# Going out to watch a game: etiquette advice needed. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 6, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197 "2008-04-06T18:20:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thorium_Indium_Potassium)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/1 "2008-04-06T18:20:16Z")
Background: We’ve never been big into sports, but this year we’ve being paying attention to KU sports, and they rocked last night! Now the question: We were going to go out to watch the game last night, but by the time we got our acts together, it was 7, so every place was already packed. How can we avoid that for Monday? I think the game starts around 8. I figure we need to get some place early to get a table, but how early should we go? What are restaurant/bar rules on sitting at a table for several hours just so you have a good seat for the game that night? We’re totally new to this, please advice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/2 "2008-04-06T18:32:07Z")
Well, if the President shows up, I suggest you go with the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thorium_Indium_Potassium)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/3 "2008-04-07T01:23:04Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Well, if the President shows up, I suggest you go with the crowd. [/QUOTE] Whoosh. (Am I allowed to whoosh myself?) ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/4 "2008-04-07T02:59:09Z")
> **[Booing the President](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=461877)** > > President Bush was booed loudly at the Washington Nationals game last night when he threw out the first pitch. Should people boo the president at these types of events? He is actually in his role of Chief of State. While Bush as president is... As for your question, I’m not 100% sure as I only rarely go to a bar to watch a game, but I do know that showing up early to stake out a good spot is common. As long as you’re spending at least a little money while you wait I’m sure you’ll be welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/5 "2008-04-07T04:43:49Z")
[QUOTE=SenoraGO] Background: We’ve never been big into sports, but this year we’ve being paying attention to KU sports, and they rocked last night! Now the question: We were going to go out to watch the game last night, but by the time we got our acts together, it was 7, so every place was already packed. How can we avoid that for Monday? I think the game starts around 8. I figure we need to get some place early to get a table, but how early should we go? What are restaurant/bar rules on sitting at a table for several hours just so you have a good seat for the game that night? We’re totally new to this, please advice 🙂 [/QUOTE] Going to need more info. Are you in Lawrence or some other place densely pack wit KU fans/alums? If you are you’ll probably need to get there 2 hours earlier than if you aren’t. Some bars that cater to a big sports crowd will require a minimum number of people at a table during a big game to avoid one or two people clogging up a table for 6 for 4+ hours on one of the biggest nights of the year. And most bars will strongly frown on your camping out at a table to have an order of hot wings and a pitcher of diet coke all night if there are a group of people waiting for a table who will run up a tab. Some places will be direct about it and others won’t, which will just leave you with a annoyed waitress. It pays to know the bar you’re going to. If you plan on settling in and having a good time with a small group, ordering plenty of food and drinks throughout you can pretty much do as you like. Arrive at least an hour early, probably two. If you don’t plan on eating and drinking a lot, then you might want to choose a bar that isn’t a prime venue. In most places there are less popular places who will be showing the game and will be perfectly happy to have any business. Pick your place wisely. Use a little common sense. Everyone will have a good time. ---
**Author:** ![Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thorium_Indium_Potassium)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/6 "2008-04-08T00:34:18Z")
Thanks for all of the responses. We decided to just stay in tonight, didn’t want to deal with the crowds. We’re close enough to the action that it could potentially be mayhem depending on how the game goes. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/7 "2008-04-08T01:11:30Z")
[QUOTE=SenoraGO] We decided to just stay in tonight, didn’t want to deal with the crowds. We’re close enough to the action that it could potentially be mayhem depending on how the game goes. [/QUOTE] That’s too bad. In my experience, once non-fans or casual fans get a taste of what a communal experience seeing a big game in a heavily partisan crowd can be they get hooked. It’s a powerful visceral feeling when everyone explodes with that huge last second shot. If KU gets up big or the game turns out to be a classic maybe you could sneak out for the last 10 minutes and and stand by the bar to feel the atmosphere. ---
**Author:** ![Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@Thorium\_Indium\_Potassium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thorium_Indium_Potassium)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/8 "2008-04-08T04:20:29Z")
Well that was quite the game! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/9 "2008-04-08T04:37:25Z")
Indeed it was. I was rooting for a good game, leaning towards a KU win, and I jumped off my couch with "DAMN! :eek: " at that three at the end of regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/10 "2008-04-08T12:03:20Z")
**SenoraGO** , I’m in Lawrence and it was pandemonium here last night! I know no one else on the Dope apparently cares, but WOO HOO! Rock Chalk Jay Hawk!!! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/11 "2008-04-08T14:42:58Z")
So… now that you’re done with Self, can we have em down South? 😃 d&r ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-out-to-watch-a-game-etiquette-advice-needed/444197/12 "2008-04-08T23:38:54Z")
[QUOTE=Darth Sensitive] So… now that you’re done with Self, can we have em down South? 😃 d&r [/QUOTE] No! Not yet! We want more!! 😃