Ramblings from a Texas fan...
- Thread starter Orangeblood
- Start date
Welcome to the boards, and prematurely welcome to Lincoln!
Football comments aside, my quick rundown of Lincoln tailgating is as follows:
1) Embassy (The Embassy Suites) has a bit of a monopoly on big, expensive, dt tailgating. They have the room, resources and staff to back it up. It's always worth stopping by, the inside of the hotel has a huge atrium all the way up, 15(?) stories from the large ground floor where all the bars and restaurants are. As mentioned, they also have a big space out back on their loading docks (Easily visible, flying flags from all B12 schools). Biggest downfall is simply that they are pricey, as you would expect any corporate hotel event to be. Little 8oz. liquor and colas will come with EXACTLY 1.25 oz. of alcohol and cost around $6, I believe.
2) The Grand Manse. I have to plug this one, as I was their head bartender last year, lol. Caddy corner (To the SW) from embassy, you'll see a fenced off area to the north of what is the old federal courthouse (Big old brownstone building). It's open to the public and run by some very good bar owners. No cover charge, and drinks there are bigger and cheaper. When I worked there, and even visiting this season, there always seems to be a large group of out-of-town (opposing) fans who stop there. They usually have TVs outside as well.
3) If you head down to the haymarket (about 3 blocks west of downtown, go anywhere in dt lincoln and just start walking W, you'll find it
) than expect big crowds, but fun places. Brewsky's (American-style sports bar) and Buzzard Billy's (casual Cajun dining) are always good, but they will be crowded. They have large outdoor seating areas, but unless you get there early, don't expect to get a table anytime soon. There's a new little bar tucked in just west of Old Chicago (Which is on P) called Tavern on the Square, good prices, good outdoor seating (with shade), but no food. I usually make a point to stop there at it is generally not too crowded.
4) If you want more of the college type scene, go to O street between about 13th and 15th, that's where all the college bars are, with the expected atmospheres.
5) Misty's is always good for a steak, It's on 11th and P. Other good eats besides those already mentioned are Brix and Stone (Which is on Q, just west of 9th, heavy american dining), the N-Zone (8th/Q) and the Watering Hole (13th/O) Both serve great bar food, especially wings. JTK (7th and M) and Dish (11th and O) are both upscale steakhouse/american dining experiences. The Blue Orchid (Backside of the Grand Manse, mentioned earlier) is a wonderful little Thai place that I have to plug, even though there's no 'gameday' atmosphere there, which could be good and a nice respite from the loud and rowdy tailgates going on, especially if you're in town for more than a day.
Hope you enjoy your stay!
Football comments aside, my quick rundown of Lincoln tailgating is as follows:
1) Embassy (The Embassy Suites) has a bit of a monopoly on big, expensive, dt tailgating. They have the room, resources and staff to back it up. It's always worth stopping by, the inside of the hotel has a huge atrium all the way up, 15(?) stories from the large ground floor where all the bars and restaurants are. As mentioned, they also have a big space out back on their loading docks (Easily visible, flying flags from all B12 schools). Biggest downfall is simply that they are pricey, as you would expect any corporate hotel event to be. Little 8oz. liquor and colas will come with EXACTLY 1.25 oz. of alcohol and cost around $6, I believe.
2) The Grand Manse. I have to plug this one, as I was their head bartender last year, lol. Caddy corner (To the SW) from embassy, you'll see a fenced off area to the north of what is the old federal courthouse (Big old brownstone building). It's open to the public and run by some very good bar owners. No cover charge, and drinks there are bigger and cheaper. When I worked there, and even visiting this season, there always seems to be a large group of out-of-town (opposing) fans who stop there. They usually have TVs outside as well.
3) If you head down to the haymarket (about 3 blocks west of downtown, go anywhere in dt lincoln and just start walking W, you'll find it
) than expect big crowds, but fun places. Brewsky's (American-style sports bar) and Buzzard Billy's (casual Cajun dining) are always good, but they will be crowded. They have large outdoor seating areas, but unless you get there early, don't expect to get a table anytime soon. There's a new little bar tucked in just west of Old Chicago (Which is on P) called Tavern on the Square, good prices, good outdoor seating (with shade), but no food. I usually make a point to stop there at it is generally not too crowded.4) If you want more of the college type scene, go to O street between about 13th and 15th, that's where all the college bars are, with the expected atmospheres.
5) Misty's is always good for a steak, It's on 11th and P. Other good eats besides those already mentioned are Brix and Stone (Which is on Q, just west of 9th, heavy american dining), the N-Zone (8th/Q) and the Watering Hole (13th/O) Both serve great bar food, especially wings. JTK (7th and M) and Dish (11th and O) are both upscale steakhouse/american dining experiences. The Blue Orchid (Backside of the Grand Manse, mentioned earlier) is a wonderful little Thai place that I have to plug, even though there's no 'gameday' atmosphere there, which could be good and a nice respite from the loud and rowdy tailgates going on, especially if you're in town for more than a day.
Hope you enjoy your stay!
Mistys has some of the best baby back ribs I have ever had in my life, including Texas, Memphis and Kansas City.
Welcome to the board, I unlike most on here, have never met a Texas fan I did not like, but I go to a lot of games. I have been with them numerous times at the Holiday bowl having a tailgate for the Big 12 team. Never been disrespected by a single one. So I think you will find your trip to Nebraska will be just as it was in 2006.
Thanks for stopping by.
Welcome to the board, I unlike most on here, have never met a Texas fan I did not like, but I go to a lot of games. I have been with them numerous times at the Holiday bowl having a tailgate for the Big 12 team. Never been disrespected by a single one. So I think you will find your trip to Nebraska will be just as it was in 2006.
Thanks for stopping by.
Orangeblood, I just joined to ask the same questions, but you beat me to the punch. Good summary of the team as well. Thank you! I'm traveling up from Austin on Friday with a friend, and we are flying in and out of Lincoln. I've been to Omaha many times, and enjoyed that quite a bit (Old Market area, for example). But I'm clueless about Lincoln.
CR4IGG3RS, Krill, Darkhorse85 and the the rest of you helpful folks, thank you! I'd love to return the favor if you make it down to Austin sometime, but that happening for a football event doesn't seem to be in the cards for awhile, which I'm not very happy about.
Also, we're staying at the Ramada Limited South Lincoln. Cab, or drive a park? Is parking easy and obvious?
--Pluckeye
CR4IGG3RS, Krill, Darkhorse85 and the the rest of you helpful folks, thank you! I'd love to return the favor if you make it down to Austin sometime, but that happening for a football event doesn't seem to be in the cards for awhile, which I'm not very happy about.
Also, we're staying at the Ramada Limited South Lincoln. Cab, or drive a park? Is parking easy and obvious?
--Pluckeye
krill
Special Teams Player
There are a bunch of small parking garages and lots downtown and around the campus that fill fast and are a real pain to get out of after the game.
I have found the easiest (and probably cheapest) option is the bus. It drops you off right in front of the east gates and picks you up at the same spot after the game. It looks like there's a pickup spot not too far from that Ramada at 27 & Pine Lake.
http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/startran/programs/bigredex/index.htm
I have found the easiest (and probably cheapest) option is the bus. It drops you off right in front of the east gates and picks you up at the same spot after the game. It looks like there's a pickup spot not too far from that Ramada at 27 & Pine Lake.
http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/startran/programs/bigredex/index.htm