Where to Catch All the March Madness Action

With March Madness around the corner, Chicagoland restaurants and bars are gearing up for college basketball's most exciting part of the season! Cheer on your favorite team or alumni at these city and suburban spots: 

Bottleneck Management

Take in all the games with food and drinks at ALL Old Town Pour House locations (Chicago, Oakbrook, and Naperville), Sweetwater, and South Branch

• Catch all the action on March 17-20, March 24-27, and April 2 & 4.
• All locales open in time for you to catch all the games
• HDTV viewing
• 90+ craft beers to select from plus a 96 oz. “Mule Maddness”, super-sized Moscow Mule cocktail, for sharing with your crew ($45). Available in four flavors: Tito’s Texas Mule, Dutch Mule, Kentucky Mule, Cucumber Mule 
• A special March Madness menu special: Totchos - Tater Tots, Pepper Jack Cheese Sauce, Cornmeal Battered Cheese Curds, Pickled Jalapenos, House Pulled Pork, Avocado, Cannellini Beans, Pico De Gallo, House Pulled Chicken Tinga, Sunny Side Up Eggs, Jalapeno Salsa Verde, Cilantro Lime Crème, Micro Cilantro ($25)
• Availability for game day is first-come, first served. Limited large group reservations are available 

City Works Eatery & Pour House

City Works Eatery & Pour House has more than 90+ craft beers on tap, with over 30 of them being locally brewed. Fans can enjoy the limited-time shareable, Totchos, a twist on classic nachos, along with 96 oz. Monster Mules.

Regardless of who's in your bracket, everyone's a winner as guests can test their luck when they receive scratch-offs during the tournament, with chances to win prizes including City Works gift cards, discounts, and free menu items.

The madness will be in effect March 24-27, April 2 and 4.  

Oaken Bistro + Bar

Oaken, a contemporary Bistro + Bar located in Conway Park in Lake Forest will be offering a "March Mania" special on game days throughout the month. The bar offers hi-def TVs and will be offering Garlic Parmesan, BBQ, Ranch or Honey Mustard wings for $10 each on game days.

Five Iron Golf

Guests can book March Madness viewing parties at Five Iron Golf, offering a golf experience complete with a full-service bar and restaurant. Catch the madness on the courts while taking shots on the green from March 17 through April 4 with specials and packages available.

Michael Jordan's Steak House

The restaurant’s bar is equipped with flat-screen TVs for catching the game and offers a list of premium cocktails like the Downtown Mule featuring vodka, gin, pomegranate, and ginger beer or a twisted Manhattan, featuring rye, Domaine de Rancy, Angostura, and rhubarb bitters. 

During March Madness, the bar has decided to bring back a legacy menu item: Wagyu Big Mike. This burger features 10oz of ground wagyu beef, broiled and served on a toasted sesame bun with aged cheddar, charred sweet onion, dill pickle, shredded iceberg, and special sauce.

A former menu options, the Wagyu Big Mike burger will make its return on March 17 and will be available only in the bar through April 4. 

The bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3-11pm and Sunday through Monday from 4-10pm. 

LG's Bar & Kitchen

Featuring different specials for each round, LG’s Bar & Kitchen is a spot to cheer on your favorite team. 

• Selection Sunday: March 13 

  • $5 local draft  select a draft 

  • $10 Mac & Cheese 

• First Four: March 15-16

  • $4 local draft 

  • $10 Fried Chicken Sandwich 

• First round: March 17-18

  • First Round and second round $3.20 local draft select a draft 

  • $3.20 local draft select a draft 

• Second round: March 19-20

  • $3.20 local draft select a draft

  • Saturday & Sunday $10 Drive Thru Burger 

• Sweet 16: March 24-25

  • $16 bucket domestic or white claw

  • $10 - Blackened Chicken Club 

• Elite Eight: March 26-27

  • $8 - PBR & Jameson - PBJ 

  • $10 -  Maui Bowl 

• Final Four: April 2

  • $4 Fireball/Jameson shots $ Domestic bottles 

  • $10 - Flat Bread 

• NCAA championship game: April 4

  • $2 PBR & High Life Cans 

  • $10 Drive Thru Burger 

PB&J

Buckets with seltzer and domestic bucket options starting at $20 all month long. PB&J just recently added a celebrity specialty – Mamitas hard seltzer buckets made with real tequila in both Lime and Mango flavor. Every Tuesday through Thursday from 3-6 pm, sports fans can order ½ priced pizza and specialty cocktails. Reservations are available all March long on OpenTable.

The Smith

Located in River North, diners can select from The Smith’s happy hour offerings. Guests can select from $2.00 oysters, $10.00 cocktails, $8.00 glasses of wine, and light bites. Diners can order snacks including french fries, signature mac & cheese, and more.

Bartoli's Pizzeria

For NCAA fans watching March Madness at home, Bartoli’s Pizzeria in Roscoe Village and West Town will feature a “Game Day Deal” throughout the tournament. Available for pickup or delivery, the $44.99 package features an 18-inch thin crust pizza with a choice of one topping, 16 piece wings (buffalo or vesuvio) and two one-liter bottles of soda. 

