Where to Watch Football in Charleston: Home Team BBQ
Charleston has an endless list of places to catch a football game - each with their own charm & unique offerings. Since I spent much of the last football season watching from home, I decided to pursue a weekly adventure in which I visit & recap a new spot each week (or at least attempt to!). My goal is to provide not just a review of the venue but also share insider tips and recommendations on what to order when you visit. Whether you're a local or just passing through, my aim is to guide you to the best places to enjoy a game and some great food.
This past week, we kicked the season off with a very rainy Sunday at Home Team BBQ’s downtown location. Home Team has been at the top of my list of must-visit spots since moving to Charleston, but something has gone wrong each time I’ve tried to go. So even though it was down-pouring, I was determined to make it there this week to finally experience what all the hype was about.
Word on the street was to get there early - around 12pm for the 1pm games - so I followed suit and was glad that I did. There was still plenty of space when we arrived, including a perfect seat facing the outdoor bar area where the TV playing the Giants game was displayed. By 12:45pm most tables & bar seats were full - and by 1:30pm it became standing room only.
Keep in mind that this was on a particularly rainy day. If the weather had been better, their expansive outdoor patio with picnic tables and multiple TVs would have been in full use, likely making the place even busier than it was indoors. Despite the crowds, I never once felt overwhelmed or inconvenienced. The space is well-designed to handle a large number of guests, ensuring a comfortable experience even during peak times.
Highlights
Multiple TVs marked with the games being played - As a fantasy football player (and 4x champ!!), I often like to keep an eye on multiple games when I’m out and about. This is definitely a good spot for that. This past Sunday, every NFL game was accounted for and the TVs were clearly marked to indicate which games were being shown on each screen. This thoughtful set-up allows guests to easily select the best spot to sit without having to hassle the staff to switch channels. Whether you’re tracking your fantasy team’s performance or just trying to catch various matchups, this arrangement makes it straightforward and enjoyable to follow multiple games simultaneously.
Large indoor/outdoor space - Pictures don’t do this spot justice. Home Team’s downtown location features a spacious & inviting indoor area featuring a long bar and a variety of table tops and booths, which extends into a sun room with additional seating. Beyond the indoor space, there’s also a covered patio area with additional TVs and barstools that provides another comfy area to watch the games. Finally, there is a large yard with picnic tables, another bar & even more TVs. There’s almost a guaranteed spot for everyone here, though it’s recommended to show up early if you want to sit somewhere specific.
Football snacks - Home Team BBQ is ‘home’ to some of my favorite football snacks in Charleston. While they offer a wide variety of traditional, plate-style BBQ selections, their menu also features many of the game-day classics you crave - think nachos, wings, buffalo chicken dip, burgers and the like. They also have an expansive selection of beers to compliment their game-day bites, including my favorite, Aloha Beaches, from Low Tide Brewing. The diverse beer selection pairs perfectly with their menu to enhance an already great game-day experience.
Service - The high volume of customers did not impact the quality of our service whatsoever. Whenever we needed something, our server was available to grab it within minutes and checked on us several times throughout our visit. Food & drinks came out promptly and service was welcoming & friendly. Even when I overlooked a TV that was playing my team’s game upon arrival, they were very accommodating and offered to put the game on another TV if I needed.
Considerations
First Come, First Serve - Unfortunately you are unable to make reservations and seats are only available on a first-come, first-serve basis. With plenty of seating options, this isn’t too much of an issue unless you’re trying to be seated in a specific area or near a certain TV. However you’ll want to get there early in that case or prepare to stand until something opens up.
Some TVs are a bit spread out - Depending on what time you get there & what remaining seats are available, it’s possible you may be pretty far away from the TV that’s showing your game of interest. Or if you’re trying to catch a couple different games at once, the TVs showing them might be spread out across the venue. This layout could make it challenging to keep an eye on multiple games if you’re not seated strategically, which is all the more reason to get there early to select a prime-time spot that meets your viewing needs.
Parking - Parking at Home Team BBQ can be a bit of a challenge, as there is limited on-site parking available. During our visit, we had to circle the area once before finding a spot on the street. While we managed to find parking without too much trouble, I’d anticipate that it could become more difficult on busier days or when the weather is nicer, given the increased demand for parking. If you’re planning to visit during peak times, it might be wise to arrive early or consider taking an Uber to ensure a smooth start to your visit.
Tips
Arrive Early: If you have a specific game you’re eager to watch, getting there early will help you secure a good seat with a clear view of the TV.
Ask the Staff: If you don’t immediately see a TV showing the game you want, don’t hesitate to ask the staff. They’re usually more than willing to help you find it, especially if you’re there early.
Try the Wings, Nachos, & a Game Changer: For a winning combination of snacks, order the wings and nachos—they’re favorites for a reason. And definitely try a “Game Changer”; you can thank me later!
Specials
Home Team BBQ frequently features ‘Game Day Hot Dog’ specials and announces daily chef specials on their Instagram page. It’s a great idea to follow them and check their updates each morning to stay informed about any unique offerings or limited-time deals that might enhance your game day experience.
While I’m excited to check out some other game day spots in the Charleston area, I found Home Team BBQ’s downtown location to be well worth the hype & have a feeling it’ll remain toward the top of my list. I’ll be dreaming about those wings & nachos - until next time…
