This weekend begins our annual North Texas exchange program, with dozens of you heading down to weird ol' Austin for ACL, and roughly millions heading to DFW from Austin and surrounding cities for the Red River Rivalry on Saturday. Go sports!
Look, the game is taken care of. You have already picked a side, but here we have distilled some of your watching party and post-game options to help edit the menu just a tad. It takes a village, ya know. The parties start tonight, so it's time to practice your day-to- evening-to-overserved transitions. We have a rivalry worth celebrating here, sugars!
See also: - Scenes from 2011's Texas-OU block party
Thursday
The Joule Hotel Dipping temps won't stop The Joule from inviting folks up to the poule for some Deep Ellum brews and Charlie Palmer-worthy brats. RSVP here, and kickoff the weekend with a little luxury. There will be plenty of time for light beer later.
Friday
The W These hotels are making it easy for visitors, and The W has visiting Sooners and Longhorns covered. Former OU player and country singer TJ Hamilton will entertain fans at The W's first floor bar, The Living Room. Expect a high-end tailgater's menu from the W chefs and specialty cocktails in your team's colors. And to valet park.
Saturday: Game Day! Yes, sports bars, of course! Or, really anywhere that has televisions. Related: if you are trying to avoid the hoopla, my advice is to avoid televisions. But if you are looking for the least irritating watching party, see below.
The Granada Theater The Granada continues to be my personal fave for important games I can't see from the sidelines. On Saturday, you will be able to watch on three big screens, order buckets of beer and, if you get there early, stake out a spot for your entire graduating class. No cover, but you'll have to dish out dollars to get in on the fajita lunch being prepared by Sundown chef Patrick Stark. Post-game commiserating or celebrating can be handled at Sundown, and stick around to see Stars that night. Boom, that's your whole day.
House of Blues HOB's doors open at 9:30a.m. for The Ticket's official watching party. Tickets are free, and food and drink specials are on the menu. Again, you can make this an all-day affair. Grouplove plays in the main room that evening, and is doing a special DJ set in The Foundation Room, post-show. Any night you end up in The Foundation Room is win-win, no matter the day's score.
Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Saturday at Deep Ellum Brewing Co. starts with beers and the Belgian Waffle Truck for breakfast, then head over to the beer garden to watch the game, then stick around post-game for a tour. Sugarfoote and Co., will be playing in the garden till 5p.m., and the beers and drunken slow dancing will be a good way for everyone to make up after all the shit-talking you just did with your rivals.
Three Sheets The Three Sheets/Southern Comforts/Ku De Ta compound may seem like a lot and it's no secret I have love for that members-only pool, but this is a weekend where service and accommodations count, and Three Sheets and their sister sites have it in spades. The pre-party starts at 9a.m. at Three Sheets, and the $2 beers and $15 buckets will be flowing throughout the game. Stick around to keep cheering or push a Sooner or Longhorn in the Ku De Ta pool from 9p.m. to 2a.m. Additionally, there will be DJs and perhaps cabana lounging. Don't worry losers, the pool is heated.
Vickery Park Look, sometimes I don't really need a flyer or a promo girl, okay? On game day, I just need a beer, a TV, and a bartender who will comfort or encourage me, depending on how the afternoon is going. Enter Vickery Park. The game will be on, with sound even. Drink specials, too. Quit being so high-maintenance.
Game on, gamers. See you out there, I'll be cheering for the winner!
