Beer Availability At Red River Rivalry: Buy Or Not?

The Red River Rivalry is an annual college football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners, held at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair of Texas. The game has been a staple of the State Fair since 1929, attracting more than 100,000 people to the fairgrounds. While the game itself does not allow alcoholic beverages of any kind, there are several bars and beer gardens located across the fairgrounds, where visitors can enjoy a drink while watching the game on television.

Beer gardens are available at the State Fair

The State Fair offers a variety of attractions, including several sites where visitors can watch the game on television while enjoying a range of food and drinks. The Magnolia Beer Garden, located in the courtyard of the historic Magnolia Lounge, is a popular destination for beer enthusiasts, offering a wide selection of Texas, craft, and international beers.

In addition to the beer gardens, the State Fair also features the iconic Midway, with over 70 rides, games, and attractions suitable for all ages. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances at the Chevrolet Main Stage, sample unique fried foods, and explore cultural and art exhibitions.

While the game itself does not allow alcoholic beverages, the State Fair provides a festive atmosphere for fans to enjoy before, during, and after the rivalry match. The combination of thrilling rides, delicious food, and beverage options, including beer gardens, enhances the excitement and tradition of the Red River Rivalry.

Beer is available at the State Fair

While alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside the stadium, there are several sites across the fairgrounds where visitors can watch the game and enjoy a drink. These include the Bluebonnet Roadhouse, which offers an extensive variety of craft beers, and the Magnolia Beer Garden, which has a selection of Texas, craft, and international beers.

In addition to beer, the State Fair also offers a wide range of unique foods, such as deep-fried culinary creations and classic fair foods like corn dogs and funnel cakes. The fair also features rides, cultural and art shows, and livestock displays.

For those planning to attend the Red River Rivalry, it is recommended to arrive early as parking and entry into the stadium can be challenging. It is also suggested to take advantage of the train system, DART, to avoid traffic and parking issues.

Alcoholic drinks are prohibited inside Cotton Bowl Stadium

The atmosphere is electric, with chants of "Hook 'em Horns!" and "Boomer Sooner!" ringing out from either side. The game has been played at the Cotton Bowl Stadium since 1929, and the stadium enforces a strict no-alcohol policy. This prohibition is outlined in the venue's Fan Code of Conduct, which also includes a no tailgating policy.

While alcohol is banned inside the stadium, there are several bars and beer gardens across the State Fair grounds, including the Magnolia Beer Garden, which offers a wide selection of Texas, craft, and international beers. Fairgoers can also enjoy unique fried culinary creations, such as deep-fried beer, a liquid-filled ravioli-like treat.

For those looking to enjoy a drink while taking in the game, there are several viewing options across the fairgrounds. The Bluebonnet Roadhouse, located near the Chevrolet Main Stage, offers an extensive variety of craft beers and other drinks, along with a large, covered patio and multiple TVs. The Cavalcade, a new seating area near the Gateway Pavilion, features a live DJ and TVs, along with creative takes on classic fair foods, like funnel cake with brisket.

So, while alcoholic drinks are prohibited inside the Cotton Bowl Stadium, there are plenty of options for those looking to enjoy a drink while experiencing the electric atmosphere of the Red River Rivalry.

Beer is available at various bars and breweries in Dallas

If you're looking for places to enjoy a beer in Dallas, there are plenty of options. Dallas has one of the best beer scenes in the United States, with dozens of craft breweries, talented brewers, and excellent local water for brewing. Here are some notable spots to check out:

Breweries

• Peticolas Brewing Company: One of Dallas' first two breweries, Peticolas is known for its exceptional English-style brews and soccer-themed IPAs. They offer a three-level taproom and brewery tours twice a month.
• Vector Brewing: This brewery is known for its wide range, from light beers to hoppy pale ales and unique offerings like a bright beer made with aromatics and herbs used in pho. They also have a spacious patio and serve pizzas.
• Celestial Beerworks: Hopheads consider this to be Dallas' best brewery, with a tap wall often carrying a dozen IPAs, including specific hops in double or triple combinations. They also have a spacious outdoor setting with constellation-themed decor.
• Odd Muse Brewing Co.: This brewery stands out for its whimsical designs, creative beers, and seasonal changes. Their mainstay is the 500 Pesos Mexican Lager, which has an interesting story behind it.
• Four Corners Brewing Company: An unpretentious brewery in the Cedars District, Four Corners offers home brews with local flavour and a taproom that features events like Loteria, trivia nights, and live music.
• White Rock Alehouse & Brewery: This locally-owned newcomer in East Dallas offers an extensive menu of local and national indie brews, along with tasty food options. It's also conveniently located near the White Rock Lake Trail.
• Texas Ale Project: This modern brewery in the Design District is the first to be built from the ground up in Dallas since the late 1800s. They create a variety of craft beers and have a taproom, beer garden, and live music events.
• Oak Highlands Brewery: Located in northeast Dallas, Oak Highlands has the feel of a neighbourhood brewery. They offer outdoor games like cornhole and ping pong, making it a fun spot for all ages.
• Community Beer Company: This state-of-the-art brewery on the edge of the Design District offers award-winning craft beer, including seasonal brews like the Funnel Cake Ale. They host a variety of events, including live music, trivia nights, and brewery tours.
• On Rotation Brewery + Taproom: Specialising in small-batch beers, this brewery near Dallas Love Field focuses on experimental flavours. They have 40 taps to choose from and offer flights for easy tasting.
• Oak Cliff Brewing Co.: This homegrown brand takes pride in its neighbourhood and partners with local nonprofits. They have four signature beers and a variety of specialty offerings, along with a taproom and a beer garden.
• Pegasus City Brewery: This small but mighty brewery in the Design District offers seasonal rotations and $4 pints on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They recently opened a second location in Downtown Dallas.
• Jaquval Brewing Company: Nestled in the Bishop Arts District, Jaquval's creations evoke British pub culture, from IPAs to light lagers. Their porter and the Meridian Hive blackberry mead are particularly noteworthy.

