The Charlotte guide to college football watch parties: 2016 edition
College football watch parties are serious business. I had no idea until I sat down with the leaders of watch parties for several local alumni groups, ranging from Michigan to Florida.
Organizing a watch party isn’t as simple as picking a bar, posting the info on Facebook and maybe hanging a flag on the wall. There are contracts, the fight to be a bar’s only watch party, raffles, and DJs — yes, DJs — to play music during commercial breaks. Hundreds of people show up to the city’s most popular game watch parties, especially for rivalry games.
Like I said — it’s serious business.
“My biggest takeaway is the effort that goes into ‘producing’ a game-like atmosphere and experience,” Jim Mannix, who is organizing the Charlotte Notre Dame watch parties for the first time this year, said in an email. “That draws the crowds, and thus raises funds for scholarships, charities, etc.”
With the help of the folks I met last week, I compiled this list of more than 20 game watch locations in Charlotte. The organizers put a lot of work into these parties. The least we can do is enjoy them.
This Carolina grad will see you at Moo & Brew this fall.
Do you organize a college alumni watch party that’s not on this list? Or see any errors on the list? Email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com. Be sure to check the link on each watch party to confirm time and location.
Alabama
Where: Two locations.
– DB’s Tavern, 8155 Ardrey Kell Road.
– Whiskey Warehouse, 1221 The Plaza.
Additional info: Hosted by BamaCharlotte, which suggests you get there at least 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
Appalachian State
Where: Angry Ale’s, 1518 Montford Dr.
Additional info: Hosted by the Appalachian State Charlotte Metro Alumni Chapter. The Lake Norman Chapter will be hosting a game watch party for the season opener Sept. 1 at Jack’s Corner Tap, 8301-1 Magnolia Estates Dr., Cornelius. 7 p.m.
Arkansas
Where: All American Pub, 200 E. Bland St.
Additional info: Find the Carolina Razorbacks on Facebook.
Auburn
Where: Heist Brewery, 2909 N. Davidson St., Suite 200.
Additional info: Visit the CLT Auburn Club website.
Clemson
Where: Draught, 601 S. Cedar St.
Additional info: Clemson alumni are downstairs in the Tiger Den. Hosted by Charlotte Clemson Club.
Charlotte 49ers
Where: Picasso’s Sports Cafe University, 230 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., Suite A10.
Additional info: Not sure that this is an “official” alumni watch party location, but multiple people have told me that Picasso’s plays the games and alumni gather there to watch. Of course, if the 49ers are playing at home you can just go to the game.
East Carolina
Where: Queen City Q, multiple locations. (The “main” location is uptown, 225 E. 6th St., but the game will be on at all of its locations.)
Additional info: Hosted by the Charlotte Pirate Club Chapter. Chapter president Doug Groome said former athletes sometimes attend the viewings and the chapter has raffles during the “really big games.”
Florida
Where: Ri Ra Charlotte, 208 N. Tryon St.
Additional info: The Charlotte Gator Club will have reserved space with the game sound on. Validated parking at Center City Green and beer specials.
Florida State
Where: All American Pub, 200 E. Bland St.
Additional info: Charlotte Seminole Club has full control of audio and recommends that fans arrive 1-2 hours before kickoff for the best chance of getting a table.
Georgia
Where: Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub, 201 E. 5th St.
Additional info: Hosted by the UGA Alumni Charlotte Chapter.
Indiana
Where: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 E. Morehead St.
Additional info: Hosted by the IUAA Charlotte Chapter. Door prizes at all game watches. More details on Facebook.
Iowa
Where: Brazwell’s Premium Pub, 1627 Montford Drive.
Additional info: The “Iowa Sandwich” — pork tenderloin sandwiches — will be available exclusively during Hawkeye game watches, hosted by the Charlotte Iowa Club.
Kentucky
Where: SIP, 200 N. Tryon St.
Additional info: Hosted by the Queen City CATS.
Louisiana State
Where: Carolina Ale House, 201 S. College St., Suite 100.
Additional info: Hosted by LSU Carolinas.
Louisville
Where: Steamers Sports Pub, 1513 Pierson Dr.
Additional info: First watch party is noon Sept. 17. Hosted by University of Louisville Charlotte Alumni Chapter.
Miami
Where: Taco Mac SouthPark, 4626 Piedmont Row Drive.
Additional info: Hosted by Charlotte ‘Canes.
Michigan
Where: Tavern on the Tracks, 1411 S. Tryon St.
Additional info: The U of M Club of Charlotte gathers 30 minutes prior to kickoff for each game.
Michigan State
Where: BlackFinn Uptown, 210 E. Trade St.
Additional info: The MSU Spartans of Charlotte meet in the upstairs area of BlackFinn.
Missouri
Where: Kickstand Burger Bar, 1101 Central Ave.
Additional info: Hosted by Mizzou Alumni Charlotte.
Nebraska
Where: Jocks and Jills, 4109 S. Stream Blvd.
Additional info: Organized by NC Huskers.
North Carolina
Where: Moo & Brew, 1300 Central Ave.
Additional info: Ken Thomas, one of the owners, is a UNC grad. The Charlotte Carolina Club will be hosting the events with He’s Not Here blue cup specials, a Tar Heel-themed burger on game days and more.
North Carolina State
Where: Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse uptown, 330 N. Tryon St.
Additional info: Hosted by the N.C. State Charlotte Alumni group.
(Also, it’s worth noting that Slate Charlotte claims to also be the “Home of the Wolfpack.”)
North Dakota State
Where: Jocks and Jills, 4109 S. Stream Blvd.
Additional info: Organized by NDSU Alumni & Fans – Carolinas Chapter.
Notre Dame
Where: Mostly at Murphy’s Kitchen & Tap (except for the dates listed below), 445 W. Trade St.
Oct. 1 and 8, and Nov. 12 games will be at Belfast Mill, 144 Brevard Court.
Additional info: Expect bagpipers and a pep band, appearances by former Irish athletes and raffles. More info on the Notre Dame Club of Charlotte website.
Ohio State
Where: Strike City, 210 E. Trade St.
Additional info: Former students, graduates and fans can join Charlotte Buckeyes here or in person during the first half of the game. Annual membership is $20 for individuals and $30 families, and includes a gift and five hours of parking at the EpiCentre during games.
Ole Miss
Where: The Local, 105 E. 5th St.
Additional info: Sound on for all games. Hosted by the Ole Miss Alumni Association – Charlotte Club.
Penn State
Where: There are three.
– Uptown: Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub, 201 E. 5th St.
– Ballantyne: Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse, 14015 Conlan Cir.
– Huntersville (Birkdale Village): Fox and Hound, 8711 Lindholm Dr., Huntersville.
South Carolina
Where: Flight, 314 N. College St.
Additional info: The Charlotte Gamecock Club will have the game sound on, with a DJ during commercial breaks. Free parking in the Hearst Tower parking garage.
Virginia Tech
Where: BlackFinn Uptown, 210 E. Trade St.
Additional info: Hosted by the VT Charlotte Alumni Chapter.
West Virginia
Where: Whisky River, 210 E. Trade Street A-280.
Additional info: Hosted by the Charlotte Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association.
Wisconsin
Where: Taco Mac SouthPark, 4626 Piedmont Row Drive.
Additional info: Organized by the Wisconsin Alumni Association — Charlotte chapter.
Photo: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 1:22 AM with the headline "The Charlotte guide to college football watch parties: 2016 edition."