Wake County
Players Retreat
This Raleigh staple has been a favorite among NC State students since 1951, offering beer, wine, scotch whiskey, fried shrimp, burgers, rib-eye steak and subs. Turn March Madness into a family affair by bringing your kids down to Oberlin Road on Sundays, where they’ll eat free while you catch the game.
Real McCoy’s
Enjoy loaded cheese fries, smash burgers, pickle chips, jumbo wings and more at this Raleigh restaurant, located on Rogers Road. Partake in new specials and deals every night while cheering on your favorite teams.
RallyPoint Sport Grill
Spend the day at this Cary sports bar and indulge in barbecue, burgers and wings. Play cornhole and yard games in between games while exploring different lagers, ales and ciders.
Sports & Social
Elevate your game day with state-of-the-art AV technology at this Cary sports bar. It features a massive 42-foot LED display where guests can watch multiple games at once, ensuring you don’t miss a single play.
Woody’s @ City Market
Head down to the heart of Raleigh for some fried mozzarella, pretzel bites, quesadillas, Philly cheesesteaks and signature burgers paired with a draft or cocktail. The Wolfe Street spot offers live music, bingo, trivia and outdoor seating, creating the perfect atmosphere for any game day.
Shakey Ray’s Tavern
This Apex restaurant is known for the “garbage plate,” a classic Rochester, NY meal that includes two cheeseburger patties on top of fries, macaroni salad and diced onions, plus a spicy meat sauce with brown mustard.
Durham County
Devine’s Grill and Sports Bar
Support this family-owned business and your favorite team at Devine’s, which has been serving all-American favorites since 1978. The West Main Street location is a prime location for tip-off, featuring 17 large TVs, 12 beers on draft and a variety of nonalcoholic options.
Clouds Brewing
Spend the tournament at Brightleaf Square for an authentic brewcade experience including arcade games, TVs, more than 50 beer taps and a full German-inspired menu.
Tobacco Road Sports Cafe
This sports cafe has locations in downtown Raleigh and in Durham’s American Tobacco District. Each location offers similar menus, but both specialize in delicious dishes like the fried green tomatoes, Southwest steak salad and the Country Frizzled and Drizzled Chicken. Make sure to add yourself to the cafe’s online waitlist before you arrive so you don’t miss a minute of the game!
Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub
Spend the day indulging in classic Irish dishes like bangers and mash or cottage pie while watching the game from this sports bar’s newly landscaped lawn, complete with picnic tables, adirondack chairs and games.
E.O’s Athletic Club
Head down to this West Main Street sports bar to enjoy the game with (E)very (O)ne. Order loaded baked potatoes, pizza, wings, cocktails and beer while cheering on your favorite team (or booing your rival). Bonus: Use the guest Wi-Fi and booth outlets to work remotely, ensuring you won’t miss a play.
The Tipsy Bull
Order signature lemon pepper wings, seared steak medallions and wings at this elevated downtown sports bar on Taylor Street, paired with a refreshing cocktail from its full bar.
Lakewood Social
Head to Lakewood Shopping Center to watch each basketball showdown over smashburgers, chicken Caesar wraps and fried oyster mushrooms. Bring your kids and your dogs, and choose from 33 nonalcoholic beverages for a memorable afternoon fit for the whole family.
Dain’s Place
This Ninth Street bar and burger shop has been a Durham favorite since 2007. Its sandwiches, salads and tater tots pair perfectly with a draft beer, IPA, stout or cider – especially on game days, when the team spirit is palpable.
The Tavern Durham
Fill your evening with games and fun – and not just the ones on TV! Grab your friends, order a burger, sandwich, salad or quesadilla, and enjoy a round of video games, billiards or darts while you watch the big game.
Parts & Labor
Grab a seat on the porch or inside by the bar, in the loft or in the side room at this downtown Durham bar and eatery – connected to Motorco Music Hall – while you watch the game. Check out Parts & Labor’s extensive menu full of bar food staples, like cheeseburger sliders, fries and chicken wings, or explore fun foreign flavors with dishes like the masala poutine, bulgogi marinated pork loin or pulled chicken empanadas.
Orange County
Four Corners
This Chapel Hill sports bar has been a staple for both students and locals alike for decades – named for coach Dean Smith’s famous four corners offensive strategy. Grab a burger and fries or treat yourself to a plate of Dr. Chin’s “Nearly World Famous Baby Back Ribs” while you cheer on your favorite team.
Sup Dogs
Top off your night on Franklin Street with a visit to a favorite spot among UNC students. Dress in your Tar Heel best and swing by Sup Dogs for an order of tots, nachos, wings or your preferred style of hot dog.
Might As Well Bar & Grill
No list of March Madness viewing spots would be complete without this high energy West Franklin Street sports bar, beloved by many for its electric atmosphere and delicious wings. Make sure to check Might As Well’s website for special nightly events and food and drink specials, from $1 wings to half-price pizzas.
Bru’s Public House
Hop on down to Bru’s in Carrboro to enjoy cocktails, beer, pizza, truffle tries, shrimp tacos and panini while keeping a close watch on your March Madness Bracket. The East Main Street bar also offers a private viewing room that comes with a projector and two additional TVs, elevating your game day experience.
Carolina Brewery
This must-visit sports bar and brewery has locations in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, offering sports fans in Orange and Chatham Counties the perfect spots for tournament viewing parties. Choose from an extensive list of delicious house-brewed beers, plus cocktails and wines and a full menu of finger-licking Southern staples, from barbecue smoked pork mac and cheese to shrimp and grits to a classic fried chicken sandwich.
He’s Not Here
Chapel Hill’s legendary bar has been an iconic go-to social spot for students at UNC since the early ‘70s, so it’s steeped in Tar Heel history. Pair a bite to-go from your favorite neighboring Franklin Street restaurant with your drink of choice served in one of He’s Not Here’s famous 32-ounce souvenir blue cups.
One40 Social
Experience the tournament on the biggest sports bar screen in Chapel Hill at One40 Social. Enjoy an evening at this Ukranian-owned and operated hangout – and don’t miss delicious eats, including pizza, crabcakes and pyrozhki, plus classic or spiked milkshakes and ice cream from in-house parlor Dead Milkman.
Chatham County
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Enjoy a range of burgers from land and sea – and even vegetarian options – at this Briar Chapel spot (our editors are big fans of the Atlantic barbecue salmon sandwich). Watch the game with a local pint and don’t forget a side of truffle parmesan fries.
House of Hops
Order your favorite beer on-tap with friends during the game at this family-owned craft beer shop, or grab a six pack to-go for your home watch party. House of Hops has been serving up cold ones since 2014 and now has three distinct locations in the Triangle – one in Pittsboro and two in Raleigh – each with its own unique atmosphere.
Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Get in the game day spirit at this pub and eatery and dig into an Irish twist on your favorite dishes, from nachos to egg rolls. Doherty’s has four cozy locations in the Triangle – Pittsboro, Apex, Cary and Holly Springs – each featuring more than a dozen flat screens, perfect for a March Madness watch party.
Looking for more exciting events in The Triangle? Explore our calendar for what’s happening this weekend!
