We Asked 15 Bartenders: What’s Your Go-To Tailgating Drink?

Tailgating is a traditional game day staple for many. It’s also the one moment of guaranteed Sunday afternoon happiness. For some football fans, it represents the initial spark of joy that gradually transforms into the afterglow of their favorite team’s triumph. For others, it’s the last bastion of glee before a frustrating loss. Win or lose, though, the tailgate’s bevy of food and beverage enjoyed in revelry among good friends never ceases to delight.

There is only one real rule to a tailgate: Have a good time. This simple mandate leaves what one chooses for their tailgating drink of choice to be completely open to interpretation. It may be something as basic as a crisp beer or as fancy as a pinkies-out cocktail. As long as the imbiber acts responsible, there are no wrong answers.

For bartenders, a Sunday tailgate can be a great way to unwind after back-to-back Friday and Saturday nights. It may take some effort to get out of the house, but the opportunity to be immersed in the unique social culture of the NFL tailgate with their beverage of choice makes overcoming the struggle worthwhile. With that in mind, we asked 15 bartenders about the one drink they tend to reach for most often when they tailgate prior to kickoff. In quite a few cases, supporting the local pro team also means throwing their support behind local products.

The go-to tailgating drinks for bartenders:

• Miller Lite & Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Rainier Beer
• Monday Night Brewing 404 Lager and ASW Fiddler Wheated Bourbon
• Michelada
• Bloody Mary
• Spicy Ranch Water
• Huss Brewing Co. Devil’s Halo Lager
• Freezer Door Old Fashioned
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
• Georgia Peach Mule
• Suntory Toki Whisky Highball
• Second District Brewing Co. Bancroft Beer and shot of Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond
• Labatt Blue Light
• Bubbly
• Dibon Cava
• Ranch Water
• High Noon
• Red Snapper

“Football calls for beer and whiskey, and when you have tickets to an NFL game and a tailgating opportunity, it’s a perfect pairing. However, It is important to consider the amount of time you will be consuming drinks, so you want to have a long-term plan. I personally like to stick to a lower ABV beer that is crisp and light if I plan to drink the whole day, and Miller Lite is perfect for the job. It also tastes delicious straight from a can, the preferred packaging in a parking lot. It can get really cold here in Chicago, and on these occasions, you need to supplement your beverage choice with something that will warm you up, like whiskey. My personal favorite is Jameson Irish Whiskey. It is straightforward, has a kick to remind you that you’re drinking whiskey, and warms you from the inside.” —Sarah Clark, director of operations and beverage director, The Dearborn, Chicago

“My go-to tailgating drink is Rainier Beer. As a transplant who’s called Seattle home for the past 12 years, Rainier has become the perfect bridge between where I came from and where I am now. I still miss cracking open a Yuengling back East and the nostalgia of PBR and Camel Lights outside my favorite dive bar, but Rainier has earned its place in the cooler on game day. It’s approachable, unpretentious, and deeply tied to the Pacific Northwest. Whether I’m watching my favorite NFL team or gathering with friends before kickoff, Rainier is the beer I reach for every time.” —Emelio Sansone, executive chef, Tin Lizzie Lounge, Seattle

“We love our Sundays and a full day of football, but when it comes to camaraderie and pride, nothing beats Monday Night Football. One game, one party, all eyes on the same ball. For that, only local beverages will do. There are two local Atlanta companies which reflect the hard work and passion that flow throughout the city: Fiddler Wheated Bourbon and 404 Lager from Monday Night Brewing. Fiddler has a rich history and delivers a spicy finish, and if you see me with an ice-cold 404, you’ll likely find me wearing a subtle smile and feeling perfectly content.” —William Cutting, F&B specialist, Hartley Kitchen and Cocktails, Atlanta

“I love tailgating. I’m not a sports guy though, so to me tailgating is reminiscent of a more chaotic brunch. This means it’s perfect for morning beverages, so I will want a spicy Michelada or Bloody Mary. If you’re going to support a local team, you need to also support local brands, so I’m using Threes Brewing Echo of Nothing for my Michelada. For my Bloody Mary, I’m using Sinpatch vodka by Tenmile Distilling.” —Atticus Bashore, head bartender, Chambers, New York City

“It’s Texas, so of course tailgaters want a Ranch Water. As football season arrives in Houston, fans are searching for a refreshing, palate-pleasing libation, and a Ranch Water — specifically, a Spicy Ranch Water — is an easy, build-on-the-spot cocktail anyone can make. With minimal prep — all you need to do is just pre-slice jalapeños and juice fresh lime — tailgaters can stay focused on the BBQ. The jalapeño adds subtle spice without reading as heavy throughout the day. Non-tequila drinkers can omit the tequila for a spirit-free version, providing three crowd-pleasing options to cheer on the Texans.” —Andrea Johns, bar lead, The Naturalist Bar & Lounge, Houston

“In 2024, Huss Brewing Co. announced a partnership with ASU (Arizona State University) to brew Devil’s Halo Lager, the official craft beer of Sun Devils Athletics. Each sale will benefit the Sun Angel Collective, which helps fund and broker Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for ASU student athletes. On Sundays, we’re drinking Devil’s Halo while we’re watching the Cardinals, but we are supporting our local University while also championing those who are trying to reach the ultimate stage in football.” —Ashley Traynor, F&B operations manager, The Phonecian Tavern, Scottsdale, Ariz.

