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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236 W. 54th St. / 212.586.2080 / 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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16 1st Ave. / 212.510.8726 / Website
Chances are you’ve been to an event at the Grayson, as this hot spot is known for hosting some seriously fun parties. That being said, game days are no different, and we love the Grayson for its abundance of seating and yummy bar eats. With an extensive beer list and sweet chili barbeque wings that will knock your socks off, the Grayson is a great place to watch some hoops.
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174 Orchard St. / 212.228.3668 / Website
There’s no better place to indulge than at the Skinny Bar & Lounge, where true pub grub reigns supreme. Although there are a ton of options on the menu, a rarity at a sports bar, we’re huge fans of the fried chicken sandwich, chicken Caesar wrap and the tacos, which come with chicken, pork, veggie, chorizo, steak, birria, shrimp or fish. We'll take one of each, please!
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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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55 W 21st St. / 212.675.8007 / Website
There’s a reason this Flatiron hot spot is a mainstay amongst New York’s sport-loving young professionals. Bounce Sporting Club is where a sports bar meets a nightclub, and we’ve gotta say, this is a match made in heaven. Be sure to bring all your friends, try the delicious food, such as the ahi tuna poke tacos and the churros, and arrive early to make it through the door.
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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.
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
