Best Places to Watch March Madness in Chattanooga
Sometimes seats at the local pub are even better than bleachers when it comes to March Madness.
With Selection Sunday just around the corner on March 12 and this year’s NCAA tournament beginning Tuesday, March 14, it’s about time to pick your spot to watch the sport. If you need a little help, we’ve got you covered with some of our favorite restaurants, sports bars and hole-in-the-wall pubs in Chattanooga to catch the game.
Mellow Mushroom
205 Broad St. or 2318 Lifestyle Way
Whether you visit the downtown or East Brainerd location, this pizza joint is always a great tournament watching spot. If you happen to be downtown, you can enjoy Mellow’s large patio, selection of over 120 beers from around the world (40 of which are on tap), 16 high-definition screens, and a 160" HD drop down screen in the newly-remodeled Boom Room, which is perfect for large parties if you call in advance. Plus…free WIFI! You can’t beat that.
Mike’s Hole in the Wall
538 Cherokee Blvd.
This North Shore bar offers plenty of TVs, dartboards and a sweet menu full of specials all week long. Don’t miss $1 tacos and $1 off draft craft beer on Tuesdays and 50-cent wing night on Thursdays.
Taco Mac
423 Market St.
Opened in 1998, this Chattanooga sports bar staple has been serving longnecks and drafts for nearly 20 years. Check them out for their 20 HD television screens, 60 beers on draft, 200 beers in the bottle … and of course, the wings.
Bud’s Sports Bar
5751 Brainerd Road
This is East Brainerd’s main stage for sports watching and drinks. You can’t beat the specials, either, with Monday night’s $5.99 steak dinner and $1.50 beer and Wing Night on Tuesdays with buy 10 get 10 free from 6 p.m. to midnight. If you are into South of the Border fare, come for Fiesta Wednesdays from 7-10 p.m. featuring $5 Margaritas and $10 margarita pitchers, 50-cent tacos, $2 nachos, $2 chips & salsa and $5 Mexican burger platter served with tortilla chips. Most Fridays and Saturdays, Bud’s also offers live music with no cover.
Universal Joint
532 Lookout St.
This gas station-turned-restaurant is a great locale for game-watching with its many TVs and stocked bar. If you want to bring the fam, they can also sit out on the spacious patio to avoid (most of) the game night hubub. Universal Joint is a great spot for dinner with its yummy buffalo or lemon pepper wings or the Firecracker Sliders, a mini-burger starter dish with jalapeños, scallions, cheddar and spicy aioli.
The Big Chill & Grill
103 Cherokee Boulevard Suite 1A
Everybody knows about The Big Chill’s boozy frozen cocktail options, but did you know it’s also a hotspot for sports watching? The new location boasts 16 TVs and a full menu with a greater variety of options than the typical sports bar. It’s also smoke-free and features a great happy hour including $4.50 daiquiris and $1.50 select drafts everyday between 4-8 p.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Downtown - 120 Market Street; Hixson - 5744 Hwy. 153; Fort Oglethorpe - 37 Parkway Dr.120
No true sports bar list would be complete without B-Dubs … we know. This is marketed as the be all, end all basketball HQ, and it’s going to be hella busy doing its job. If you don’t mind fighting the crowds, you can enjoy wing Tuesdays with 1/2 price wings or boneless Thursdays with specials on boneless wings all day long.
