VIP tickets are SOLD OUT to DawgNation Appreciation on March 15 at the Coca-Cola Roxy. UGA sports fans, don’t sulk in the dawg house, there’s still a chance to snag two VIP tickets ($400 value) by entering the Marlow’s Tavern DawgNation VIP ticket giveaway. Enter by texting MARLOWS to 24242 through noon on Wednesday, March 14. VIP access guarantees autographs from soon-to-be NFL draft picks Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and Roquan Smith; one photo with all three players; two drink tickets and a light buffet. Additionally, attend the program and Q&A session hosted by DawgNation Daily’s Brandon Adams and featuring the players and popular DawgNation.com staffers. Doors open at 6 p.m.; pictures with players are from 6-7 p.m. Program starts at 7 p.m. Read more about DawgNation Appreciation here.
The 2017-18 college football season culminates Monday, Jan. 8 when the College Football Playoff National Championship parks a whole lot of spirit at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Atlanta restaurants are right up there on the spirit-meter for fans looking for viewing spots.
Fans arriving over the weekend will be able to experience dinner at Aria, chef Gerry Klaskala’s Buckhead gem. Typically closed on Sunday nights, the restaurant will be open and serving dinner on Jan. 7, closing Monday night, Jan. 8 instead (staff wants to watch the game). Make reservations here.
Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland plans a winning evening for football fans, offering game-time grub, a large beer selection and of course, plenty of TVs for the ultimate viewing experience.
For those lucky enough to score tickets to the big game, Kevin Gillespie’s Gamechanger is located in the 200 concourse Western end zone of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Football fans can order from a lineup of tasty bites like the “Closed on Sunday” chicken sandwich, as well as other indulgent creations like pork shoulder “French dip,” smoked cheddar cheese steaks, fries and adult slushies.
Henri’s Bakery & Café puts football-shaped and team-themed cookies into play. Pick up some at the new Henri’s Bakery Westside location or the Buckhead or Sandy Springs shops for tailgates or game-watching parties.
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern locations in Midtown and Town Brookhaven have a full lineup of game-day faves on the menu plus shots, creative cocktails and a ready roster of cool craft brews. This fall, the Brookhaven restaurant installed an additional large-screen TV, making it even easier to catch all the action. Call 404-464-8971 (Town Brookhaven) or 404-968-2288 (Midtown).
Marlow’s Tavern in Midtown is the perfect spot to grab a drink and watch the big game. Atlanta’s favorite tavern has several flat screen plasma TVs, booze and classic dishes to keep you going and rooting for your team.
For a drink and entertainment, pop over to Ormsby’s. This Westside neighborhood tavern offers an extensive craft beer selection, fresh pub menu and a wide range of traditional games. Open until 3 a.m. for after-game gatherings.
For those who prefer night-before or pre-game fine dining, Ray’s in the City is just a mile from the stadium. Enjoy hand-cut steaks, made-to-order sushi and seafood flown in daily from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Reservations: 404-524-9224.
Suds and sauce are game-face ready at Smokebelly BBQ. Pull for your players on Monday night over $3 Bud Light drafts, $10 pitchers of Bud Light, $15 buckets of Bud/Bud Light, $5 Tito’s cocktails and 50 cent wings. Rip into ribs, wings and barbecued beef, pork and chicken while catching all the action on 16 big screens.
Hone in on great game views, those renowned wings and beers from a seemingly gridiron-long list of beers at all Taco Mac locations. No matter which team you root for, you can still be on the Brewniversity team -- a champion choice for beer aficionados.
Fall is all about cleats, eats and pigskin-aligned libations. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to snag stadium seats. If not, no loss. It’s hard to beat the winning lineup of big screens, big plates and big pitchers that Atlanta restaurants pour on for the 50-yard-line season. Right between the goal posts, every time.
