On game day Posse East is usually a pretty crowded and raucous affair (the place even brings in portapotties). Just north of campus, this sports bar has been around since 1971, and the kitchen turns out solid, admirable bar food and Tex-Mex classics. There are multiple TVs throughout the indoors and outdoor patio, and the staff will happily put your game on if you ask nicely. Because Posse is right by campus, when there’s a home game at DKR, you can even hear the crowd when the Longhorns score.

Scholz Garten isn’t just the oldest bar in Austin, it’s the oldest operating business in Texas, dating back to the 1800s. It’s a huge German beer garden that’s centrally located, right near UT, and it’s long been one of the top tailgating destinations in Austin. Not only does the place have some of the best German food in town, there’s also the largest selection of German beers on draft you’ll find in Austin.

Black Sheep Lodge in South Austin is from the same team behind Haymaker, serving nearly the same menu with great wings and a massive draft beer list. You go to Black Sheep Lodge to watch sports on the patio with a dozen picnic tables. While the patio’s not enormous, there are multiple TVs, so there isn’t a bad seat in the place. And with ceiling fans and heat lamps, it’s pretty much a non-stop patio.

If you like to follow rivalries—schools, football teams, even siblings—you’ll probably be familiar with the divide of fans between Crown & Anchor and Posse East. It’s also fine to be a fan of both, and when they’re as close to each other as these two spots are, why not do both? The patio here is mostly under a roofed, open-air space, but it also expands out from the bar with tarps, tents, and picnic tables. There are only a few TVs, so get there early if you want to secure a prime-viewing spot.

Doc’s in South Austin has multiple TVs inside and out for sports, but it’s the spacious dog-friendly patio where it really shines. There are tons of picnic tables shaded by multiple enormous oak trees and patio umbrellas, and it’s kept cool by misting fans. Do watch out for the very hungry grackles that will try to steal your french fries if you’re not looking.

BD Riley’s has everything we want in an Irish pub: proper pours of Guinness, a great selection of local and Irish beers, and really solid pub fare. It’s located in Mueller, with a pretty large patio that spills out into the rest of the shopping development, so there’s a good amount of space.

On the corner of South Lamar and Oltorf is Bouldin Acres, an enormous beer garden in what used to be a two-acre car dealership. It’s basically an adult amusement park with pickleball courts, corn hole, and loads of TV screens. Bouldin Acres is also home to the very good barbecue trailer CM Smokehouse.

The longtime W 6th spot Star Bar has three patios, including an enormous back patio, and it’s a good if occasionally rowdy place to watch UT games (it’s also a Packers bar). You’ll find big screen TVs everywhere, so there are few bad seats in the place. And lucky for you, there’s also a location of the Detroit-style pizza spot Via 313, maker of some of the best pizza in town.

Haymaker has over 40 beers on draft—and even more available in cans—so you’ll never really run out of options over the course of a game. The food here is hearty and pairs well with football, with things like burgers, open-face sandwiches, and wings. It’s also one of the few places in town serving poutine—a great game day accompaniment and perfect for sharing. And there are enough TVs outside to provide solid views from almost anywhere on the large patio that spills onto Manor Road.

With an awesome backyard, corn hole, big leather couches, and more than enough TVs to go around—Parlor and Yard is definitely making some power plays when it comes to ideal gameday situations. Swing by on any Saturday or Sunday and you’re guaranteed to see at least three friends from college and make a whole lot more by the end of the night.

Located on—you guessed it—Lavaca Street in the Warehouse District, this is a great bar for watching sports and grabbing a bite downtown. There are plenty of TVs playing all the major games, and a big wall of beers on tap, but most importantly, Lavaca Street Bar is home to Turf N’ Surf, where you can get some of the best po’boys and fish tacos in town. Come for a game, stay for a drink or two, and leave considerably more full than when you arrived.

Tucked away at the far end of Rainey Street, Salvation Pizza is a safe bet. The giant bar-style pizzas are cheesy and crispy, and they should please everyone in your crowd. There are also plenty of TVs with sports on, especially for big MMA fights. The place also serves solid renditions of classic bar food like fried mozzarella sticks and chicken wings.

Billy’s On Burnet has some pretty dedicated regulars. Some are here for the beer and others for the constant sports on TV—it is a Packers bar, after all—but the most loyal group comes for the burger. The Cobra burger (our favorite) with a ⅓ pound patty, cheddar cheese, crispy, curly bacon, grilled jalapenos, and chipotle mayo might be a little more expensive than you’d expect for a bar burger, but it’s spicy and savory and always worth it.

There’s a giant football helmet with a Saints logo outside of Shoal Creek Saloon at 9th and Lamar, which should be some indication of what this spot’s all about. But if you’re sports illiterate, then maybe the Abita on draft, the smell of fried seafood, or the giant “Southern Louisiana Cooking” on the wall will give it away. Head to Shoal Creek Saloon to watch a Saints or LSU Tigers football game, because when the weather is nice, there are very few better places to hang out with other fans.