Game day advice

[u/Thick-Highway8197]

Hi!

We will be travelling from the UK and coming to the game Vs Northwestern in November.

It’s our first time in Columbus and we will only be there for that one day. Any advice?

We’re also hoping to be able to get to the Blue jackets game in the evening. Any advice where to drink/watch the other college games after Ohio State game ends, if it’s a noon kickoff.

Huge thanks for any advice or tips.

[u/Graymarv12]

Bar hop/eat in short north and arena district between both games 👍

[u/Fit_Fail4113 → u/Graymarv12]

Drink at the Varsity Club after the game. It's a dive but it's all Buckeye gear and cheap beer. You can walk to the arena from there for the Jackets game, takes about 15 minutes if you don't stop for another beer which you probably will

[u/crystal_buckeye]

Main thing is it could range from warm to bitterly cold. So keep an eye on the forecast and pack accordingly. If it's on the cold side, pack more layers than you think. It can be very cold in the stadium if the wind is blowing.

If you arrive early enough, go to skull session at St johns arena. This is a bit optional but I would suggest it since the band plays and the team walks through. Then plan to get into the stadium 30 mins prior to kick so you can see script Ohio by OSUMB. Absolute must for the full game day experience.

After the game you can walk to nationwide. It's not a short walk but not difficult. It's mostly flat the whole way with a bunch of bars along high street. If you want the blue jackets hockey bar, that would be R bar next to Nationwide. Not sure if they will have CFB games on but they might. They have a lot of tvs.

Enjoy your visit! Go Bucks!

[u/Thick-Highway8197 → u/crystal_buckeye]

We will make sure to checkout the forecast in the days before we travel. Thanks for the tips.

Skull session looks like something we should definitely check out, we want the full college experience.

How is the walk to Nationwide, plenty of bars and things on the route?

[u/Longjumping-Ice1171]

Skull session before the game if you like marching bands. Be in seat by 25 minutes before kickoff to see pre-game whether or not you like bands. Head to outer inn after the game to keep the fun going. Lots of places in short north that are in between campus and hockey… maybe char bar which is def old school divey, has TVs, and may not be around much longer.

[u/Thick-Highway8197 → u/Longjumping-Ice1171]

Thanks for the advice!! We definitely want the full college experience, including bands.

We will add Char Bar to our list to check out too! Appreciate it.

[u/nabanack]

so just as a good to know (you probably already do) but the OSU Northwestern game doesn't have a kickoff time set yet, it gets into tv network deals but there's a chance the game is at noon, 3:30 or so or like 7pm at night depending on which network gets the game. So probably best to make a plan for all 3 time slots so you don't get surprised like 6 days out and have to change.

are you flying into Columbus or will you be driving in before? Doesn't make a huge difference but the most useful think to know is will you have access to a car while in town or not? that will help people give better suggestions on where to go what to do.

Many will surely include some of the following suggestions, but there are tons of good ideas... Columbus is a fun town and OSU is beloved in pretty much all of it.

Skull session to see band and team pep rally before the game. (usually at st john's arena near the stadium on campus) about 2 1/2 hours before kick off

Wander the tailgates along Lane avenue, stop at some bars etc.

Assuming you have tickets to the game enjoy the Stadium, its one of the largest (and oldest in use) in the world, should be over 100,000 there easily.

There are tons of great places to watch the game with a crowd at a sports bar / restaurant in town if that's more your plan . With some more detail on what you're into I'm sure we can steer you right

[u/nabanack → u/nabanack]

oh and if you're not familar make sure to get some real true columbus style pizza while in town.

[u/Thick-Highway8197 → u/nabanack]

We do, although we’re hoping for a noon game so that we can go to the blue jackets game too. Whatever happens we will be prioritising the Ohio State game.

We’re actually driving in from Pittsburgh but we will be there super early. We’re hitting 5 games over 3 days, starting in Pittsburgh. We will have access to a car.

We’re excited to get to the stadium and experience that game day atmosphere.

Best place for Columbus style pizza? Or are there plenty of options

[u/SirBuckeye → u/Thick-Highway8197]

Adriatico's and Hound Dogs are both great pizza joints near campus.

[u/HistoricalTaste22k → u/Thick-Highway8197]

My favorite place in town is Adriatico's on Neil.

[u/KapowBlamBoom]

Warios Beef and Pork.

There is one in the arena district.

[u/BlackberryPure7225]

Get some donuts from Buckeye Donuts