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Five Spots to Watch the Saints Play

09:00 December 18, 2020
By: Brhea Washington

Who Dat! A fall favorite activity for many throughout New Orleans on Sunday is watching the Saints game. While many in New Orleans love to cheer on the Saints with the famous Who Dat chant, the phrase "Who Dat" traces its origins back to the late 1900s. According to nola.com, the Who Dat chant is said to have been used as early as the 1970s, but in 1983, the phrase was a daily pre-practice chant performed by New Orleans's own St. Augustine High School. When St. Aug's chant was captured and aired to the public, it became a widespread and joyous exclamation. The chant was heard throughout the Superdome for the New Orleans Saints and, ever since, has been a staple for the city, which is now completely engrossed in the New Orleans Saints football culture. For Saints fans, what better to accompany a loud "Who Dat" than enjoying food and drinks along the way? Here is a list of five spots in the city to show your Saints pride while also savoring in New Orleans's culture of fantastic food, drinks, and atmosphere.

Cooter Brown's

Cooter Brown's sports bar has a comfortable, laid-back environment that includes 17 TVs and a delicious menu of elevated bar foods. Their menu is sure to provide bar favorites, from fried pickles and buffalo wings to burgers, shrimp baskets, oysters, and more. For beer-lovers who love to have a drink while watching the game, Cooter Brown's has it covered. Their front bar has 38 different taps, and their back bar has a rotating selection of 46 different craft beers. Cooter Brown's is a great place to enjoy your favorite football games, with a wide range of food and drinks. Their various TVs also create a great game-watching experience, where visitors will not miss a play, no matter where they are in the bar. They will also be open on Christmas Day, broadcasting the Saints Christmas Day game, with reservations available to secure a spot. 509 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 866-9104, cooterbrowns.com

Bruno's Tavern

Since 1934, Bruno's Tavern has been supplying New Orleans with not only great food, but great spirits. At Bruno's, visitors can watch football games or even play other fun games while watching their favorite teams play. Bruno's has shuffleboard, pool, and darts, for those interested in having even more fun. Enjoy watching the Saints while also indulging in Bruno's favorites, such as fried mac and cheese, po-boys, and their cochon de lait nachos, made with marinated pulled pork. All ages are welcome at Bruno's, so the whole family can dine on tasty meals while cheering and watching the game. Bruno's also has weekly specials, so whether it's Sunday afternoon or Monday-night football, Happy Hour with delicious dinner is a given at Bruno's Tavern. 7538 Maple St., (504) 861-7615, brunostavern.com

Down the Hatch

One of the Garden District's bar and grills, Down the Hatch specializes in providing patrons with delicious cuisine at reasonable prices. They have an outdoor patio bar complete with a TV, so visitors can enjoy the game on multiple TVs inside or outside the bar. Happy Hour and other drink specials are offered during Saints games alongside Down the Hatch's tasty menu items. Try their Black and Gold Hell's Kitchen Wings or a Who Dat Burger to fully immerse yourself in the Saints football spirit. Their menu also includes other great selections of favorites, such as quesadillas, salads, seafood, Mediterranean, and more. Down the Hatch Bar and Grill even hosts private events, with private rooms, TVs, WiFi, and a full bar to cover anyone's game-day or special-event needs. 1921 Sophie Wright Pl., (504) 522-0909, downthehatchnola.com

Mid-City Yacht Club

Following Hurricane Katrina, Mid-City Yacht Club got its name when the bar owner's friend deemed the place Mid-City Yacht Club as he rode by in his boat, helping people in the days following the storm. Mid-City Yacht Club is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night meals, with inside, courtyard, and outside tables. Visitors can watch football and unwind after or during the game with tasty food and drinks. Mid-City Yacht Club has a wide selection of beer and daily drink specials to enjoy while watching the game. Their food menu includes great bites, such as fried seafood tacos, chili, chargrilled burgers, and hand-cut fries. For those who love light snacks while watching the game, Mid-City Yacht Club also offers lighter options, such as veggie stir fry, tuna melts, and their All Good Things Plate with house-made hummus, veggies, and grilled flatbread. 440 S. St. Patrick St., (504) 483-2517, midcityyachtclub.com

Pat O'Brien's

Pat O'Brien's has had a rich history in New Orleans since the bar's opening in 1933. Its piano lounge featured the original dueling-piano show and is still a great source of entertainment as performers grace the two-piano stage. Besides their piano bar, Pat O'Brien's also has two other bar areas: one with a patio and lounge to enjoy with friends, or their main bar area, complete with a giant-screen television to broadcast the Saints games. Pat O'Brien's is also the originator of New Orleans's legendary Hurricane cocktail, which is perfect to be enjoyed in their legendary establishment, all while cheering on the Saints. Their menu also includes delicious bites to enjoy while watching the game, such as alligator bites, shrimp and fries, southwestern egg rolls, and a large host of cocktails and drinks. 718 St Peter St., (504) 525-4823, patobriens.com

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