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Hoping to score a reservation at a top Philadelphia restaurant on Super Bowl Sunday? You may be out of luck

Many of the city's top restaurants opted to close for Super Bowl Sunday. But there are opportunities to score a table at the ones that are staying open.

Friday Saturday Sunday will be closed on Sunday.
Friday Saturday Sunday will be closed on Sunday.Read moreDAVID SWANSON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

With no television and an elegant Rittenhouse vibe, the restaurant a.kitchen was leaning toward closing for the Super Bowl even before the Eagles clinched the NFC Championship. The news that the Birds were headed to the big game sealed it.

"Every year, the Super Bowl is a quiet night for us," general manager Joey Campanella said, adding that a.kitchen will be open for Sunday brunch but not for dinner. "But especially with the Eagles being in the Super Bowl, we thought it would be nice for our staff to be able to watch it themselves."

Yards Brewing Co., which has had big crowds since opening its new location on Spring Garden Street in November, would seem a perfect place to catch a game, but it won't be open. Instead, it will host a staff party where employees can watch the game.

Vernick, one of the most competitive places in town to get reservations, is closing for the big game. "We want everyone to know we support our city's team," hostess Shannon Thompson said.

Tequila's, on Locust Street, opted to close because there's only one television at the bar, and the management doubted there would be much business during the game.

Monk's Café, known for its endless beer menu, closes every year for the Super Bowl, and this year is no different, Eagles or not. (Its companion restaurant, the Belgian Café in Fairmount, will be open.) Double Knot, usually open seven days a week, also closes every year for the Super Bowl.

Palizzi Social Club in South Philly normally keeps Sunday hours, but will be closed for the Super Bowl. Same goes for Friday Saturday Sunday, maitre d' Maxine Peabody said, adding that the restaurant was unusually slow Jan. 21 during the Birds' game against the Vikings.

Some restaurants, like the Hungry Pigeon, are gearing up for a booming Sunday brunch service but plan to close for dinner. Res Ipsa Cafe planned to open for breakfast and lunch but plans to close early after seating its last dinner guests of the night at 6:15.

Pub & Kitchen, near Fitler Square, put an Eagles-theme spin on a brunch menu that includes "Bleeding Green Bloody Marys," "crispy fried Brady chicken" and a "Broad Street egg sandwich." Pub & Kitchen will stay open for dinner; patrons can watch the game at the bar.

At some of the city's trendiest dining rooms, Eagles fever may have created opportunities to score a last-minute reservation. As of Thursday, there were several openings for two at Vetri Cucina on Sunday night, as well as at Wm. Mulherin's Sons, which also has no television and had fewer bookings than usual, said head host Karen Conway.

"I think people are just looking for more of a party atmosphere," she said. "But our bar will be open, serving some wonderful drinks."

At Zahav, for years one of the city's hottest restaurants, Sunday night will be business as usual.

"Telling people who have had reservations for two months that we're closed — I don't think so," host Maria Carza said. "We have a zero percent chance of closing for the Super Bowl."