Insider’s Guide to The Perfect Tailgate

Let’s be honest. As much as we are all looking forward to watching Boston College take on North Carolina State on October 19th at BC, we are equally excited for what happens off the field. Tailgating and the events surrounding the game are just as important as the game itself. We’ve got some football tailgating tips to elevate your next tailgating experience.

You’ll need an organizer

While a tailgate doesn’t need to be nearly as organized as a formal party, there is still a lot of party planning that goes into a great tailgate. A successful tailgate will require a lot of stuff. You will need the people attending to bring food, beverages, equipment, paper goods, garbage bags, utensils, and more. If you are going green for your tailgate, bring an empty tupperware container to bring back all your dirty dishes and utensils. We have all been to a tailgate where someone has forgotten something. By creating a list you are more likely to get a hand on who is bringing what. There are even online sign up lists that make it easy to keep track of what you have and what you still need. The more you plan ahead, the more enjoyable your tailgating party will be!

Expert tip: Don’t forget the coolers and the ice. You can never have too much ice. Also, everyone will think that someone has a bottle opener. Don’t expect someone else to have one. It’s always better to have too many of something than not enough.

Skip the utensils

While we are talking about which supplies to bring to your tailgate, you might want to consider only bringing and cooking food that is hand-held. Think nachos, burgers, hot dogs, sliders, and chicken wings. You can also think outside of the box for things like fajitas, bruschetta, mozzarella sticks and jalapeno poppers. A big array of hand-held foods will make things so much easier and more fun when it comes to your tailgate!

Food Prep

There will always be some food prep going on at the tailgate itself. One way to simplify the process and make gameday run smoother is by food prepping. Spend some time the morning or night before dicing veggies, defrosting food, pre making salads, creating your skewers and mixing any large quantities of cocktails ahead of time. Why not prepare all of the condiments in one box and put all of the burger toppings in a single tray. This way when it’s go time everything is ready to throw on the grill and the drinks are ready to pour and drink.

Learn the right way to pack a cooler

While we are talking about food, here are some tips on packing a cooler for a successful tailgate.

Make sure to use watertight containers to store your food. The last thing you need is the food spoiling or leaking all over everything on gameday.

Pack all cans and bottles on the bottom of the cooler so they stay the coolest. You can then add a layer of ice to keep the drinks cool. Place any bagged items over the ice layer.

Pack the cooler full. The less room there is the cooler it will stay. You don’t want any warm air sneaking in.

Don’t forget the seating

Have you ever been to a tailgate and not had enough seating or tables? You know that can’t be fun. This is one area where investing a little money for game day will go a long way. Get extra seats so everyone has a great experience. Spending that extra bit on quality will save you from having to buy more next year. In addition to seating, make sure you have enough tables or spaces to put all that food you will be cooking!

Water, Water, Water

Don’t forget to pack water! You can either bring cases of bottled water, or to be more eco friendly bring a few large jugs of water and some mason jars. You can also remind everyone to bring a reusable water bottle. Believe us, you will want some cold water after the game, especially if you have had one too many drinks during the tailgate. You also might want to have some water on hand to wash your hands throughout the day.

Our number one tailgating tip is to have fun! Every tailgate will be a tailgate that you remember. That’s where the memories are made, no matter what the outcome of the game! So make it a good one!