I'm from Texas and a die hard Longhorn fan (sorry for Greg Davis). My buddy is from Iowa and has been trying to get me to go to a game for years. It looks like I'll finally get the opportunity this week against Wisky. My Iowa buddy hasn't been to a game in probably 10 years, so his game day knowledge might be dated. It'll be me, him, and my other buddy from Texas. We'll fly to Cedar Rapids from DFW on Friday night and will be staying in Iowa City.
If you were us (3 heterosexual guys in their mid-30s), what would your weekend look like? Best drinking spots on Friday night? Best tailgating spots on Saturday? Any can't miss places on game day?
Wherever you're staying (if you don't have a hotel booked in IC/Coralville already, you might have to stay in Cedar Rapids), Uber to downtown Iowa City on Friday night. Put Old Capitol Mall as your destination on the app. Then just wander the pedestrian mall (you can't miss it). If you want a hang, try Donnelly's or The College Billiard. If you want a club, try the Union. If you want a sports bar club with pitchers, walk to Dubuque and go to Sports Column. There's Joe's on Iowa Ave for a hang/sports bar. I always recommend The Vine but that's not exactly downtown. There's a Vine in Coralville, but I mean the real one on Gilbert/Prentiss. The Vine is my favorite bar in IC. Low lights, jukebox music, a lot of TVs, wings and cheap drinks ($1 apple pie shots and cheapish "Vine Steins" of a decent Quad Cities brew).
On Saturday, since it's a night game, you don't have to snort Adderall at 5 am. Wake up when you wake up and go catch the early games at Sports Column or Brother's or Joe's downtown. When you want to go tailgate, walk/Uber across Burlington to the west side of the river. The main tailgating drag is Melrose. Walk down any of the alleys and find a house/yard party with people you think you can get along with. Pack a styrofoam cooler with beer/ice/fifth of your favorite poison. Wander Melrose. Be generous with your beer/liquor and someone will offer you free food. Or buy something from the vendors along Melrose.
Pace yourself, it's a night game against Wisconsin and many people will be getting arrested. You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun the person next to you. Don't pee in the woods by the train tracks, that's the easiest way to get arrested. Aim to get to the stadium gates about 10-15 minutes before kickoff. If you're wearing jeans, it's easy to sneak airplane bottles of liquor in your socks. You can also bring in a sealed bottle of water.
It's also okay to smoke weed off an empty beer can if someone has weed and no one brought paraphernalia. Smoking off aluminum doesn't kill you if itls occasional. It is illegal, so make sure you have a designated lookout.
On Sunday, I recommend the Newman Catholic student center on Clinton (just north of downtown a couple). You will need to repent. Then go catch your flight.
Edit: Feel free to wear a UT cap or have a tattoo or something, but wear a black or yellow shirt. No red allowed unless you're a legit bucky fan (they're also welcome). Wave to the kids. Have fun.
