Super Bowl Pairings: The Best Cocktails, Wines, and Beers to Complement Your Game-Day Dishes

Whether you’re hosting or attending a Super Bowl party, food like wings and dips is a no-brainer to order in or make yourself—but what do you drink with each dish? Night Inn’s team of sommeliers (Mark Ignaczak) from The Polo Bar, mixologists (Will Krepop) from COTE, and cicerones (Justin Fair) from Café d’Alsace, combined to recommend their favorite pairings to go with some of the most popular Super Bowl bites. To book one of Night Inn’s experts for your Super Bowl party or any other events, use the code RELATED at nightinnexperience.com for 10% off any corporate or private experience.

Wings

Wings are perhaps the most classic Super Bowl dish, and what you pair them with depends on how they’re seasoned. “For spicier wings, try a Gewürztraminer, a white wine with some interesting spice notes, but also just the right amount of floral notes and sweetness to cut through the bite,” says Night Inn’s experts. “For a classic dry-rub wing and beer combo, try a lager from Vienna, which will be just as crisp as an American lager, but with a slightly more bitter hoppy kick to cut through the fried wings.”

Nachos

Nachos are another Super Bowl favorite where accompanying drinks will vary based on certain factors, like toppings. “A Mexican lager is always a safe bet to keep it light and crisp with potentially heavier toppings, and the slight citrus after-taste works well with most toppings,” Night Inn specialists advise. “For more basic nachos, try a Citra IPA! Cocktail-wise, try mixing up a traditional margarita with its lemon counterpart, a daisy, which we find more refreshing with heavier bites.”

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Wines or cocktails could complement a classic Super Bowl dip, like spinach artichoke. “A Loire Valley sauvignon blanc will pair well with this rich, creamy dip, with both acidity and some vegetation notes,” Night Inn experts tell us. “For cocktails, try something herbal to go with spinach flavors like a gimlet with rosemary syrup!”

Seven-Layer Dip

Seven-layer dip is going to get a different treatment than other dips. “The lighter the better for both wines and beers with such a complex and heavy dish,” Night Inn specialists note. “For wines, try an ultra-dry rosé from Provence, which will cut through the richness while also giving some mineral and spice notes to go with the bean layers. For a beer pairing, try a session ale to balance the boldness while still giving some berry notes to complement the flavors.”

Buffalo Chicken Dip

“Try something different to boost the kick with this one!” Night Inn experts advise regarding zesty-favorite Buffalo chicken dip. “A spicy California zinfandel is a perfect selection for a wine that will work well with the heat in the dish without overpowering it. For a cocktail, try a spicy carrot marg, with a 2:1 ratio of carrot juice to lime juice, along with a serrano agave syrup to give you that classic Buffalo chicken dip-inspired flavor.”

Sliders

Certain wines and beers pair best with classic Super Bowl sliders. “For beef sliders, you can feel free to go a bit heavier on the wines with a cabernet sauvignon or a Bordeaux blend, just beware these wines can overpower some of your lighter apps on the table,” Night Inn experts say. “For a beer pairing, try an amber lager that has a malty sweetness that complements flavors and toppings of a burger, while still keeping a refreshing mouthfeel.”

Pizza

“If it grows together, it goes together!” Night Inn specialists tell us regarding pizza. “We always recommend a classic Sangiovese to pair with a pizza, which goes well with any red sauce dish. For a cocktail, try something sparkling with an Italian aperitif like a Sbagliato, or even an Americano.”

Potato Skins

Potato skins aren’t just a game-day go-to—they’re also a hearty dish that’s perfect for colder winter weather. “You can get a bit heavier with your beers here, and embrace the Irish stout and potato combo that we all love in the wintertime, and should nicely complement a cheese topping,” Night Inn experts suggest. “For a cocktail, we love serving dry martinis alongside potato chips and dips for a nice contrast, so don’t be shy to elevate your potato skins with the same!”

Guacamole and Chips

Take it beyond the typical margarita served with guacamole and chips pairing. “We love an Albariño with chips and guac—with notes of lime, other citrus and tropical fruits, and even basil, it’s the perfect pairing for each bite,” Night Inn specialists say. “Instead of a classic margarita, try subbing in a Mezcal Joven for tequila to bring out some of those same herbal and citrus notes we’re looking for here.”

Chili

“Try pairing your chili with a porter beer, which has a lot of the same coffee, chocolate, and smoky characteristics found in most chilis,” Night Inn experts advise when it comes to another football-watching classic: chili. “For a wine, try a Syrah, which will mirror many chili spices like pepper, but remain light enough to balance out the heavy dish.”

Pigs in a Blanket

Elevate pigs in a blanket with a bubbly beverage, whether that comes through in a wine or cocktail. “Try something sparkling like a cava here!” the Night Inn professionals tell us. “The puff pastry is very buttery and needs something sparkling to cut through. For a cocktail, sticking to bubbles is safest as well, so we love a French 75, which you can even garnish with rosemary for some savory and herbal aromas to complement.”

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