Do's and Don'ts for the Big Game

February 1, 2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas; college basketball season! While a great season for the Tar Heel men’s and women’s basketball teams can be exciting, there are also some things to remember in order to stay safe while celebrating in Downtown Chapel Hill. Here are some tips for staying safe and having fun from your friends at the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, the Campus & Community Coalition , the Town of Chapel Hill , and UNC Student Wellness.


Do: Follow local laws and safety regulations.

This is always an exciting day in Chapel Hill, but we want everyone to stay safe. Be conscientious about celebrating within the context of Chapel Hill and NC laws. This includes respecting others and their property, including businesses and town signage. Please follow all local laws regarding open containers, vandalism, fires/fireworks, and safe assembly. Click here to review a list of prohibited items.

Don’t: Celebrate alone.

Basketball is a team sport and so is watching basketball! Find your “team” and stick together. You’ll cherish the memories of watching the big game with friends. Always walk in a group and take care of one another. Be aware that other students (and community members) may be overly excited and not always conscious of the impact of their own or others’ actions. Community safety is a shared responsibility. So keep an eye open for safety, and call for additional support if needed.  If you or someone else does overdo it, remember the Medical Amnesty policy allows one to call for medical or other support without fear of getting in trouble with legal or campus officials.

Do: Enjoy responsibly.

We don’t mean to brag, but we have some incredible local bars and restaurants. Okay, we did mean it. But remember: you don’t have to drink to celebrate a big win. Great memories are often best kept with a clear mind at the time. Many of our local spots have non-alcoholic options. Snacks are a must for game day, so sample the food menu alongside your beverage. If you do choose to consume alcoholic beverages, be intentional about consuming at a rate and quantity that is best for you personally. Be conscious of the potential for the wave of excitement to push you to consume more than you plan to or may be safe for you. Worried about traffic, parking, or getting home safely? Make use of FREE public transit or the rideshare of your choice.

Do: Stock up on gear.

Grab a friend and get your gameday gear downtown! There are plenty of shops selling gear for Tar Heels of all ages. Chapel Hill Sportswear , Classic Carolina , Johnny T-Shirt , and Alumni Hall have everything you need to cheer on the Tar Heels. Shrunken Head Boutique will give out free “Beat Duke” pins while supplies last. Looking for something a little more versatile than a t-shirt or ball cap? Julian’s and Uniquities also have stylish options on that famous Carolina Blue!

Don’t: Forget to plan ahead.

Couldn’t snag a ticket to the game? No problem! Snag a table at a downtown business and join the community game-watching experience. Fair warning: many of our downtown spots take reservations or will fill up quickly on the day of the game. So have a plan before you go. Check the bus schedules and coordinate travel with your friends. If you plan to drink, settle on the Designated Driver beforehand or have a rideshare plan in place. For parking information, check the Park on the Hill website.

