Grab your orange and black gear, tiger stripes, Skyline Dip, Grippo’s, goetta snacks, and local beer—football season is back and there is a lot of excitement to go along with it. Even better: we’ve got several game day options around the city for fun things to do to be with other Bengals fans to tailgate and get excited for the black and orange to take the field every Sunday (or Monday or Thursday or Saturday …).
Tailgates
Fountain District Fanfest: Kickoff
Elm Street Plaza
Before every home game, head to Elm Street Plaza to tailgate with live music, drink specials, games, activations, and more. After the tailgate, the game will play on the giant LED board with sound. You can also catch away games on the LED Board.
Free and open to the public
Fountain District Fanfest: Overtime
Fountain Square
Postgame festivities include music, cornhole, drink specials, and more. You can also watch away games on the LED Board or on the screens inside of Winterhaus (opening October 31, 2026).
Banks Bengals Block Party
Before every home game at The Banks
Live music, food, activities, and drinks. DORA beverages available from Banks businesses.
Free admission
Bengal Jim’s “Before the Roar” Tailgate Experience
Lot E + Even More “Before the Roar” expanded game day experience at Smale Riverfront Park, complete with beer, food trucks, music, and more.
BTR is the longest running Bengals tailgate, benefiting area charities.
Free admission
The Filson Ultimate Tailgate
The Filson
All-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink tailgate before every home game just two minutes from Paycor Stadium. $75 per adult includes unlimited buffet and open bar, and $15 for children ages 12 and under includes unlimited buffet.
Project Game-Dey Tailgate
Cincy Lager House, 10a–1p
Game-dey experience just steps from the stadium three hours before kickoff, complete with food, beer, Split the Pot (proceeds benefiting Project Game-Dey), DJ, and more.
Everyone is welcome
Watch Parties
Game Day Factory 52
Watch home and away games on the massive outdoor TV screen with access to several food and drink options.
Free admission
Game Dey Watch Party
MadTree Taproom
Every game day—all season long. Food available for purchase, sound on extra TVs, pitchers and buckets, and reservations available.
Watch Party
The Growler House
The Growler House is open all season long for home and away Bengals game viewing, complete with beer specials.
Free admission
Watch Party
Rhinegeist
Watch every game on the big screen in the taproom. Rhingeist will also host Who Dey Brunch on the rooftop on 9/13, 9/27, and 10/4.
Free admission; reserve a table here
Wings & Rings
Finneytown and Beckett Ridge locations
Football is back and they will have weekend specials to giveaways to celebrate:
Fridays: half price appetizers from 3p (happy hour) until close and Kids Eat Free (one free kids meal per paying adult meal)
Saturdays, 12–8p: half price appetizers
Sundays, 12–8p: half price appetizers and drink specials
ALL SEASON LONG NFL RAFFLE every Sunday during the 1p and 4p games:
– Receive 1 raffle ticket for every $10 spent (e.g., a $100 check = 10 tickets)
– One winner will be selected every Sunday for a prize valued at $100
– Winners are drawn during the 4th quarter of the 4p games and do not need to be present
Grand Prize Raffle: All tickets earned throughout the season will be entered into a drawing during the Big Game for a chance to win a 65″ Smart TV.
Gear and Accessories
Where Dey think gon’ get their Bengals gear?
If the past couple of seasons have been any indication, it has been fun to live in Cincinnati Bengals territory. Here are several local places to get your Bengals gear, including apparel and accessories, courtesy of Haven Cincinnati.
The Cincy Hat is the Bengals’ very own Ted Karras’ brand, whose proceeds benefit the Village of Merici, which provides services, coaching, and independent housing to adults with disabilities. Shop here.
Handzy Shop + Studio Bengals Collection
Jason Snell, local artist, BluDey! shirts available on TeePublic
Idea: head to your local Clothes Mentor or thrift shop and either get secondhand Bengals gear OR, if you are able, get a basic tee or top to create your own custom Cincinnati/Bengals gear with a Cricut machine.
Tailgate Recipes
What is Cincinnati without its insane pride for everything local? Especially its local fare. From chili and German eats to all things goetta, check out this post for a number of inventive recipes to make dishes inspired by The Queen City’s culinary staples to share at your next tailgate or watch party, including:
• Goetta Hanky Panks
• Skyline Dip [Wraps and Naan Bites]
• Goetta Mac
• Grippo’s Deviled Eggs
Brewery Goods
Lager House Tiger Stripe (IPA)
Rhinegeist Cheetah (lager)
Dey Drinking shirts and orange and black hats (West Side Brewing, in taproom)
Jungle Cat Collection (Rhinegeist)
Rooted in Cincy tee (MadTree)
Be sure to check out [and subscribe to] the Weekend Rundown for one-off watch party events. You can also check with your neighborhood businesses, breweries, and bars/restaurants about their local watch parties!
