At long last, spring has returned and it’s finally time for March Madness. The NCAA tournament is a great time to gather around the TV, dress in your favorite team merch and get way too invested in your ill-informed bracket.
With an overwhelming amount of sports bars in NYC, how do you choose where to watch the big tournament? No need to stress, we’ve rounded up the best bars for watching NCAA March Madness.
See also: The 24 Best Pubs In NYC
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832 8th. Ave. / 646.371.9768 / Website
Three Monkeys is a great spot to root for your favorite team and monkey around with your friends. Known for serving the best craft beer in NYC, this Hell’s Kitchen favorite is a no-brainer for the NCAA tournament. If you’re in the mood to grub, the Buffalo chicken spring rolls and the southern fried chicken wings are guaranteed to be the MVPs of the night.
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43 E. 7th St. / 212.420.0671 / Website
The vibes are so high at this spirits East Village bar, you’re definitely going to be standing all night long. Although Standings is particularly tiny, it’s perfect for a high-energy game day experience. We recommend heading over early to ensure a good spot near the TVs.
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174 Orchard St. / 212.228.3668 / Website
March Madness is all about the excitement and suspense, and there's nothing like the excitement at the swanky Skinny Bar & Lounge. With the bar decked out in bold and artistic decor, you can watch your favorite team in style. Be sure to get your hands on one of their one-of-a-kind cocktails.
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46 Bedford St. / 212.741.1935 / Website
Don’t let this hot spot’s West Village location fool you, the Village Tavern knows how to get down and party until the wee hours of the morning. Every night spent at Village Tavern is a night to remember, and game day is no exception. If you’re here for a good time and a long time, this is the place to be.
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961 2nd Ave. / 212.888.7403 / Website
Cornerstone Tavern is one of the liveliest sports bars in Midtown East, making it a great option for those hanging out a bit further uptown. With karaoke, trivia and bottomless brunch, Cornerstone Tavern is the full package, including plenty of TVs to catch the games and great music to keep non-sports lovers entertained.
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151 Bleecker St. / 212.260.9797 / Website
If you haven’t been to the Red Lion yet, you just found your new go-to spot in Greenwich Village. With plenty of TVs, excellent beers on tap, great pub grub and live music, the Red Lion has everything needed for a great bar. Come ready to cheer on your team and meet new friends in the lively crowd.
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212 W 79th St. / 212.363.3311 / Website
One might not guess that one of the rowdiest sports bars in all of Manhattan is located on the Upper West Side, but then again, It’s no secret that blondes have more fun. With plenty of TVs, excellent food (try the famous Buffalo chicken wings!) and a great crowd, Blondies never disappoints.
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5-14 51st Ave., Queens / 718.392.9600 / Website
With 5,000 square feet of space, over a dozen large screen TVs, an 11-foot LED video wall and over 20 beers, many of which are local, on offer, there’s a lot to love about Gamehaus New York. Be sure to make a reservation to ensure the best viewing experience.
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138 W. 25th St. / 212.929.9677 / Website
Smithfield Hall is a favorite among soccer lovers but is a great spot for sports of all kinds, including basketball. Enjoy some of our favorite pub food in the city while you watch the game on one of the 26 TVs, and expect a rowdy crowd ready to enjoy the big game.
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27 W. 35th St. / 212.268.8868 / Website
With over 25 rotating draught beers and tons more options by the bottle, sports fans who love a good brew should look no further than Playwright. We also love their menu full of pub grub including both Irish and American favorites such as bangers and mash and shepherd's pie for a hearty meal and a bit of the luck of the Irish while you catch the game.
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Multiple locations / Website
Get your front-row seat on the road to the final four at Stout. With over 20 HDTV’s at each location, there is not a play you will miss. Grab a Greek Goddess turkey burger, your bracket and get ready to cheer for your winning team, and hopefully a winning bracket.
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6 W. 33rd St. / 212.967.7792 / Website
With the luckiest day of the year and March Madness all in one month, March is filled with a whirlwind of luck, celebration, and the ultimate showdown of basketball. Grab a seat by the TV, your March Madness bracket, and a BBQ pulled pork slider and put your game face on at the unforgettable Legends bar.
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327 W. 57th St. / 212.956.1606 / Website
Spring is here, and that means so is March Madness, head on over to All Stars Sports Bar & Grill to watch your favorite team, or to just watch the madness of excitement. All Star Sports Bar & Grill is a slam dunk with all your favs, an unbeatable environment, tons of TVs, and a flavor-packed California burger with bacon, jalapenos, guacamole and more!
So grab your brackets, gather your friends and head over to one of these beloved NYC bars to catch the craziness that is March Madness. Expect upsets galore, some huge three-pointers, excellent beers on tap and some of the best bar food in all of NYC. We’ll see you there!
Photography by: Andreyuu / Getty Images/iStock Photo
