March means one thing for sports enthusiasts and avid basketball fans, and one thing only: pure, unadulterated madness.
This year, the NCAA is carrying on the tournament with 68 teams vying for the Championship title. The sheer number of teams means a massive amount of fans, so get ready to shout your allegiance to your chosen college basketball team. The Championship Game on April 2nd will honor the winner, but in the meantime we’re keeping close tabs on our brackets and staying loyal to our picks. Through the Sweet 16 games, and onto the Elite 8 and the Final 4, catch all the action at one of San Diego’s many sports bars.
Fans can stay up into the wee hours and watch at our local watering holes, as nation-wide teams match up in skill and determination. Whichever college team you’ve placed your bets on, there’s a bar in San Diego with the magic unraveling on the court.
Discover our favorite San Diego sports bars for March Madness 2012 gametime fun.
Hooters
More than just a local favorite for a fix of the hot Hooters girls and signature chicken wings, Hooters pledges their devotion to supporting the March Madness commotion. The sports bar with the friendliest service gives new meaning to basketball in short shorts. Stop by any of their locations to indulge in the cure for basketball fever, as presented by Hooters National Hooky Days. They’re prescribing a free appetizer to all fans when you play hooky with Hooters and watch the tournament games there. Head in to score your free appetizer during tournament games between March 8th and April 2nd.
East Village Tavern & Bowl
Twelve bowling lanes might entertain you, but the three pool tables and 26 HDTV’s will likely be the sources you rely on to get through college basketball season. With 15 beers on tap, you’ll be well-hydrated to cheer your team through a victory. Located on 9th and Market, right near PETCO Park, the 14,000-square-feet of pure sports lounge is a prime spot to wander in and stay until the doors close at 2am.Munch on the sweet potato fries and spicy BBQ wings and sip on an ice cold beer as the “madness” ensues. What’s New: Tavern & Bowl is headed to Vegas in the March Madness March! One grand prize will be given out to the bracket-winner for a three-day/two-night stay at the Riviera Resort in Las Vegas, NV. When you stop into Tavern + Bowl this month, check-in at the bowling counter and sign-off on your bracket, every round of the tournament. Aside from the grand prize winner, all other brackets will be placed in a raffle to win a Bowling Party for 20.
PB Ale House
The Ale House by the beach boasts their signature beers and handcrafted local brews, a fixture for anyone ready to watch some hoop-swoopin’. Thankfully, they’re known for must-try good eats as well, like the Ale House Classic Beer Cheeseburger or the Rattlesnake pizza, topped with jalapenos, bacon, pepperoni and herbed cream cheese. Their happy hour Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm features $3 drinks and half-off apps so you can get in tip-top shape for the big games. This Microbrewery has it all, including enough seating arrangements for large groups of rowdy basketball fans.
Bare Back Grill Gaslamp
Urban cool with an easygoing beach demeanor, Bare Back Grill in Gaslamp gives locals what they’ve always wanted – a taste of life “down-unda’”. Mouth-watering burgers, happy hour and a sand and surf ambiance embellish this grill to make it the laid-back spot of the city. The 100% organic beef grounded daily onsite makes for some hearty burgers filled with more flavors than you can count on one hand. With Kiwi 3’Some, Kumara fries and Chick on a Stick, the munchies menu has a little bit of everything for the game. Come to Bare Back Grill for the New Zealand zest that’ll ramp up all the basketball action you’re waiting for.
Sneak Joint
Straight-off-the-beach attitude meets sports-fan haven at Sneak Joint, the go-to dive bar for anyone making their way down Mission Blvd. Bikini-flaunting waitresses will supply you with the tools you need to make it through March Madness, namely cheap drinks and finger-lickin’ good eats. During the high-energy basketball season, step in for food and drink specials every day. A daily list of rotating specials are available individually or sized to share among a group of friends. As an entree, try the Mexican-inspired Spicy chili Guacamole Burger for a signature taste you won’t be able to forget. Game-food options include Gourmet Sliders, Flat Bread Pizzas, Sneak Snack Wraps, Sneak Tacos, and more sandwiches, salads, and wraps. While all of March is a good time to step into Sneak for some b-ball action, don’t miss the National Championship game on Monday, April 2nd.
