If it’s March, then it’s time for March Madness. Held each spring, this popular basketball tournament determines which college basketball team is the best in the country. Whether you’re looking for a place to cheer your alumni to victory or simply somewhere to enjoy a game (and keep tabs on your March Madness bracket), check out one of these best bars for college basketball in the D.C. area.
Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
639 Indiana Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-6666
www.dcsportstavern.com
With two full-service bars, 35 high-definition LED televisions and every sports network package available, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern is a great place to catch the latest college basketball action. Grab a seat by the bar, a cozy booth inside the restaurant or a table outside in the enclosed heated patio. Enjoy traditional American bar fare including nachos, burgers, wings and sandwiches. Penn Quarter Sports Tavern offers weekday happy hour food and drink specials including $12 pitchers of beer and half-priced foods after 7 p.m. Many alumni groups call Penn Quarter Sports Tavern home, including the University of Miami and Ole Miss.
Touchdown Sports Bar and Grill
1334 U St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-0708
www.touchdowndc.com
Although popular among football fans, Touchdown is a hip, happening, three-story, full-service restaurant and bar to watch all of the latest college basketball action too. Get the party started with tasty appetizers like the jalapeno poppers or the grand slam nachos. Touchdown also offers other great menu items like sandwiches, wings, burgers and chicken tenders. Enjoy happy hour specials, such as 50-cent wings Tuesday and Wednesday night, as well as special events including trivia and comedy club nights. Or swing by during the weekend and enjoy awesome brunch deals like unlimited mimosas for $12 and delicious menu items like steak and eggs, omelets and Belgian waffles.
Related: Best Bars To Watch College Basketball in Washington DC 2013
Cleveland Park Bar and Grill
3421 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 806-8940
www.cpbargrill.com
This widely popular sports bistro offers more than 30 televisions for your college basketball viewing pleasure. Grab a beer and enjoy an Italian-inspired menu with delicious menu items like wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas as well as salads, sandwiches and desserts. Cleveland Park Bar and Grill offers weekly food and drink specials, including $3 PBR and Miller Lite on Mondays and buy one pizza get a second for $2 on Tuesdays. The full-service restaurant and bar also offers an extensive selection of beer, wine and spirits as well as an outdoor deck with plenty of seating and televisions for you and your fellow alumni friends.
Mister Days
3100 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 527-1600
www.misterdays.com
Voted number one sports bar by Northern Virginia Magazine, Mister Days boasts great food and drink specials, fun nighttime activities and plenty of high-definition televisions, including a projection screen, to catch all of the latest college basketball shots and scores. Enjoy daily food specials, like prime rib on Mondays and taco baskets on Fridays. Many of the menu items at the popular restaurant and bar are made from scratch, including soups and dressings, and the burgers feature USDA Choice meat. Mister Days also offers trivia nights on Thursdays, with the chance to win prizes, and a DJ and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Caddies on Cordell
4922 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 215-7730
www.caddiesoncordell.com
If the game is on TV, then it’s playing at Caddies. The popular restaurant and bar features a casual atmosphere with typical American cuisine, including spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken sandwiches and create-your-own burgers. Enjoy weekly specials like half-priced appetizers on Tuesdays and $7 non-premium beer pitchers on Thursdays, as well as drink specials like $4 fireball shots, $6 premium drafts and $6 rail drinks. Caddies on Cordell also features an outdoor patio area open from spring until fall, perfect to catch some fresh air after that nail biter of a game.
Susan Diranian is a freelance writer living in Ashburn, VA. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
