Football Season is Back – Check Out These 10 Spots in Atlanta to Tune In (1/5)

In the South we have four seasons – winter, spring, summer and football. For those that are new to the area, this may seem a bit crazy, but at the risk of sounding like a cliche, college football is not just a game here; for many, it is a way of life. In fact, some may go so far as to say that it is a religion. In his most famous quote, Marino Casem, the longtime coach at Southern University, put it best. “On the East Coast, football is a cultural experience. In the Midwest, it’s a form of cannibalism. On the West Coast, it’s a tourist attraction. And in the South, football is a religion, and Saturday is the holy day.”

But why? Where did the South’s fanatical obsession with the gridiron come from? There are a number of theories, with some believing that it may have its roots in the end of the Civil War. Others point to the South’s late entry into the NFL, and the lack of professional teams to root for until the late 1960s when the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins joined the league. No matter the reason, college football is in the South’s DNA, and regardless of your school affiliation or level of passion for the sport, one thing is for certain – once fall rolls around, it is hard not to get pulled into the excitement of the season.

While cheering on your favorite team from the 50-yard line along with 80,000+ fellow fans is an experience that is difficult to replicate, there are some great spots in and around Atlanta that have great game-day atmospheres. Here are 10 popular choices.

• STATS Brewpub – A short walk from the College Football Hall of Fame, STATS Brewpub is a bustling sports bar with a delicious menu of American favorites and house-brewed beers. On top of serving great food and beer, STATS Brewpub is one of the only bars in the United States to feature a beer tap system on select tables, which allows guests to pour their beer with no server or bartender. In addition to their beer tap tables, they have five bars and almost 16,000 square feet of restaurant and private event space. Featuring 70 high-definition TVs, you will not miss a single play. 

• Buffalo Wild Wings – Why sit at home and watch the game when you can head to your neighborhood Buffalo Wild Wings, where every seat is like getting the best seat in the house? All locations in and around Atlanta are serving up hot, delicious wings, cold beer and all the big games. If you are looking for great food and even better times, make B-Dubs your football headquarters this fall. Be sure to check out the new two-story Buffalo Wild Wings at Perimeter; it has 80 wall-to-wall TVs and an incredible rooftop with spacious outdoor patio seating, lawn games and an open-air bar. It is worth the trip!

• Whitehall Tavern – There’s always a game on at this family-friendly Buckhead sports bar where people gather weekly to dine on pub fare like burgers, nachos, wings and plenty of beer in between cheering. A bit of a throwback, Whitehall Tavern takes its name from an establishment that graced Atlanta’s West End way back in 1835. Maintaining the cozy neighborhood feel of the original tavern, you will find communal tables in the bar – great for groups, and plush booths in the dining area. Boasting a great menu crafted from the finest ingredients and featuring an extensive list of craft beers, wine and spirits, Whitehall’s is a great game day spot.

• Bucket Shop Cafe – Serving Atlanta since 1969, the Bucket Shop Cafe moved to its current Buckhead location from Underground Atlanta in 1982 and has since become one of the most established restaurants in the area. They pride themselves on being known as a neighborhood bar and restaurant – a place where you can feel at home regardless of who you are, what you do or where you are from. Featuring TVs inside and out on the shaded patio, it is a fantastic spot to catch a game – especially if you are an Auburn Tigers fan or a Carolina Panthers fan, as the Bucket Shop prides itself on being an Auburn and Carolina bar. Of course, they show other games too, so do not let that keep you from joining the fun.

• Hampton + Hudson – Inman Park’s local community bar Hampton + Hudson is your quintessential American bar and restaurant. Located steps from the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, this casual and trendy spot is the perfect place to catch a game, grab dinner or meet up with friends. Featuring an eclectic menu, a great atmosphere and plenty of TVs, you cannot go wrong at Hampton + Hudson for football this season.

• Taco Mac – One of Georgia’s favorite neighborhood sports bars, Taco Mac locations throughout Atlanta, including Midtown, Virginia-Highlands, Decatur, Perimeter and more, are always tuned in to a variety of games on the many televisions found at this popular chain institution. Head on over for plenty of beer, tacos, nachos, burgers and the restaurant’s infamous wings and cheer on your favorite team with dozens of other sports fans.

• Clay’s Sports Cafe – Serving up some of the best wings in Atlanta – the self-proclaimed wing capital of the world – Clay’s is a true sports bar. With plenty of TVs, there is not a bad spot in the house. They also have plenty of great beer selections on tap, and oh yeah, have we mentioned those wings? You can’t go wrong with any of the sauces, but some staff favorites are Hot Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan and Teriyaki. For a small fee, you can add Cajun fries to an order of ten wings, make it a Buffalo Basket and cheer your team to victory!

• Sports & Social – Located at The Battery Atlanta near Truist Park, Sports & Social is a one-of-a-kind sports bar, gaming parlor and social lounge that is raising the “sports” bar in Atlanta. This two-level space features a 30-foot diagonal high-definition LED TV showcasing all the top games and events and is equipped with battle axe, table tennis, pop-a-shot basketball, air hockey and a multi-sport simulator. Sports & Social serves an eclectic menu perfect for sharing, cold beer and a well-appointed cocktail menu. Combining the traditional elements of a sports tavern with classic interactive games, Sports & Social is the perfect destination for groups and all those whose competitive spirit thrives. Check it out for yourself.      

• Irby’s Tavern – Billed as Atlanta’s “hometown sports bar,” Irby’s Tavern in Buckhead is dedicated to all things ATL sports. It also happens to be a great place to watch college football. Tune into one of the many TVs and root on your favorite team while dining on mega nachos, Thai sweet chili wings, cheesesteaks and hot fudge brownies. The bar offers several beers on draft, wine and cocktails. There is even a kid’s menu!

• Hudson Grille – Hudson Grille and its many metro Atlanta locations is one of the big sports bar chains in town. No matter the season, the TVs are always tuned in to several games on any given day. Grab a seat on the patio, which also features TVs, and dine on fried pickles, loaded nachos, chips and dip, wings and patty melts paired with ice cold beer and cocktails. One look at the menu, and you will see that Hudson Grille doesn’t serve your typical bar food. Sure, you will see the game day classics, but they also have plenty of healthy, local and gluten-free options not typically found at other sports bars. Pair that with an upscale atmosphere and friendly staff, and you will see why Hudson Grille is one of the best sports bars in town. 

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