Whether you’re a Louisiana native or from out of town, you’ll learn quickly that Baton Rouge residents take college football very seriously. From the food to the decorations to the attire, game days are no joke around here. We’ve put together a list of everything you need to do to get the most out of the college football experience and have a successful game day celebration!
DON’T: Spend your whole day preparing food.
DO: Pick up tailgating packs from local restaurants.
On game days, it’s easy to get caught up in to do lists and all of the prepping required before your friends and family arrive. Don’t waste time in the kitchen—enjoy the day! Many local restaurants offer a wide array of delicious catering options, but just remember to order ahead of time!
- Bistro Byronz
- BRQ Seafood and Barbeque
- Empire Wingz
- Gourmet Girls
- Our Mom's Restaurant & Bar
- Raising Cane’s
- Rouses
- The Kolache Kitchen
- The Ruby Slipper Café
- Triplet's Blue Store
- Walk On’s Sports Bistreaux
- Matherne's Market
DON’T: Show up empty-handed.
DO: Bring snacks or drinks to add to your host’s game day spread.
While a tailgate host’s hospitality extends to anyone and everyone—even a rival team’s fans—it’s always best to contribute by arriving with snacks or sips for everyone to share. Try out some local Baton Rouge spots for extra snacks and drinks that everyone will love!
- Ambrosia Bakery for a game day cake
- Calandro's and Matherne's Market for locally made dips, sauces, chips, and more!
- Counterspace BR cookies
- Elsie's Plate & Pie for delicious, homemade pies
- Tony's Seafood for party trays of Cajun specialties that are sure to be a hit
- Get the best Louisiana brews from Parish Brewing Co, Tin Roof Brewing Co, and Urban South Brewery
DON’T: Slack on team spirit.
DO: Deck out your tailgate in team colors.
Nothing shows school pride more than a uniquely decorated tailgate that you can spot from miles away! Stop by these local party stores in Baton Rouge to pick up balloons, games, decorations and even kitchenware in your team’s colors for a fun game day that shows off your school spirit!
DON’T: Miss a minute of the action.
DO: Find somewhere to watch the game.
If you don’t have tickets to the game or prefer to entertain somewhere besides your house, we have you covered. There are a number of restaurants, bars and venues where you can watch a game around Baton Rouge.
- Bengal Tap Room
- Mid City Beer Garden
- Red Stick Social
- Stadium Sports Bar & Grill at L'Auberge Casino
- The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room
- The Station Sports Bar and Grill
- TJ Ribs
- Walk On’s Sports Bistreaux
- Willie's Restaurant & Bar
DON’T: Get caught in game day traffic.
DO: Take advantage of local and fast transportation.
The last thing you want to be worried about on game day is not making it to the game on time! Lucky for you, Baton Rouge has various forms of transportation that’ll help you arrive at your tailgate destination in no time.
- Take the CATS bus
- Experience student life with the LSU bus system
- Rent Gotcha Bikes Powered by Bolt at various locations on campus
DON’T: Get caught wearing the wrong prints and school colors.
DO: Shop local for game day attire.
It is an all-too-well-known sight to see mistaken animal prints and the wrong shades of gold, purple and blue. Keep the classic tiger and leopard prints and school colors in check, and complete your game day outfit with earrings, a clear purse and the perfect shoes. Check out these local Baton Rouge boutiques to put together the game day outfit of your dreams.
- Bella Bella
- Blu Spero
- Frock Candy
- Mimosa Handcrafted
- NK Boutique
- Rodeo Boutique
- Sweet Baton Rouge
- Southern University Sports FanShop
- Southern Jaguars Game Gear
- The Hope Shop
- Wanderlust by Abby
If you stay true to all these game day do’s and don’ts, you will have the best game day experience imaginable! From the best local food to the cutest game day fits—you will be the talk of the town. Show us how you do game day by tagging #ExploreBatonRouge.