School
University
Stadium
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Capacity
64,038
Conference
SEC
Official University home & away games
* Schedule subject to change. Always verify with the official athletic department.
86°
High
63°
Low
75°
High
50°
Low
64°
High
42°
Low
These months offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor tailgating and the walk to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The top neighborhoods to celebrate in Oxford on game day
Oxford's historic downtown square, the heart of Ole Miss gameday with upscale bars and restaurants
The most famous tailgate spot in college football — not bars, but the ultimate pregame experience
College bar strip near campus with more casual, student-friendly spots
The best spots near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for fans
The ultimate walking route between the top game day bars near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — follow the stops in order for the best experience
Total Distance
0.7 miles
Estimated Time
3–4 hours
Bar Stops
5 Stops
Route Type
Walking Route
Start Here
The Blind Tiger, 1114 Jackson Ave W, Oxford, MS
1114 Jackson Ave W, Oxford, MS
1012 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, MS
1011 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, MS
120 S 11th St, Oxford, MS
211 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS
End Point
Proud Larry's, 211 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS
The Blind Tiger
Stop 1 of 5
Ole Miss institution — live music and packed gameday crowds since 1990
Start on Jackson Avenue 3–4 hours before kickoff, then migrate toward The Square as game time approaches. Dress up — Ole Miss fans are known for their gameday fashion. Sundresses and button-downs are the norm, not the exception.
Skip the planning — book a guided bar crawl and we'll lead you through every stop
Book Your SpotThe rituals, chants, and moments that make University game day unlike anywhere else
4-6 hours before every home kickoff
The Grove is a 10-acre park in the heart of Ole Miss campus where over 100,000 fans tailgate under ancient oak trees before every home game. Fans set up elaborate tents with chandeliers, silver candelabras, and catered spreads. It has been called the "Holy Grail of tailgating" by ESPN and is widely considered the finest tailgate experience in college football.
2 hours before every home kickoff
Two hours before kickoff, the Ole Miss football team walks through The Grove — past thousands of cheering fans — on the way to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Walk of Champions is one of the most visually stunning pre-game traditions in college football, with fans lining both sides of the path.
Every home game
Ole Miss is famous for its gameday dress code — men wear button-down shirts or blazers, women wear sundresses and heels. The Grove is more formal than any other tailgate in the SEC, and the fashion is as much a part of the tradition as the football. Red and navy are the colors of choice.
Throughout every game
"Hotty Toddy!" is Ole Miss's iconic battle cry — a call-and-response cheer that unites the entire fan base. The full cheer ("Are you ready? Hell yeah! Damn right! Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty, who the hell are we? Hey! Flim flam, bim bam, Ole Miss by damn!") is shouted throughout every game.
3-5 hours before every home kickoff
Oxford's historic downtown Square is the social hub of Ole Miss gameday. Bars like The Blind Tiger, Proud Larry's, and The Library fill with red and navy fans hours before kickoff. The Square's restaurants are booked months in advance for big SEC games, and the post-game scene is equally legendary.
Thanksgiving weekend every year
The annual game against Mississippi State — the Egg Bowl — is the most intense rivalry in Mississippi. The trophy is a golden egg, and the winner earns bragging rights across the entire state for a full year. The rivalry dates to 1901 and is one of the oldest in the SEC.
Join our guided bar crawl and we'll make sure you don't miss a single ritual
Fuel up before kickoff at these local favorites near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Southern Soul Food · $$
Oxford's most beloved soul food institution and a Rebel gameday staple since 1986. Ajax's fried catfish — golden, crispy, and served with house-made hush puppies and Mississippi's legendary comeback sauce — is the definitive Ole Miss gameday meal. The Square location fills with red and navy fans hours before kickoff.
Southern Fine Dining · $$$
Oxford's most acclaimed restaurant and the gameday splurge of choice for Ole Miss fans. Chef John Currence's shrimp and grits — Gulf shrimp over jalapeño cheese grits with smoky tasso ham — is one of the most celebrated dishes in the entire South. Reserve a table months in advance for LSU and Alabama weekends.
Upscale Southern Bistro · $$
A Square staple from the same team behind City Grocery, Bouré is the perfect mid-range gameday lunch spot. The fried green tomato BLT — stacked with crispy tomatoes, thick-cut bacon, and house pimento cheese on toasted sourdough — is one of the best sandwiches in Mississippi. The patio on The Square is prime people-watching territory on gameday.
Southern Breakfast · $$
The best gameday morning fuel in Oxford and a James Beard-recognized breakfast institution. The Farmer plate — thick-cut country ham, farm eggs, a flaky biscuit, and rich red-eye gravy — is the ultimate Ole Miss pre-game breakfast. Arrive before 9 AM on gamedays; the wait can exceed an hour for big SEC matchups.
French-Southern Bistro · $$$
Oxford's most unique gameday dining experience — a French-Southern fusion bistro that draws food lovers from across the SEC. The duck confit with dirty rice and pepper jelly is extraordinary — rich, complex, and deeply Southern. Another John Currence gem that requires advance reservations for big home games.
Tailgate Catering · $$$$
The Grove tailgate experience is incomplete without a proper catered spread. Oxford's top caterers set up elaborate tents with silver candelabras, chandeliers, and full Southern spreads — deviled eggs, pimento cheese dip, boiled Gulf shrimp, and premium bourbon. Book your caterer 6+ months in advance for big SEC home games.
Turn your love of football into income. Organize bar crawls on game days, build your crew, and get paid doing what you love.
Everything you need to know before you arrive at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
The most famous tailgate spot in college football — 10 acres of oak trees and tents
Another popular tailgate area on campus with a more laid-back vibe
Stadium parking lots with traditional tailgating
Rideshare Drop-off
All American Drive near the stadium
Shuttle Service
OUT Transit runs free shuttles from downtown to campus on gamedays.
Top hotels near Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for game day weekend
Everything you need to know about Oxford game day bar crawls
Information sourced from official and authoritative references
Book your University game day bar crawl and experience Oxford nightlife like never before!