FOUNDING HOST APPLICATIONS OPEN — Earn up to 80% revenue share

College Gameday HubACCWinston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem
Game Day

Next Home Game — Elon· Sep 5, 2026
172Days
08Hrs
43Min
44Sec
3:30 PMACC Network

Quick Facts

School

Wake Forest University

Stadium

Truist Field

Capacity

31,500

Conference

ACC

Local Bar Scene

Bar Districts in Winston-Salem

The neighborhoods where Winston-Salem fans drink before, during, and after the game. Each district has its own vibe — here's where to find your crowd.

Trade Street Arts District

Winston-Salem's vibrant arts and nightlife corridor with craft bars, breweries, and a lively gameday scene

Notable Bars

Arts district
Craft bars
Unique atmosphere

Downtown Winston-Salem

The city center with sports bars, restaurants, and a growing craft beer scene on gameday

Notable Bars

Sports bars
Craft beer
City energy

Reynolda Village

Upscale area near campus with wine bars and gastropubs popular with alumni on gameday

Notable Bars

Near campus
Upscale venues
Alumni crowd

2026 Football Schedule

Plan your game day around the Wake Forest University Wake Forest Demon Deacons home schedule

ElonHome

Sep 5, 2026

3:30 PM· ACC Network
Old DominionHome

Sep 12, 2026

12:00 PM· ESPN2
NC StateHome

Sep 19, 2026

3:30 PM· ACC Network
DukeAway

Oct 3, 2026

7:30 PM· ESPN
VirginiaHome

Oct 10, 2026

3:30 PM· ACC Network
Florida StateAway

Oct 17, 2026

12:00 PM· ACC Network
Georgia TechHome

Oct 31, 2026

3:30 PM· ACC Network
ClemsonHome

Nov 7, 2026

3:30 PM· ACC Network
LouisvilleAway

Nov 14, 2026

12:00 PM· ACC Network
UNCHome

Nov 21, 2026

12:00 PM· ACC Network

* Schedule subject to change. Always verify with the official athletic department.

Fan Planning Guide

Game Day Weather

Fall football weather in Winston-Salem brings a mix of conditions from warm September afternoons to cold November nights. Layers are your best friend on game day.

September

Warm & Sunny

78°

High

/

55°

Low

5 rainy days
Light layers — afternoons can be warm but evenings cool down fast.
⭐ Best Month

October

Crisp & Clear

65°

High

/

44°

Low

6 rainy days
Perfect football weather. Bring a light jacket for night games.
❄️ Toughest

November

Cold & Variable

50°

High

/

32°

Low

7 rainy days
2 snow days
Bundle up — heavy coat, gloves, and a hat are essential for late-season games.

Game Day Packing List

  • Layers (t-shirt + hoodie + jacket)
  • Team colors / jersey
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Rain poncho (just in case)
  • Hand warmers for November games

Best Time to Visit

October

These months offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor tailgating and the walk to Truist Field.

Toughest Months

November

Pack extra layers and check the forecast before you go. Indoor bars are your best friend on cold game days.

Local Bar Guide

Best Bars in Winston-Salem on Game Day

The definitive guide to Winston-Salem's college bar scene — where fans drink, what to order, and what makes each spot worth visiting on game day.

Foothills Brewing

1.8 miles from Truist Field

#1

Atmosphere

Award-winning craft brewery

Known For

Torch PilsnerOutdoor patioGameday releases

Burke Street Pizza

1.5 miles from Truist Field

#2

Atmosphere

Bar & pizza joint

Known For

Craft beerPizzaStudent favorite

Wiseman Brewing

2.0 miles from Truist Field

#3

Atmosphere

Local craft brewery

Known For

Local brewsTaproomGameday atmosphere

The Porch Kitchen & Cantina

1.6 miles from Truist Field

#4

Atmosphere

Tex-Mex bar

Known For

MargaritasTacosLively crowd

Radar Brewing

2.2 miles from Truist Field

#5

Atmosphere

Neighborhood brewery

Known For

Small batch beersFood trucksCasual vibe

Monstercade

1.9 miles from Truist Field

#6

Atmosphere

Bar arcade

Known For

Arcade gamesCraft cocktailsFun gameday stop
Bar Hopping Guide

Winston-Salem Game Day Bar Hopping Guide

The best order to hit Winston-Salem's top bars on game day — optimized for walking distance, atmosphere, and crowd energy.

