Best FAMU Tailgating Spots in Tallahassee
February 9, 2024 Tally Student Survival Students Social Share
It’s no secret that Tallahassee is home to some of the best college football games in the nation. In the southern part of College Town lies Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University. Also referred to as Florida A&M or simply FAMU, the higher education establishment is honored as one of the U.S.’s Historic Black College and Universities (HBCU).
Amidst the history and culture celebrated at FAMU comes a timeless tradition for FAMU football—the tailgating experience. A sea of FAMU fans soaking in the sun, grilling food, and spending time with friends, family, and fellow fans. For some, tailgating is even more exciting than the actual game!
Considering FAMU just came off a back-to-back championship, making history by seizing victory in both the Southern Athletic Conference and the Celebration Bowl, it’s likely that the Tallahassee university’s home games will be drawing in even bigger crowds for the upcoming season. For that reason, it’s important for incoming students and new FAMU fans to know all the tips and tricks for the 2024 football season.
FAMU Traditions
Are you prepared for the upcoming FAMU football season? Whether you’re an incoming freshman, alumni, or just a Tallahassee local who loves sports—it’s important to get the backstory of what makes FAMU your favorite team!
- FAMU Team Colors: The official colors for FAMU are Orange and Green! Make sure you’re geared up before heading to the next FAMU tailgate.
- FAMU Mascot: The Rattler – The history of the snake runs deep for FAMU. Back in the 1800s when the school got relocated to Highwood Plantation, the area was home to plenty of wildlife, especially rattlesnakes. The school found that the determination and perseverance of the snake’s ability to strike and strike again was the perfect representation of its students – and so became FAMU’s official mascot! If you’re planning to tailgate for FAMU’s 2024 season, make sure to represent your Rattlers!
- Unstoppable Squad ’87: Game Day excitement is brought to life by FAMU’s Unstoppable Squad! The school spirit enforcers are made up of the mascot duo Venom and Lady Venom, along with the A&M Flags team. You can find them dancing in the stands with Rattler fans or doing stunts on the stadium sidelines. The squad doesn’t intend to just perform, they’re focused on crowd-energizing interactions to keep FAMU football games high energy and full of school spirit.
- FAMU’s Historical Significance: Known as one of Florida’s HBCUs, there is a lot of historical importance that resides deep within FAMU’s traditions. One of best pieces of FAMU lore is the FAMU vs University of Tampa football game in 1969 that has been quoted as the first interracial football game ever played in the South.
- Florida Classic: The annual in-state rivalry match between FAMU and Bethune-Cookman is not only exciting but is also significant to Florida’s history. The game first took place in 1978 as a friendly game between Florida’s famous historically Black universities. Since its inception, the annual game has gained over two million attendees each year!
- Reload & Repeat: The new motto going into FAMU’s 2024 football season is a simple one – repeat the same efforts that were displayed in its 2023 season! FAMU just experienced two championships, from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Celebration Bowl. What do you say, Rattlers fans: Can FAMU football do it again!?
Best Places to Tailgate for FAMU Students
- Bragg Memorial Stadium – Built in the 1950’s, Bragg Memorial Stadium is the host of FAMU home football games! The stadium offers tailgating in designated spaces that you must pay for, but once you’ve secured a space, you’re good to go! What better place to pre-game before the football match than right outside the stadium!?
- Paddyfoote Lawn – During the last season, FAMU updated its available tailgating spots. Fans can now tailgate at Paddyfoote Lawn, located across from the Student Services Center. The lawn offers 20ft by 20ft reserved parking spaces that are marked, numbered, and provided for tailgaters of FAMU football.
- Frechtown Rising – Friday night before FAMU home football games, enjoy the community wide block party on Macomb Street! Situated between Georgia and Virginia Street, this event is FREE for everyone. They’ve got great food, games, live music, and even a family friendly kids’ zone. It’s the perfect spot for the whole family to get hype before a FAMU game.
If you can’t make it to an actual tailgate, have no fear! There are tons of places around Tally to watch the game, throw back a cold one, and hangout with other Rattler fans:
- College Town – Nestled perfectly between FAMU and FSU, the popular area attracts students and fans of both universities to grab a bite to eat, drink some beer, and watch the FAMU football game on tv! Some of our all-time favorite spots include Madison Social and Potbelly’s.
- Charlie Park – Get a view of FAMU’s campus skyline at Tallahassee’s favorite rooftop bar! If you don’t want to go into the hustle and bustle of tailgating crowds, you can watch from above at a reasonable (and stunning!) distance. Charlie Park has delicious food options and cocktails to keep you going throughout the whole FAMU game.
