When the Florida Gators hit the road, plenty of students still want to experience a Gator game day with a crowd. Several restaurants and bars around Gainesville have become go-to destinations for students looking for a lively atmosphere, big screens and fellow Gator fans.
For 22-year-old medical geography junior Tanner Griffin, The Swamp Restaurant stands out as the top choice for when students want the energy of game day without being inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
"Swamp is kind of right in the center of town, and all of my friends that live in Gainesville are pretty close to that, so they have a safe ride home after the games,” Griffin said.
The restaurant first opened in 1994 in the Midtown area of Gainesville, almost right across from Ben Hill Griffin stadium, where it was located for over 20 years. The landmark was originally built in 1914 as a house for a UF professor. It was completely remodeled in 1993 after it was almost destroyed by a fire.
After being a game day staple in Midtown for almost 25 years, the restaurant moved in 2020 when the land it sat on was bought by a national developer. It reopened at its current location in the Innovation District in 2022 after a two-year closure.
Ethan Palacios, a 22-year-old Santa Fe College sophomore, also named The Swamp as his favorite place to watch away games because of its atmosphere.
"I like sitting outside with that big screen watching the game,” Palacios said. “There's a ton of people there, so it’s a ton of hype."
Cantina Añejo is another favorite because it attracts a similar college crowd, he added.
"I like Cantina Añejo because they just have another really nice atmosphere where it's a bunch of students just like me who go there, watch the game and have fun," he said.
Grace Fitzwilliam, a UF financial accounting graduate student, said the best location depends on the time of day and the weather. When the weather is good, she picks Swamp, she said.
"Swamp is just a really good vibe if it's in the middle of the day,” Fitzwilliam, 22, said. “They have the big jumbotron. You can play cards and just hang out with your friends at the big tables. There's never a wait or cover, usually."
When the weather isn't ideal or the game stretches into the evening, Fitzwilliam said she prefers Mom's OG, citing its drink specials and indoor atmosphere.
"Mom's also has really good drink deals, so I like going there too if it's rainy outside or later at night," she said.
While each student may have a different favorite, one theme remains consistent: Atmosphere matters. Whether it's a packed patio, a giant screen or simply being surrounded by other Gator fans, Gainesville offers plenty of places for students to cheer on Florida when the team is away.
Contact Colton Veres at cveres@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @colton_veres.
Colton Veres is a senior sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator. He is currently the Summer 2026 baseball reporter. In his free time he enjoys watching the Red Sox and spending times with friends and loved ones.
