Tailgate Time! Wag Worthy Spots to Cheer on the Saints

New Orleanians love their football and there’s nothing more spirited than catching a game with your furry bestie! From local taprooms to a grown-up arcade, we’ve sniffed out wag-worthy spots to cheer on the Black and Gold with Spot. So fetch your two- and four-legged friends, toss on your favorite jersey and get ready to “Who Dat” until the Saints come marching in!

Barcadia – barcadianeworleans.com
If you and your four-legged pal are true pawty animals, then Barcadia, the electric arcade bar and gastropub located in the trendy Warehouse District, is the place to experience a tailgate party like no other! Each Saints home game features a high-energy, jamming block party with live musical entertainment, several televisions throughout the bar and a large LED screen outside for tons of convenient viewing. If you pooch is on the timid side and isn’t fond of a lively “Who Dat” shouting crowd, this may not be the place for you. But if Fido is into lots of attention and doesn’t mind a highly spirited atmosphere, then join the festivities and throw down to top local artists such as Big Freedia, DJ Blondie, Mannie Fresh and Rebirth Brass Band, among others. Barcadia also offers a VIP bottle service section where you can cheer on the Black and Gold in style. And as a bonus, Ohm Lounge—the stylish, contemporary, Asian-themed nightclub and music venue located within Barcadia—keeps the party going into the wee hours by spinning an open format of Top 40 hits, EDM and hip-hop. If your pup prefers a more chill game day experience, you and Fido are welcome to hang inside the bar during daytime games (LSU and Tulane games are shown) until 8 p.m. Soon to be celebrating its 10th anniversary, this casual hot spot continues to excite locals and visitors alike with its lively happy hours, vintage arcade games, cutting-edge music and tasty bar grub. Unleash your inner child at the grown-up playground/bar with the collection of retro games like air hockey and pinball, or show your pack that you’re the top dog of cornhole. All that game playing is sure to work up an appetite, so dig into the new menu that is sure to refuel your engine. All pets are welcome at Barcadia according to owner Billy Blatty, an animal fan and a feline dad of two Ragdoll cats named Atari and Vader, so suit up your four-legged pal and head to Barcadia for a true tail wagging adventure.

Kingfish Cider – kingfishcider.com
Colleen Keogh visited Austin a few years back and “fell in love with the craft cider scene.” Her passion for the apple-based libation flourished, so she traveled to Washington to attend a week-long, cider-centric workshop. Colleen spent the next four years perfecting her blends, which lead to her participation in the SPCA’s fundraiser, NOLA on Tap. Kingfish Cider, named after the colorful Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long, was the only cider featured at the festival and drew rave reviews. Enter David Henley, a local brew enthusiast, who met Colleen at the event and immediately became a fan. David, who currently serves as cider master/bartender, helped to launch the brand in May 2021. As sole owner and head cider master, Colleen, a Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate, is one of just a handful of females in the nation who exclusively own an alcohol brand. In addition to their tasty ciders and perries (made from fermented pears rather than apples), Kingfish offers a handful of local beers and craft cocktails made with local spirits. Located in Old Jefferson, the vintage décor, antique signage and retro vibe of the old warehouse space are perfectly suited to present cider, a boozy beverage dating back to the Roman times. Colleen proudly boats that “we make creative cider and perry infused with Louisiana flavors, culture and joie de vivre.” The cidery hosts events including bands on most Saturday nights, Friday Night Trivia and periodic Drag Queen Bingo, which benefits a local charity, most often an animal rescue group. A pet parent herself to rescue pups Comeaux, a 10-year-old long-haired Chihuahua, a Boston Terrier mix named Clover and Atticus Finch, a 12-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix, Colleen welcomes furry guests with complimentary grain-free dog treats and water bowls. If you’re looking for a totally pawsome spot to cheer on the Saints, suit up your pup and head to Kingfish. All Saints games will be projected onto a large screen for easy viewing. Enjoy activities, and perhaps even a food truck or pop-up (check social media for updates). Kick back with a tasty glass of cider and a charcuterie plate or feel free to bring in your own game day snacks. Now that’s what we’re barking about!

Le Bon Temps Roule – lbtrnola.com
If you’re looking for the quintessential neighborhood New Orleans music “jernt,” then look no further than Le Bon Temps Roule. Since 1979, the unassuming music venue and waterhole has been a destination for emerging musical talents such as Anders Osborne, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Kermit Ruffins, all of whom sharpened their skills at Le Bon Temps. It was Ruffins who helped to put the bar on the live music map with his regular appearances that packed the house. This Uptown gem is beloved by locals and visitors for its unpretentious atmosphere, friendly bartenders, potent cocktails and impressive beer selection—currently they have over 100 different brews including domestic, imports and local beers in all styles and flavors. They also carry your favorite seltzers and ciders. “We are extremely proud of our beer selection and we constantly continue to add new choices for our customers,” says co-owner Joe Bikulege, who came aboard 18 years ago. Owner Pepper Keenan and Joe agree that one of the best things about the bar is the eclectic and diverse crowd it draws. “Locals and visitors from all walks of life and worldwide gather to listen to great local music, dance and mingle and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” says Joe. Jam out to live music every Thursday through Sunday, including Soul Rebels Brass Band on Thursday nights and Dr. Lo Faber every Sunday. Recently Le Bon Temps Roule has even featured several great touring acts that have desired to play at the popular music venue. Pool sharks can fetch a cue to enjoy a spirited game of billiards. As for football season, kick off game day with a zesty Le Bon Temps Roule Bloody Mary. Leash up your pooch to cheer on the Saints while indulging in tasty bar grub from the new menu. Dig into the special game day goodies including juicy burgers, crispy chicken wings, chili nachos and other tasty snacks. Make sure to sniff out the newly expanded outdoor patio area that will kick off soon. Make no bones about it, with a name that literally means “let the good times roll,” a totally pawsome time will be had by all!

