Even if you’re not a serious football fan, you’ve likely hit a Wisconsin Badgers tailgate on game day once or twice. This beloved tradition brings a neighborhood-wide celebration across Vilas and Greenbush near Camp Randall Stadium. The festivities showcase how much Wisconsinites like to party — preferably in a Badgers jersey with a beer in hand. Tailgate traditions continue to go strong at Regent Street’s classic sports bars: Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub, Jordan’s Big 10 Pub, SCONNIEBAR and The Red Zone. This year, mix it up with a few lesser-known game day haunts.
FOR THE SERIOUS TAILGATER
Madison DJ Nick Nice is a regular fixture at the Fabiola’s Spaghetti House & Deli tailgate at 1301 Regent St.
Owner Sam Brown blocks off the parking lot at Fabiola’s Spaghetti House & Deli and Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè for an event that’s for the “serious tailgater,” as the slogan for the event goes. Brown, whose father is Rocky Rococo’s founder Roger Brown, transformed the Regent Street Rocky’s into Fabiola’s in fall 2023 and has decided to carry on what his father started. The tailgate at Fabiola’s offers 20 craft beers on draft, cocktails and elevated, but classic, tailgate food. There’s a Fraboni’s hot Italian sandwich, plus a bratwurst served with grilled onions and apple bacon sauerkraut and a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped hot dog served with homemade cabbage relish. The star of the menu is the Hawaiian polish, which includes Polish sausage, lemon garlic aioli, guava mustard and jalapeño pineapple relish. All sandwiches are served with crispy fries. DJ Nick Nice keeps the party going with pump-up tunes. Catch the tailgate at Fabiola’s on all home game days this year.
Psst. Greenbush Bar and Leopold’s are available to rent for private tailgate parties on game day. Celebrate the Wisconsin Badgers with a catered buffet, family-style seated meal, breakfast or cocktail hour starting three hours before game time.
GREAT, BIG PARTY
Butterbird, which opened in January 2024, is a first-time tailgate host this year.
Co-owner Shaina Papach says the Butterbird tailgate “is a great, big party.” The chicken shop, which opened in 2024, offers a special menu on game days that includes chicken fried cheese curds, soft pretzels, burgers, snacks and of course fried chicken sandwiches. Along with draft beers and cans, Butterbird has four classic shots (apple pie, pickleback, Fireball and Goldschlager), Jello shots and five draft cocktails at the tailgate. Watch the game with the whole family on one of 14 TVs inside or on the restaurant’s heated outdoor patio. Miss the Badgers’ game? Butterbird also hosts watch parties for the Green Bay Packers match-ups.
SEVEN MORE GAME DAY TRADITIONS
CLASSIC PREGAME: Fuel up to cheer on the Badgers with a heaping breakfast at Mickies Dairy Bar … that is, if you can get in line early enough. 1511 Monroe St.
ON THE GO: If you refuse to eat a hot dog unless it’s served Chicago-style, pick up an order at Stadium Takeout before heading to the big stadium. 1517 Monroe St.
BUCKY PRIDE: The Wisconsin Badgers-themed donuts available at Greenbush Bakery on football Saturdays are almost too cute to eat. (We said “almost.”) 1402 Regent St.
COMFORT VIBES: Instead of standing out in the cold at a tailgate, watch the game with a warm meal from the comfort of Sweet Home Wisconsin’s dining room and bar. 910 Regent St.
BEER ME: Since game day is just as much about beer for some football fans, drop into Garth’s Brew Bar before or after the game for a wide selection. 1726 Monroe St.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS: Beer not really your taste? Try Camp Cantina’s Lucky Badger and Mexican candy shots instead. 1503 Monroe St.
PIZZZZZA: Greenbush Bar’s pizza is the stuff of legend, so don’t miss out on a post-game pie. 914 Regent St.
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