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Photograph: Barry BrecheisenCompass Bar

Where to watch March Madness

Dirt-cheap specials on beer and pizza make these restaurants and bars the top spots to watch March Madness in Chicago

Written by
Sara Freund
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Don't know where to watch March Madness? These Chicago restaurants and Chicago bars are the best spots for catching all the big games. And we've rounded up great deals on craft beer, Chicago pizza and wings during the NCAA tourney so you can watch hoops without dropping a lot of cash. You know, in case you don't win that office pool.

Where to watch March Madness games

Howells & Hood
  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • Streeterville
  • price 2 of 4

Kick off March Madness with mini bacon hot dogs and bologna smalls with HH Bologna and Big Ed's Gouda mornay. Don't miss the Final Four here, a live video DJ will be mixing it up between games.

Bar Toma
  • Restaurants
  • Pizza
  • Streeterville
  • price 2 of 4

March Madness starts here on more than 20 big screen TVs. Watch your team sink baskets with happy hour specials like half-off appetizers and punch bowls from 4:30–6pm and 9–10pm.

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Benchmark
  • Bars
  • Sports Bars
  • Old Town
  • price 2 of 4

It's not affiliated with any team, but Benchmark will have $25 buckets of Miller/Coors and $30 buckets of Revolution and Lagunitas to enjoy every game.

The Boundary
  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Wicker Park
  • price 2 of 4

Beginning March 17 this newly renovated Wicker Park bar will serve up food specials during tournament games. You can get buffalo chicken rolls with pulled chicken and blue cheese crumbles and chicken nachos smothered in chipotle cheese sauce and pickled jalapenos.

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Seven Lions
  • Restaurants
  • American
  • Loop
  • price 2 of 4

Cozy up in one of Seven Lion's booths with half-off all draft beer for the month of March from 4–6pm.

Compass Bar
  • Bars
  • Gastropubs
  • Lincoln Park
  • price 2 of 4

For March Madness, Compass Bar will have happy hour from 4–6pm as well as other March Madness specials. If the weather is nice, grab a seat outside in front of the giant flatscreens on the patio.

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  • Restaurants
  • American
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

Cheer on your favorite team with an exclusive March Madness cocktail, called Hopping for Hoops, infused with vodka, lemon and grapefruit. Enjoy a drink that does more than sate your palate—proceeds from this cocktail will be donated to Off The Street Club, a local Chicago charity.

Lottie’s
  • Bars
  • Sports Bars
  • Bucktown
  • price 1 of 4

You'll hear plenty of "rock chalk" while Kansas Jayhawk fans celebrate with three-for-all happy hour, where select bottles, shots and appetizers are all just $3 from 11am to 3pm on March 17. From March 17 to April 4, cheer on the Badgers, too, with $5 22-ounce Miller and Coors drafts, $5 Dr. McGillicuddy's flavored whiskey and a $15 pizza, wings and tots platter.

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  • Bars
  • Sports Bars
  • River North
  • price 1 of 4

Even if your team doesn't make it to the Final Four, maybe your beer will. Jake Melnick's is hosting the Final Four Beers, launching April 2, with specials on four Stone Brewing Company beers. Fill up on the 9-ounce March Madness Burger, topped with a fried egg and stacked between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

Public House
  • Bars
  • Sports Bars
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

During tip-off week (March 19–22) and Selection Sunday (March 13), Public House will have $5 16-ounce Bud Light bottles, $6 22-ounce Bud Light drafts, $20 buckets and a specialty food menu.

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