Lagasse's Stadium
March is here, and that means basketball: 68 college teams racing toward the Final Four with the inevitable buzzer-beaters, Cinderella stories and heartbreaks en route. Whether you’re a casual fan or tournament fanatic, Las Vegas has a venue for you to take in the Big Dance, with enough drink specials and guilty-pleasure snacks that you won’t even care when your bracket busts.
1. Westgate Race & Sports SuperBook
In Las Vegas, there are sports books and then there’s the SuperBook, known for its lively crowds, liberal comps and vast menu of wagering options. If you want to put some money on your alma mater and perhaps dabble in a prop or two, this is the place. (Westgate, 702.732.5111)
2. Lagasse’s Stadium
More than 100 TVs? Check. Stadium-style seating? Check. Luxury boxes? Check. Green chili pork nachos? Hell yeah! Combine a sports book, a bar and an Emeril Lagasse restaurant and you get this game-day destination where you can pair college hoops with dishes like shrimp and andouille gumbo and lobster grilled cheese. (The Palazzo, 702.607.2665)
3. Plaza Hotel
March Mania returns to the downtown casino, where a 5,000-square-foot space becomes the ultimate basketball showcase with a free T-shirt and comped food and drink item included with your ticket. This year, if local squad UNLV wins a game, attendees score $25 each and free pizza! (702.386.2507)
4. Umami Burger, Beer Garden & Sports Book
Level Up
While college kids drain threes on TV, guests at this SLS eatery’s March Madness bash will mix and match burgers and craft brews in the outdoor beer garden or inside bar. Pick your package and bring some cash for the betting window. (SLS Las Vegas, 702.761.7614)
5. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Imagine you and a few hundred of your closest friends enjoying an open bar while the NCAA’s best ballers throw down in the name of everlasting glory. That’s the idea at Tournament Madness, where your wristband also scores 20 percent off restaurants like Mr. Lucky and Pink Taco. (702.693.5000)
6. Topgolf Las Vegas
Topgolf is transforming into Hoops Viewing Headquarters March 15-18, switching its 300 TVs to basketball and offering a 48-foot video wall, beer specials, group seating and sports betting—along with its signature interactive golf game. (MGM Grand, 702.933.8458)
7. Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas
If the NCAA tournament is your Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s rolled into one, consider heading to the Hard Rock Cafe, March 15-18. For $195, you’ll get a guaranteed seat, an open bar and an all-you-can-eat buffet of game-day grub. Go ahead and drown your bracket sorrows in ranch dressing. (3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702.650.8590)
8. Treasure Island
Find a little Madness in March with TI’s college hoops viewing party March 15-17. Catch all the action in the TI Ballroom, with doors opening at 7:30 a.m.; the event features a cash bar and food concessions along with banquet-style seating, satellite betting stations and large-screen HDTVs. (866.705.3299)
9. Level Up
At this gamer lounge, the action isn’t just on TV. While power forwards lay down nasty dunks, you can perfect your beer pong shot, battle friends in arcade games or work on your swish with the NBA Hoops game. During the tournament watch party, TAPS Sports Bar provides snacks like buffalo chicken sliders. (MGM Grand, 702.891.7871)