Football fans are fired up for the Game Day Eats menu, served all day Sunday during football season at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar – Virginia-Highland. Cayenne pepper-basted and fried Atkins hot chicken legs over fries ($9) are a hot item, along with smoked pulled pork mac ‘n cheese ($10) and a loaded quesadilla packing in potatoes, pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon and sour cream ($9). The Dirty Bird sandwich flies high with Atlanta Falcons watchers, sporting chicken tenders, house coleslaw, pickles and spicy remoulade on a hoagie ($12) while the Brat Burger commands house-seasoned and ground pork, caramelized onion, cheddar cheese, sauerkraut and stout mustard ($12). Both are served with a choice of hand-cut fries, fried pickles, sweet potato fries, Tater Tots or a field green salad. Miller Lite beer slakes thirsts at $14 a pitcher. Jump on Atkins Park’s season-long NFL Pick ‘Em Challenge. Each week, pick your winners, earn points and vie to win a weekly prize of a $20 Atkins Park gift card and monthly prizes for those holding the most points. Submit picks every Thursday by kick-off time. Free to play; ask servers or bartenders for more details. College football followers, on Saturdays Atkins Park sets up cornhole boards in the parking lot for game-day fun.
Punt packaged cookies and add class to your tailgate or viewing festivities with collegiate-logo cookies from Henri’s Bakery & Café in Buckhead. Orders require 48-hour notice. Be sure to stop by the bakery’s new location at 56 East Andrews Drive, NW; open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
View games on the TVs at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Brookhaven. During regular season games, Brookhaven restaurant guests wearing their Atlanta Falcons, UGA Bulldogs or Atlanta United FC spirit gear score a free shot after their respective team wins a game.
Smokebelly BBQ yells “Game On!” and pours game-day drink specials every Saturday, Sunday and Monday during gridiron season. Tackle $5 Tito’s cocktails, $10 pitchers of Bud Light and $3 Bud Light drafts while absorbing action on 16 television screens. Linebacker hungry? Fill up on 50 cent wings every Monday during football season. Smokebelly BBQ plays home base for Atlanta-based FSU fans this year.
Taco Mac runs in with NFL and college football editions of Wings are for Winners. Every time a home team wins, guests in the restaurant win a coupon redeemable for six free wings, valid on a return visit the following Monday through Friday. When redeeming, guests must purchase a beverage with their order (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Dine-in only, one-time use only, one coupon per person per visit. Not valid with any other offers, coupons or discounts. Georgia home teams: Atlanta Falcons, UGA, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State (Kennesaw location only) and Georgia State (Metropolis and Lindbergh locations only). North Carolina home teams: Carolina Panthers, UNC, Duke, NC State and Wake Forest. Tennessee home teams: Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Taco Mac locations also are offering a Beer of the Month and Brats pairing during football season to give wings a little competition. Purchase mini brats as an entrée with a side for $8.99. Throw in the featured beer of the month for $12.99 and receive Brewniversity credit.
The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill offers a Tackles and Touchdowns menu that’s available daily during football season. Score tasty favorites like fried oyster sac’em sliders, gridiron grouper bites and more. Don’t forget to wash them down with $3 PBR drafts. Available at both locations.
Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland interrupts couch-bound college gridiron and NFL viewing schedules with an important announcement: all the games are on, cocktails are cold and may yield prizes, and draft beers are a bargain. For the record, all NFL games are viewing options thanks to DirecTV Sunday Ticket connections. SweetWater 420 and IPA are Atkins Park official house draft picks, filling pints for only $3 each every day of the week. Those with a team at their table may want to order pitchers of Bud Light, priced at $12 every day. Enter the weekly pick ‘em for a chance to win $50 house cash by completing the in-house pick ‘em sheets and submitting them before kickoff time of the Thursday night game. Saturdays, guests who purchase a game day cocktail from the special college game day drink menu will be entered into a raffle to win an “Ultimate Tailgate Package” valued at $500. Cheer like you mean it while sipping a Georgia Salty Dawg, Roll Tide, Tech Buzz, Hotty Toddy or Tiger Fizz ($6-$7 each). When the drawing is held the night of the National Championship (January 9, 2017), one lucky fan will score two tailgating chairs, a cornhole set and a Yeti Hopper. During Monday night football, the restaurant will offer cans of Monday Night Brewing beer for $5 and throw in a keeper of an Atkins Park/Monday Night Brewing koozie. No time to run home for a bite between office and game? Order winning football fare from Monday’s football menu.
