DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Buckeyes Tailgating

My husband and I have just scored a couple tix to this Saturday's game. I've never been to a Buckeyes game before so I have no clue where to tailgate and what time peeps start to arrive. Any helpful hints from fellow Dawgs would be appreciated.

just don't wear anything maize, blue or Illinois orange and you'll be fine.

Heineygate. Located right across from the stadium on Lane Ave.

Good times. Buy tickets to get your beer.

Remember, there is no beer sold in the stadium.

I went down for my first game a few weeks ago, vs. Kent St. While the stadium and gameday experience were absolutely amazing, the "tailgating" and/or drinking scene beforehand was average at best. I got down there around 9am, for a noon game - thought it would be like getting down to the Muni at 10am for a 1pm game - HA! Was one of the first there. Did both Riverwatch and the famed Heinygate, and personally thought both blew. They have this ticket system there where you exchange cash for tickets - then buy the beer with tickets. OK - kinda weird/annoying to have a middle man, but I dealt with it - until I had an odd number of tickets - so I try and buy x amount (might've been 6 or something) and they tell me they only sell them in 5's and 10's. So I'm out a buck or two because of this fiasco.

Went up to the Varsity Club (bar) which was decent, but again, nothing special that I'd write home about.

However.........in the midst of the disappointing walk up Lane trying to find something worthwhile, I was hungry and came across a guy making pulled pork sandwiches - maybe the best pulled pork I've ever had for about $5. I think he was right in front of one of the memorabilia stores.

All I'm saying is...if you're expecting anything even remotely resembling Muni, you may be disappointed.

I don't think I ever tailgated for a Buckeye game, despite having season tix for a few years as a student.

But, walking around the area prior to a game, I remember that it wasn't like a Muni experience (as Beerdowner said). I'd actually recommend walking a few blocks off campus and trying to find some house full of college kids drinking. It'd at least be more Muni-like! LOL!

Have fun!!!!!!!!

Frankly, the Muni Lot is just short of a prison riot most game days. Too damn many drunks and punks. After the Pittsburgh game it was a disgrace. OSU tailgating is a little more adult. And much safer, honestly.

Thanks for the tips to those who replied. Looch, not to worry, I'll be wearing only red and gray- although orange is a nice color too- best saved for Sunday Browns games though. Shark, my husband's friend lives a few blocks from there and he plans to take us to the place you mentioned on Lane. Beerdowner, I heard about the pulled pork- hoping to grab a sandwich while I'm there. Honestly, I won't be too disappointed if it's nothing like Muni. Like Crazyotto said, it's gotten way out of hand with the drunk idiots. Muny has always been wild but I remember it being so in a fun way, not in ways where people could get really hurt. Don't get me wrong, I like to do my share of partying but I don't think it's cool to assault fellow Browns fans, launch glass beer bottles at opposing fans, or kick around a milk jug full of urine for entertainment. These are just a handful of things I witnessed last season while walking to the stadium before the Steeler game. Maybe I'm just getting old.

Babe, how are you feeling? Is John getting excited? Good luck to you both.

nothing short of a prison riot, thats funny.

Riverwatch and Heinigate are wall to wall people.

If this is gonna be your first Buckeyes game, I would just find a parking lot, grill and get your drink on. Like the other poster said, no booze sold at the game. So I went to the liquor store yesterday and bought 10 airplane bottles of JD, easiest way to smuggle in booze

FYI if anyone thinks about smuggling in a fifth in their pants, they sometimes make you pull up you shirt before you go in.

Oh BTW its scarlet and gray

Nurse,

You should really think about doing the skull session. It starts I believe 1 and 1/2 or 2 hrs before kickoff and is located in the St. John arena across from the shoe. You cannot be late to get a seat for this thing as the arena is already full 15-20 minutes before it starts.

It is a great pep rally with the bands from both teams ( that is if the Illinois band is making the trip) and with it being sr. day and all, the team comes through and Tress comes on the mic and says a few words.

My dad is a graduate of OSU and gets all emotional at the skull session. Everytime we go to a game together he INSISTS on going to it.

Another thing, try and make sure you are at your seats about a half hr prior to this game. You will not want to miss the sr day recognition and band entrance. The band entrance is INCREDIBLE every time you see it and I have seen it live about 30 times or so.

If you are interested in having some cocktails in the game, smuggle in a few "airplane bottles" of your choice for touchdown celebration shots, etc.

prison riot? haha I've only seen one idiot assulted after a game and he had it coming.

The Muni Lot is closer then ever before, With every Muni Lot person having a myspace its now like a bar crawl. You must not be in the clique. or your just O.L.D.


