‘More fun than being at the stadium.’ Hilton Head’s Bengals bar is Super Bowl ready
Throw a rock while standing on Hilton Head Island and it’s likely to hit an Ohioan.
It’s no secret many Midwestern transplants have relocated to our piece of South Carolina. Cue the “OHHIO” jokes.
But a hidden gem on the island that’s become a home away from home for many from southern Ohio is finally getting its big day Sunday... or “SunDEY” rather.
Rockfish Seafood & Steaks at Bomboras (the latter half representing the original name of the watering hole’s first location) transforms into a Cincinnati Bengals hub on game days throughout the football season.
“People say being here is more fun than being at the stadium,” said Rocky Whitehead, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Ginny.
Fans have flocked to Rockfish on Lagoon Road in the Coligny area to watch the team play and yell the popular fans chant “Who Dey?” for years, sometimes rubbing elbows with former players like quarterback Ken Anderson, who took the team to its first Super Bowl in 1981, and former head coach Marvin Lewis who’s been known to enjoy golfing on the island.
Rockfish also serves up Cincy staples like Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream, Montgomery Inn barbecue and goetta. At the bottom of the bright Bengal orange “Cincinnati Game Day Menu” you’ll even find the lyrics to the team’s touchdown song, which plays after every score in addition to the “jungle playlist” on standby with music that you’d hear in Paul Brown Stadium.
Adults-only orange jello shots are also on hand to help celebrate after touchdowns.
The Whiteheads came to the island 20 years ago from Anderson Township, Ohio, to retire.
“It took me about 30 days before I failed at retirement,” Rocky Whitehead said. He’d been in the pharmacy industry while Ginny was a teacher.
“He’s like Tom Brady,” his daughter-in-law Melissa laughed while playing with her infant daughter, Carter Ann.
Despite being the Whiteheads’ first-ever food-and-beverage endeavor, Rockfish has been successful, bringing locals and tourists together throughout the year. The couple is also happy they get to do business with their three children and their families.
Although how busy the bar is can be a barometer of sorts for how the season is going — game days have been standing room only recently.
Special seats are reserved at the bar for “season-ticket holders.” Those who manage to purchase a “ticket” have their name on the back of their designated seat and can decorate it however they’d like. Proceeds go directly to the Ken Anderson Alliance.
Sunday will be extra special at Rockfish, though, marking the restaurant’s first time getting to celebrate the Bengals being in the Super Bowl. It’s the team’s third time making it to the championship game in franchise history with the previous games being losses to the San Fransico 49ers in 1981 and 1988.
The Whiteheads and their guests are hoping to see the team’s first Super Bowl victory together.
“This is about football, but it’s also about camaraderie,” Rocky Whitehead said. “It’s like home.”
His wife agreed.
“We’ve always been die-hard fans and now we get to share that with everyone,” she said.
Festivities for the big game begin at noon Sunday at Rockfish with the game against the Los Angeles Rams starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