Miel Brewery & Taproom – mielbrewery.com
What happens when a couple of self-proclaimed science nerds join forces? They open a brewery and taproom, of course! Alex Peyroux, who was born and raised in Hammond, and NOLA native Janice Montoya met in 2013 while Alex was working for Abita Brewing. Upon graduating from SLU, the couple moved to Boston for a “change of pace.” Their relocation lasted merely two years, when they were lured back to New Orleans after Louisiana passed a law legalizing taprooms. As co-founder/brewer, Alex turned his passion for making craft beer into a career having spent time honing his skills at Abita and Harpoon Brewery. Janice, who worked in advertising and video production, serves as co-founder and creative director. Miel, which means honey in Spanish and French, seemed like the perfect name as it bridged Alex’s French roots and Janice’s Latin heritage. Additionally, Alex’s father, a retired veterinarian with a passion for saving bees, began producing small amounts of honey, which is incorporated into some of their brews. Gather your pack and head to Miel for a Saints game to enjoy top sellers like Flor De Jamaica (Hibiscus Sour Ale) and Golden Boi, an American Pale Ale. Don’t pass up the seasonal fall blends, a German-style Oktoberfest, Lagerbier and Peach Crumble, all available on draft. And, if the Saints reach the playoffs this year, be on the lookout for a special Airhead Sour Candy-infused Cream Ale called AK41. Catch one of their beer slushees, a refreshing frozen concoction that’s sure to have your tail wagging. The casual pub has multiple TVs, both inside the taproom and outside in the quaint courtyard. Miel hosts pop-up food vendors daily, with Southern’s Food Truck regularly serving up their doggone tasty fried chicken sandwiches and lip-smacking adobo pork belly cracklins. The co-owners two rescue pups, nine-year-old Chow Chow/Lab mix Riggs and Oso, a three-year-old Boxer/Pit Bull Terrier mix, are the official tasters of the spent grain dog treats, made by Alex’s mom and are sold onsite. If you’re looking for a new fur baby, Miel, which celebrates its fourth anniversary this October, regularly teams up with local rescue organizations to host adoption days, so check their social media pages for events. You may discover a new favorite brew and find a four-legged best friend!

Zony Mash – zonymashbeer.com
In 2019, when Zony Mash opened its doors, the goal was not only to produce exceptional brews, but to also turn the historical space into the exciting and creative entertainment venue that it once was. Owners and craft beer enthusiasts Adam and Jennifer Ritter moved from Philadelphia to New Orleans in 2017. As luck would have it, Adam met Mitch Grittman, a fellow New Orleans transplant, who relocated to pursue a career in food science. The two discovered a mutual affection for craft beer, which lead to late-night brewing sessions. When the old Gem Theater became available, the duo jumped at the chance to start a full-fledged beer making operation and entertainment space. The iconic building, one of only two African-American movie theaters still standing in New Orleans, was most recently a brewery that had closed. The name Zony Mash is a nod to an album of vintage rarities by the local funk band, The Meters. Today, the colorful, lively space welcomes two- and four-legged guests to enjoy live music such as Rebirth Brass Band and Nigel Hall, special events and, of course, Saints and LSU football games. Fetch Fido to cheer on the black and gold indoors (there’s an enormous screen and plenty of seating) or outside, which is furnished with TVs and picnic tables. And with more than 20 brews on tap, plus a selection of delightful spiked seltzers, you’re sure to find something to excite your palate. Sip top sellers like Makin' Groceries, a super session pale ale that helps raise money for the New Orleans Musician's Clinic, or King of Carrot Flowers, a sour beer with carrot, tangerine and mango juices. Kick back with a seasonal brew and nosh on tasty tidbits from local food trucks, while your pupper enjoys free dog treats. The folks at Zony Mash love hosting furry friends and themselves have several pups including Adam and Jennifer, proud parents of a white Labrador named Shugie; Head Brewer Mitch, who has two long-haired Dachshunds named Kat and Wulfrick; and Taproom Manager Brian, dad to Jolene the Corgi. You may even meet one Zony Mash regular who visits with his feline friend in a backpack. Brew Dat!