Football season is here, and football parties rack up the first down on any game day. Atlanta restaurants are key players, taking the field with everything you need to host the perfect tailgate or home-front pigskin party.
For antipasti and panini platters and primi, secondi and dolci courses, Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market will definitely score points with discerning guests. Place orders at least 48 hours in advance; allow 72-hour notice for parties of 30 or more. For information and ordering, call 404-330-9933.
Go for the gusto of the gourmet meat and cheese sandwich platter Ray’s in the City builds with domestic house-cut deli meats and artisanal cheeses, house-made pickles, vine-ripened tomatoes, Bibb lettuce and assorted breads. Two side displays (choose from whole fruit, artisan field greens salad, red bliss potato salad, Southern-style macaroni salad and house-made kettle chips) and one dessert display (graham cracker lemon squares, house-baked cookies, a seasonal fruit platter or chocolate fudge brownies) are included. Serves 12 for $80; $6.75 per additional person. To order, call 404-524-9224.
Smokebelly BBQ, Atlanta’s top destination for chef-crafted barbecue, offers three mouthwatering catering options complete with barbecue sauce and buns: “The Baron of BBQ” ($14 per person) with pulled pork and two sides of your choosing; “The Duke of Smoke” ($17 per person) with choice of two meats and three sides; and “The King of ‘Cue” ($19 per person) with choice of three meats and three sides. To place an order, call 404-848-9100.
Yell a cheer and spell out your favorite team with custom letter-shaped doughnuts (select flavors only) from Sublime Doughnuts. Requires 24-hour advance notice; 404-897-1801.
Georgia pigskin calls for Southern-style barbecue from Kevin Gillespie. Terminus City is serving up an unbelievable whole hog barbecue cooked on-site by chef Andreas Müller with four sides, dessert and paper products. Requires a two-week lead time. Visit the Facebook page for more information, and place orders by emailing terminuscity@gunshowatl.com or calling 404-380-1886.
Let Tin Lizzy's Cantina turn your big-game bash into a spicy FlexMex fiesta with the stacked taco bar, which includes two soft flour tortillas per person, choice of grilled chicken, grilled steak or seasoned pork, and lettuce, rice, black beans, pico de gallo, jack cheese, grilled onions and peppers, sauce, guacamole, chips and salsa fresca for $11 per person. You also can’t go wrong with the ever-popular chicken finger platter ($4 per person), cantina salads, margarita mix (sorry, tequila not included) and other fiesta faves. Deliveries require a $100 minimum order; delivery fee applies outside 10-mile radius. Prices exclude taxes and gratuity, and 24-hour notice is appreciated. For more information, email catering@tinlizzyscantina.com or call 404-668-8757.
Sack those stale chips and dull dips and send in crowd-pleasing catering all-stars from Willy's Mexicana Grill: Willy’s build-your-own taco, fajita or nacho bars, cheese dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, burritos and more. Ten-person minimum on catering orders. Read the whole roster of Tex-Mex flavors on the menu at willys.com/catering-menu. Order online or call 404-422-7107.
Fantasy footballers, are you feeling a virtual draft coming on? The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is tossing out an August fantasy football special rallying everything you and your fantasy football associates need to conduct a seriously fun draft party. For $150, your group of 10-15 fans can hunker down in a private room for two hours of strategizing and completing player acquisitions. Wi-Fi and a 65-inch big screen TV are available for online drafts. Yes, it’s an intense process. Instead of nail biting over picks, gnaw on 100 wings chased by four pitchers of beer (Miller Lite, Bud Light or Coors Light). Start the process by calling and booking your draft party today. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is tucked away behind Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead at 128 E. Andrews Drive. Book your draft party today by calling 404-931-1251.