Interactive Bar Hopping Map5 stops · 0.9 miles

Start

Est. Time

3.5 hours

Total Distance

0.9 miles

Start Here

Stop First Stop

Foothills Brewing

638 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Award-winning craft brewery — releases special Demon Deacons gameday beers every home game
Get Directions
Stop

Wiseman Brewing

826 Angelo Brothers Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Neighborhood taproom with a rotating lineup of small-batch beers and a lively gameday crowd
Get Directions
Stop

The Porch Kitchen & Cantina

878 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Best margaritas in Winston-Salem — Tex-Mex fuel for the Demon Deacons faithful
Get Directions
Stop

Burke Street Pizza

1100 Burke St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Beloved local bar and pizza joint — the go-to pre-game fuel stop for Wake Forest students
Get Directions
Stop Final Stop

Radar Brewing

1211 Marshall St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Laid-back neighborhood brewery with food trucks and a casual send-off vibe before kickoff
Get Directions

End Point

Fan Culture

Winston-Salem Game Day Traditions

What makes Wake Forest Demon Deacons game day unique — the rituals, chants, and moments every fan lives for.

Demon Deacon on Motorcycle

Wake Forest's iconic Demon Deacon mascot rides a motorcycle onto the field before kickoff — one of the most unique and entertaining mascot entrances in all of college football. The roar of the engine and the crowd's reaction sets the tone for every home game at Truist Field.

Old Gold & Black Gameday

Wake Forest's distinctive Old Gold and Black color scheme makes Truist Field one of the most visually unique stadiums in the ACC. On gameday, the entire campus and Trade Street district transforms into a sea of gold and black — a sophisticated, distinctive look unlike any other ACC school.

Trade Street Arts District Scene

Winston-Salem's vibrant Trade Street Arts District is the heart of Demon Deacons gameday. Foothills Brewing, Wiseman Brewing, and a dozen craft bars fill with gold-and-black fans before kickoff. It's one of the most unique pre-game scenes in the ACC — artsy, craft-focused, and distinctly Winston-Salem.

Foothills Brewing Gameday Release

Foothills Brewing — one of the most award-winning craft breweries in the South — releases special gameday beers for every home game. The Torch Pilsner and seasonal releases are a rite of passage for Demon Deacons fans, making Winston-Salem one of the best craft beer gameday destinations in the ACC.

Deacon Tower Gathering

Fans gather at the Deacon Tower plaza outside Truist Field for pre-game festivities, food vendors, and live entertainment. It's the official gathering point for Demon Deacons faithful before the gates open — a tradition that brings the Wake Forest community together every home game.

ACC Rivalry Week

Wake Forest sits at the heart of the ACC's North Carolina rivalry cluster. Games against Duke, UNC, and NC State are the most anticipated of the year. Trade Street fills with gold and black fans the night before each rivalry game, making Winston-Salem one of the most electric small college towns in the ACC.

Fuel Up Before the Game

Best Game Day Food in Winston-Salem

Top spots to eat before or after the game — ranked by proximity, quality, and game day vibes.

$Open Game Day

Krispy Kreme

Doughnuts · 2.5 miles from stadium

4.6 (8,400+ reviews)

Original Krispy Kreme location! Watch doughnuts being made through the glass. A Winston-Salem must-visit.

Must order: Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced
Get Directions
$$Open Game Day

Foothills Brewing

Brewery & Restaurant · 3.0 miles from stadium

4.4 (3,200+ reviews)

Popular local brewery with solid food menu. Great pre-game spot for craft beer fans.

