The March Madness college basketball tournament runs from March 19 to April 8. Plenty of bars and restaurants in DC and beyond are broadcasting the games, opening early for the tournament, and offering food and drink deals. Are you a nacho cheese fountain person or a 50 chicken wings person? We have you covered either way.
Union Trust
740 15th St. NW
This relaxed downtown bar from the same folks behind Solly’s Tavern and The Pug has plans to open on 11:45 AM on the first day of the tournament (March 21). Typically it’s BYO food, but the bar will serve barbecue from Sloppy Mama’s for the first two days.
Taco Bamba
777 I (Eye) St NW
Chef Victor Albisu’s Chinatown taqueria is rolling out *free* nacho cheese fountains for the first two days of the tournament (March 21 and 22). Plant yourself in front of the three widescreen TVs and absorb a week’s worth of calories.
Franklin Hall
1348 Florida Ave NW
This huge beer hall equipped with nine big screen TVs presents patrons with a difficult choice during each March Madness game: Narragansett pints and liter pours for $4 and $8, respectively.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St., NW
Watch March Madness from the heated terrace of this whiskey mecca in Adams Morgan. Happy hour deals during games include $5 drafts, $9 cocktail specials, and half-price sliders like crispy oyster or cajun chicken.
Stoney’s
2101 L St. NW; 1433 P St. NW
If $5 Fireball shots seem ambitious other game day deals at these low-key bars include $14 Bud Light pitchers and $9 personal pizzas.
Matchbox
Various locations
The wood-fired pizza chain offers buy-one-get-one free pizzas at the bar for the first two days of the tournament (March 21 and 22).
Church Hall
1070 Wisconsin Ave NW
This Georgetown-chic sports bar opens at noon during rounds one and two of the tournament. Throughout you’ll find Miller Lite for $4 and Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA for $5. Bring in food or order an unreasonably large wing platter: $40 for 50, $60 for 75, $75 for 100.
City Tap DC
901 9th St., NW; 1250 Connecticut Ave NW
Both locations will offer select draft beers for $5 through all of March Madness and the chance to win pairs of tickets to each of the three games of the Final Four—along with flight and accommodation vouchers worth $1,500.
The Midlands
3333 Georgia Ave., NW
Parkview’s spacious beer garden will broadcast every game throughout March Madness. Pick an outdoor fire pit for cozying up with during the cool morning matches.
The Big Stick
20 M Street, SE
Navy Yard’s “sports bar for sports fans” is dishing out $.50 wings to celebrate March Madness.
Highline RxR
2010 Crystal Dr., Arlington, Va.
The Crystal City bar will peddle its own pilsners for $3 and Parkway Amber for $5 during games, with wings for $.75 in orders of eight.
Vim & Victor at the St. James
6805 Industrial Rd, Springfield, VA
Chef Spike Mendelsohn’s bar and restaurant within the sprawling health and fitness complex offers specials that rotate as the bracket progresses. Stop in for whiskey mules and Beyond Meat shepherd’s pies through the first round, or watch the championship with crispy calamari and sangria. Food and drink run $8 to $9.
RARE Steakhouse & Tavern
1595 I (Eye) St NW
Consider leaving work early for the all-day happy hour at the Tavern’s bar during games, which includes $6.50 glasses of wine glasses and $1 oysters.
The Ugly Mug
723 8th St SE
On Thursdays through Sundays across the tournament, The Ugly Mug is slinging $4 and $5 pints and $30 Miller Lite towers. Break up your beer drinking with Carolina Pork BBQ.
Across the Pond Restaurant & Pub
1732 Connecticut Ave NW
The Irish pub-slash-sports bar is stacking its menu for games during the first weekend (March 21-24) with wing and beer March Madness offerings: 20 wings and three pitchers or six bottles for $25. Alternatively, stick to wings priced at $.55 when purchasing a minimum of ten.
Pizzeria Paradiso
3282 M St., NW
The game room of this pizzeria’s Georgetown location has viewing parties planned for the men and women’s National Championship games on April 7 and 8, respectively. There will be a free pizza bar at both.
Old Town Pour House
212 Ellington Blvd., Gaithersburg
Peruse the oversized beer list and catch the game from one of numerous televisions at this wood-paneled, high-ceilinged beer bar. There’s also the opportunity to go home with an Old Town Pour House rally towel.
The Game Sports Pub
2411 18th St., NW
The newest sports bar in Adams Morgan (formerly Ventnor’s) will broadcast every game of the tournament from its 22 televisions.
Logan Tavern
1423 P ST. NW
Logan Circle’s modern American spot Logan Tavern has March Madness deals, active whether or not a game is happening. Beer buckets go for $25 and wing buckets for $32, with family-sized friend chicken meals running $29 to $39.
The Blaguard
2003 18th Street NW
The Adams Morgan neighborhood bar has a generous list of March Madness specials including $3 Natty Boh and $6 Tito’s vodka drinks. During UMD and UVA games, Flying Dog and Devil’s BB are only $5.