Bars

• The Common Table: Located in Uptown Dallas, this bar is a haven for beer lovers, offering a rotating selection of interesting draft beers and solid food at great prices. They host special releases, pint nights, and live music on their front patio.
• Eastbound and Down Icehouse: This neighbourhood haunt on Ross Avenue has a come-as-you-are atmosphere and a solid lineup of craft beers, including draft options and cans. It's named after a song featured in the film "Smokey and the Bandit," which plays on their TVs.
• Meddlesome Moth: This world-renowned beer bar in the Design District is known for its attention to beer. They host high-profile beer dinners and maintain a vast cellar, offering a wide variety of options to appease all kinds of beer drinkers.
• Deep Ellum Brewing Co.: Creators of the popular Dallas Blonde ale and Deep Ellum IPA, this brewery has an inviting space with food, TVs for sports watching, a dog-friendly patio, and an array of beer styles.
• Dot's Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard: Located in Deep Ellum, Dot's provides a tiny respite from the industrial vibe with a 10,000-square-foot outdoor space lined with gravel, trees, and unique accents like a massive outdoor chandelier. They offer 99 draft beer options.
• LUCK: Located in West Dallas' Trinity Groves dining district, LUCK is known for its smoked meats and great patio. They only serve beer made within 75 miles, making it a great place to tap into the local brewing scene.
• Strangeways: A delightfully quirky dive bar named after a Smiths album, Strangeways is famous for its rotating selection of beers on the draft wall. It can be pricey, but the quality is worth it, especially during Sour Week in the fall.

So, while you can't buy beer at the Red River Rivalry game, there are plenty of excellent options for enjoying a cold one at bars and breweries throughout Dallas.

Beer can be purchased outside the stadium

If you're looking to buy beer at the Red River Rivalry, you're in luck! While you can't bring your own alcoholic beverages into Cotton Bowl Stadium, there are plenty of places to purchase beer outside the stadium at the State Fair of Texas, which coincides with the game.

The State Fair of Texas is a massive event, with thousands of fans of the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners flooding the fairgrounds in a sea of burnt orange and crimson and cream. The fair features an abundance of food and drink options, including several sites across the fairgrounds with televisions tuned into the annual rivalry game.

• Bluebonnet Roadhouse: Located near the Chevrolet Main Stage, this eatery offers an extensive variety of craft beers, wine, frozen drinks, and wine-based spirits. It features an indoor and outdoor bar and a large, covered patio, making it an ideal spot for sports fans.
• Cavalcade: Found near the Gateway Pavilion and Neon Tex, this new seating area offers a unique twist on classic fair foods, such as funnel cake with brisket or spicy chicken and bacon-wrapped turkey legs. It also has a live DJ and several TVs to catch the game.
• Canosaur's Cantina: Located at Leonhardt Lagoon, this prehistoric-themed cantina offers a relaxing atmosphere and a range of adult beverages to quench your thirst.
• Dickel's Smokehouse: A staple of the Fair, Dickel's Smokehouse is located in Cotton Bowl Plaza near the Children's Aquarium. It features a rustic charm with circular bar seating around trees and picnic tables for families. You can enjoy traditional and modern barbeque foods along with your drink.
• The Dock: If you're looking to cool off, head to The Dock inside the Embarcadero Building. They offer a fully stocked bar, and you can also enjoy a Fernie's Funnel Cake with your drink.
• Magnolia Beer Garden: Located in the courtyard of the historic Magnolia Lounge, the Magnolia Beer Garden is a beer connoisseur's dream. It offers a wide selection of Texas, craft, and international beers to please all tastes.

In addition to these locations, there are also beer stands and gardens throughout the fairgrounds. Remember that food and drinks at the fair are typically purchased using coupons, which you can buy ahead of time or at various booths on-site.

So, while you can't bring your own beer into the stadium, there are plenty of options for purchasing beer outside at the State Fair of Texas. Be sure to arrive early, enjoy the unique atmosphere, and drink responsibly!

Frequently asked questions