The biggest football game of the year is coming up. So, how do restaurants get the most out of a super Sunday under the current conditions? Consider hosting an outdoor event.

Tailgate

Tap into the tradition of sports/event tailgating by creating your own outdoor venue. Maybe it’s your own parking lot or maybe it’s an open space for a business, organization, or neighborhood association that’s willing to partner with you for a day. Delineating spaces with small cones can help create the feel of pregame tailgating and take you through gameday. Covid conditions have actually created the possibility for something like this, especially with drinks involved, so take advantage of any relaxed liquor laws.

Cook Out

Even if you’re able to use your own parking lot, taking food prep outside might not be a bad idea to help foster the idea of community. Maybe it’s something as simple as flipping burgers but, if you’ve got the right equipment or skill sets, it’s not too hard to dial it up to appeal to your own dining niche.

Roasting a pig or letting huge pots of chili simmer overnight could be great culinary draws. Or you could simmer Brunswick stew or barbecue some brisket. Imagine the appeal of oysters roasting on the grill and using propane burners for quick crawfish boils. Even when the weather is a little chilly, people still love cookouts and being able to gather in comfortable outdoor settings with heat sources can be a real treat on a special gameday.

Drinks

It all depends on your licensing requirements and comfort level. A designated beer garden area, that might require drinks to be consumed in or allowed out, can help streamline service and help adhere to local ordinances. Limiting it to beer service, via kegs or cans, might be simplest but, again, the changes to liquor laws might give you more options. Pre-made cocktails in pouches with straws are innovative and would be perfect for a high-volume event such as this.

Tech

An outdoor gathering to watch a televised sporting might have been problematic even just a few years ago. These days, TV projectors can utilize the side of a building or even a white tarp to create a screen with an easily watchable image — even in the daytime as long as it’s not too bright. Better yet, prices for such equipment are very affordable and typically both Bluetooth compatible and designed for streaming. You don’t even have to deal with bulky speakers as compact, wireless options have amazing sound quality.

This concept has been using the big game as an example, but there’s no need to limit your tailgate to one date. The college basketball tournament is on the horizon, and with the right tech, it’s possible to show multiple games at the same time. With a little help from today’s tech and a lot of ingenuity, people are figuring out how to come together and enjoy our great shared gameday traditions.