“On those cold fall and winter mornings when you can barely feel your fingers, you need something a little stronger than a beer to keep you warm. What I like to drink in those situations is a freezer door Old Fashioned. You batch the cocktail at home with the bourbon, bitters, and syrup, then add water for dilution. No need to stir or bring any tools to the tailgate. Just pour, enjoy, and root for your team!” —Nick Kanakaris, general manager and beverage director, Aubrey’s Corner, Summit, N.J.

“My go-to tailgating drink would be Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. My husband is a huge football fan, and my first real experience watching football with him involved a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, so the two have been connected in my mind ever since. It’s also become one of my go-to outdoorsy beers. I spend so much of my professional life thinking about wine — quality, flavor profiles, pairings, etc. — that sometimes it’s nice to just open a beer and enjoy it without analyzing anything. And Sierra Nevada’s bitterness is exactly what I want, especially with jalapeño poppers.” —Kinga Mackowiak, beverage director, Apple Blossom, Denver

“My go-to tailgating drink is a Georgia Peach Mule, made with bourbon, spicy roasted peach purée, fresh muddled lime, agave nectar, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. It has everything I want for game day: It’s cold and refreshing, with some heat from the roasted peaches and just enough sweetness to balance the bourbon and lime. It also feels distinctly Georgian without becoming overly complicated. The ingredients can be batched ahead of time, then topped with ginger beer when everyone is ready for a drink, so it’s easy to serve to a group without spending the entire tailgate mixing cocktails.” —Damien McGee, owner, Vesper, Atlanta

“Our go-to tailgating drink would be a Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky Highball. For tailgating, I like something refreshing, simple, and easy to enjoy with food, and a Toki Highball checks all of those boxes. The whisky’s light, crisp character with plenty of cold soda makes it refreshing without overpowering the food, especially grilled meats and barbecue. It’s also easy to make and serve, which is exactly what you want when you’re tailgating.” —Tana Kokanot, head bartender, Jeong Yuk Jeom, NYC

“In South Philly, there are few things we love more than a Citywide Special: Philadelphia’s pairing of an affordable beer and a shot of whiskey. Whether you’re watching from your favorite bar or in the Birds’ parking lot, for me, a pint of Bancroft Beer from Second District Brewing alongside a shot of Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond always kicks off an Eagles game in good fashion. Go Birds!” —Chris Liu, beverage director, Bloomsday, Philadelphia

“Living in the city of Buffalo and being a Bills fan, I have grown up drinking Labatt Blue Light at almost every tailgate I have ever been to. It’s crisp, classic, reliable, and low ABV enough that you will become full before you’ve drunk enough to make a complete fool of yourself. Another beautiful thing about football is the 1 p.m. Sunday start time, which means arriving at the stadium before 9 a.m. If you are starting that early, the only alternative to beer to drink that early in the morning is bubbly. Prosecco or Cava made into something fun and delicious; preferably a spritz with a little soda water to keep it lower in alcohol content. My favorite Cava right now is Dibon — it’s super delicious and high quality for the price point and makes a phenomenal spritz.” —Mary Bennett, bar manager, Mira, Buffalo

“My vote is a Ranch Water: grab a Topo Chico in a glass bottle, open it, drink some, then add a quality blanco tequila and a slice of lime. I’ve been digging the Cascahuín Tahona Blanco. The great thing about this method is that you control your own ratio as the day goes on, and if you want to skip a few rounds, no one notices. It’s built for a day full of tailgating.” —Justin Ware, operations director, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Houston

“My go-to tailgate drink is a High Noon. I’m definitely a seltzer girly, especially on game day, because I want something light and refreshing that won’t leave me feeling weighed down. Tailgating in Detroit can easily become an all day event, so I like something I can sip while comfortably pacing myself while cheering on the Lions.” —Tara Wong, beverage manager, Gilly’s Clubhouse, Detroit

“I love a Red Snapper made with Dorothy Parker New York Gin for tailgating (and pretty much any other Sunday occasion). The gentle fruit and florality of the gin pair really nicely with the spice and acidity of the tomato, citrus, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, making it particularly sessionable. It’s also ideal for a New York tailgate because it’s just as delicious batched into a pitcher and poured into Solo cups as it is made one at a time. Add a celery stick, an olive, and, if you’re peckish, a cooked shrimp, and you’re set for game day.” —Jamie Gordon, bar and creative director, Jaywalker, NYC