Where to Watch Florida vs. Georgia in Gainesville on Halloween

Florida plays Georgia on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3:30 PM ET on ABC. This year the game is in Atlanta, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If you’re staying in Gainesville, you don’t have to watch it on a laptop in your dorm. Here’s where to watch with a crowd, plus a few ideas for Halloween night after the game.

Heading to Atlanta instead? Our Florida¹⁷ vs. Georgia³ weekend guide covers the drive, MARTA, parking and the stadium bag rules.

The game

• Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 31, 3:30 PM ET
• TV: ABC
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Radio: Gators Sports Network

Big screens and watch parties

First Magnitude Brewing Co.

1220 SE Veitch St., right next to Depot Park and the Hawthorne Trail. First Magnitude is hosting a “Brewery Tailgate” for the game, with food trucks from Germains and Soul Spice. The brewery says it has the biggest screen in town. Saturday taproom hours are noon to 11 PM. It’s family friendly, and kids are welcome with an adult. Not drinking beer? It also pours house-made cider, wine, seltzer, kombucha, craft sodas and NA beer.

Dave & Buster’s watch party (WCJB TV20)

3023 SW 45th St., at Celebration Pointe. WCJB TV20 and Dave & Buster’s are hosting watch parties for Florida’s road games this season, and Oct. 31 is on the list. Parties start one hour before kickoff, so plan on 2:30 PM. Expect giant screens and giveaways, and you might win real Florida football tickets. The next ones are Nov. 14 (at Kentucky) and Nov. 27 (at Florida State).

The Swamp Restaurant

1104 SW 2nd Ave., between campus and downtown. It’s a Gainesville landmark that’s been around since 1994. It moved here after the land under its original building off W University Ave was sold, and the new building kept the white picket fence and front lawn. Students told The Independent Florida Alligator it’s a favorite for road games because of the big outdoor screen and the big tables. City parking enforcement is off on weekends nearby, but park legally.

MacDinton’s

1728 W University Ave., in Midtown across from the stadium. Two floors and a rooftop. It opens at 10 AM on Saturdays, and it has a UF vs. Georgia event listed for game day. It’s the classic Midtown game-day bar, so expect a crowd.

Cantina Añejo

1680 W University Ave., Suite 10, in Midtown. A Mexican street kitchen and tequila bar with a patio bar. Students named it a favorite road-game spot in the same Alligator story. Tacos and nachos are easy food for a crowd.

Sports bars across town

• Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, Celebration Pointe. Big screens and a rooftop bar. Weekend brunch runs 11 AM to 3 PM, so you can eat brunch and stay for the game.
• Crafty Bastards, 4860 NW 39th Ave. 15 TVs and 60 beers on draft.
• Gators Den Sports Grill, 4200 NW 97th Blvd., in northwest Gainesville. There’s a TV at every table.

Just outside town

High Springs Brewing Company, in High Springs northwest of Gainesville, has a UF vs. UGA watch party listed for 3:30 to 6:30 PM. Check the brewery’s page before you go.

Quick picks

• Outdoor screen and lots of room: First Magnitude or The Swamp Restaurant.
• Closest to the stadium crowd: MacDinton’s or Cantina Añejo in Midtown.
• Brunch first, then the game: Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille.
• Bringing kids: First Magnitude welcomes kids with an adult.
• Prizes and giveaways: the TV20 watch party at Dave & Buster’s.

Watching at home

The game is on ABC. In Gainesville, ABC is WCJB TV20. If you stream, you’ll need a service that carries your local ABC station.

Tips for a packed Saturday

• Go early. A rivalry game, a Saturday and Halloween all on the same day means busy bars. Get there by 2:30 PM if you want a table.
• Bring your ID if you plan to drink.
• Plan your ride home. Midtown and downtown will be busy with game and Halloween crowds. Pick a sober driver or set up a ride before the game ends.
• Hours change. Call ahead or check social media before you go, especially for watch parties.

After the game: Halloween night

Once the game’s over, it’s still Halloween night.

• The Smiths Tribute Halloween Dance Party, The Wooly, downtown Gainesville, 9 to 11:30 PM. Live music from Robert, a tribute to The Smiths, plus a costume contest. Admission is $10 for ages 21 and up and $15 for ages 18 to 20.
• Downtown and Midtown bars will be busy all night. Costumes plus team colors will be everywhere.
• Extra hour: daylight saving time ends at 2 AM, so clocks fall back an hour overnight. Phones update on their own. Set any manual clocks back before bed.

Next week: Oklahoma comes to Gainesville

After Georgia, Florida comes home to host Oklahoma on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:45 PM on SEC Network. Read our Florida¹⁷ vs. Oklahoma game guide for parking, shuttles and gate rules.

More places to eat and drink: Eats. More things going on this weekend: Events.

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