Tailgating ideas for NW game on Saturday
I am trying to get some folks to head up to Evanston this weekend when we play Northwestern. I have read that there is pretty much no tailgating unless you are a season ticket holder who buys a parking pass. I have also read that sometimes opposing fans will buy a pass and host a tailgate. Anynone hosting a UM tailgate or have any good tailgate and/or pre-game (i.e. boozing) recommendations.
First post...sorry if I screwed this up somehow.
November 4th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
There are a few options for tailgating around the stadium (parking at muffler shops, etc) that can work. They also offer free shuttles and free parking from certain university lots. Here is a link.
Last year my group ended up just at some bars in downtown Evanston and then had our sober driver park near a tailgate an hour before the game. This year we are debating doing the same thing, especially if it's going to rain.
November 4th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 5:34 PM ^
Are there any bad seats? How are the NU fans? First time going up to Evanston for a game, driving 8hrs from Nebraska... Can't Wait, Go Blue!
November 4th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
If boozin' is your goal, I have heard that going to Duffy's and taking the shuttle bus is a fine plan. I have also heard that you must be absolutely sure to go the the bathroom before you leave and that you should take an emergency repository along, as the Evanston 5-0 are not amused by peeing in shrubs.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:22 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
It's pretty fucking awful unless you don't mind still going to Rick's when you're a post-college adult.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
Why would anyone ever want to be a post-college adult?
November 4th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
When you decide you've had enough of raspy-voiced girls in tights spilling Miller Lite everywhere?
What am I saying?
November 4th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
And, as I said, I have been told. I am way too old to hang there.
November 4th, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 5:01 PM ^
But am wondering why you don't have an avatar to match your screen name. Old, not dead.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
I am going to Evanston for the first time this weekend. Anyone know if Evanston is booze free or not?
November 4th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
but there's other cities close by that I know are not. You'll be fine I think.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
Sorry, I meant being able to purchase booze at the stadium.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
much cheaper than ours.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
go downtown to a place called Lucky's and get one of the overstuffed sammiches there. Primanti Brothers style. Kickoff is later, so you should have time.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^
I'm really surprised the Alumni Association has stopped doing the alumni tailgates for away games. The NU tailgate last year was a blast.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:33 PM ^
I'll do some checking.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
To my knowledge, the Alumni Association has not done anything for any of the other away games. There's nothing on their site about it, and as a UMCGC member, I haven't received a single thing. Basically, they got out of the tailgate business with nary a word. Which sucks, because those tailgates were pretty great, even if a bit hokey.
November 4th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
there was an Alum Association tailgate for the Rutgers game - not sure if it was just local chapters who put it together. We wound up not going after we ran into friends at a brew pub, but we had every intention of attending.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
Yeah, from the looks of it, it was the local club just having a common spot for Michigan fans to congregate.
The UMAA tailgates were ticketed affairs with really good food, open bar, TVs, tents, giveaways, former players showing up, cheerleaders, the Fanfare Band if the MMB was there, etc. etc. etc. I'm sure they were a logistical nightmare, but they were totally worth it if you were going to an unfamiliar campus and didn't want to bother with finding a tailgate spot for yourself.
November 4th, 2014 at 7:56 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:30 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
in its own thread-if so apologies. Are there any MGoBloggers in Charlotte who can help me find a friendly bar where I can watch games? None of my friends will have anything to do with Michigan sports....
November 4th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
valid points, but not helpful in my quest to watch games with other Michigan fans. My 15 year old daughter will sit and "watch" games with me and has asked that I take her to the Big House but I think that's just because she wants money.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
there are a ton of lots closer to the lake which are free and you can tailgate at. my friends and I have set up there for the last 2 northwestern away games
http://www.northwestern.edu/up/parking/policies-information/maps/Evanst…
it is a bit of a walk from those places to actually get to the stadium, maybe 15 mins or so
November 4th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
It is a bit of a walk from campus (near the lake) but in the university owned lots parking is free with many shuttle busses that drop you off right outside the stadium.
November 4th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
you need to get there early enough to get a spot. They fill up hours before the game. (These are the lots where you don't need a university permit to park)
November 4th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 1:24 PM ^
I live about 30 minutes west of Evanston and a few of us always hit up an Irish Pub a few blocks from the stadium called Tommy Nevins. Pretty decent for some pregame drinks and an easy walk to stadium.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
What I did last year:
1. Buy a bunch of cases of Old Style & Fireball
2. Take the train from Wrigleyville up to Evanston, crack said Old Styles
3. Set up shop on a random spot on the golf course near the train and near the M alumni tailgate
4. Well it's hazy after that
November 4th, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^
Alcohol is not allowed on CTA trains here in Chicago. While rarely enforced, I still have had many friends get tickets for open alcohol on the trains. Be careful and discrete!
November 4th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
I've seen it happen. Cop bodyslammed a kid into the wall of a Brown Line train, then hauled him out while his befuddled friends stood there and watched. It's not something I fuck with, unless I put a wee bit of whiskey in a bottle of coke or ginger ale and the train isn't overly crowded.
November 4th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
Huh... I live here too and haven't had a problem. But I'll look out for it.
November 4th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^
You can take the EL (red line subway) up to Howard, then get on the purle line for free from there to Evanston (a couple stops). No need to go to Union Station unless you want to take the Metra (commuter rail).
November 4th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^
Last year and didn't get there early enough to get a spot in the lots. Free parking on residential streets with decent enough people to let you drink on their lawn without getting upset though.
November 4th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
game and we noticed in the neighborhoods right near the stadium, there are not many people parking cars on their lawns - unlike in Ann Arbor. And there are basically no public parking lots either near the stadium. We happened to find a house that was parking cars very close to the stadium - on Asbury Ave. It wasn't cheap at $40, but since the weather was shitty, the short walk was worth it. Plus the owner was nice and let people use the bathroom. The nearby park had a few places where you could park (can't remember for how much $$), but they didn't allow tailgating annoyingly.
November 4th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
Just follow some obvious tailgaters and GO EARLY. Free shuttle buses to the stadium, otherwise 15 min. walk. The walk back is very easy ... because all you talk about is the Michigan victory !!! I have never seen a loss at Northwestern ... but this year I have a stupid freaking wedding to go to .... ugh!
Go Blue!
November 4th, 2014 at 3:06 PM ^
I had the option of Michigan/NW or Bulls/Celtics. I took the warm court side comforts of the UC this year.
Forgive me Father Bo for I have sinned...
November 6th, 2014 at 5:37 PM ^
I'm guessing nobody is reading this thread anymore but I will be with a few UM fans and many neutral fans at the Linden purple line parking lot tailgating. Come on by...