As March Madness sweeps the nation, Chicagoans are gearing up for a thrilling month of basketball fervor. The Windy City's dynamic restaurant scene will become the prime destination for fans to cheer for bracket-busters and buzzer-beaters, all while enjoying bar bites, beer specials and more. We have sourced the best local bars, restaurants and venues to watch all the action unfold, from March 19 - April 8.
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9 W. Hubbard St. / Website
Visit this upscale sports bar to watch the tournament unfold on 35 big-screen TVs, as you enjoy daily food specials and beverage exclusives. Drop by for the eatery’s game-day happy hours for $12 Theory burgers and fries, $4 domestic bottles, $6 High Noon seltzers and $5 Fireball, Skrewball, Corazón and Jameson shots. Indulge in half-priced wings on Friday while watching the excitement unfold. Reservations can be made here.
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202 S. Franklin St. / Website
Add Loop hot spot Kindling to your March Madness itinerary to dig into house specials like confit chicken wings, wood-fired oysters, steaks and a seafood raw bar, served alongside craft cocktails, wine offerings and beer selections. The restaurant’s Moor’s Madness happenings include $8 Moors beers, an exclusive happy hour menu, a pop-a-shot tournament and more. Chef Jonathon Sawyer has unveiled celebratory tournament specials, including $1 raw oysters, $2 wood-fired HillBilly oysters, $5 smash burgers, $10 barbecue chicken and cheddar flatbreads, $5 crispy brussel sprouts and $12 Nashville spicy chicken tenders. Reservations can be made here.
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1419 N. Wells St. / Website
This Old Town bar will celebrate the action with its exclusive Orange Crush March Madness cocktail, nicknamed the Final Fourange, with Ketel One Oranje, citrus flavors and triple sec vodka. Event-goers will each receive a scratch-off ticket for the chance to win prizes, including discounted menu offerings and gift cards. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. on March 21st and 22nd and seating is first come, first serve. Reservations for large parties can be made here.
See more: The Ultimate Chicago Neighborhood Guide
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605 N. Wells St. / Website
This River North Italian bar and restaurant will serve up game-day house specialties like sharable white and red pizzas, salads, desserts and more. The eatery will capture the game on live-screen TVs and offer specials, including $24 domestic beer buckets, $28 Corona buckets, $32 Mamita’s buckets and $35 High Noon buckets. Restaurant-goers can dig into tasty appetizers like burrata, nachos, Cargo wings, loaded waffle fries and more. Reservations can be made here.
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3518 N. Clark St., Wrigleyville; 155 W Kinzie St, River North / Website
Immerse yourself in March Madness at Moe’s Cantina, with strategically located screens displaying the tournament, accompanied by delicious, Mexican-inspired fare. At Moe’s in River North, guests can order $8 happy hour house margaritas and palomas, $25 domestic buckets, $35 import buckets and $35 Seltzer buckets (excluding High Noon seltzers). Or, sample $5 tacos, $10 nachos and half-off wings (excluding March 22). At Moe’s Wrigleyville location, sip on beverage specials, including $10 margaritas, $5 Corona beers, $5 domestic brews, $5 Nutrl Vodka Seltzers and $5 nachos. Reservations can be made here.
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2723 N. Halsted St. / Website
Join casino-style bar Over/Under for five March Madness viewing sessions, displayed on more than 40 high-definition screens. Enjoy food offerings like bacon onion jam burgers, baked goat cheese marinara dip, tostada towers and bone-in wings, served with your pick of Carolina barbecue, buffalo, Chicago barbecue, dry rub, parmesan garlic or lemon pepper toppings. Tickets can be purchased here.
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3506 N. Clark St. / Website
Elevate your game-time experience with mouthwatering deals and panoramic broadcasting at this Wrigleyville smokehouse. Indulge in March Madness exclusives like $5 Budlight and Goose Island beers, $10 Casamigos beverages and half-off appetizers. Basketball fans can dig into house specialties, including smoked wings, brisket, smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Or, go all in with the signature Combo Platter, chocked-full of house favorites like baby back ribs, carnitas, brisket and more. Reservations can be made here.
See more: 7 Must-Try Margarita Recipes That Are So Beyond Basic
Photography by: EJGrubbs/iStock
