This weekend marks the long-awaited kickoff of college football season. The blessing (and the curse) of living in the Triangle is the plethoraof opportunities you have to catch a game on any given Saturday in Fall. This inaugural weekend of gridiron glory is no different. If you can’t make it to the tailgate, rest assured every dining establishment with a TV will have their “local” team on-which team is local can be a bit unclear in these parts. Here are some of the prime spots to enjoy local team spirit and catch the games:
Raleigh: The PR or Tobacco Road
The PR (Players Retreat) is the quintessential sports bar of Raleigh. It has been an unofficial NC State institution since 1951, serving what many consider the best ham (and turkey) burgers in town. Dark wood and big TVs give the PR it’s character, and they’ve even been known to let in a Tar Heel fan or two. Tobacco Road on Glenwood South offers a floor-to-ceiling wall of TVs to watch any game, even the out-of-market matchups.
Chapel Hill: Top Of The Hill
Top Of The Hill features a birds eye view of Franklin Street, in-house brewed beer, and occasional drop-ins by the Tar Heel’s marching band as they make their way to Kenan Stadium.
Durham: Satisfaction Restaurant and Bar or Tobacco Road Durham
Satisfaction has been serving the sports fans in Durham since 1982. At its location in a converted tobacco warehouse at Brightleaf Square you can watch your game on any of the 28 wide screen HDTVs while enjoying good eats and sampling one of their 70+ micro-brews. Another great spot is Tobacco Road of Durham featuring the same good food and abundance of TVs as the Raleigh location, but with a spectacular view of the Durham Bulls ballpark.
Friday: NC State vs Tennessee at 7:30pm
Saturday: UNC vs Elon at 12:30pm
Saturday: Duke vs Florida International University at 7:00pm
Check the N & O Sports page for the full weekend football schedule.