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Where to Watch March Madness in Chicago 2026

By 312Deals Team · Updated March 2026

Every tournament team's Chicago bar — mapped. 43 alumni bars for 25 teams across 13 neighborhoods. Grab a seat before tip-off, find the deals, watch with people who care.

25
Teams
43
Bars
13
Hoods
Mar 18
Tip-Off
2026 ScheduleR1: Mar 20-21R2: Mar 22-23Sweet 16: Mar 27-28Elite 8: Mar 29-30Final Four: Apr 4Title: Apr 6

Tournament Deals21 specials

Hawkeye'S Bar & GrillMarch Madness Bracket SpecialUniversity Village
Twin PeaksDos Million Bracket ChallengeNaperville
Twenty Two Thirty NineWing of the Month - Carolina Gold WingsSouth Loop
Hawkeye'S Bar & GrillMarch Madness Bracket ChallengeUniversity Village
Moretti'SBracket Buster DealsPortage Park
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker ParkMarch Madness Menu - Munch Madness Platter & Game Day SpecialsWicker Park
LarkNCAA March Madness SpecialLakeview
Fatpour Tap WorksMarch Madness Menu - Munch Madness PlatterSouth Loop
Fatpour Tap WorksMarch Madness Game Day SpecialsSouth Loop
Fatpour Tap WorksMarch Madness Drink SpecialsSouth Loop
Sully'S HouseMichigan Game Day Drink & Food SpecialsRiver North
Babes On MilwaukeeMarch Madness Pizza SpecialPortage Park
The Nest Bar & EateryHappy HourPortage Park
Mac'S American FoodMarch Madness Basketball Drink SpecialsWest Town
Mac'S American FoodMarch Madness Basketball SpecialsWest Town
View all 21 tournament deals

Find Your Team's Bar

Not just bars with TVs — these are where alumni communities gather. Fight songs, team gear, and people who care about the outcome.

Ohio State 6Illinois 5Michigan 5Wisconsin 5Iowa 4Purdue 3Duke 2Florida 2Kansas 2Michigan State 2Texas 2Alabama 1Arizona 1Arkansas 1Iowa State 1Kentucky 1Louisville 1Miami 1NC State 1Nebraska 1North Carolina 1Tennessee 1Texas A&M 1UConn 1Virginia 1

More Tournament Teams

AlabamaAlmost Home Tavern
Lakeview
ArizonaFinley Dunnes Tavern
Lakeview
ArkansasJoe's on Weed St.
Lincoln Park
Iowa StateMurphy'S Bleachers
Lakeview
KentuckyThe Pony Inn
Lakeview
LouisvilleFinley Dunnes Tavern
Lakeview
MiamiMother Hubbards
River North
NC StateSheffield's Beer Garden
Lakeview
NebraskaKirkwood Bar & Grill
Lakeview
North CarolinaTobacco Road Tap Room
Lincoln Park
TennesseeClover Lincoln Park
Lakeview
Texas A&MThe Pony Inn
Lakeview
UConnGeorge Street Pub
River North
VirginiaToons Bar & Grill
Wrigleyville

By Neighborhood

Lakeview(18)
Almost Home TavernBlue BayouCheesie's Pub & GrubClover Lincoln ParkCountry ClubDuffy'S Tavern & GrilleFinley Dunnes TavernKirkwood Bar & GrillMatildaMerkle'sMurphy'S BleachersOld Crow SmokehouseRoadhouse 66 Gas N' GrillSheffield's Beer GardenThe Cubby BearThe Pony InnVaughan'S PubWill'S Northwoods Inn
River North(6)
Cheesie’s Pub & GrubCity Nikki'SGeorge Street PubMother HubbardsSully'S HouseWoodie’s Flat
Lincoln Park(4)
GaslightJoe's on Weed St.Kincade'STobacco Road Tap Room
Wrigleyville(3)
Budweiser Brickhouse TavernSTRETCH BAR/GRILLToons Bar & Grill
Gold Coast(2)
Hopsmith TavernThe Lodge Tavern
Old Town(2)
Fireplace InnWoodie'S Flat
Portage Park(2)
Babes On MilwaukeeEasy Street Pizza
Avondale(1)
Avondale Tap
Bucktown(1)
Lottie'S Pub
Logan Square(1)
Park And Field
Naperville(1)
Orange & Brew® Bottle Shop and Tap Room
University Village(1)
Hawkeye'S Bar & Grill
West Town(1)
Rebel And Rye Tavern

Tips for March Madness in Chicago

Arrive early. Alumni bars pack out for noon tip-offs. Be there by 11 AM on Thursday/Friday.
Sound on. These bars play your team's game with sound — not a screen in the corner.
Fill out a bracket. Hawkeye's, Fatpour, and Twin Peaks all run bracket pools with prizes.
Check the deals. Bucket specials, wing deals, shot wheels — search tournament deals.
Search March Madness DealsAll Game Day DealsAsk AI About Deals

FAQ

Where can I watch March Madness in Chicago?
Chicago has 43+ college alumni bars across 13 neighborhoods. Ohio State has 6 bars (Old Crow Smokehouse, Vaughan'S Pub + more). Illinois has 5 bars (Country Club, The Pony Inn + more). Michigan has 5 bars (Avondale Tap, Blue Bayou + more). Wisconsin has 5 bars (Lottie'S Pub, The Lodge Tavern + more). Most open early for noon tip-offs with drink specials all tournament.
What are the best March Madness deals in Chicago 2026?
We found 21+ March Madness deals including bracket challenges, bucket specials, food combos, and early openings. Fatpour Tap Works runs a full Munch Madness menu. Hawkeye's has bracket contests with prizes. Mac's American Food opens at 11 AM for early tip-offs.
Which tournament teams have alumni bars in Chicago?
25 of the 68 tournament teams have dedicated Chicago bars: Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue, Duke, Florida, Kansas, Michigan State, and more. Lakeview alone has 18+ college bars.
When is March Madness 2026?
First Four: March 18-19. First Round: March 20-21. Second Round: March 22-23. Sweet 16: March 27-28. Elite 8: March 29-30. Final Four: April 4. Championship: April 6.
Do I need a reservation for March Madness?
Most alumni bars are first-come, first-served. For big-draw teams (Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin), arrive 30-60 minutes before tip-off. The first Thursday and Friday of the tournament are the busiest — 16 games each day starting at noon.

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College team affiliations sourced from alumni chapters, venue websites, and community knowledge. Missing a bar? Submit it. Updated March 17, 2026.