Be it a diehard Longhorn who can picture Mack Brown holding the NCAA National Championship, or someone along for the BBQ and cheers, Texas football is back and everyone’s excited. The Longhorn comeback makes game day all the more thrilling to be apart of.
Story by Abby Morgan
One of the best ways to make a game day memorable is by chowing down before the game, to avoid the stadium’s concession prices, while surrounded by fellow Longhorns. Austin does not lack places to watch the game and grab a bite, but ORANGE compiled a list of local restaurants that will cater to the hype and hunger before watching the Longhorns win their next game.
Walking Distance from the Stadium
Photo courtesy of @ScholzGarten Instagram
Scholz Beer Garden
Located only a few blocks from the stadium is one of the most established bars in Austin, Scholz Beer Garden. Here, customers will find live music, German food, and a full bar both inside and outside. Inside, sit and watch other games on the big screen whereas the outside space draws a crowd of people playing cornhole and dancing to the band.
Photo courtesy of Eater Houston
Pluckers
Located in the middle of West Campus, Pluckers Wing Bar is a tailgating staple. Typically, it’s filled with a rambunctious crowd so for hot wings and cold beer, go early and expect a wait! This is also a sports bar so if you’re looking for a place to watch the game where fans will go crazy when the Longhorns win, this is definitely the right spot!
Photo courtesy of Zomato
Cain and Abel’s
A place that truly captures the culture of college students during gameday is Cain and Abel’s. The rowdy and often packed local favorite is a place for cheering, drinking and eating from a select menu. You can order at the bar or take a seat at a table, but this 21 and over bar is always ready for game day celebrations with college students, a pool table and music. Enjoy their special “Texas Tea,”a Cain and Abel’s specialty with 4 different types of liquor. This is also a dog-friendly restaurant while watching the game in their indoor or outdoor seating.
Photo courtesy of Cote Writers
Off Campus
Hyde Park Bar and Grill
Located shortly from campus is the traditional American restaurant Hyde Park Bar and Grill. Known for their hand battered fries, this Austin favorite is a common place for locals to eat before a game. Their decorated and large fork outside the restaurant shows their support for the Longhorns and welcome all who are looking for great food at a reasonable price before the game.
Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden
The heart of Downtown Austin has a strip of bars that will cater to Longhorns. This is a place to watch the game on a big screen, listen to music or sit with the game in the background while enjoying your drink and playing cornhole. Bangers Sausage House & Beer Garden is a crowd favorite, known for its sausage, manmosas and live music. The manmosa is a local concoction made of an entire bottle of champagne with a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Photo courtesy of 365 Things Austin
Parlor Room
To play cornhole while enjoying one of their seasonal draft beers and the outdoors, you can go further down the street to the Parlor Room. To enjoy the game with a more social atmosphere and plenty of activities to keep anyone busy.
Buford’s Backyard Garden
Only a short Uber away on West 6th street is Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, known for being packed with enthusiastic Longhorns who are getting a drink before the game or staying to watch it on one of their many TV screens. They are often packed and people stay for long stretches so come early, stay late and enjoy their Longhorn camaraderie.
Photo courtesy of 365 Things Austin
Haymaker
On game days, it can be impossible to escape the crowds. Located on the other side of I-35 is a sandwich shop with craft beer and a dog friendly patio at Haymaker. They have TVs for you to sit and watch the game but it is a much more relaxed environment than the other side of the highway.
No matter where you cheer on your team, get your horns up.
