Where to watch March Madness in Chicago

The 2023 March Madness: Men's NCAA tournament is underway, and college basketball fans across the country are gathering to watch the games and see how their brackets perform. Here are some places to eat, drink and celebrate as you watch your favorite teams play their way through the final four and on to the championship game in Houston.

Frontier

1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Frontier is named for the pioneers of the old American West and offers a menu designed to push diners out of their comfort zone and into the wild “where nature dictates what’s on the menu,” according to its website. James Beard Award semifinalist chef Brian Jupiter presents a contemporary interpretation of dishes pioneers hunted and gathered on the trail.

Throughout the March Madness tournament, games will be played on all televisions throughout the restaurant, and game-day specials will be offered through April 1.

Game day specials

• $100 off whole smoked pigs
• 20% of Frontier Duo & Trio Meals
• 10% off Large Party Menu Appetizers  
• $25 High Noon, White Claw and Hornito’s Seltzer Buckets

The Pony

1638 W. Belmont

The Pony is a Lakeview-based neighborhood sports bar with a second-floor retractable roof and 24 flat screens and 13 wall-mounted TVs. 

Game day specials:

• $5 Tully shots
• $18 domestic buckets
• $12 pizza

Standard Bar and Grill

1332 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Standard Bar and Grill is a two-level bar in Wicker Park that serves pub fare and comfort food amid industrial decor. It has 30 big-screen televisions and two 140-inch projectors for your March Madness viewing pleasure. The Standard has its own bracket challenge along with prizes and giveaways throughout the tournament.

Game day specials:

• $26 Corona Extra buckets
• $8 Tito’s Vodka cocktail
• $7 Skrewball Whiskey

LG’s Bar & Kitchen

1525 N. Wells St.

LG’s Bar & Kitchen is a gastropub located in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood whose motto is “come for the food, stay for the party.” LG’s delivers on that promise with weekly trivia nights, ladies nights and live DJs. It’s billing itself as the “ultimate viewing spot” for March Madness with the following specials.

Game day specials:

• $25 Corona Extra or Corona Seltzer buckets
• $8 Mixed Tito’s cocktails
• $5 Skrewball Whiskey shots
• $20 Tailgate Trays — buffalo chicken dip, mango habanero guacamole, cheddar artichoke dip
• $35 — wings or tenders (tossed in barbecue, buffalo, or sticky) + regular fries + mac n’ cheese + cheese curds

Jefferson Tap & Grille

325 N. Jefferson

Jefferson Tap & Grille has served Chicago’s West Loop neighborood since 2002 with contemporary pub fare, seasonal specials and a dog-friendly patio in addition to two full bars open till 4 a.m.

Game day specials:

• $28 Corona Extra or seltzer buckets
• $6.50 Skrewball shot

Joker’s Cajun Smokehouse

2416 W. Schubert

Joker’s Cajun Smokehouse in Logan Square serves small-batch, wood-smoked barbeque supplied by locally owned farms that raise hormone-free animals. It’s offering dine-in and carryout specials for March Madness.

Game day specials:

• $25 Corona Extra buckets
• $6 Tito’s simple cocktails
• $6 Skrewball shots
• Use code MM2023 and save 15% on carryout orders at Joker’s during March Madness