School buses invading the AM commute, pumpkin beers starting to pop up like daisies (Don’t @ me and say it’s too soon. NO SUCH THING), and Fall creeping into the air. Okay, 86 the last part, it’s Charlotte and feels like Summer until October. You know what that means, football season is finally here! For this Nebraska girl, Saturdays mean a chance to gather with fellow Huskers and for three and a half hours, home doesn’t feel like it’s 1,156 miles (or 17 hours and 20 minutes) away. So without further ado, here’s your list of college football watch parties throughout the Queen City. Oh, and Go Big Red!
Alabama
Where to Watch: Whiskey Warehouse (Plaza Midwood) & DB’s Tavern (Ardrey Kell Rd)
Roll Tide Info: Bama Charlotte
App State
Where to Watch: Angry Ale’s (Montford)
Of Note: The Broken Spoke is run by three App State grads, so the game will be on at least one TV and upstairs if we do not have the area booked for a private event. They’ll also be partnering with Appalachian Mountain Brewery to bring Charlotte plenty of draft and can selections from the mountains!
Kick-off Party Details: Charlotte Metro Alumni Chapter 8th Annual Football Season Kick-off Party
More Mountaineer Info: Appalachian State Charlotte Metro Alumni Chapter
Arkansas
Where to Watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (Dilworth)
All Your Razorback Info: Carolina Razorbacks
Auburn
Where to Watch: Fitzgerald’s
Find More War Eagle Info: CLT Auburn Club
Bonus: Fitzgerald’s validates parking in the Wake Forest Parking Garage after 5pm daily and all day on weekends. Please bring ticket in for validation. Garage can be entered from 5th Street immediately after passing Fitzgerald’s on the left (entrance is before the light rail tracks). Garage can also be entered from 6th Street (entrance is across from Brixx/Queen City Que).
Clemson
Where to Watch: Draught
Enter the Tiger Den: The watch is mostly downstairs, but with all the National Championship excitement they’ve pretty much take over the entire restaurant. Fans enjoy game day raffles, $5 rotating craft beers, $5 tiger paw shots, and $4 double mimosas.
More Sea of Orange Info: Charlotte Clemson Club
Charlotte 49ers
Where to Watch: Jerry Richardson Stadium. Duh
More 49er Info: UNC Charlotte Alumni Association
Tailgate the Niner Way: The Alumni Association hosts the Alumni Tailgate Village, complete with a full spread and bar (included in admission), covered and out of the elements, for those who aren’t as familiar and don’t want the hassle of setting up their own.
East Carolina University
Where to Watch: Queen City Q (Uptown)
Cheers: The Q serves an East Carolina Colada cocktail featuring ECU alumni owned Muddy River Rum
Parking: They validate for the 7th Street Station deck
All Your Pirate Info: Charlotte Pirate Club Chapter
Florida
Where to Watch: Ri Ra Irish Pub (Uptown)
Take Note: Sauceman’s for Halloween game against Georgia due to Rich and Bennett’s 17th Annual Halloween Pub Crawl.
Get Your Gator Info: Charlotte Gator Club
Florida State
Where to Watch: All American Pub (South End)
Pro Tip: If you want a table, get there early. Game watches can draw anywhere from 50-300 people.
All Your Tomahawk Chop Info: Charlotte Seminole Club
Georgia
Where to Watch: Kickstand Burger Bar (Plaza Midwood)
More Bulldog Info: University of Georgia Charlotte Area Alumni & Friends
Georgia Tech
Where to Watch: Sir Edmond Halley’s (Park Road Shopping Center)
Take Note: Bring your friends and family – all are welcome. The events are pay as you go, with free parking and Saturday 20 oz pint specials of $4.50. Please RSVP by the Thursday before the game.
More Yellow Jacket Details: Georgia Tech Alumni Association
Indiana
Where to Watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
Hoosier Info Here: Indiana University Alumni Association – Charlotte Chapter
Where to Watch: Brazwell’s Premium Pub (Montford)
Hawkeye Info Here: Charlotte Iowa Club
Kentucky
Where to Watch: SIP Charlotte (Uptown)
More UK Info: Queen City CATS
LSU
Where to Watch: Carolina Ale House (Uptown)
All your Geaux Tigers Info: LSU Carolinas
Louisville
Where to Watch: Steamers Sports Pub (Off Albemarle Rd)
More Cardinal Info: University of Louisville Charlotte Alumni Chapter
Miami
Where to Watch: Taco Mac (SouthPark)
The U Info: Charlotte ‘Canes
Michigan
Where to Watch: Tavern on the Tracks (South End)
All Your Go Blue Info: University of Michigan Club of Charlotte
Michigan State
Where to Watch: Blackfinn Ameripub (Uptown)
More Sparty Info: MSU Spartans of Charlotte Alumni Association
Missouri
Where to Watch: Kickstand Burger Bar (Plaza Midwood)
More Tiger Info: Mizzou Alum Charlotte
Navy
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse Tells Us: They have a large number of Navy fans who gather at their Ballantyne location.
