Cheers! Alcohol now being sold to general public at SEC Tournament

If you’re headed to the SEC Tournament, here’s some news to raise a glass to. Beer and wine are now being sold on the concourse at Bridgestone Arena, an SEC spokesperson confirms to KSR. Previously, alcohol was only available to fans in premium areas and suites. Early reports from the arena also confirm you can take your alcohol to your seat, a change from years past.

The news follows the SEC’s decision last year to allow alcohol sales in general areas at the 2024 SEC Football Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The SEC revised its alcohol policy in 2019, lifting the league-wide ban at venues and allowing schools to decide on their own whether or not to sell alcohol. Kentucky joined the party in 2023, first allowing alcohol sales at baseball and softball games and later at football games at Kroger Field and basketball games at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky fans have never had a problem finding fun in downtown Nashville, but now that you can buy alcohol anywhere in Bridgestone and take it to your seat? The atmosphere for the late Thursday night tip will be absolutely wild.

Bridgestone Arena Policies, Parking Tips

If you’re headed to the games and looking for a good place to park, the garage at the Nashville Public Library (151 6th Ave. N) is typically the cheapest downtown, at $10 on weekends and nights (5 p.m. to 5 a.m.) and $15 for special events. That will probably fill up quickly, so do yourself a favor and download these apps/bookmark these sites: Parking.com, SpotHero, ParkWhiz. They show you all the cheapest garages/lots near Bridgestone Arena and allow you to prebook a spot. If you don’t want to worry about parking or driving, Uber/Lyft is the way to go, but beware of surge pricing.

This has been the case for many years now, but if you’re going to the game, keep the SEC’s Clear Bag Policy in mind.