As we approach the longest week of the offseason…… A buddy and I will be coming from the central Florida area to the Miami game (we try and make one a year) but I was wondering if anybody could give us any ideas as to what to do and where to go prior? We are gonna be getting there around 10 am (late, I know), to see SEC now - but what to do between 12 and game time? Any open tailgates or areas to be at? All help or ideas are welcome, thanks - just looking for things to do while occupying our time before the game. Also, do you really need to conceal beer around the stadium as long as you’re not acting like an idiot? - are there open container laws?
They are selling beer outside of the stadium and many are drinking in the streets so that’s no issue. I sometimes go to Spurrier’s for a couple drinks before the game. Gator Walk is at 1:20 I think and I go in shortly after that and watch warmups. If you’re going down for Sec Now, you might as well find a close bar or hand out by the stadium where Gator Walk is. Beer and food trucks and bars. Basketball has an open practice at 10:30 I think.
Gotcha. Yeah I’ve been to spurrier a few times now and we are looking to stay within walking distance of the stadium. The basketball practice is interesting - thanks for the info. Just trying to figure out the best usage of our “open” time before the game
If you hang out by the stadium outside, drinking beer, get in line long before you have to really get to a bathroom.
Damn I miss the Porpoise. And Joe's Deli. Maybe get you some dark purple sunglasses, spray some sticky adhesive shit on the bottom of your soles, pour an ash tray on your shirt, do an Irish car bomb, 3 shots of tequila, shot of Yager, a fireball, then nurse rums n coke as needed. That's about as close as you can get to replicating the Porpoise experience. Can't really help with Joe's, but it'd prolly be a good idea to start with a pitcher of beer, and a footlong sub for foundation, b4 the Porpoise thing above, to help capture the feel, if not quite replicating it. Ain't no replacing the OG's, but one can try....
Def do bball. It's nice just to be in the Odome for a bit. Otherwise just wander around and soak it all in. Tailgates are wild and entertaining.
Just don’t cross the street with a beer. Gville does not allow open containers and some of the cops are pretty aggressive about it.
Good advice, Rebel. The open container laws that were suspended since 2020 have returned and took effect after last football season: Gainesville’s new “open container” ordinances take effect Jan. 1 Welcome to the City of Gainesville
What about outside the stadium where they are selling beer in the streets? What exactly are the rules?
That kind of clears things up a bit. I don’t know exactly those areas but if there’s a bunch of bars, I guess it’s OK if others are walking around just do as the Romans do.
The two districts cited in the article as exempt are downtown or near downtown. They are nowhere near campus. Considering that the City of Gainesville chronically mismanages their finances and is always short of money, I'd be willing to bet that that there will be fairly strict enforcement for Football games to drive revenue. I've seen people arrested for accidentally taking one step onto the public sidewalk with a beverage before. As long as you are on UF property and don't act the fool, you are probably going to be fine, but be careful to stay on private property at those off-campus parking/tailgating spots.
The only place they sell beer that isn't in an establishment is at the North Endzone fun zone where there is food and beverage available. Just don't take your brewski and walk onto public property like University Ave. "City manager Cynthia Curry clarified all of UF's home football games are issued one alcohol event permit that applies for the whole school year." - Gainesville City Commission passed open-container ordinance to revert back to pre-pandemic wording - The Independent Florida Alligator