May 1, 2024
Veterans and current members of the US military are eligible for discounts at the following Downtown Chapel Hill restaurants: Bandido’s: 15% Ben & Jerry’s: 15% Bonchon: 10% Brandweins Bagels: 10% Bul Box: 15% Carolina Brewery: 10% Carolina Coffee Shop: 10% Cholanad: 12% Cosmic Cantina: 10% Crumbl: 10% Might As Well: 10% Raising Cane’s: 10% Vegan Flava: 13% *Be prepared to show your veteran/military ID
March 1, 2024
By Weller Maret, Sean Doyle, and Kee Griffith
January 1, 2024
Following our 2020 Action Plan, we’ve researched and developed recommendations for a social host ordinance alongside community partners. We’re sharing this with the Town of Chapel Hill Town Council in the form of a petition. Town petition status can be checked here. CCC-Social-Host-Ordinance-Petition-FAQ-2024.01.17Download
July 1, 2023
The 2023 FC Series is coming to Chapel Hill! Chelsea and Wrexham will square off on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. The match quickly sold out, so we expect over 60,000 fans, players, coaches, and staff to fill up Kenan Stadium. For those who could not purchase tickets, we’ve got you covered! Catch the game at one of our downtown bars or restaurants. Here are some local spots hosting watch parties and offering specials:
June 5, 2023
By Mae Golden
June 1, 2023
The results are in! Many of our Downtown Chapel Hill businesses received top honors in this year’s “Best Of Chapel Hill” issue by Chapel Hill Magazine , including Downtown Chapel Hill as one of the best Overall Shopping Experiences! The publication asks readers to vote for their favorite restaurants, bars, retail shops, movie theaters, fitness centers, and more. More than 60,000 votes came in this year for over 400 categories. Some of our merchants were also feature stories! Take a look at spreads covering Karen Cunningham of Simply Audrey , Katy Poitras and Ilene Speizer of Cat Tales Cat Cafe , and a story on Morehead Planetarium’s 75th anniversary . Keep scrolling to see the Downtown winners!
June 1, 2023
This summer, go off the beaten path and explore the west end of downtown Chapel Hill. West Franklin and Rosemary contain world-class dining options and unique retail shops. Moreover, town-operated downtown parking is free on weekends in June and July!
June 1, 2023
Summer is the time to get outside and embark on exciting adventures. Join us this summer and experience downtown Chapel Hill to the fullest – from the popular places you love on East Franklin to the hidden gems on the West end. Don’t worry when the temperature gets too high; “C’hill Out” and download your free pass to earn points as you explore and experience classic spots in downtown Chapel Hill!  See Participating Businesses FAQs What is C’Hill Out?C’Hill Out is the third in a series of mobile passes designed by Bandwango and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. The program encourages downtown visitors and residents to explore the area and rewards them for checking in and visiting various businesses. When do I start earning points?Once you have registered for an account, you can start checking in at various locations and earning points immediately. How can I earn points?Check-ins are worth 100 points; discount offers are also worth 100 points. Once you reach a certain amount of point totals, you’re eligible for the following prizes:
May 1, 2023
We want to build a visual identity for Chapel Hill that captures our community’s unique feel. Franklin Street has served as a social, economic, and cultural center for Chapel Hill since the 1790s. Downtown has grown to include Rosemary Street and several side streets. By carving out an identity, we seek to set the town apart from our neighbors and create a sense of community pride. We worked with Clean Agency to create the images below. All of the files are free to use. Stickers, patches, posters, anything! Be creative! We took inspiration from the official seal of the Town of Chapel Hill. Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, symbolizes civilization, helpful knowledge, noble reasoning, and logic. She graces the Town logo to show the similarities between Chapel Hill, a community shaped by reason, research, and the arts, to ancient Athens. Another aspect of our community is the relaxed vibe! Chapel Hill is one of the three cities anchoring Research Triangle Park, each one with its own unique feel. Our area is thriving yet off the beaten path of the hustle and bustle of the Triangle region, so we tend to be more…chill. One thing we love in Chapel Hill: nostalgia. The retro feel evokes memories of live shows at Cat’s Cradle, slices of pizza from Pepper’s, hot dogs at Sutton’s, and cool treats from The Yogurt Pump. We love watching UNC alums and former residents return downtown and reminisce. Our community is growing in many ways, and there are fears that this growth will change who we are. This is understandable. But we’re confident we can keep these classic vibes as we enter a new era. We want everyone to feel welcome to these images. To receive image files, please contact Stephanie Cobert, Director of Marketing.
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It’s a new era for classic businesses in downtown Chapel Hill! A strong downtown creates opportunities, culture, and innovation, which enhance the fabric of the community. Downtown Chapel Hill has experienced significant growth and the last year was a busy one! New retail shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants have opened their doors, while others are prepping their spaces to open soon. The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for our small business community. The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership helped merchants directly meet some of these challenges. As a result, we believe that we are creating a downtown that locals can be proud of.
November 9, 2022
Excessive drinking leads to harm that often impacts the wider community, not just the drinker. This cost-of-illness analysis of excessive drinking in Orange County (OC), North Carolina uncovers just how much the community is paying, both literally and figuratively, for these behaviors. Excessive drinking cost OC $111.8 million in 2017 and is a leading cause of death in OC. The cost breakdown includes healthcare costs ($8.2 million), miscellaneous costs ($11.5 million), and productivity losses ($92.2 million). There were 234 alcohol-attributable emergency department visits and 237 alcohol-attributable hospitalizations involving both chronic and acute conditions. 15.9% of deaths in 2017 were due to excessive drinking, and those due to suicide and homicide largely impacted younger populations. While impactful, these analyses do not account for intangible losses like pain and suffering; excessive drinking impacts numerous aspects of society, and overall, the harms are preventable and can be mitigated.  CCC-The-Burden-of-Excessive-Drinking-in-Orange-County-NC-Final-ReportDownload
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