While London’s bar scene offers countless options for the discerning drinker, Passyunk Avenue stands apart as the first true Philadelphia establishment in the UK capital. Founded by New Jersey expat JP Teti, who has deep family roots in Philadelphia, this concept evolved from the Liberty Cheesesteak food truck into multiple brick-and-mortar locations across London, including sites in Waterloo, Fitzrovia, and Kensington.
The Waterloo venue, nestled within a Victorian railway arch on Leake Street, has been described as a “cathedral to Philadelphia.” This South London location embraces the gritty character of the surrounding graffiti tunnel while offering late opening hours until 12:30am Sunday through Thursday and 1:30am on weekends.
Investors contributed approximately £250,000 to transform the food truck concept into a full bar operation, demonstrating confidence in Philadelphia as an exportable identity.
Inside Passyunk Avenue, visitors find walls adorned with Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers memorabilia, alongside Budweiser neon signs and iconic Philadelphia symbols like the LOVE statue, Rocky, and Ben Franklin.
Step inside a slice of Philly—where Eagles banners meet Rocky nostalgia and neon Budweiser glows like Philadelphia sunshine.
The Fitzrovia location features a “disco ball of neon Budweiser signs” with televisions broadcasting baseball games, creating an authentic dive bar atmosphere.
The menu centers on Philadelphia’s culinary treasures, particularly authentic cheesesteaks that have earned praise from critics like Jay Rayner. Additional offerings include Italian hoagies, chicken parm, roast pork with broccoli rabe, and Buffalo wings.
The drink selection emphasizes cold American beers, with Pabst Blue Ribbon featuring prominently alongside bourbon options. Patrons can enjoy the “Citywide” special—a Pabst and Jim Beam combination for £6.
Passyunk Avenue explicitly markets itself as among “the only true American dive bars in London,” rejecting pretentiousness in favor of a laid-back, character-filled environment.
The bar enhances its playful atmosphere with traditional bar games including shuffleboard, pool, foosball, and dartboards for casual entertainment. Recently, they’ve introduced Passyunk Play, a dedicated space for American bar sports featuring batting cages with state-of-the-art pitching machines.
The brand strategically positions its Philadelphia-themed establishments in high-traffic London districts while maintaining the unpretentious charm that makes every visitor feel like a neighborhood regular.
The venue has gained significant recognition as American football royalty, with the Lombardi Trophy having made a special appearance at the bar, further cementing its status as an authentic piece of Philadelphia in London.
