Tenn-Bama game day help and advice (merged)

#1
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sidis

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#1
hey vols, texas longhorn fan here. i've been lurking for a few hours and it looks like this is definitely the best vol message board to post on for this kind of request...

a little background

a few buddies of mine (fellow longhorn fans and michigan fans) have had a bit of a tradition going for the last few years that we've really enjoyed as cfb fanatics. each year, we choose a "big game" across the country to attend at one of college football's cathedrals on a weekend that texas and michigan are both off or playing rent-a-victim games. outside of taking each other to the biggest rivalries for each others' respective schools (texas-ou in dallas and ohio state at michigan), all of our games have been sec games as i'm sure we can all agree, they have the most great stadiums and game environments in the country. we've been to baton rouge for lsu and auburn a few years back and we've been to tuscaloosa for lsu and bama last season for a great game. we've had a blast at every destination so far, and we have no doubt that knoxville will not fall short. one of the things that has really ensured a great trip has been getting online well before the game and learning as much as possible about the traditions that might not be talked about on espn (ie, not singing rocky top), as well as local recommendations on food, activities, tailgating spots, etc...

so, with that said...

four friends of mine and i are headed to knoxville in september for the florida game. details that have already been hashed out are that we'll be flying into nashville early on friday and driving over. we're staying at the hilton downtown and we've already got our tix for the game. the plan is to go down to pigeon forge to zorb (long story) friday at some point, and we'll also be driving back sunday to nashville for the texans-titans game (already have tix). that's what has been already planned.

so, that leaves friday evening and all of saturday outside of the actual game. the kind of things i'm looking for from you guys are:

any restaurants you guys would recommend that are musts for tennessee football weekends (like chimes in baton rouge or dreamland bbq in tuscaloosa)?

talk to me about social/bar scene for friday and saturday night...where's the good stuff (ie, tennessee girls)?

tailgating, i know i would like to see the whole vol navy thing. any chance we could get on a boat if we brought libation gifts? where else is the good tailgating? any thoughts on this would be appreciated. we've never had trouble hooking up with local tailgates (especially at lsu) and we've found that it's been a blast every time. we promise to be generous in our contributions to the tailgate.

which pre and post-game traditions should we be sure NOT to miss? (volwalk, etc...)

and anything else you guys think is critical to a great cfb weekend in knoxville...

i really appreciate any input you guys can give. look forward to reading the board for the next few weeks.

three weeks 'til the season starts!!!
 
#2
#2
You must find the rock. The rock is a huge, rock, and students/fraternities/sororities take turns painting different things on the rock. During Florida game week, it will have all kinds of things on there bashing the Gators. It's good for a photo opp.

Then there's the Vol Walk, where fans, friends, and family line the street in front of Neyland Stadium (Phillip Fulmer) and give support to the players as they walk to the stadium.

You have to learn Rocky Top, especially if you would like to join the Vol Navy, because I'm sure that would be a prerequisite to joining someone on their boat(s). Also, if all goes well, you'll hear it ALOT during the football game.

There are other things, like restaurants (There's this one place that has some GREAT food but I can't remember the name. Todd Blackledge covered it during one of the football games last year.) and other traditions, but I'll stop for now.

Also, DO NOT drink your alcohol on Cumberland Avenue (also known as the strip). You will get a ticket. I know this because yours truly has gotten one. Back then, it was 125 dollars. The fine may be more by now.
 
#3
#3
heck of an idea, gimme some time to re-read and put thoughts down in an organized manner
 
#5
#5
i like yall's idea and what your doing. one question. why did you save the best for last?

ive only been to the 06 bama game and this years orange and white game so i'm little help with the other things you asked of. bookstore was neat. lol.

dont freak out when neyland goes to rockin and your testiculars go to rattlin in your drawyers. i recommend some water or coke from concession stand early. good chance you'll be hoarse by the end of the first quarter. if your sitting on visitor side you wont have to worry about afternoon sun either.

all i can say is enjoy the beautiful fall afternoon in ktown and live it up its an experience of a lifetime as far as I'm concerned. Lucky for you your going to our biggest game.

have fun and be careful!
 
