THE TAILGATE
Here's how you can attend Houston's most anticipated sports and food event
Sep 6, 2023, 8:33 am
Haley Fahrenthold, Jackie Heston, Grace Ryan, and Peyton Ross at the 2022 Tailgate event. Photo by Emily Jaschke
As anyone who’s rolled up to NRG Stadium before dawn with brisket, beer, and gameday gear ready to go knows, Houston tailgating isn’t for rookies.
With that in mind, CultureMap and SportsMap are teaming up to celebrate the return of the big fall sports season with The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to our favorite sports pastime, which debuted as a smash-hit event last year.
It all goes down on Wednesday, October 25 at Silver Street Studios, and tickets are already on sale.
Tailgaters can look forward to sports-inspired bites from favorite local restaurants, premium cocktails, coveted memorabilia from Texas legends, and plenty of game-day fun at this signature event, which shows major league love for the MVP fans who cheer them on.
Favorite Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for you to sample and vote for your favorite. Participants include (with more restaurants to be announced):
- FM Kitchen
- Wild Concepts
- Aiko
- Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen
- Cobos
- Twin Peaks
- Quad HTX
- Patterson Park
- Maple Leaf Pub
- The Phoenix on Westheimer
- Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
- The Waffle Bus
- d'Alba Craft Kitchen and Cocktails
As a new twist this year, readers will get to vote for their favorite local sports bar in our Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown. Think of this as sort of like the Sweet 16, where local champs face off in an online tournament. The winner will be revealed at the party.
The event also will shine a spotlight on sports-related nonprofits and give you the chance to pitch in and make a difference for the causes they champion. You'll get to learn more about Dynamo and Dash Charities, Houston Texans Foundation, and more nonprofit partners to be announced.
We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $35 for general admission (regularly $50) and $60 for VIP (regularly $75).
All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets get you one-hour early entry, a dedicated VIP bar, and more perks for an elevated experience.
Head here to buy your tickets now.
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The Tailgate is sponsored by Bud Light, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Cutwater Spirits, 1800 Tequila, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and more to be announced.
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Jake Meyers hit a go-ahead home run, and Josh Hader stranded a runner on third in the ninth inning to preserve the Houston Astros' 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Chandler Simpson reached on catcher's interference to begin the ninth against Hader. Simpson advanced on a ground out before stealing third. Hader then got Taylor Wells to pop up a bunt and Isaac Paredes to pop out near third for his 12th save in 12 opportunities.
Meyers went 2 for 3 and hit his third home run on the second pitch from reliever Manuel Rodriguez (0-2) to put the Astros ahead in the seventh.
Meyers walked, stole his eighth base and scored on a double by Cam Smith as part of a three-run first inning against Rays starter Ryan Pepiot. Victor Caratini opened the scoring with his third home run — a two-out solo shot — and Chas McCormick capped it with an RBI single.
Houston's Colton Gordon — a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, making his second career start — allowed a single to Yandy Díaz leading off the first then retired 12 straight until Brandon Lowe singled in the fifth. Danny Jansen followed with his third homer to make it 3-2. Díaz and José Caballero had back-to-back doubles in the sixth to tie it.
Gordon allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Bryan King (2-0) got four outs for the win.
Pepiot allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Key moment
King allowed a walk and a single to begin the seventh with a one-run lead but came back to strike out both Taylor Walls and pinch-hitter Jonathan Aranda swinging. Bryan Abreu entered and got Díaz on a grounder for the third out.
Key stat
The Rays have gone 10-8 on the road but just 11-18 at George M. Steinbrenner Field — their temporary home.
Up next
Rays RHP Zack Littell (3-5 4.31) starts Tuesday's middle game. The Astros have not announced a starter.