Charlotte guide to college football watch parties: 2018 edition
In Charlotte, fall colors have nothing to do with the changing of the leaves but the start of college football season. The pastels of summer attire are replaced with the bold expressions of college pride as alumni clubs take over area sports bars. Step into Strike City on college game day and you’ll find the place awash with the scarlet and grey of Ohio State fans. Of course, don’t get caught wearing those colors at Tavern on The Tracks, that’s enemy territory where Michigan faithful blaze their blue and maize. Even North Dakota State fans have a weekly meeting spot!
Cheer on your alma mater at one of these college football watch parties.
University of Alabama
Where to watch: Roll Tide at one of three locations: DB’s Tavern (8155 Ardrey Kell Road), Whiskey Warehouse (221 The Plaza), and Fox and Hound (8711 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville)
More info on the alumni club and other events: ‘Bama Charlotte
University of Arkansas
Where to watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (911 East Morehead Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Carolina Razorbacks
Auburn University
Where to watch: Fitzgerald’s (201 East 5th Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Auburn Club
Of note: Fitzgerald’s validates parking in the Wake Forest Parking Garage.
Clemson University
Where to watch: Draught (601 South Cedar Street)
Game day specials: Weekly food and drink specials to get your tiger tail waggin’!
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Clemson Club
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Where to watch: Don’t be lazy! Tailgate in person at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
More info on the alumni club and other events: UNC Charlotte Alumni Association
East Carolina University
Where to watch: Queen City Q (225 East 6th Street)
Get your school pride on: Proclaim your Pirate pride with an East Carolina Colada featuring ECU alumni-owned Muddy River Rum.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Pirate Club Chapter
Of note: Queen City Q validates parking in the 7th Street Station Parking Garage.
University of Florida
Where to watch: Ri Ra Irish Pub (208 North Tryon Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Gator Club
Of Note: Ri Ra’s validates parking at the Center City Green Parking Garage.
Florida State University
Where to watch: All American Pub (200 East Bland Street)
Get your school pride on: War chants promised all day long (Advil and earplugs not included)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Seminoles Club
University of Georgia
Where to watch: Kickstand Burger Bar (1101 Central Avenue)
More info on the alumni club and other events: University of Georgia Charlotte Area Alumni & Friends.
Georgia Tech
Where to watch: Old Pineville Premium Pub (4548 Old Pineville Road)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Indiana University
Where to watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (911 East Morehead Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Indiana University Alumni Association – Charlotte Chapter
University of Iowa
Where to watch: Brazwells Premium Pub (1627 Montford Drive)
Get your school pride on: Weekly raffles for Hawkeye gear.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Iowa Club
University of Kentucky
Where to watch: Queen Park Social (4125 Yancey Road)
Game day specials: Weekly drink specials to help you go cat crazy.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Queen City Cats
Louisiana State University
Where to watch: Big Ben Pub (2000 South Boulevard)
Game day specials: Big Ben Pub may specialize in bringing the British Isles to Charlotte, but on LSU game days, they’re all bayou with $5 hurricanes and $12 Abita buckets.
Get your school pride on: Geaux full Cajun with Big Ben’s Louisiana inspired game day menu.
More info on the alumni club and other events: LSU Alumni Carolinas
University of Louisville
Where to watch: Steamers Sports Pub (1513 Pierson Drive)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Louisville Charlotte Alumni Chapter
University of Miami
Where to watch: Greystone Pub (3039 South Boulevard)
Game day specials: Get your swagger on with $2.85 domestic bottles and $2.25 Coors Banquet cans.
Get your school pride on: Turnover chain, turnover chain, turnover chain, turnover chain. Oh, and the Charlotte ‘Canes also hosts weekly raffles to win school memorabilia.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte ‘Canes
University of Michigan
Where to watch: Tavern on the Tracks (1411 South Tryon Street)
Get your school pride on: Go blue and purchase a 50/50 raffle ticket to support the club’s scholarship fun.
More info on the alumni club and other events: University of Michigan Club of Charlotte
Michigan State University
Where to watch: The Gin Mill South End (1423 South Tryon Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Spartans
University of Missouri
Where to watch: Heist Brewery (2909 North Davidson Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Mizzou Alumni Charlotte
University of Nebraska
Where to watch: Jocks and Jills (4109 South Stream Boulevard)
Game day specials: Husk out on 25% off all food!
