2024 Home Game Guide: Athens
Fall is just around the corner — which means it’s almost time for the Dawgs to hunker down Between the Hedges once again. If you’re traveling to Athens for a home game this season, here’s a guide to the best restaurants and attractions in the Classic City.
WHAT TO EAT
Athens has a renowned and diverse restaurant scene. Check out Classic City mainstays downtown like the Last Resort Grill, a southwestern-inspired restaurant with outdoor seating, or Dawg Gone Good BBQ, a hole-in-the-wall, delicious barbecue joint. For a quick bite to eat, be sure to check out Baddies Burgers, an alumni-owned spot by Joe Nedza, located in Five Points. They’re known for their tasty burgers and dessert puddings, including their popular banana cream pie pudding. San Angel Cocina & Cantina, located on Atlanta Highway, serves genuine Mexican food with a variety of menu options, hosting live entertainment and a view from their rooftop bar.
Dawg Gone Good BBQ (Photo/Melanie Velasquez, The Red & Black)
Those looking for a taste of Athens’ fine dining options could head to The National, a Mediterranean-inspired favorite founded by UGA alumnus Peter Dale (ABJ ’99). Peter also owns Seabear Oyster Bar and co-owns Condor Chocolates and Maepole, a counter-service health food restaurant.
On Sundays, brunch and coffee options abound downtown at Mama’s Boy and South Kitchen and Bar. Want to venture out? Pop in to Independent Baking Co., a cozy bakery filled with flaky, soft pastries and bread, baked fresh daily.
The National
WHERE TO WATCH
Before the game, cheer on the Redcoat Band, cheerleaders, players and coaches as they enter Sanford Stadium during the Dawg Walk, which happens approximately two hours before kickoff at Gate 10 of the stadium. Show up early and you can watch the Redcoat drumline perform a concert before the walk.
Even if you don’t have a ticket to the game, there are plenty of places in Athens to enjoy the game day atmosphere. Head over to Athentic Brewing Company, located on Park Avenue, where our official UGA Alumni Game-Watching party will be hosted! Tailgaters surround most of the UGA campus, and big-screen viewing of UGA games is available downtown at both Paloma Park and the Georgia Theatre. If you’d like to stay on campus, the Tate Theater inside the Tate Student Center also shows football games.
Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery
Creature Comforts Brewing Co., a well-known brewery that originated right here in Athens, has the perfect game day atmosphere with outdoor and indoor space. For a laid back experience, Blue Sky Bar, located downtown, serves craft beers and cocktails with a rustic feel and a rooftop patio.
After a Dawgs win, make sure to celebrate by ringing the Chapel Bell on North Campus!
What to Do
In addition to UGA sports, Athens has lots of opportunities for cultural exposure and outdoor adventure. Explore Athens’s history as a musical hub by taking the Athens Music Walk of Fame downtown, or pay a visit to the Georgia Museum of Art, which features traveling exhibitions and an eclectic permanent collection, including a sculpture garden.
Wire Park
Wire Park, located in Watkinsville, is a family-friendly outdoor space with shops, restaurants, breweries, and fitness establishments. Be sure to swing by for a great family-friendly activity, just 15 minutes from campus! Enjoy nature by visiting Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park, exploring the sprawling State Botanical Garden of Georgia or walking the paths of the North Oconee River Greenway.
Where To Shop
Epps Bridge Centre is an Athens area hotspot. Whether you’re an avid movie-watcher or just love to shop, Epps Bridge Centre has a variety of stores like Alumni Hall, restaurants like Killer Crust Pizza Company and an amazing movie theater called University 16 Cinemas, with recliner seats, slushies, and a do-it-yourself popcorn station! Five Points is a cozy neighborhood with local restaurants and shops to explore like The Pine and Avid Bookshop. Looking for mainstream retail chain stores like, Lululemon and TJ Maxx, Beechwood Shopping Center is the place to go!
University 16 Cinemas at Epps Bridge Centre
There’s a lot to see in the Classic City! Not making the trip to Athens and looking to connect with Dawgs in your own area? Find your local UGA alumni chapter and cheer on the Dawgs with fellow alumni at a game-watching party near you.
