1 - Chris, you are a gentleman and a scholar. And I thank you kindly. 2 - You know me so well. I will look for the .com sign as X marks the spot. 3 - Thoughts on the stadium pub prior to the match? That is very good information for my dad. Thank you.
I'd avoid it for Crewsmas, and play it by ear the rest of the season - especially for a meal. They have historically been slow, the food is mediocre at best, and given what's available throughout the rest of the stadium it's only draw is the "cool" factor (which I can't dispute, especially when it's all opened up in the warmer months). It's a really nice place to be, just not before a match in my opinion. I'd love to see it open after matches as a place to hang out and wait for traffic to clear - and maybe watch a west coast MLS match on the big screen - but that may be a pipe dream on my part.
I'll let you all know if there The Board hears any chatter about the benches in the upper portion of the Nordecke.
The term "pub" is badly misused in this context. It does not even remotely replicate a pub experience. More like a hospital cafeteria with beer. The food choices are very limited and bland at best, its God's own miracle if it arrives in less than 20 minutes and luke warm. Meanwhile, its crowded - good luck finding a place to sit down - and very loud from the multitude of barely legal post-adolescents who are pounding beers and screaming at each other. And as noted its truly a shame to waste any time there as there are 8 or 10 places around the stadium with far better food. Many of them are near the beer garden behind the Nordecke and I believe you can just carry your food in and have a place to sit, but someone else will have to verify all of that as Ive never set foot in the place. Also, if you have any desire to visit the team shop, get there early. By about 20 minutes before kick the line to get in is outrageous, although last year they added several more registers so they can move people through pretty well and theres someone mannning the door who only lets a certain number of people in at a time so its not a mob scene once youre in.
This is top-notch advice that I totally forgot. Unless you're planning to purchase something to wear during the match you're about to watch, I generally prefer to visit the shop on the way out anyway - I don't want to have to take care of a shopping bag for two hours in the stadium.
Okay, Bill. Thanks for the honest review. I am going to need to circle back and confirm where Geeg likes to eat/drink prior to the game. I do not see Timo wanting to park, and then enter the stadium immediately. He tends to prefer (as do I) to have some hours prior to the game. I will see if Geeg can draw some nice lines (are we allowed to say circle on here?) on a map around the stadium of: where to park where to eat/drink prior to the game when to set off towards the stadium/approximate walking time And I will add that to all of the generous advice in this thread (and other threads). March 25th will be here sooner rather than later (time being relative, of course). I have three kids. It would bankrupt me.
I have eaten in the Pub more than once and had a different experience than what has been described above. While the food selection is limited, the food was certainly delivered in a reasonable time, as were the drinks. If you aren't there early enough to get a table, just scan the QR from a nearby table and grab it when they deliver. Never waited more than 5 minutes for a beer, 10 for food. Probably ate there 5-10 times last year.
Various replies. The .com sign is impossible to miss...as is the point of in-stadium advertising. Look up and left. Regarding the pub being open postgame... Similar things have been a gripe of a few of us for a long time. There used to be a small number of us (during the autograph days) who would hang out on the patio north of the old tent for quite some time even after the rest of the stadium had closed. Once the players stopped doing autographs, that all went away. (Ask @eboe about that. If anyone remembers @Brook, I'd tag him, but he disappeared from BigSoccer.) They started doing their exclusive postgame stuff in the Upper 90 or whatever it was known as ...and I believe the pub is where they continue those. I know I've seen security checking for wristbands, but there was at least once I was able to get in, so...maybe I got lucky or possibly things changed. TBH, it's probably for the better. I'm sure they'd figure out a way to charge $11 for a postgame drink. With that said, if the prices went down to normal "bar prices" it would be a fun place to hang out. (Note that I haven't been down there since the last Crew game, so it's possible things have changed since then.) There's a bar at Fenway Park that closes at the same time as other alcohol-serving areas. Yet, this particular bar reopens immediately after the final out and stays open for some time. There *was* that talk a few years ago about The Pub being open during regular business hours. As of last I heard, things were still being worked out. That was, what, a year or so ago? And wasn't there talk about the stadium bar being part of the DORA area? Obviously things have changed. For pre-game stuff, I'd park as far north and east as you can. It'd be a bit more of a walk to/from the stadium, but there'd be less traffic to fight. You'd be walking to your car, sort of around/through the traffic and by the time you get there, you'd be closer to the freeway. Plus, you'd be closer to the Nordecke block party at the east end of Nationwide Arena which leads me to the next point... Said block party is a great place to get your pregame social scene on AND pick up that Crew-related merch while helping out the Nordecke and Supporter Supply Co with their fundraising. Note that the main bar, Whistle and Keg, is kid-friendly, BUT...bring your own food, as they don't have a kitchen. You can bring whatever food you want. There's the North Market about two blocks away, which has several options. There's a Chipotle and Buca di Beppo in the same building as W&K. There's Wario's across the street and I recommend sharing the sandwiches, as they're monstrosities. You can even pack sandwiches from home if you'd like. You may also save a few bucks on parking near that area. Be aware that your garage may change game by game due to other events in the area. What's $10 one game could be $15 a different game. Possible hint: I've heard if you truly know how to use the parking app/website, you may be able to buy parking for another event that would be for that same facility but may not be priced for Crew games. In a few cases, it may be $10 for EventNotCrew and $15 for CrewParking. A fun part is that you can get your drinks to go, walk to the game and then return to Whistle and Keg after the game. As game time approaches, their checkout line can be long. They're self-service, so you'll get a wristband which is also a nice reminder that you didn't close your tab. (They also have a bucket to dump your wristband into, but this option comes with an upcharge.)