#7
#7
I highly recommend the O.C.I. (Old College Inn) as your required stop on the strip. It is one of the last old bars which form the alumni's collective consciousness. If you go, get a huge burger. I recommend you eat there Friday night. The scenery is decent, but is not the main lure of the place. That would be the nostalgia.

Second the recommendation of the Copper Cellar; good restaurant and stiff drinks. Sit downstairs if you can.

If you are looking for eye candy, I would recommend some spots downtown in the Old City or on Gay street. Hey, stop giggling, a--hole. :) Two of the prime spots are Smokey Mountain Brewery and Sapphire. The latter is a club in an old jewelry store, which I hear the coeds frequent.

As for gameday, go check out the navy. Bring liquor. That and some charm will make you popular, and hopefully lead to a couple invites aboard various vessels.

Of course, I am not a resident of Knoxville anymore; many of the guys on this board know more about the current scene than I.

I recommend you PM ksushalovesthevols, as she is a relatively recent graduate ('04, I think), intelligent, and (by all appearances of her avatar) good-looking. Birds of a feather flock together, so I think she would be your best bet for social advice in Knoxvegas.

Have fun following your nose, buddy!
 
#8
#8
I think as long as none of you try and say the real UT is Texas, you'll be fine.

haha

all jokes aside... As for bars to go to:

1. downtown and market square. plenty of options
2. the old city. even more options, and walking distance from downtown


As for the Vol Navy:

Show up with big smiles and a bottle or two of Jack Daniel's and you should be fine. Everyone down there is cool as the breeze.


Places to eat:

Copper Cellar on the strip
Sunspot on the strip (great beer selection and good sandwiches)
Regas off North Broadway ("fine" dining, pretty formal)
Calhoun's on the river (awful bbq, but a great atmosphere, right on the water)


Good luck guys, and GO VOLS! Enjoy your trip. I'll be at the gators game, as well as the Titans/Texans game.

My advice is to leave EARLY on Sunday morning. Like, really early. The drive to Nashville on NFL game day can be rough...


EDIT: referring to the post above mine... I honestly would skip sapphire. It's full of fashionista, wanna be New York types. Plus the drinks are bad, and super expensive. Right next door to sapphire is downtown brewery. You needn't go anywhere else if you are downtown.

;)
 
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#10
#10
awesome! thanks for the advice guys, this is great! exactly what i'm looking for...

keep it comin'!

eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.

one other thing, how is the drive between knox and pigeon forge on game fridays? i don't want that excursion to take up too much time on friday...
 
#11
#11
I am so envious...great idea, and you all will have a great time. Be sure to go down by Calhouns (personally I like their Bar B Q) and watch the VOL Navy, unlike any other fans I have ever witnessed. Walk all over the Knoxville area around campus, any empty spot will be full by 9 AM for tailgating, and in my opinion a friendlier group can not be found. Seems Tennessee folks are hospitable to all even the hated gators and bama. Don't miss the VOL walk and band...if that don't get you pumped you are already dead. Once you are in the stadium go to the very top, campus side and look out...it is a sea of orange. Coming from big programs and fan bases you all have an idea of crowd noise, but I am dead serious when I say Neyland rocks when the VOLS roll in. I can remember my nephew (ND UT 99) grabbing hold of the banister and he was 25 years old as he thought the stadium was going to collapse. Do not be surprised if you come home whistling Rocky Top, subscribing to Vol Nation, and telling everyone "hey fellas youi ain't seen s--t til you have seen Football Time In Tennessee!" Enjoy, and oh yes cheer your tails off for the VOLS. GO VOLS PS You will also be telling everyone about a young man named Eric Berry.
 
#12
#12
I must say i've had better BBQ in L.A. than I had at Calhouns. Great location and fun place though.
 
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#13
#13
The atmosphere on campus is pretty boring, especially for the Florida game. I would just stay in Nashville. If you send me your tickets I'll try to get rid of them for you.

