March Madness is almost upon us! Whether your old university made the Big Dance or you’re competing in a workplace basketball pool, you may want to watch college basketball in a sports bar. Here are eight independent sports pubs or bars where you may watch sports. There is nothing wrong with Buffalo Wild Wings (I saw the 2004–2005 unbeaten Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball team lose the 2005 National Championship game to North Carolina at a Buffalo Wild Wings), but it’s typically more enjoyable to watch a game in a local tavern.
The Park Hosts Cork & Kerry
Some of the greatest sports pubs are located near stadiums for good reason: they can accommodate enormous crowds on game day, so a little crowded day in March will not be a problem. The closest bar near Guaranteed Rate Field (excluding the stadium’s bar, which is only open on game days) is ideal for the Bridgeport native who cannot wait for Opening Day. It is great for those who enjoy Irish egg rolls and Irish pours.
D’Agostino’s Pizza and Pub
D’Agostino’s, a tangentially baseball-related selection, is classic in the best conceivable sense. The pizza business is located a few blocks west of Wrigley Field, so it is accustomed to dealing with unruly patrons of all ages. The pizza is delicious, and there are a sufficient number of televisions. If you are dissatisfied with the location, you may go back towards Wrigley and find plenty of different possibilities. Full Shilling Public House is my favourite Cubs pub on Clark, although it doesn’t open until later in the afternoon (unless the Cubs play a day game), so you may miss some early games.
The Mission
This Little Italy Irish bar on Taylor Street will play all tournament games with the sound on, which is excellent but might provide a sound problem in the first round when numerous games are being played. Nonetheless, I’m certain they’ll figure it out! The room is spacious enough to accommodate numerous games without sound interference. Make use of their 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour. Monday through Friday outdoor beer garden and happy hour. The beer garden also features televisions.
Five Star Lounge
Five Star Bar, the outlier on our list, is equal parts neighborhood pub, punk rock pool hotspot, and sports bar. The Chicago Avenue locale may appear more inviting to a music scene veteran than a sports fanatic, but for those who appreciate a good draught list, a good draught happy hour (half off Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.), DJs who spin seven-inch punk classics and Chicago sports, it’s a great place to go. They don’t open on weekdays until 4 p.m., but if you’re the type of college basketball fan who must witness every play, you’re probably not going to Five Star. Relatedly, Five Star is an excellent place to watch Bears games.
The Globe Tavern
The greatest traditional soccer pub in Chicago periodically broadcasts WWE Premium Live Events (previously known as Pay-Per-Views), NFL events, and the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. It is one of the most popular sports bars in the city during soccer matches, but it is also one of the top sports bars overall. It offers a classic British pub ambiance, a big draught list (they have 39 taps, and often just one is devoted to Miller Lite or other super-popular domestic beers), knowledgable staff, and yes, a multitude of sports are broadcast on the televisions. And because they are primarily a soccer bar, they open early so you can see all the March NCAA action.
Kelly’s Public House
Since 1933, the DePaul pub on Webster Street has catered more to DePaul alumni and Lincoln Park locals than to students. As a graduate, I value it more with every passing year. Over the street lies the much bigger McGee’s, but Kelly’s is the pub featuring a piece of the former DePaul Blue Demons basketball court on the outside. The devil perched atop a basketball hoop was DePaul’s emblem from 1975 until 1999, when the team appeared frequently in the NCAA Tournament.
Leader Bar
Here you will find a bro-y but not too bro-y choice on Irving Park Drive in North Center. The staff is friendly, it is a sports bar that is not a “sports bar,” and there are 21 televisions to watch virtually any/every event. They provide half-price pizza on Monday nights and screen all University of Iowa games (they are an Iowa bar).
This is the Ogden Chicago
Yet again, some of the top sports pubs are located near stadiums. Before to and following Bulls and Hawks games, The Ogden is crowded. They open early during March Madness so that you may watch every second of NCAA action. This is a SPORTS BAR SPORTS BAR if you were seeking one.