Our Favorite Places in Phx to Catch College Basketball Madness This March
March Madness is here! It’s that time of year again when college basketball becomes the talk of the town. Sixty-eight teams will take to the courts starting March 19 and put all of us on the edge of our seats for the next few weeks (or until our bracket is busted). Speaking of brackets, the long-standing tradition where people who know nothing about the teams playing attempt to pick the correct final four is as big, if not bigger, a part of the fun as the action on the court.
(According to the NCAA, nobody has ever filled out a verifiably perfect bracket in the history of the modern tournament, but don’t let that stop you from giving it your best shot!) Naturally, watching the games can be a lot more fun when you’re with your friends, and staying in for every game might get boring pretty quick.
Why not join fellow fans in the mayhem by cracking a cold one at one of the many sports bars in Phoenix? Here are a few of our favorites. Let us know yours by tagging us in your March Madness fun using #FrayLife #PhxFray
McKenzie’s Midtown Tavern
4531 N 7th St
Known for having some of the biggest wings in Phoenix, McKenzie’s is a local favorite that often draws in a pretty large crowd. It’s open until 2 a.m. every night of the week, so this is the spot to park your squad and keep the party rolling after the game!
Armadillo Grill
1904 E Camelback Rd
This eclectic American bar has been serving locals since 1997, which pretty much speaks for itself. On Saturdays, the Armadillo hosts “Sports Saturdays” with happy hour priced beers, $5 big mimosas and $5 jalapeno bloody marys. Yum!
Caps Sports Grill
1721 W Rose Garden Ln
Giving the best to its favorite sports lovers, Caps Sports Grill is opening at 9 a.m. for Rounds 1 and 2 of the tournament from March 21-24! Breakfast will be served until 11 a.m., and the restaurant will remain open until 10 p.m. in line with regular hours.
Goldie’s
2950 E Broadway Rd
This neighborhood sports cafe has a huge menu sure to satisfy the taste buds of anyone and everyone. It offers a long list of nightly specials that will come in handy and keep things interesting no matter which nights of the week your favorite team’s games fall on. The joint draws in rowdy locals for big games, so get ready to bring the heat!
Cactus Tavern
2017 E Cactus Rd
If you’re looking for a dive-bar vibe, you’ll definitely want to watch a game at Cactus Tavern. The dim lighting and attentive service will make your viewing all the more enjoyable, and it’s the perfect place to go to avoid getting caught in a crowd.
Catalina Sports Bar and Grill
2939 N 16th St
If you’re lucky and decide to turn up on a Tuesday, this spot offers $1 chicken tacos and a free appetizer from 3-7 p.m. so you can get a cheap meal and a win (hopefully).
All this basketball probably has you reminiscing on the glory days, and while you can’t go back in time, you can work towards getting that useful figure back.
After hanging inside and watching the games, head outside and get your sweat on at one of these awesome outdoor adventure destinations and let us in on the fun using #FrayLife and #PHXFray.