Seriously though, you can't go wrong with any of the suggestions in the previous posts. We used to go to Charlies on game day, but sadly it closed (ask about it while you're there and you will hear some legendary stories). Now we do Copper Cellar on the strip. If you get there early sit at the bar. They have TVs to keep up with the early games. They also have the hottest jello shot girls on the strip. There's a parking lot across the street behind Wendys that hosts a good group of tailgaters that are always willing to share a shot of Crown or two. Next to it is a hole in the wall dive (I forget the name) that is always fun. It tends to have a few coeds hanging out as well.

Whatever you do I'm sure you will have a blast. Report back after the game and let us know what it was like.
 
#15
#15
sidis said:
eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.
Click to expand...

well, we do heavy tailgating in my family at titan's games.

typically, i will leave knoxville at 7:30 am (which is ROUGH given the previous night's debauchery).

This puts us at LP field at about 9:30 am. You see, Knoxville is in Eastern time zone, and Nashville in central, so you will gain an hour.

If you really want to get a good spot to set up at LP, then I would take off from Knox at 6:30. My advantage is that someone form the fam is already setting up at Lp field byt he time Im an hour out of Knoxville.

Basically, the earlier you can leave Knox the better.
 
#16
#16
Since it's a one time deal, I would definitely recommend Calhoun's on the river. I actually think their bbq is great, but you have to get the ribs and spinich maria. They have great microbrews too. It'll be a zoo on gameday, but you are right in the mecca of the Vol Navy there.

After the game hit the strip and/or downtown/old city per the suggestions above. Sapphire on Gay St. has trendy music and the best looking refined babes. If you like less refined, go to the strip or the Old City. The girls there will be sloshed.:)

sidis said:
awesome! thanks for the advice guys, this is great! exactly what i'm looking for...

keep it comin'!

eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.

one other thing, how is the drive between knox and pigeon forge on game fridays? i don't want that excursion to take up too much time on friday...
Click to expand...
 
#17
#17
restaurants:
(on the strip): OCI, Copper Cellar
(near campus): Calhouns, Litton's
(further but worth the drive): Ye Olde Steakhouse

I try to make it to Ye Olde Steakhouse any time I come in for a game. I've gone after games a few times, and there's a huge crowd, but it's worth the wait. I remember eating at a table next to Peyton, Archie, and Eli Manning after one of Peyton's games.

bars:
(on the strip): OCI, Copper Cellar, Cool Beans (if you like the frat scene), Hannah's isn't bad
(downtown): Downtown Grille and Brewery (my favorite), Patrick Sulliavans, Manhattans, Urban Bar
I would consider all of the downtown bars within walking distance of your hotel.

tailgating: basically anywhere you can find a parking lot around campus there will be tailgating. Definitely check out the Vol Navy, which it sounds like you're already planning on. It's worth it to stop in at Calhoun's from there, too, since it's right next to where the Vol Navy docks.

traditions: definitely make it to campus in time for the vol walk. Also, the marching band marches down Volunteer Blvd to the stadium playing rocky top before the game. Usually they post a pregame schedule on utsports.com where you can find times for these things. Also, make it to your seats in time to see the band's pregame show and to see the Vols run out of the T.

You should have a great time. Seeing Neyland is something you won't forget.
 
#18
#18
sidis said:
hey vols, texas longhorn fan here. i've been lurking for a few hours and it looks like this is definitely the best vol message board to post on for this kind of request...

a little background

a few buddies of mine (fellow longhorn fans and michigan fans) have had a bit of a tradition going for the last few years that we've really enjoyed as cfb fanatics. each year, we choose a "big game" across the country to attend at one of college football's cathedrals on a weekend that texas and michigan are both off or playing rent-a-victim games. outside of taking each other to the biggest rivalries for each others' respective schools (texas-ou in dallas and ohio state at michigan), all of our games have been sec games as i'm sure we can all agree, they have the most great stadiums and game environments in the country. we've been to baton rouge for lsu and auburn a few years back and we've been to tuscaloosa for lsu and bama last season for a great game. we've had a blast at every destination so far, and we have no doubt that knoxville will not fall short. one of the things that has really ensured a great trip has been getting online well before the game and learning as much as possible about the traditions that might not be talked about on espn (ie, not singing rocky top), as well as local recommendations on food, activities, tailgating spots, etc...

