Where to tailgate and watch the game from on Campus?

I’m a UGA student and normally tailgate on milledge at my fraternity house but, I’d say tailgate on north campus (the older part near downtown) but you’ll have to get there early to get a spot.

A great place to watch a game would be Sideways on Broad St just down the road from the arch. It’s a fairly lax bar with several big screens.

Later that night, head to Sideways for power hour (actually 2 hrs) from 9-11 they have pretty strong $1 well drinks, then maybe check out General Beauregard’s on Clayton St if it’s not too crowded. If you’re interested in seeing hammered college girls dance on tables try Bourbon St. on Broad. Or if you’d like a slightly more relaxed atmosphere try city bar on college ave or maybe Boar’s head (hancock I think). Anywhere downtown will be a lot of fun Saturday night but probably pretty crowded.

Have Fun!

North Campus is your best bet. This is the oldest (and prettiest, in my opinion) area of campus and is located north of the stadium and south of downtown. Broad St. is the barrier between campus and downtown and is also the beginning of all the bars.

As long as you bring some supplies of your own (read: alcohol), I would venture to say that you will be welcome at most any tailgate on North Campus. As some posters have already stated, if you find a tailgate with people who are staying during the game to watch it on tv, do that. Otherwise, I would head downtown.

Once downtown, the only real sports bar that comes to mind is Wild Wing Cafe on Washington St. This is sure to packed, however, so you would have to get there early. If you are looking for food & drink, there is also a mellow mushroom ample bar room and tvs, but my recommendation would be to opt for Doc Chey’s Noodle House next door to Mellow Mushroom. There is a large projection screen to watch the game, and they have one large room with a very open atmosphere with long, cafeteria style tables where everyone sits together. While a noodle house may not seem like the typical place to watch a game, it’s actually very fun, with fans going back and forth at each other openly due to the style of seating, tables, etc. They have a full bar, so that’s not to worry, and a server to bring you your drinks, so you won’t have to fight for a spot at the bar.

If you are simply looking for a drink and food doesn’t matter, Boar’s Head on Washington Street is a pretty good bet. It has been around in Athens for years, so it is pretty well-known by visiting fans and they generally gather there in fairly large numbers. There is a large patio outside with two bars and tvs, plus a deck above the patio. Downstairs is a Cheers style bar (square), a shuffleboard table, and plenty of tvs to watch the game. Incidentally, the also have people outside who grill hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, and (only on gamedays) ribs. The grill is cash only, the bar, of course, is not.

The four bars that camiller mentioned (Sideways, General Beauregard’s, Bourbon St. and City Bar) are all fun places, but the crowd you’re going to find there is generally greek college kids with few exceptions…although the crowd does change somewhat on gameday. Also, these four bars are all on the smaller side, so it will be pretty difficult to get a drink. But, by all means, try them out…I don’t want to discourage you.

Some other good bars to try that are at all ends of the spectrum regarding clientele are Allgood Lounge on Clayton St. (this is a larger bar with a full upstairs bar and patio), Nowhere Bar on Lumpkin St., Walker’s Pub on College Ave., Trappeze Bar on Washington St. (huge assortment of beers), or The Pub at Gameday on Clayton St.

Pretty much anywhere you go, you’re sure to have a good time, so I would recommend just wandering around downtown and see what tickles your fancy. Surely, you will find something.

And one other thing…you are not allowed to have an open container (that includes beer bottle, beer can, solo cup with alcohol, or even an already opened bottle of bourbon) on sidewalks in Athens. On campus, you are fine, but once you hit the sidewalk of any street, you can (and likely will) be ticketed. Athens-Clarke County Police love to write citations, so be sure to be careful, because it’s easy to forget.

Thanks for the responses. I am taking notes. We won’t be going into the stadium, just b/c of the associated hassle involved w/ finding tickets that are worth while. I have been to both Tuscaloosa and Auburn before w/o going into the stadium. Both times were absolutely awesome. I expect the same this weekend in Athens.

My main priority is to find a spot to see the game. Food during the game is only for sustenance. Alcohol, not as important. I am just so pumped to experience the tailgating, take in the scenery, and be able to watch the game. Football season is only 13-14 weeks long. I am just trying to pack as much fun into them as I can.

hailtogeorgia – thanks for the warning on the alcohol as well. I have now been warned a couple of times by a few different people. I have a friend who says he was arrested for “public intoxication” on the street. I don’t know the details, but “be careful”…noted.

Thanks

If alcohol isn’t a deciding factor in terms of where you watch the game, you can also watch it inside tate center (right in front of the stadium) or you can try to watch it from the bridge that looks into the stadium.

Zandor,
we will be on North Campus behind Old College and you are welcome to join us. I had a great time with the Tiger fans in Baton Rouge last year.

Guys,

thanks for all of the suggestions. Athens was a blast. I think the campus and set up you guys have is really a lot of fun. We hopped around to different bars all day and got to see a lot of the different areas of campus.

Good luck to you guys the rest of the way. That was a great game.