How to Throw a Great Tailgate Party

Man carrying a cooler from the back of a pickup truck in the midst of people tailgating

Football season is in full swing across the country, and that means thousands of fans are spending their Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons tailgating at their favorite football venues. Whether your team wins or loses, you can guarantee a good time by having the right supplies for a great tailgate party before, during, or after the game. From grills to coolers to tasty football season recipes, here are some essential items you need to make this season’s tailgate great.

Tailgating Supplies

A great tailgate starts with the right supplies. Essential gear for your tailgate party starts here (face paint and team jerseys not included!)

Tailgating Grills

Featuring a Weber Q Series grill at a tailgating party

The key to cooking up food for everyone at your tailgate party is having a powerful, portable tailgating grill. It needs to be easy to set up and use, but also be able to cook a variety of food – from chicken to burgers to hot dogs and brats. doitbest.com has a great selection of grills and accessories you'll need to keep everyone satisfied. A few of our favorites include:

Weber Q Grills

Q series grills are made with the same legendary Weber quality as their full-size models, but in a portable, convenient package that can go anywhere. There are multiple sizes (and colors to match your favorite team!) of Weber Q grills and you can find great accessories - like portable, folding carts and side tables - that give you the best grilling experience in the stadium.

Blackstone Portable Gas Griddle

The Blackstone 2-Burner Outdoor LP Gas Griddle makes tailgating a breeze. With both a 17-inch griddle and 17-inch grill box, there’s nothing you can’t cook up. The foldable legs and wheel make this griddle perfect for tailgating anywhere.

Grill Time Tailgater Portable Charcoal Grill

The Grill Time Tailgater GT Portable Charcoal Grill gives you all the convenience of a gas grill. From heat to meat in just 4-minutes you’ll be ready to go in no time. This grill uses less charcoal than comparable charcoal grills and emits less smoke for a better cooking experience. Start game day right!

More Tailgating Supplies

Slow Cookers

Slow cookers, commonly referred to as Crockpots, are one of the most versatile pieces of cooking equipment you can own. Having one at a tailgate is a necessity so you can keep your dips, cocktail weenies, and other side dishes warm as you man the grill.

Coolers

You've already got your grill to keep food hot, but you need to keep your favorite beverages cold too. The size of the cooler you need will depend on how many people you'll have at your tailgate, as well as how often you'll put the cooler to use throughout the year.

Portable Canopies

A canopy is key to a great tailgate because it can help keep folks cool in warm weather and also protects from the elements in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Folding table & chairs

A folding table gives you space to set all the tasty creations you whip up for your tailgate and folding chairs give you portable seating that you need as well.

Portable Speakers

Parties are better with good music, so having a portable speaker nearby and flowing with the right tunes is a must. If it has AM/FM capabilities, you can also tune into the radio broadcast of the game once it gets underway.

Tailgating Recipes

You can have all the right gear, but your tailgate is only as good as the food you end up cooking on it. We've compiled some of the best and most creative recipes we could find on Pinterest and put them all in one place. Take a look and try a couple this weekend!

Tailgating is one of the best fall rituals, and now's the perfect time to get all your tailgating supplies for the rest of the season.

How to Throw a Great Tailgate Party

Tailgating Supplies