





While Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah might be the biggest stars in Hustle, there’s another character taking up a lot of the film’s real estate: the city of Philadelphia. It makes sense that Philly would play such a huge role — both the film’s director, Jeremiah Zagar, and its writer, Will Fetters, come from the city. Hustle’s executive producer Spencer Beighley even tells Netflix, “[Fetters] quickly made his hometown of Philadelphia feel like a central character in the movie.”
Zagar confirms that their collective love for the city was an important element of the story, and part of the project’s appeal to him. “There was a real chance to add some specificity,” he says, “particularly pertaining to my youth and the places I used to go as a kid. I feel the film really reflects a deep love and appreciation for the city, especially South Philly.”
Zagar, along with production designer Perry Blake and locations manager Troy Coffee, scouted locations in various areas throughout the city, including North Philly, Old City, Manayunk, South Philadelphia’s Italian Market and Queen Village. “The way the city looks from its buildings, streets and basketball courts,” Hustle’s co-producer Joseph Vecsey says, “you just really felt the realness there.”
If watching Hustle makes you crave your own trip to Philly, here’s a list of all the spots that Zagar, Blake and Coffee featured in the film. Just make sure to end your tour at Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar. Cheers!

3601 S. Broad St. As an NBA scout for the 76ers, Stan (Sandler), of course, spends plenty of time at the team’s home arena. And, yes, all those scenes were actually shot inside (and outside) of Philly’s own Wells Fargo Center.

412 Pine St. When Stan finally makes it home after a very long work montage at the start of the film, he connects with daughter Alex (Jordan Elizabeth Hull) by fulfilling the role of cool parent and allowing her to go to a screening of Evil Dead at a cemetery, despite the fact that she hasn’t finished her homework. Stan drops off Alex to meet her friends at Old Pine Church, a Presbyterian house of worship built in 1768 that is surrounded by a historic colonial-era churchyard.

1500 Walnut St. After Stan learns of the death of his friend and mentor, 76ers owner Rex Merrick (Robert Duvall), he attends a wake at Butcher and Singer, a real Philadelphia chophouse. The restaurant’s luxe interior is on full display as Stan connects with old friends and teammates.

1501-1527 Snyder Ave. This classic Philly diner can be seen in a food-filled montage accompanying a conversation that Stan is having with his wife, Teresa (Queen Latifah), not long after NBA prospect Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez) first arrives in Philly. Beyond Melrose, the clip features Philly cheesesteak institutions like Pat’s King of Steaks and Ishkabibble’s. And the conversation itself was filmed inside Fante’s Kitchen Shop, a historic cookware store on Philly’s South Ninth Street.

1200 Market St. Throughout his time in Philly, Bo stays at the Loews Philadelphia. Exterior shots of the real hotel are featured in the film.

700 Fox Chase Rd. Bo’s first big opportunity to prove himself to Vince Merrick (Ben Foster), the new owner of the 76ers, is an open run at Roman Catholic High School. This scene, however, was shot inside the gymnasium at Manor College, just north of Philly, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

121 Green Ln. Stan’s training plan for Bo involves having him run up a very steep hill in a minute and 45 seconds. According to Stan, an average professional cyclist can get to the top of this hill on a bike in two minutes. In real life, the hill where the training scenes were shot is known as Manayunk Wall and is popular among local cyclists.

900 Federal St. Bo plays basketball at different street courts throughout the film, but his skills go viral thanks to a game played and filmed at Capitolo Playground.

1 N. 19th St. Stan and Bo head to New York City for the NBA combine, an invitation-only showcase where college basketball players are checked out by decision-makers from all the NBA teams. While they’re supposed to be hanging out in Manhattan, they’re actually filmed staying at the Four Seasons in Philly.

2100 W. Olney Ave. Despite being set in New York City, the combine scenes were captured inside the Tom Gola Arena at La Salle.

2101 S. College Ave. After the combine, Bo gets one more chance to prove himself in a secret open run that powerful sports agent and Stan’s old friend and former teammate Leon Rich (Kenny Smith) tells Stan about. In the movie, Leon says the open run is taking place at Cardinal Hayes, a real high school in the Bronx, however, the basketball court at Girard College, a high school in Philly, served as the filming location.

1200 E. Passyunk Ave. The film wraps up with a flash-forward featuring Stan’s daughter Alex preparing to watch a 76ers game at a bar called McGlinchey’s. Real-life Philly institution Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar stands in for the fictional bar.






















































