so, with that said...

four friends of mine and i are headed to knoxville in september for the florida game. details that have already been hashed out are that we'll be flying into nashville early on friday and driving over. we're staying at the hilton downtown and we've already got our tix for the game. the plan is to go down to pigeon forge to zorb (long story) friday at some point, and we'll also be driving back sunday to nashville for the texans-titans game (already have tix). that's what has been already planned.

so, that leaves friday evening and all of saturday outside of the actual game. the kind of things i'm looking for from you guys are:

any restaurants you guys would recommend that are musts for tennessee football weekends (like chimes in baton rouge or dreamland bbq in tuscaloosa)?

talk to me about social/bar scene for friday and saturday night...where's the good stuff (ie, tennessee girls)?

tailgating, i know i would like to see the whole vol navy thing. any chance we could get on a boat if we brought libation gifts? where else is the good tailgating? any thoughts on this would be appreciated. we've never had trouble hooking up with local tailgates (especially at lsu) and we've found that it's been a blast every time. we promise to be generous in our contributions to the tailgate.

which pre and post-game traditions should we be sure NOT to miss? (volwalk, etc...)

and anything else you guys think is critical to a great cfb weekend in knoxville...

i really appreciate any input you guys can give. look forward to reading the board for the next few weeks.

three weeks 'til the season starts!!!
Click to expand...

Calhouns on the river (right near stadium on neyland drive...) is a fantastic place to eat. It is usually packed on gameday, so you will want reservations.

I know some UGA fans who come up every 2 years for the Uga-UT game, and they eat at Calhouns every time, as they swear "its the best eatin' north of the border" (referring to the TN-GA border). I dunno if I would go that far, but it is some damn good eats, especially their ribs.

Edit: Eloist was bashing on the BBQ at Calhouns, but don't listen to him. The ribs there are solid. He must have just had bad beats when he got his ribs and got a bad batch or something.
 
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#19
#19
sidis said:
awesome! thanks for the advice guys, this is great! exactly what i'm looking for...

keep it comin'!

eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.

one other thing, how is the drive between knox and pigeon forge on game fridays? i don't want that excursion to take up too much time on friday...
Click to expand...

If you get to Knoxville early enough it shouldn't be too bad, but the earlier the better. The drive to Pigeon Forge will take about 45 min. if the traffic isn't bad, and it will be mostly interstate. Sometimes the main road in Pigeon Forge can be really crowded though, but there is a lot to see and do so I would say it's worth it. Depending on what time you get here will be the big thing though because it could take up the rest of the day/night.
 
#20
#20
I'm taking a couple gator friends with me this year for their first time, also staying at the Hilton. we'll be getting in friday afternoon-ish but you guys are welcomed to join us for any and all afterwards. Like I said, it will be a couple of their first times so I'll be taking them around to most of what everyone before me has stated.... just a thought. I'll also have a tailgate near Neyland that we'll set up pretty early, but will be lugging them around to see the sights and sounds of gameday at the best place in the world!!
 
#22
#22
sidis said:
awesome! thanks for the advice guys, this is great! exactly what i'm looking for...

keep it comin'!

eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.

one other thing, how is the drive between knox and pigeon forge on game fridays? i don't want that excursion to take up too much time on friday...
Click to expand...
avoid Pigeon Forge like the plague.
 
