For football fans, this time a year feels like you just scored a touchdown, when the long wait to the season finally comes to an end. With both College Football and the NFL about to kickoff, it's time to start making a game plan on how you're going to take advantage of the season. Fortunately, St. Charles makes it easy to savor every first down, with an array of fantastic businesses that can help make the season one to remember.
Get Out and Play
Photos Courtesy of the St. Charles Park District
Before we dive into places where you can watch the games, let's talk about a way that allows for the first-hand experience of being on the gridiron. While watching the games on television is a blast, what's even more exciting is gathering a group of friends and playing yourself! You can pretend that all the cameras are on you while you compete in either two-hand-touch or flag football. Finding a place to play is a breeze - as there are numerous parks in this town that have ample green space for you to use as a field. If there weather isn't cooperating, Sportsplex is an indoor sports facility in town where you can rent their turf fields when available!
Photo 1 Courtesy of Play It Again Sports
Don't have the right gear? Not a problem. Take a trip over to Play It Again Sports on the west side of town to find tons of gently-used and new sports equipment - including everything you need for a little pick-up football. Not only can you find impressive deals on gear, but you'll feel good about reducing waste when you purchase a product that is gently used! If it's athletic shoes or even apparel such as shorts and t-shirts, you can find a great selection of clothing at Dick Pond Athletics that will work exceptional for your pick-up game!
Where to Watch
Photos Courtesy of Dukes Northwoods
Believe it or not, even Packer's fans enjoy getting out to watch their team "in action". Duke's Northwoods has everything you'd want out of a classic Wisconsin tavern, with great food, drinks, and an ample amount of Packer's representation through their décor. An order of their beer battered cheese curds alongside a pint of Speckled Calf Farmhouse Ale, and you've got yourself a combo that any Cheese Head would approve of.
Photos Courtesy of The Evergreen Pub & Grill
Football and Breakfast? Yes, please. At The Evergreen Pub & Grill, you can enjoy their breakfast fare on Sundays until 1pm - perfect for ringing in those noon games! If you're looking to catch all the action in the Sunday night game, they also offer 1/2 off pizza after 5pm. This is an ideal spot to celebrate the start of the season, as they're hosting a Bears vs. Titans Opening Day Tailgate on September 8th, featuring 1/2 priced select appetizers, $2.50 domestic bottles, and a chance to win gift cards!
Photo 2 Courtesy of The Filling Station Pub & Grill
You'll find that it's not too difficult to get your "fill" of football when you make a trip to The Filling Station Pub & Grill. In fact, we're confident that the Bears will "park" in the end zone many times this season! Covered in unique garage/automobile décor from floor to ceiling, the atmosphere is incredible - not too mention their big outdoor patio! With plenty of appetizers, burgers, and more to choose from, and a large list of beverages, making the Filling Station Pub & Grill your gameday headquarters is always a good decision.
What's Your Favorite Game Day Food?
Wings
Italian Beef
Pizza
Burgers
Pictured Above: Wings from The Office Dining & Spirits | Pizza from Pomodoro E Mozzarella
Burger from Wahlburgers | Italian Beef from Beef Shack
Photo 1 Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography. Photo 2 Courtesy of Flagship on the Fox
Catching the big game is easy when you visit Flagship on the Fox. Flagship on the Fox has 32 TV's, making it a sports-lover's dream. On top of that, this is a sensational spot to catch the Thursday night games (like when the Bears play the Lions on November 28th), as this year, they will have Tailgate Party's before the game featuring live music, happy hour specials, and even raffles!
Photo 2 Courtesy of The Hive Tavern & Eatery
When football season rolls in, that's your cue to buzz on over to The Hive Tavern & Eatery downtown. Their menu is filled with terrific options for your game-day fare, like their burgers fit to feed a Bears offensive lineman. On top of that, they also offer daily food and drink deals that you won't want to miss out on, including football Sunday's where you can devour 75 cent wings and $25 bottomless mimosas.
Photo 1 Courtesy of Rookies All-American Pub & Grill
Voted Best Sports Bar in Kane County by the 2024 Kane County Chronicle's Readers' Choice Awards, it only makes sense that Rookies All-American Pub & Grill is a superb spot to watch Caleb Williams lead the Bears offense to victory. With ample televisions in every direction you look, and food and drink specials every day of the week, you'll have a wonderful time cheering on the Monsters of the Midway. And speaking of Monsters of the Midway, you can try their burger named just that - just to show just how big of a fan you are!
Photos Courtesy of Tap House Grill
Tap House Grill is your place to watch the Bears this season with their unbelievable food, great selection of drinks, and their premium game day deals. Every Bears game, you can take advantage of fantastic specials and raffles, but that's not all! On 5 different Bears games this year (including the last regular season game against the Packers), you can even indulge in free hot dog & brat buffet at halftime! If that doesn't scream Chicagoland football, I don't know what does.
Photo 1 Courtesy of Brigette Burgman of Nomadic Soul Photography. Photo 2 Courtesy of Whiskey Bend
If you already haven't had the chance to experience Whiskey Bend's patio, then this football season is the time to do so! You can enjoy the game while taking in the fresh air, as they have televisions on their outside bar so you don't miss a thing. Need a spot to catch the late night game? From Sunday through Thursday from 8pm-10pm, they offer "Night Cap" food and drinks specials that include $10 for all flatbreads, $5 seltzers, and much more.
Enjoy at Home
Photo 2 Courtesy of Riverside Pizza & Pub
Sometimes, the best way to enjoy a day jam-packed full of football action is to spend it relaxing inside the comfort of your own home. However, you can't have a watch-party without food! Even if you don't feel like spending the day out on the town, you can still have a delicious day by grabbing food from a local establishment in town! From a cheesy pizza from Riverside Pizza & Pub, to a platter of wings from Fry n' Wings, you'll have many options of cuisine to indulge in during the big game! Hosting a watch-party at your house? You can even "wow" your guests by presenting your food on a handcrafted charcuterie board from Campbell Creations! This one-of-a-kind product is sure to make you the MVP of any get-together!
This year's St. Charles Jazz Weekend will feature over 40 performances at 20 different local venues throughout town from Thursday, September 12th through Sunday, September 15th! Click above to learn more!