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Restaurant Guides

The Best Bars for Basketball: Our Recommendations on Where to Watch the Tournament

The buzzer sounds, the crowd erupts, and good food and drinks are on the table – basketball season is upon us!
College basketball's most electrifying tournament is back, bringing with it a frenzy of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. But where to watch all the action? We've got you covered!

Whether you're a die-hard fan cheering on your alma mater or a casual spectator swept up in the excitement, inKind offers the perfect solution for watching some basketball games. This blog will be your one-stop guide to the best inKind spots to experience the thrill of the tournament. From lively sports bars with electric atmospheres to laid-back restaurants with delicious food and big screens, we've got something for every fan. So, grab your jersey, gather your crew, and get ready to dive into the madness with inKind!

Cities Featured in This Guide


New York City

2 Locations in New York
New York City staple, Hole in the Wall has Aussie brunch favorites, a seasonally charged dinner menu and an extensive drink list including quality coffee, cocktails and wine. Join them for beer, wings, and of course plenty of their signature seasonal dishes.
1 West 3rd Street, New York, NY, 10012
Rocco's elevates the 'sports bar' concept on its head with vintage-inspired decor and clever takes on nostalgic game day eats and drinks. Snag a table there early for you and your friends for hours of college basketball.
37 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10010
Check out this NYC sports bar for the perfect spot to watch games. Whether you want to secure your spot, enjoy the open bar, or reserve a table for your friends, RSVP on their website to select the best watch party package for you.

San Francisco

128 King St., San Francisco, CA 94122
Underdogs Cantina is a modern taqueria that serves delicious Mexican fare sourced with local and sustainable ingredients. They're known as a tried-and-true sports bar with multiple locations for catching the playoff games.
600 Taraval St., San Francisco, CA 94116
Underdogs Too is part of the Underdogs Cantina family and offer modern Mexican fare sourced with local and sustainable ingredients, prodiving another great spot to eat and watch some games.
1224 9th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94122
Part of the Underdogs Cantina family, Underdogs Tres serves modern Mexican fare sourced with local and sustainable ingredients. Enjoy some tacos and beer while you watch the games of the day.

Washington D.C.

1106 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Inspired by St. Augustine, the Patron Saint of Brewers, Augie's Mussel House and Beer Garden blends traditional Belgium cuisine with a modern twist. Sit on their patio to watch games while enjoying their creative mussel offerings and extensive ale selections.
728 North Henry St. Alexandria, VA 22314
Mason Social's mission is to provide outstanding modern American cuisine with integrity, professionalism and superior service. Stop in for some delicious food and drinks while you catch up on games on their TVs.
Two Locations in D.C.
Hip BBQ spot serving sandwiches & combo platters plus veggie sides, beer, wine & bourbon drinks. Watch college basketball there, or bring home some bbq for your watch party.
1201 S Joyce St C10, Arlington, VA 22202
Great pizza, beer, and basketball, what more could you ask for? This pizza joint and brewery in the DMV area is a great stop to catch the games while enjoying some great food and drinks.

Los Angeles

205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
The Waterfront is a California cuisine restaurant in Venice Beach offering beautiful views and delicious food and beverage menus celebrating California with local and seasonal produce. Sit back and relax with your friends while you catch up on college basketball.

San Diego

527 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92101
Swing Social offers a high-energy dining and drinking experience, right in the heart of the Gaslamp. Enjoy their three Full Swing simulators, over 13 interactive virtual sports, exciting cocktails, spirited décor, and handcrafted fare. They're also having specials on burgers and beer during the month of March for the big games.

Chicago

1709 Benson Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
Bat 17, a breakfast, lunch and dinner pub that takes a page from some of New York's' finest delis, ratchets up the quality to a mouth-watering trance, and wraps the whole package inside a Soho, Tribeca, Lincoln Park or Wicker Park style saloon.
Multiple Locations
90 local and global crafts on draft highlighting local brewers, American fare with chef-driven twists, upbeat vibes, and best-in-class service. The unique combination of ultimate sports bar and delightful restaurant.
225 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60601
Sweetwater is the perfect destination to watch the big game thanks to their great craft beer list, seasonal cocktails, and upbeat atmosphere.
3827 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613
Goodtimes provide a wide variety of beers and hard seltzers made by their master brewer Ray Gonzalez. Ray has over a decade of experience brewing beer in downtown Chicago at Rock Bottom Brewery, and now he brings the same energy and creativity to Good Times Brewery.
1312 S Wabash Ave, A, Chicago, IL, 60605
Signature Bar provides an unparalleled sports bar experience offering elevated American fare with a full bar.
1419 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL, 60610
Vibrant bar and restaurant featuring 90 beers on tap (30+ dedicated to local breweries) and modern American food with chef-driven twists. With plenty of TVs, this spot is sure to be your go-to for college basketball this season.

Miami

1547 SW 8 St, Miami, FL, 33135
Union Beer Store is your neighborhood go-to spot for craft beer and wine. Find yourself a spot at the bar and enjoy some craft beer while you catch college basketball.

Coconut Grove

3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
This iconic spot known for its extensive spirit and beer selection, as well as elevated small bites, is a great spot to catch the basketball games this season.

Pittsburgh

947 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The Standard evolves from a coffee bar to a grab-and-go cafe to a full-service restaurant, and finally, a late-night cocktail destination. Serving up wings, bowls, salads, entrees, and desserts.

Seattle

2121 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
The Victor Tavern is a modern urban tavern from Chef Ethan Stowell and is the perfect spot for a burger and a beer while watching the basketball games.

Austin

1806 E 12th Street, Austin, TX, 78702
If you're looking for a spot to catch basketball, this 70s-inspired retro sports bar is a great spot. This neighborhood joint has vintage classic cocktails and lots of outdoor seating complete with a comfort food truck. They have crawfish boils every Saturday, and will have specials going on during this year's tournament in March.
504 W 24th St, Austin, TX 78705
This new sports bar located just off the UT Austin campus is the perfect place for a game day watch party. With their massive tv screen, you'll be sure to catch every detail of the match ups. Be sure to come back in the fall to catch a longhorn football game in the heart of Austin.
501 W 6th St Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78701
Salvation Pizza serves Neapolitan-influenced New Haven-style pizza known for its thin, hand-pounded crust with a distinctive snap and crunch. A great spot to watch sports and enjoy a round of crisp craft beers.