- Township – The beer hall that has it all! Township is another local joint that perfectly captures the fun of student life. FAMU and FSU fans flock here to hangout and cheer on their alma mater. If you want a chilled spot to watch a Rattler’s football game, head to Township and try out their draught beer, beer cocktails, or their ship shots!
- The Palace Saloon – The student bar located between FSU and FAMU is a great spot to hangout on Game Day! Known for their stellar service, cheap drinks, and billiards tables, The Palace Saloon will quench your thirst and keep you entertained while cheering on the Rattlers!
- South Station – Tallahassee’s newest social hangout spot is open just above FAMU’s campus! Right across from our other favorite drinking spot Proof Brewing Co. lies the playful and nostalgic atmosphere of South Station. They’ve got happy hour cocktails, slushies, and tasty handhelds like their chicken & waffles cone! A delicious way to enjoy Game Day.
- Railroad Square Art District – Located just north of Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee’s Railroad Art District is the perfect melting pot of art, culture, and community. This is a wonderful place to go hangout before and during FAMU gamedays, as they have plenty of food and drink options across the district. Don’t miss their First Friday Monthly Festival – with live music, great food, and a welcoming environment from all your favorite local vendors!
Still unsure where to go on Game Day? Head over to our site to find happy hour specials and restaurants near Bragg Memorial Stadium!
Tips for FAMU Gameday
Once you’ve completed a successful tailgate, follow along with our tips to make sure you have a safe FAMU football game experience:
Handicap accessibility – Bragg Memorial Stadium offers a limited number of seats for FAMU fans with disabilities. You can request special arrangements by emailing the FAMU Ticket Office or calling them at (850) 599-3141.
Disabled parking – Bragg Memorial provides ADA (disabled) parking spots on a first come, first serve basis. FAMU fans who have a valid disabled persons parking placard or license plate can park on in the designated area on the Southeast side of the stadium.
Alcohol – Fans attending a home FAMU game are not permitted to bring in any food or beverages inside Bragg Memorial. This includes alcohol. In fact, alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside Bragg Stadium. FAMU indicates that violators are subject to be removed from the stadium.
Bag Policy – Make sure to follow FAMU’s bag policy before entering the stadium. The only bags that are permitted inside Bragg Memorial are a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag that does not exceed 12”x6”x12”. Small clutch purses are also permitted if they are no larger than 4.5”x6.5” (the size of a hand) with or without a strap. Failure to abide by FAMU’s bag policy can result in you taking your belongings back to your vehicle or having it confiscated by security.
Cooling stations – Given Florida’s near-constant state of heat and sunshine, it’s important for fans to have a place to cool down. FAMU offers multiple “cool zones” around Bragg Memorial Stadium. There are also EMS and first aid providers who are on the lookout for football fans with heat-related issues.
Parking for FAMU Tailgates – Finding parking for a college football tailgate is one of the most important aspects of the game! FAMU booster members pay up to $1,000 for their reserved tailgating spots. However, that isn’t so realistic for students or standard fans. FAMU has recently teamed up with Clutch! to provide single-game parking passes for home football games. If you plan to tailgate in a parking lot, ensure that you are within the confined space you have paid for.
Rules of a FAMU Tailgate
Make sure your 2024 FAMU tailgating season is an unforgettable one by staying in line with these rules:
- No vehicles allowed in the tailgate areas (unless in a paid, marked spot);
- No soliciting;
- No sale of goods or services in the tailgating spaces;
- No glass containers permitted;
- No charcoal grills, only propane grills are permitted, and must be resting on a board to protect the grass and soil from any damage;
- No animals permitted, unless it is a service animal;
Anyone entering Bragg Memorial Stadium for a FAMU game should make sure they don’t have any of the following prohibited items:
- Bags outside of the bag policy;
- Alcohol or illegal drugs;
- Weapons or explosives;
- Umbrellas;
- Outside food or beverages;
- Coolers, beer cans, cups, or bottles;
- Backpacks;
- Chair backs that are larger than 16”;
- Artificial noisemakers (whistles, bells, air horns);
- Video equipment, tape recorders, or cameras with lenses longer than 6”;
- Sticks, poles, flags, or signs;
- Laser pointers;
- Laptops;
- Pets;
- Stollers;
- Skateboards;
- Beach balls or other airborne objects; or
- Any items prohibited at the discretion of security or law enforcement.
All students and football fans will be searched prior to entering Bragg Memorial. If you are caught with any prohibited items, you may have them confiscated or be denied entry into the FAMU game.
Even when it’s not FAMU Game Day, there are plenty of noteworthy events happening around Tallahassee. Stay up to date with our events calendar for all things Tally related.