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Essential bars near the 2017 NFL Draft Experience

It's an assortment of tiny dives, corner taprooms, and full-on sports bars, with a brew pub mixed in.

Did someone say "draft"?

Philadelphia does have a huge beer scene -- and of course, a thriving bar scene.

Here are 24 worthy destinations within a mile of the NFL Draft Experience activities. It's an assortment of tiny dives, corner taprooms, and full-on sports bars, with a brew pub mixed in.

>> Click here for more coverage of the 2017 NFL draft in Philadelphia. Follow along with our live blog for updates from the draft and Draft Experience.

Alla Spina, 1410 Mount Vernon St.

The Vetri Family's bustling Italian bar-restaurant is solidly on the upmarket side, and the grub includes more esoteric pub fare (crispy pig tails, pig's head bruschetta) along with fanciful takes on wings, burgers, and buckets of chicken. The name means "from the tap," so the beer list (20 on tap, including many Italians) is first-rate.

Bar Hygge, 1720 Fairmount Ave.

The name (say it "hooo-guh") of this energetic bar-restaurant loosely means "coziness shared among friends" in Danish. House-made beers (seven in a variety of styles on tap) and happy hours featuring sharable boards of food for $10. Here's critic Craig LaBan's take.

Belgian Cafe (601 N. 21st St.)

Go for the mussels and frites at Monk's Cafe's chill sibling at the corner of 21st and Green Streets, which has 20 beers on tap at all times and excellent sidewalk dining.

Bishop's Collar, 2349 Fairmount Ave.

The friendly, neighborhood feel and easy-on-the-wallet prices contribute to the popularity of this taproom at 24th Street and Fairmount Avenue; outdoor seating is a plus.

The Black Taxi, 747 N. 25th St.

Thirteen beer taps, a menu of specialties such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash, and English Premier League and other (non-American) football matches on the tube? All that, and a tin ceiling at this corner Irish pub.

Bridgid's, 24th and Meredith Sts.

The craft-beer pioneer's happy hours - plural- run from 4 to 7 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday), and that includes $5 salads, wings, and a porchetta sandwich, $7 mussels and burgers, $10 pastas, as well as $4 drafts and house wines.

Cherry Street Tavern, 129 N. 22nd St.

Hot roast beef is king at this old-fashioned, no-frills bar owned and operated by the Loughery brothers near the Franklin Institute.

City Tap House, 2 Logan Square (18th and Cherry Streets)

Right off the Parkway behind the Logan Hotel, this massive sports bar might be Ground Zero of the draft partying, with 39 beers, dozens of TVs, and plenty of room.

Con Murphy's, 1700 Ben Franklin Parkway

This Irish bar in the Windsor, just down the Parkway from the draft, is a popular all-day destination - including for breakfast. There's outstanding people-watching from the patio tables.

Green Room, 1940 Green St. 

The clatter of pool balls (from two tables) mingles with the din of happy patrons at this corner Fairmount bar.

Jack's Firehouse, 2130 Fairmount Ave.

Your buddy the firefighter will want to check out this cavernous bar-restaurant in a former 19th-century firehouse across from Eastern State Penitentiary. You'll like it, too, when the big doors are open, allowing the scene to spill out from the mahogany bar to the sidewalk.

James, 19th and Arch Streets

Eleven beers are on tap at this polished pub, and during the NFL Weekend, $4 drafts will be offered. Pro tip: Get the burger.

Kelliann's, 16th and Spring Garden Streets

A dozen drafts pair nicely with the menu of snacks and sandwiches at this easygoing corner bar.

Kite & Key, 1836 Callowhill St.

A reliable, basic bar off the Parkway, with 17 reasonably priced beers on tap, a decent menu, and a sweet outdoor seating area.

La Calaca Feliz, 2321 Fairmount Ave.

Colorful Day of the Dead-themer has a happening happy hour, and beer prices as low as $2.50. Tasty Mexican snacks (including some of the city's best fish tacos) are discounted to $5.

Liberty Bar, 2204 Market St.

"Beers and burgers" is the phrase that pays at this under-the-radar bar known for accommodating bartenders and generous portions of pub grub.

London Grill, 2301 Fairmount Ave.

This oldie but goodie on a corner in Fairmount might be known more as a lunch or dinner destination, but the quaint, classic barroom in front is popular among locals, especially at happy hour.

Mace's Crossing, 1714 Cherry St.

Easygoing bartenders, familiar pub food (with an Irish bent), and a stellar location right on the Parkway make this tiny veteran (going on 40 years) a good bet.

McCrossen's Tavern, 529 N. 20th St.

Sweet staff, low lighting, old-time feel - it's a Philly bar, all right. Menu is a mix of bar classics amped by more contemporary American fare, and there's outdoor seating, to boot.

Misconduct Tavern, 18th Street and JFK Boulevard

One of two Misconduct Taverns (the other is at 15th and Locust Streets), this nautical themer has 12 beers on tap, about 50 more by the bottle, a decent menu, and scores of TVs to watch the game.

Rembrandt's, 741 N. 23rd St.

Not a Dutch master but a new-American bar-restaurant in Fairmount with decent food and great drinks at the first-floor bar; the special spot is the second floor, which affords lovely views of Center City.

Rogues Gallery, 11 S. 21st St.

Deliberately gritty bar off 21st and Market Street markets itself with the phrase "eat, drink, hang, hide," and it's popular among younger crowds eager to blow off steam.

St. Stephen's Green, 1701 Green St.

Fifteen beers on tap at this chill corner bar in Fairmount.

Tir Na Nog, 16th and Arch Streets

Soccer (OK, football) on the television, 21 beers on tap, and good ol' Irish-theme food translate to fun at this bar just off the end of the Parkway.

Urban Saloon, 2120 Fairmount Ave.

Twelve taps (plus 60 bottles and cans), roomy environs, and better-than-average pub fare are the selling points of this lively taproom; if you're hosting a large party, this is one solid option.

(And yes, there is a T.G.I. Friday's on the Parkway near 17th Street.)

>> Click here for more coverage of the 2017 NFL draft in Philadelphia