Bracket complete. Sick day email sent. All that’s left to do is zero in on a March Madness-watching destination.
Scan the options below for your style of game-watching to lead the way to your future hangout.
DIEHARD FAN
You’re in head-to-toe college gear and your entire face is painted [insert college team here]’s colors. Find a bar that’s affiliated with your college’s team in our college basketball bar guide
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.BIG TEN SUPPORTER
So your school didn’t make the Sweet Sixteen/doesn’t have a basketball team. Check out our guide to find a bar that gives priority to games featuring Big Ten teams.
ALL ABOUT THE PLAY-BY-PLAY
Find multiple screens and games with sound at The Scout (1301 S. Wabash Ave. 312-705-0595) in the South Loop and Benchmark (1510 N. Wells St. 312-649-9640) in Old Town.
HERE FOR THE BEER
You’ll find plentiful screens and craft brews (local and otherwise) at Lincoln Park’s Compass Bar (433 W. Diversey Parkway 773-248-3230) as well as Trophy Room (170 W. Ontario St. 312-600-6920) and Public House (400 N. State St. 312-265-1240) in River North.
CASUAL SPECTATOR
Want to watch the game without being deafened by fight songs or shushed by die-hard fans? You’ll feel at home at Northside Bar & Grill (1635 N. Damen Ave. 773-384-3555) in Bucktown or The Point (401 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-666-1600) in River West. You can also check out our guide to browse gameday food and drink specials at bars not affiliated with any particular team.
MARCH MADNESS ESCAPIST
Is your bracket in shambles already? Better try a bar with no TVs. Check out South Loop brewpub Vice District Brewing (1454 S. Michigan Ave. 312-291-9022) or neighborhood cocktail spot Tiny Lounge (4352 N. Leavitt St. 773-463-0396).
Additional reporting by RedEye special contributor Samantha Nelson.