Must order: Craft Beer, Pub Burger
Get Directions
$Open Game Day

Cookout

Fast Food · 1.2 miles from stadium

4.3 (2,800+ reviews)

Wake Forest student favorite. Incredible value and late-night hours for post-game meals.

Must order: BBQ Tray, Hush Puppies, Cheerwine
Get Directions
$$Open Game Day

Village Tavern

American Bistro · 2.8 miles from stadium

4.5 (4,100+ reviews)

Upscale casual dining with Southern flair. Popular for pre-game brunch and dinner.

Must order: Shrimp & Grits, Crab Cakes
Get Directions
$$Open Game Day

Mellow Mushroom

Pizza · 1.5 miles from stadium

4.2 (2,600+ reviews)

Creative pizzas and craft beer. Fun atmosphere near campus with vegetarian options.

Must order: Holy Shiitake Pizza, Pretzels
Get Directions
$Open Game Day

Camino Bakery

Bakery & Cafe · 3.2 miles from stadium

4.7 (1,900+ reviews)

Local bakery with excellent breakfast options. Perfect for early gameday mornings.

Must order: Breakfast Sandwich, Pastries, Coffee
Get Directions

Best Neighborhoods for Bar Hopping

The top districts in Winston-Salem for game day bar crawls and nightlife.

Trade Street Arts District

Winston-Salem's vibrant arts and nightlife corridor with craft bars, breweries, and a lively gameday scene

  • Arts district
  • Craft bars
  • Unique atmosphere

Downtown Winston-Salem

The city center with sports bars, restaurants, and a growing craft beer scene on gameday

  • Sports bars
  • Craft beer
  • City energy

Reynolda Village

Upscale area near campus with wine bars and gastropubs popular with alumni on gameday

  • Near campus
  • Upscale venues
  • Alumni crowd
Earn Money on Game Day

Host a Winston-Salem GameDay Crawl

Turn your love of Wake Forest Demon Deacons football into income. Organize bar crawls on game days, build your crew, and get paid doing what you love.

  • Earn $200–$800 per crawl
  • Set your own schedule
  • Join a host community

Tailgate & Parking Info

Everything you need to know before you arrive at Truist Field

Tailgate Zones

Truist Field LotsOpens 4 hrs before kickoff

Official tailgate lots surrounding the stadium with grills, tents, and Deacon gold everywhere.

Deacon Tower PlazaOpens 3 hrs before kickoff

Fan plaza area outside the stadium with food vendors and pre-game entertainment.

Trade StreetOpens All day

Bar patios and street tailgates in the arts district — the social hub of Winston-Salem gameday.

Parking & Transit Tips

  • Purchase official Wake Forest parking passes at godeacs.com.
  • Downtown Winston-Salem parking decks are a good alternative with easy rideshare access.
  • Arrive 2+ hours early — Deacon Blvd backs up on game days.
  • Rideshare from Trade Street to the stadium is quick and easy.

Rideshare Drop-off

Uber/Lyft drop-off on Deacon Blvd near Truist Field. Trade Street drop-off for pre-game bar crawl.

Shuttle Service

Wake Forest University runs shuttles from campus parking areas to Truist Field on home game days.

Where to Stay

Top hotels near Truist Field for game day weekend

Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

$$$
2.0 miles from stadium
  • Historic boutique hotel
  • Downtown location
  • Rooftop bar
Best hotel in Winston-Salem. Book 6–8 weeks in advance for home games.

Marriott Winston-Salem

$$
1.8 miles from stadium
  • Full service
  • Downtown location
  • Easy stadium access
Great mid-range option. Book 4–6 weeks in advance.

Hampton Inn Winston-Salem

$
2.5 miles from stadium
  • Free breakfast
  • Free parking
  • Good value
Best value option. Use rideshare to reach campus and Trade Street.

Game Day FAQ

Everything you need to know about Winston-Salem game day bar crawls

Know Winston-Salem's Bar Scene Better Than Anyone

Explore every bar district, find the best spots near Truist Field, and discover where Wake Forest Demon Deacons fans drink on game day.

More ACC Cities