A Philadelphia bar turned away a group of San Francisco 49ers fans looking to host a playoff takeover before the wild-card round game vs. the Eagles, but it's welcoming fans in smaller numbers. 

Ladder 15, which is located on Sansom Street in Center City, said in an Instagram post that Niners fans emailed the bar about hosting an event Friday night with 100 to 200 people.

But the Philly bar declined their business. While it was "hard" to turn down the event as a business, they said it was a "no brainer" as Philly sports fans in a post that has gone viral on social media.

"After very little consideration, we cannot in good conscience host anything that has to do with the 49ers," Ladder 15 wrote in an email response to the 49ers fan. "We're Birds fans til the end. We Bleed Green. We Back our team even when it comes at a cost. Only reason I wish you luck, is because the 49ers are going to need it. Enjoy your time in [the] City of Brotherly Love."

Maybe the Niners fans can head to the Hard Rock Cafe, where Washington Commanders' fans "took over" before last season's NFC championship game. In that game, the Birds dominated the Commanders in a 55-23 win en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ladder 15 welcomes fans in smaller numbers

San Francisco fans on Saturday night tried to stake out some territory at Ladder 15 despite the drama.

"I've been a 49ers fan since 1988," said San Francisco fan Charles Gabel.

"49ers faithful," said fan Rebecca Dincher.

The group said they only came to Ladder 15 because of the post.

"I was like, nah man, we can't do this," said manager Joe Chilutti. "Can't do that to our city."

Chilutti said allowing a full buy-out by visiting fans would have been bad for business, especially on a weekend when the city is rallying around the Eagles. He said 49ers fans are welcome, just not in takeover numbers.

Dincher said she and others showed up Saturday because they "were told we weren't really welcome here," but both sides described the atmosphere inside as friendly.

"They are being 49ers-friendly," Gabel said. "It was just all talk."

As Philadelphia fans looked ahead to Sunday, confidence remained high.

"No worries. Eagles are gonna win tomorrow," said fan Sydney Tucker.

Gabel, who hails from South Philadelphia, offered one more piece of advice to his fellow 49ers fans visiting the city: Stay away from the Rocky statue — a reference to the long-running superstition that opposing teams who dress or decorate the statue tend to lose.

"Don't touch the freaking Rocky statue," he said. "Don't breathe on it, don't even go near it."

The No. 3 seed Eagles and No. 6 seed 49ers will kick off at Lincoln Financial Field at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.