's longest-running St Patrick's Day bar crawl. 30+ bars, free cover, free t-shirts.