#23
#23
sidis said:
hey vols, texas longhorn fan here. i've been lurking for a few hours and it looks like this is definitely the best vol message board to post on for this kind of request...

a little background

a few buddies of mine (fellow longhorn fans and michigan fans) have had a bit of a tradition going for the last few years that we've really enjoyed as cfb fanatics. each year, we choose a "big game" across the country to attend at one of college football's cathedrals on a weekend that texas and michigan are both off or playing rent-a-victim games. outside of taking each other to the biggest rivalries for each others' respective schools (texas-ou in dallas and ohio state at michigan), all of our games have been sec games as i'm sure we can all agree, they have the most great stadiums and game environments in the country. we've been to baton rouge for lsu and auburn a few years back and we've been to tuscaloosa for lsu and bama last season for a great game. we've had a blast at every destination so far, and we have no doubt that knoxville will not fall short. one of the things that has really ensured a great trip has been getting online well before the game and learning as much as possible about the traditions that might not be talked about on espn (ie, not singing rocky top), as well as local recommendations on food, activities, tailgating spots, etc...

so, with that said...

four friends of mine and i are headed to knoxville in september for the florida game. details that have already been hashed out are that we'll be flying into nashville early on friday and driving over. we're staying at the hilton downtown and we've already got our tix for the game. the plan is to go down to pigeon forge to zorb (long story) friday at some point, and we'll also be driving back sunday to nashville for the texans-titans game (already have tix). that's what has been already planned.

so, that leaves friday evening and all of saturday outside of the actual game. the kind of things i'm looking for from you guys are:

any restaurants you guys would recommend that are musts for tennessee football weekends (like chimes in baton rouge or dreamland bbq in tuscaloosa)?

talk to me about social/bar scene for friday and saturday night...where's the good stuff (ie, tennessee girls)?

tailgating, i know i would like to see the whole vol navy thing. any chance we could get on a boat if we brought libation gifts? where else is the good tailgating? any thoughts on this would be appreciated. we've never had trouble hooking up with local tailgates (especially at lsu) and we've found that it's been a blast every time. we promise to be generous in our contributions to the tailgate.

which pre and post-game traditions should we be sure NOT to miss? (volwalk, etc...)

and anything else you guys think is critical to a great cfb weekend in knoxville...

i really appreciate any input you guys can give. look forward to reading the board for the next few weeks.

three weeks 'til the season starts!!!
Click to expand...
Is Michigan and Ohio State still considered a rivalry game. My wife is from Michigan and can't recall the last time the Big Blue even won.
 
#24
#24
wow! thanks so much fellas. there is a lot of great info here for us to make our decisions using. i really appreciate it.

bigorange, i appreciate the offer, i may shoot you a pm as we get closer to time.

elo, tailgating is not going to be at a premium for us for the titans game. i think recovering from saturday night will be much higher on the list. i am thinking if we leave by 8, we should be at the stadium by 1030ish which is plenty of time for me. for the most part, we just want to go see and support vince and seeing the 'hometown' team is a bonus...though none of us are die-hard texans fans.

sounds like copper cellar is a must and like calhoun's will put us in prime position for some vol navy action. i like what i'm hearing regarding the game environment. i'll be curious to see how it compares to some of my past experiences at kyle field, lsu, the 2006 rose bowl, nebraska, all the texas-ou games... i figure if you guys take care of ucla in the opener, there should be no shortage of hype and excitement for florida.

anyway, thanks again for all the helpful advice and please, by all means, keep it comin'...
 
#25
#25
sidis said:
awesome! thanks for the advice guys, this is great! exactly what i'm looking for...

keep it comin'!

eloist, what time would you say we need to leave on sunday? i'm slightly concerned about that given that saturday night will not be an early night.

one other thing, how is the drive between knox and pigeon forge on game fridays? i don't want that excursion to take up too much time on friday...
Click to expand...
The drive to Pigeon Forge should not be bad but being a weekend game weekend or not the traffic will start in Sevierville and be horrible all the way thru pigeon forge to the other side of Gatlinburg lol nothin you cant get thru its a normal thing with all the turism and red lights down that way lol... Good place to eat pregame on sat. for lunch or what not would be Krystal on the strip lol yes I do mean the fast food chain, its quick and prolly the best fast food... Since Knoxville to Nashville will be around a 3 to 4 hour drive any how I agree with Eloist leave early! Traffic shouldnt be to bad at all(Unless you hit a wreck) until you get near downtown Nashville
 
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