The young kids born around 1983 have discovered the Browns and the Muni Lot. I've been there since the late 70's. I saw a guy get beat with the original club (steering whell devise) in the early 80's. He had it coming to. The lot hasn't changed its just father time.

I've heard the Island is where all the middle aged men are now having their collective mid-life crisis.

Bad Jules!

NURSE...

i've been going to games for the past 6 years (ugh)...

as BEERDOWNER said pretty clearly, the Lane Ave parties are pretty lame...Heineygate is a waste...of all of them, the courtyard they open next to (part of) the Varsity Club is alright...

if you want to do your own tailgating, there are a few good lots for it, but if you're looking for a Muni-like situation, not gonna happen...the tailgaters here make good spreads...lots of cornhole and tossing footballs around...many of them don't go to the game, but bring their dish down and watch from their tailgate...but it's not a madhouse like Muni...

on the upside, most of the drunk and disorderlies are up on Lane Ave, and the obnoxious club music isn't being blasted out of megaspeakers...

i will PM you a map with my favorite lots, in case you wanna skip Lane Ave...

We have corn hole, flip cup, Dilfer from the SNEBB the only one to really get trashed and we solved that problem by duct taping him to a chair.

No one really gets trashed, just here say, the only one that mises the game is the same one that missed it 8 years ago No stumbling on the island, your getting bad info.

College tailgates are always way different than pro taligates.

You have alumni all over the place who are back for the weekend....it is just a different deal....much more about fellowship, the game and school rather than a blow out ball.

I love Gainesville on a Saturday afternoon, and I am sure Columbus is much the same....

Joe Cahn from tailgating.com who was with us Sunday said the Military schools are the best tailgaters. He said" They really get it" He ranked the Muni near the top of his favs. Very friendly. Nascar Bristol is his favorite.

Hooper- I don't doubt that the Island is a "hip" tailgate spot. You guys clearly have all the embellishments to make it a good time. I just don't have the time or ability to plan for the ellaborate tailgates now that my kids are playing sports and since my husband and I have both changed jobs. It's easier for me to plan a last minute trip and just go with the flow with a quaint group of friends and family. I can still watch from the grassy knoll.

DNA thank you so much for the PM- very helpful and I printed the map. You rock! I'm looking forward to it.

The problem for you dawgs hours away is the Muni Lot is full at 7:30 am

This is true and I'm not a morning person- especially coming from Dayton or even my folks' house which is 2 hours away. But it obviously works for you guys so enjoy.

Sorry, Hoop....if you think anyone deserves to get beaten to a pulp at a tailgate you are sadly mistaken.

And the way the people acted before, during and after the Pittsburgh game was a disgrace. Not the "Islanders" but many, many others.

I was at the Island before the Pittsburgh game. Saying that no one was wasted is like the old joke..."I didn't know he drank until I saw him sober".

crazzyotto. the Stiler game is St Paddys Day & New Years Eve all rolled into one, Its your amateaur game goer that goes to one game a year, way over paid for their tickets and they do get wasted.

You can't compare Stilers with the other 7 games.

Amen Hooper, people usually like to compare the Squeeler game and tailgate to the rest of the season. Yes, the Steeler game is and always will be the biggest and rowdiest tailgate of the season. With the addition of it being the season opener this year made it for an even crazier time. It's hard to compare the Steeler game and tailgate to the rest of the season, it's like comparing Apples to Oranges.

Personally, I've been to the island on a few occasions through out the years, and in my personal opinion I think the island has become one of the rocking spots in the Muni. Keep up the good work at the island Hooper, you guys are doing a great job there getting people pumped for the game.

just clicking-

Went to the game and tailgated in a lot with friends who had an RV and all the fixins- pulled pork, chili, dessert, Miller Lite- good time. Then we stopped at that big party place on Lane. I loved it! The band was rockin' and peeps were having a blast. I enjoyed the environment at the game but wish the turn out would have been different.

By the way SaintDawg, I saw your hang-out, The Library Bar on High Street. Looks like a nice little place to hang. We have a Library Bar in Dayton. It's fun but kind of a dive compared to the one in Columbus.

I must admit I still prefer the Browns games and their tailgating but it was nice to finally experience an OSU game for a change. I'll be in Cleveland for the Buffalo game- brrr, that will be a cold one. Won't get the "priveledge" of going to DTI or the Muny Lot since we're taking a bus trip from Dayton but I'm sure we'll still have a blast. It will be nice to nap on that long trip home after a long day of partying. Thanks again for all the input everyone.

Babe, glad you're going well. Good luck to you and keep me posted via email.