I am not sure what is causing me to laugh out loud at the mention of a pregame social scene, but I am laughing very much. Thank you.
1. Operation I REFUSE TO PAY FOR PARKING My usual gameday plan is park in the free garage in Grandview, stop in Hofbrau for beers and food, and then make the hike along the bike path to the Dot. I've made the trek with two littles (10 and 6) at the same time before, and gave a piggyback ride to a 15-year-old for a good length of it, so it's doable. Still, it's a long haul for little legs. It gets quite dark along the path, if that bothers you. I could see some people being a little uneasy with the crossing at Olentangy River Road but it don't bother me. We try to leave Hofbrauhaus 45 minutes before the game starts so we have time to wander around the stadium and get settled (buy beer). Seating selection may be a bit slim if you wait too long, though. I've seen people bring their bikes to the garage and ride to the stadium. There is a bike parking place on the east side of the pedestrian/bike bridge over the Olentangy. That seems smart. You can also grab an electric scooter and carelessly drop it in the middle of the path when you're done with it. 2. Mrs. chr1st Wants Coffee If I'm feeling bougie, I'll pay to park in the lots off Vine (or you can occasionally find street parking). It's a shorter walk and puts you closer to the hoopla on Nationwide. If we're super early, we may wander up High St (and get expensive coffee because "Doesn't it taste better?!" but it's all just dirt water, dammit.). If we don't have as much time, we'll hit the North Market or wander directly to The Dot. There are plenty of food options but I'm not sure which would jive best with your tastes. The places along Nationwide can get pretty packed. I haven't taken the kids this route many times but the walk is nice. They enjoy seeing all the people in Crew gear marching down the street. Depending where you cross, Neil and Vine can be busy but it ain't too bad. We have entertained the idea of letting the kids run around Goodale Park (about a 10-minute walk from the lot) before heading to the match although we haven't tried that yet. If you want to be a bit closer, you could try the Brodbelt Lot (just north of Huntington Park) or the Marconi Garage (look it up). Disclaimer: I'm just a simpleton from Dayton, so this may all be big dumb.
If the Mrs. wants expensive coffee that is better than Staufs and you want to park at Hofbrahaus, go to Winans in the yard. There's also the Dayton Boston Stocker(?) Place on 1st near the Yard.
I love my fellow Crew fans with kids. To boot, my better half will most likely be demanding coffee as well. A+ and a sticker for the map. p.s. If it is not too forward, you must let me know of a game where your crew (or most) will be at the game. Kids can be more manageable with friends.
While I would normally be completely on board with this as I'm a cheap bastard, I've gone the opposite direction. I pay more to park at Confluence (higher than the lots/garages, and cash only). Easy in and typically not too bad getting out, though sometimes it does take time. I hesitate to even mention it publicly because I don't want it to ever fill up to where I have to go elsewhere now. But I go back to my earlier fact that I'm typically with my wife or kid #1. Neither of which want to take part in the indirect aspects of game day.
Well, it's not technically a tailgate because there are no cars in the immediate vicinity. North of 670 can be an excellent place to park. West of Neil is free. East of Neil and you'll need to use the ParkMobile app and it expires at 10pm. The walk under 670? Just avoid the big-ass pigeons (no joke!) and you'll be fine.
I have only been in the Pub once and it was a bizarre experience. I ordered a Guinness and Fish & Chips. The waitress came by with my food but not my beer and when I asked about it she checked and said they were out of Guinness but could get me something else. I chose another beer and 2 minutes later had it. Then 5 minutes later she came by with a Guinness and said they just got some in. About 15 minutes after that my order was cancelled and I was not charged for the food or beers. So 10/10 would definitely recommend.
@Hamburgler03 is inclined to agree. Rose and Thistle had a sign proclaiming "Free Beer Tomorrow." Good times were definitely had there.