The NCAA men’s basketball season will crown a champion at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on Monday, April 8, and there will be no shortage of local spots to catch the games leading up to the championship. Here’s an all-you-need-to-know guide on where to watch March Madness in Arizona, which begins Tuesday, March 19.
Backyard at Desert Ridge
Catch the tournament at this new 8,000-sq.-ft. indoor/outdoor restaurant in Desert Ridge Marketplace. Backyard boasts four 18-ft. LED screens that showcase multiple games at once. The patio invites guests to play games like Pop-a-Shot and corn hole, and dogs are also welcome. Food wise, expect dishes like pastrami egg rolls, jalapeño popper dip and smoked beef cheek baguettes. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, visit backyardusa.com/desert-ridge.
Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila
Scottsdale’s Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila will be hosting a Final Four watch party on Saturday, April 6. Specials include $20 Modelo buckets all day and a Modelo Custom Shop offering personalized screen-printed bags from 5 to 7 p.m. Tip off begins at 7 p.m. For more information, visit cienagaves.com.
Lakeside Bar and Grill
Basketball fans can score some buckets this March Madness in Arizona at this family-friendly restaurant. Lakeside Bar and Grill is offering a bucket of five you-call-it beers for $15 during the tournament. The Peoria sports bar boasts not only an inviting indoor space suitable for large groups but also two dog-friendly patios equipped with outdoor TVs, ensuring no one misses a moment of the action. Check out one of the daily lunch specials, and the food and drink specials featured during the 3 to 7 p.m. daily happy hour. For more information, visit lakesidebarandgrillaz.com.
The Spot at Arcadia
Bottomless food and drink specials differentiate The Spot at Arcadia from other sports bars. The Phoenix restaurant offers a choice-of-four $35 all-you-can eat wings, street tacos, sliders, mozzarella sticks, fried clams or pretzels for two hours. It also offers a variety of bottomless drinks for two hours. In addition, The Spot has 40 TVs for catching March Madness in Arizona. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. and reverse happy hour is 8 p.m. to close, Monday through Friday. For more information, visit thespotarcadia.com.
Hamburguesas Y Cervezas
This new restaurant in Downtown Phoenix is offering a wing trio just in time for March Madness in Arizona: 18 wings for $18, with three flavors (al pastor, habanero pineapple and spicy BBQ). Fans can wash that down with $4 Mexican draft beers. Hamburguesas Y Cervezas also host a daily happy hour with food and drink specials from 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit hamburguesasycervezas.com.
Twin Peaks
March Madness fans can cheer on their teams at one of Twin Peaks’ four Valley locations (Tempe, Glendale, Phoenix and Tempe), and join the restaurant’s online bracket challenge. Fans have until March 21 to submit their bracket for a chance to win $2 million in prizes as well as $50 Twin Peaks gift cards for the top bracket at each location. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. to close on weekdays. For more information, visit twinpeaksrestaurant.com.
The Phoenician Tavern
Basketball fans can feel like they’re on vacation watching the tournament at The Phoenician Tavern in Scottsdale, located within The Phoenician resort. The restaurant offers expansive windows and a patio with stunning views of the mountains and lush green golf course. From March 21 to March 24, the tavern will open early with bar service beginning at 9 a.m. and food service beginning at 11 a.m. In addition, The Phoenician Tavern offers happy hour daily from 3 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit thephoenician.com/dine/the-phoenician-tavern/.
The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen
The three Valley locations (Tempe, Scottsdale and Litchfield Park) of The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen all boast large patios with multiple TVs. The Litchfield Park location has turf and games on the back patio, making it kid-friendly. Happy hour is open to 5 p.m. in Litchfield Park, and open to 5:30 p.m. at the Scottsdale and Tempe locations. For more information, visit thecraftsmanaz.com.
Blue 32
Each of the four Valley locations (Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and South Gilbert) of this family-friendly sports grill has dozens of TVs for viewing March Madness games. Fans can enjoy food and drink specials with Blue 32’s happy hour, weekdays from 3 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit blue32sportsgrill.com.