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Q: Football season is coming up again. I don't mind the college games, but the shouting louts who watch the pros have driven me out of many a nice bar/restaurant. I know this sounds very un-American, but I'm looking for places with no TVs. Where can I go to sit in peace, have a pleasant conversation or just read The New York Times?
A: Fergie's (1214 Sansom St., 215-928-8118) is probably the one spot that's best-known for shunning the boob tube. Drop by Tank Bar (261 S. 21st St., 215-546-4232), where you can peruse the paper of record and wave at fish in the 135-gallon aquarium. Head a bit down the street to Snackbar (253 S. 20th St., 215-545-5655) and relax outside or in with a glass of wine before the dinner rush. The outdoor patio at Dahlak (4708 Baltimore Ave., 215-726-6464) will provide you with more than enough room to stretch your legs. Twenty21 (2005 Market St., 215-851-6262) is a favorite of nearby office workers — it sports a TV-free liquor wall so mammoth, bartenders scale ladders to grab the top-shelf goods. Here's a strategy: Drop in to Chris' Jazz Cafe (1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131) before the musicians come on — the white-tablecloth dining room is a nice, quiet place to sit, and you can always stick around for some live sets if the mood strikes you.

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