always sunny in philadelphia filming locations

Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Discovering the Real-World Locations

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the hilarious and irreverent sitcom, may be set in the City of Brotherly Love, but much of its filming actually takes place elsewhere. While exterior shots establish the Philadelphia setting, the show’s iconic interiors, including Paddy’s Pub, are primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California. This allows for greater control over the production environment and streamlined filming schedules.

Behind the Bar: The Truth About Paddy’s Pub

Paddy’s Pub, the epicenter of the gang’s misadventures, is arguably the most recognizable location from Always Sunny. While exterior shots often feature a nondescript building to represent the pub’s façade, the interior is a set built on a soundstage in Los Angeles. This allows the writers and producers to create the perfect atmosphere for the show’s unique brand of humor.

Los Angeles Stand-Ins: Finding Philadelphia in California

Despite the show’s title, much of the filming takes place in Los Angeles and other parts of California. Producers use various locations to mimic the Philadelphia environment, allowing them to maintain a consistent aesthetic while benefiting from the established film industry infrastructure of the West Coast. From exterior street shots to interiors for secondary locations, California often doubles for Philadelphia.

Spotting the Real Philadelphia: Rare On-Location Shoots

While the majority of filming occurs in California, the production crew occasionally ventures to Philadelphia for specific exterior shots and establishing scenes. These on-location shoots help to solidify the show’s connection to its setting and provide a sense of authenticity. These shots are usually of iconic Philadelphia landmarks, helping ground the show in reality, however briefly.

For a comprehensive overview of the show, including its production details, check out the Always Sunny in Philadelphia Wikipedia page.

FAQ

Where is Paddy’s Pub really located?

The interior of Paddy’s Pub is a set in Los Angeles. Exterior shots sometimes use a building in Philadelphia, but there is no actual functioning bar called “Paddy’s Pub” at that location.

Why isn’t Always Sunny filmed in Philadelphia?

Filming primarily in Los Angeles offers greater control over production, cost-effectiveness, and access to a larger pool of crew and resources.

Are any real Philadelphia locations used in the show?

Yes, the show occasionally films exterior shots and establishing scenes in Philadelphia to provide a sense of place.

How can I visit the locations used in Always Sunny?

You can visit the exterior locations used for establishing shots in Philadelphia. However, the interior sets are located in a studio in Los Angeles and not open to the public. Research possible locations before traveling.

Where is the bar exterior shown in Always Sunny?

The show uses different buildings for the exterior shots of Paddy’s Pub. There isn’t one consistent, identifiable location.

Summary

Always Sunny in Philadelphia may be set in Philadelphia, but its production primarily takes place in Los Angeles. While the show occasionally films on location in Philadelphia for exterior shots, the interior sets, including the iconic Paddy’s Pub, are located in California. This approach allows for greater control over production and streamlines the filming process while maintaining the show’s comedic essence.