Get your school pride on: The Huskers host a weekly raffle for a bottle of Dorothy Lynch Home Style Salad Dressing. Dreams do come true!
More info on the alumni club and other events: NC Huskers
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Where to watch: Moo & Brew (1300 Central Avenue)
Get your school pride on: Raise a glass of Chapel Hill pride to that three-pointer, I mean touchdown, with a 32 oz. blue cup reminiscent of those you sipped in college from He’s Not Here.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Heels
Of Note: The Charlotte Heels don’t’ meet for every football game. Check their web site for confirmed game watches.
North Carolina State University
Where to watch: Caswell Station (366 North Caswell Road)
Game day specials: Weekly drink specials in a Wolfpack color changing cup what!?!?
More info on the alumni club and other events: NC State Charlotte Alumni Network
North Dakota State University
Where to watch: Jocks and Jills (4109 South Stream Boulevard)
More info on the alumni club and other events: NDSU Alumni & Fans – Carolinas Region
University of Notre Dame
Where to watch: Tyber Creek Pub (1933 South Blvd)
Game day specials: Weekly food and drink specials.
Get your school pride on: We hear there will be bagpipes.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Notre Dame Club of Charlotte
Ohio State University
Where to watch: Go nuts for the Buckeyes at one of two locations: Strike City (210 E Trade Street) and Hickory Tavern (11504 Providence Road).
Game day specials: Game day menus and buffets.
Get your school pride on: More “Hang on Sloopy” blaring from the speakers than you’ve ever dreamed of. There’s also raffles at both locations.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Buckeyes
University of Oklahoma
Where to watch: Lucky Lou’s Tavern (5124 Park Road)
Get your school pride on: Nosh on entrees from Lucky Lou’s Sooner themed menu, washed down with the Sooner Magic cocktail (citrus vodka with cranberry).
More info on the alumni club and other events: OU Club of Charlotte
Pennsylvania State University
Where to watch: Be Penn State proud at one of three area sports bars: Blackfinn Ameripub (14825 Ballantyne Village Way), Fitzgerald’s (201 East 5th Street), and Fox & Hound (9325 Center Lake Drive)
Game day specials: Specials vary by location.
Get your school pride on: Fitzgerald’s cooks up a special menu studded with PA favorites.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association
Of note: Fitzgerald’s validates parking in the Wake Forest Parking Garage.
University of South Carolina
Where to watch: Flight Beer and Music Hall (314 North College Street)
Game day specials: $4 Dos Equis 16oz cans or a bucket of five for $18, $3.50 Bud Light and Miller Light 16oz cans or a bucket of five for $15
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Gamecock Club
Of notes: There’s free parking with validation at Hearst Tower.
University of South Florida
Where to watch: Libretto’s Pizzeria ParkTowne Village (1600 East Woodlawn Road)
Game day specials: $4 wells and select glasses of wine and $20 for 14-inch cheese pizza plus 10 wings.
Get your school pride on: Support the University of South Florida with a weekly raffle.
More info on the alumni club and other events: USF Charlotte Bulls
University of Tennessee
Where to watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (911 East Morehead Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte UTK Alumni Chapter
University of Texas
Where to watch: Old Pineville Premium Pub (4548 Old Pineville Road)
Game day specials: Hook ‘em Horns with big Texas specials like 20% off all appetizers and drink specials on Shiner Bock specials and Tito’s vodka.
More info on the alumni club and other events: Texas Exes Charlotte Chapter
Virginia Tech
Where to watch: Va. Tech is full Blackfinn Ameripub with contingencies blasting turkey calls at both the Uptown (210 East Trade Street) and the Ballantyne (14825 Ballantyne Village Way) locations
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte Hokies
West Virginia University
Where to watch: Whisky River (210 East Trade Street).
More info on the alumni club and other events: Charlotte WVU Alumni and Fans
Of note: Whisky River validates Epicenter parking.
University of Wisconsin
Where to watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (911 East Morehead Street)
More info on the alumni club and other events: Wisconsin Alumni Association – Charlotte
There are a lot of college football programs in this country. I did my best to consolidate as thorough of a list as I could without making this post resemble a phone book. If I missed your school, I promise that is no slight on the seminary of high learning that you list on your resume. Kindly provide your college fan club’s information below, and we’ll update our list.
This story was originally published October 1, 2018 at 1:10 AM with the headline "Charlotte guide to college football watch parties: 2018 edition."