Tilted Kilt
The luck of the Irish will be on your team’s side when you watch the March games at the Tilted Kilt, located in East Village and Mission Valley. This one-of-a-kind experience offers sassy servers in kilts, flowing beer on tap and an assortment of too-good-to-be-true appetizers and bar fare. This month, hold court at the ‘Kilt. Beginning March 12th, basketball fans can get into the nearest Tilted Kilt and make their March Hoops Picks with the exclusive Smartphone app. When you score 130 points, you’ll be entered to win a free trip to a weekend in Vegas, a music festival in Milwaukee or a baseball game in Denver. At Tilted Kilt Mission Valley, you won’t miss a beat of the game, either. They boast thirty-five 50” flat-screen plasma TV’s and six 180” high-definition projection screens. Plus, there are 24 beers on tap and a wide selection of spirits to wash it all down.
Thrusters
Shiny and spiffy, Thrusters lounge adds a sharp touch to the standard sports bar feel. Beloved for their super sippable drinks and music spun by the best DJs in San Diego, Thrusters puts the party into any sports party. Aside from the unique décor in the stone, recycled copper and glass fixtures, dark wood columns and vintage skate and surf paraphernalia, your eyes will be glued to one of the 12 HD plasma screens. During halftime, enjoy some of the 20 beers on draft in addition to Pacific Beach’s largest selection of craft bottled beer and specialty drinks, 7 days a week until 2am daily.
Gaslamp Tavern
For a joint where you can really let loose and let your basketball fever ignite, step into Gaslamp Tavern with all the spirit you can muster. The staple sports bar brings out the best of San Diego: devoted fans, affordable eats, and quenching drinks. Happy hour and dinner favorites include the Tavern Tacos, BBQ Chicken Pizza, and Housemade Guacamole and Chips to die for. The neighborhood bar is perfect place to catch the game on one of the 12 flat screen TVs, open air seating with two patios and even some live music and DJs to keep the good times rollin’. During all March Madness games, Gaslamp Tavern hooks you up with $3 Bud Drafts, $4 Bloody Marys, $4 Mimosas, and $6 Manmosas. Deals run until 3pm on weekdays and 6pm on Saturdays, with all-day specials on Sundays.
Dirty Birds
Unlike other Pacific Beach bars, Dirty Birds works hard to add some class to the sports bar arena. If there’s one thing that every March Madness fanatic needs to get him through the season, it’s some killer eats, and Dirty Birds has the flavor to hold you over. With 22 different types of wing flavors including Dirty Ranch, Flaming Honey, Chipotle BBQ, lunch and dinner have never been this satiating. Besides the wings, you’ll be sure to have your hands all over the most bar-tastic burgers, stuffed with bacon and cheddar, and topped with mouth-watering delights. Join them for Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm for half-priced wings and domestic pitchers.
The Local
With surf themes trending up the place, this high-energy dive bar attracts easygoing downtown locals in search of a good time. You’ll be in full basketball mode with happy hour deals lasting all night long. Some of the much-loved appetizers gracing The Local’s menu include some Big Ass Nachos, Rock and Rolled Tacos, and delectable Sweet and Spicy Fingers. Local’s Lobster Tacos are a must have, but there are plenty of sandwiches and burgers to fix every craving. From breakfast and lunch, to munchies at happy hour, The Local eatery and drinking hole is all about making your sports games exciting and fulfilling.
The BeachWood
Although the ocean views might bring you some calmness, The BeachWood is also the perfect place to get hyped up for all your fav college basketball games. Steps from the boardwalk on the border of Pacific and Mission, The Beachwood is upscale enough to give a classy touch to your day, but still bar enough to party it up long after the sun goes down. The bar, restaurant and rooftop patio with an ocean view provides an ambiance for scoring…March Madness scoring, of course. The fresh and homemade food that Beachwood offers provides a slight distraction from the fifteen 50-inch High-Def TV’s and the three 10-foot High-Def Projection Screens. If beer battered prawns, bacon cheddar cheeseburgers and bacon wrapped meatloaf doesn’t make you ready to party, keep in mind that they offer some serious steals on beverages including a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-7pm featuring $3 draft beers.
Discover more of the best San Diego bars and follow our local lifestyle guide for tips and trends.
