College football is back, so we rounded up some of our favorite spots to paint the town burnt orange and watch UT Austin games.
TLC, 1100 S Lamar Blvd.
Every Saturday, TLC hosts the Big Tex College Football Tailgate, a watch party of sorts with plenty of food and drink specials. Of particular interest is the 40 Acres Seafood Boil, which includes snow crab, shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes. It allegedly feeds 8 people, but I take that as a challenge.
Haymaker, 2310 Manor Road
High-fiving fellow orange-clad fans on the patio at Haymaker is basically tradition at this point. Plus, they have just about every beer you can imagine, and wells are $4 on Saturdays.
Bouldin Acres, 1806 W Braker Lane
The ESPN Austin crew livestreams every Longhorn away game at the Braker spot, but both locations usually throw a tailgate party before games. Bonus points if you hit the pickleball courts during halftime.
Skinny’s Off Track Bar, 1806 E 12th St.
Ever wonder what it was like to watch games from a bar in the 70s? Stop by Skinny’s and find out. The patio is dog-friendly, there’s a giant screen, and they usually have specials on mimosas and beer buckets. You can also park for free on the adjacent lot, perhaps the most important part.
MUTTS Canine Cantina, 9825 N Lake Creek Parkway
Speaking of dog-friendly bars, turn up the pooch party at MUTTS. Your dog won’t have any idea what the score is, but they’ll be there to share the excitement and comfort you when the Longhorns are down bad.
Honorable Mention: Walton’s Fancy & Staple, 609 West 6th St.
I feel like my life changed when I realized tailgate parties don’t have to take place in a stadium parking lot. That’s why I’m excited that Walton’s is offering game day tailgate meals to go. They feed up to 24 people and include sliders, Texas caviar, and more. Pick one up and find your tailgate (please don’t tell Corona I stole their tagline).