Cody's Public House

Cody’s Public House in Lakeview will host a St. Patrick’s Day-themed Tip-off Party for the First Round of March Madness on Thursday, March 17 starting at 11 a.m. Guests can select from specials like $5 green beer, $6 Guinness pints, $5 Proper 12, and $8 car bombs. There will be a Bushmills and Proper 12 sampling and glass giveaway at 6 p.m. followed by a Guinness sampling at 7 p.m. Customers will also have the chance to have their favorite picture printed atop the foam of a Guinness pint with the Guinness Ripple Machine. 

For the remainder of the tournament, Cody’s will open early to broadcast all games. Guests can BYOM (bring your own meat) and use Cody’s grill in the beer garden for free. Game day specials will include $5 Skrewball, $5 Proper 12, and $5 Miller Lite stadium cups. The games will be broadcast on eight 65-inch TVs around the bar for a total of 10 throughout the space.

The Graystone Tavern

The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville will open at 10 a.m. to host March Madness First Round Watch Parties on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18. Patrons can select from food and drink specials like a March Madness-themed cocktail menu, $6 22-ounce Miller Lite steins, $6 Proper 12 Shots, and $6 Stadium Nachos.

Broadcasting the games with sound on 9 TVs throughout the bar, Graystone Tavern also offers a winterized beer garden with TVs. Tables are limited. For reservations, email events@graystonetavern.com. 

The Rambler Kitchen + Tap

The Rambler Kitchen + Tap in North Center will offer “Tip Off March Madness” drink packages on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The $25 per person package will include import and domestic bottles, all drafts, premium liquors and house wines. 

On Thursday, March 17 only, St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials will be available during the games including $5 green beer, $5 Proper 12, $6 Guinness, $12 Traditional Reuben Corned Beef, and a $16 Corned Beef Dinner. There will be a Guinness glass engraving machine to customize pint glasses at 7 p.m.

Throughout the tournament, The Rambler will open early to broadcast all games and specials will include $5 Skrewball, $5 Proper 12, $5 22-ounce Miller Lite stadium cups, $20 Miller Lite and Coors Light buckets, and $5 pizza puffs.

Guests can catch the games on 24 60-inch TVs throughout the bar with the sound on. The Rambler also offers seating in their enclosed heated beer garden complete with a bar and several TVs. Limited space available, email events@theramblerchicago.com to reserve. 

Bob's Pizza

Bob’s Pizza - home of “Pilsen-style pizza” - will debut its March Madness NCAA men’s basketball tournament themed specialty pizza on March 10 at all three of its locations.

The “Heat Check Pizza” - created by Bob’s Pizza executive chef/partner Matt Wilde - features spicy sliced beef, pickled habanero peppers, basil, garlic, lime crema, house cheese blend, and tomato sauce.

The “Heat Check Pizza” - just like all of the Bob’s Pizza offerings - is a “ “Pilsen-style pizza” that utilizes Old Style beer in its pizza dough recipe instead of water.

The finished product is a 16-inch pizza that serves two to three guests. Pilsen-style pizza is similar in thickness to New York-style pizza.

The “Heat Check Pizza” will be available from March 10 through April 10 at all three Bob’s Pizza locations.

80 Proof

Located in Old Town, 80 Proof provides three full bars and a menu of vegan bar bites and 4C classics. 

Specials:

·         $6 Corona and Bud Light Stadium Cups 

·         $8 Tito’s Moscow Mules 

·         $5 Screwball & Lemon Drop Shots 

Benchmark

A sports bar in Old Town with over 40 TV’s and a menu of snacks, burgers, pizza, beer and signature cocktails.  

Specials: 

·         $7 Miller Coors Stadium Cups 

·         $6 Mozzarella Sticks 

·         $10 Mini Burgers (3) with Side 

Brickhouse

Located next door to Wrigley Field, Brickhouse offers dining with four bars and two outdoor terraces. 

Specials: 

·         $8 Nachos and Potato Twists 

·         $10 Mini Sliders (5) and Fries 

·         $15 Buckets of 12 oz Budweiser, Bud Light of Michelob Ultra 

·         $5 Trop Bombs or Lemon Drops 

Federales

An open-air tequila and taco concept centered around drinks and tacos 

Special: 

·         $20 Buckets – Tecate, Corona, Miller, Budweiser, Modelo, Michelob Ultra 

Fremont

Located in River North, Fremont has two levels, a retractable roof, three large bars and an all-you-can-eat brunch experience.  

Book your Madness in March private and semi-private options with flexible food and drink packages.  

Gaslight

A neighborhood bar in Lincoln Park with three full bars, a menu and a year-round patio that is open seven days a week for brunch, lunch and dinner.  

Specials: 

·         $8 Boneless Wings 

·         $10 Pizzas 

·         $25 Domestic Buckets 

·         $40 Jumbo John Daly’s  

Highline

Highline offers bar fare and a FREE arcade with classic games.  

Specials: 

·         $8 Boneless Wings 

·         $10 Pizzas 

·         $25 Domestic Buckets 

·         $45 Shareables 

Kirkwood

A neighborhood sports bar in Lakeview with food, drinks and a beer garden.  

Specials: 

·         $6 Stadium Cups 

·         $10 Mini Burgers (5) + Side 

Ranalli's

A neighborhood pizza bar that offers pizzas, appetizers and drinks in a communal setting.  

Specials: 

·         $6 Stadium Cups: Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite 

·         $22 Pitchers: Coors, Bud Light, Miller Lite 

·         $9 Stadium Cups: Vodka Soda 

·         $6 Truly and White Claws 

·         $6 Tequila Shots 

·         $6 Lunchbox Shots