Nebraska
Where to Watch: Jock and Jills (South Stream Blvd)
All Your GBR Info: NC Huskers
North Carolina
Where to Watch: Moo & Brew (Plaza Midwood)
That’s Cool Alert: Specials on 32 ounce blue cups from Chapel Hill’s He’s Not Here
Later This Year: Moo & Brew’s second location is expected to open in NoDa, complete with a big private room for watch parties.
More UNC Info: Charlotte Carolina Club
North Carolina State University
Where to Watch: Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse (Uptown)
All Your Wolfpack Info: NC State Charlotte Alumni Network
North Dakota State University
Where to Watch: Jock and Jills (South Stream Blvd)
More Bison Info: NDSU Alumni & Fans – Carolinas Region
Notre Dame
Where to Watch: Murphy’s Kitchen and Tap (Uptown)
Whoa, That’s Neat: Bagpipers play at halftime and after touchdowns.
Coming Up: 19th Annual Scholarship Fund and Charity Golf Tournament
More Irish Info: Notre Dame Club of Charlotte
Ohio State
Where to Watch: Strike City (Uptown)
Did You Know: Strike City has been the proud home of the Charlotte Buckeyes, the largest gathering of Ohio State Fans outside of Ohio, since 2008.
More OSU Info: Charlotte Buckeyes Alumni Club
Oklahoma
Where to Watch: Libretto’s Pizzeria (Woodlawn)
All Your Boomer Sooner Info: Charlotte Sooners/OU Club of Charlotte
Ole Miss
Where to Watch: Ed’s Tavern
Of Note: Duckworth’s tell us they have a number of Ole Miss fans who watch at their Park Rd location.
More Rebel Info: Ole Miss Alumni Association – Charlotte Club
Penn State
Where to Watch: Fitzgerald’s (Uptown), Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse (Ballantyne), & Fox and Hound (Huntersville)
Reminder If You’re Headed Uptown: Fitzgerald’s validates parking in the Wake Forest Parking Garage after 5pm daily and all day on weekends. Please bring ticket in for validation. Garage can be entered from 5th Street immediately after passing Fitzgerald’s on the left (entrance is before the light rail tracks). Garage can also be entered from 6th Street (entrance is across from Brixx/Queen City Que).
All Your PSU Info: Charlotte Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association
Pittsburgh
Where to Watch: Greystone Pub (South Blvd)
More Pitt Info: Charlotte Pitt Club
South Carolina
Where to Watch: Flight (Uptown)
Game Day Specials: $15 Coors Light buckets, craft beer specials, $5 Garnet shots, and the Garnet Dipper (roasted turkey, roast beef, bacon, provolone and special sauce).
Free Parking: Flight validates for the Hearst Tower
More ‘Cocks Info: Charlotte Gamecock Club
South Florida
Where to Watch: Libretto’s Pizzeria (Parktowne)
All Your Green and Gold Info: USF Alumni – Charlotte
Syracuse
Where to Watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grill (Dilworth)
All your ‘Cuse Info: Syracuse University Alumni Club of Charlotte
Tennessee
Where to Watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (Dilworth)
More Vol Info: Charlotte UTK Alumni Chapter
Texas
Where to Watch: Whiskey Warehouse (Plaza Midwood)
Take Note: All games will be hosted at Whiskey Warehouse, except for:
Hook ‘Em Horns Info: Texas Exes Charlotte Chapter
Virginia Tech
Where to Watch: Blackfinn Ameripub (Uptown) & Blackfinn Ameripub (Ballantyne)
Here’s Your Hokie Info: VT Charlotte Alumni Chapter
West Virginia
Where to Watch: Whisky River Charlotte (Uptown)
More WVU Info: Charlotte Chapter of the WVU Alumni Association
Wisconsin
Where to Watch: Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (Dilworth)
All Your Bucky Badger Info: Wisconsin Alumni Association – Charlotte
Don’t see your alumni group on the list? Have your organizer/leaders email us at charlottenc@yelp.com. It’s recommended you check the alumni group’s link to confirm time and location each week in case of any last minute changes.
Save the Date: Friday, September 15th- ACC Bar Crawl (RockHouse Events)
No alumni group here? No dog in the fight? No problem. We know just the place to catch all the college football action this season.
*Special thanks to: Marketing Intern Morgan F for all her research and help on this piece
