There’s a reason Las Vegas has been the preferred gathering spot for college basketball fans every March for the past few decades: The energy, adrenaline and edge-of-the-seat excitement that permeates the city’s sportsbooks, sports bars and showrooms during March Madness is unmatched anywhere—and that includes the arenas where the games are played.
Where else can you find food and drink specials ranging from hot dogs and unlimited draft beer to elevated stadium fare and specialty cocktails? And place action on the action, including convenient wagering directly from your mobile device? And enjoy all the games in a boisterous atmosphere where friends and strangers alike exchange hugs and high-fives with virtually every made (or missed) basket?
Indeed, choosing to spend at least part of March Madness in Vegas is a no-brainer. Choosing the perfect spot to take in all the action? Not so much. That’s because dozens of venues from the Strip to downtown offer their own unique vibe and experience. To help you select the location that’s ideal for you and your group, here’s our annual sampler platter of best bets:
Always a fan favorite, the Westgate’s International Theater transforms into “Hoops Central.” Catch all 63 games on four massive big screens on the theater’s stage, stay nourished with food and drink specials, and place your wagers at various satellite betting stations. The best part? Admission to the 1,500-seat venue is free (reserved seating is available for $30 and includes one free beer).
Want to watch the games while playing some games? Check out the HyperX Esports Arena at Luxor, a 30,000-square-foot, multilevel facility that features a two-story video wall. Not only can you watch all the action from March 19-21, but you can also showcase your virtual basketball skills at various complimentary NBA 2K gaming stations. Or reserve a VIP room, where up to 15 people have access to their own TVs, luxury seating and gaming setups ($95 food and beverage minimum is required per seat, per day).
Crush at MGM Grand
Want a menu that raises the March Madness bar a bit? Head to Crush and Greek Sneek at MGM Grand. During the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend (March 19-21), enjoy such next-level items as lamb and chicken gyros, plus signature flatbreads, including one topped with Canadian bacon, quail eggs and fontina. Several drink specials also will be available, including $7 craft draft beers and $10 mimosas, bloody Marys and specialty margaritas. MGM Grand also offers a more traditional sports-bar vibe at TAP, which features 60 HDTVs, sports memorabilia from some of the world’s greatest athletes, a variety of beers on tap and a kitchen that serves up pub favorites.
The indoor-outdoor Beer Park at Paris will treat basketball fans to a food menu featuring twists on classic bar fare, more than 100 beers (including 36 on tap) and more than 75 high-def TVs to view games through the April 6 national championship game. Choose from one of Beer Park’s picnic-style tables on the outdoor deck, opt for comfy living-room style seating indoors or upgrade to premium seating ($175 per person food-and-beverage minimum).
The Plaza
One of the biggest gathering spots during the opening weekend of March Madness happens downtown, where The Plaza Hotel & Casino’s Event Center will welcome college hoops fans to its nearly 5,000-square-foot events center from March 19-22. With 18 big screens, two projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system, guests attending The Plaza’s viewing party won’t miss a moment of the buzzer-beating action—nor will they miss a chance to place their wagers, thanks to several William Hill betting stations throughout the event center. Food will be available from Pop Up Pizza, and multiple bars will offer drink specials ($20 per day or $40 for a four-day pass; includes one complimentary drink and food item per day).
Multiple venues in The Venetian and The Palazzo will be rocking during the NCAA Tournament, but one of the most popular will be Rockhouse in the Grand Canal Shoppes. During the tournament’s opening weekend (March 19-22), the nighttime hotspot will open its doors to college basketball enthusiasts at 8:30 a.m. daily. Packages start at $150 per person (half-day) or $240 (full-day) and include guaranteed seating and a premium open bar, with food available for purchase.
Looking for a one-stop shop with multiple experiences under one roof? Head to the north end of the Strip, where four venues inside the Sahara Las Vegas—Beers and Bets, Casbar Lounge, The Tangier and Paradise Lounge—will open their doors to hoops fans from March 19-21. Each establishment will offer party packages (starting at $180), as well as food-and-beverage specials and easy access to the William Hill sportsbook inside Beers and Bets. Fans also can upgrade to premium seating for optimum viewing of the games.
Besides having one of the best sportsbooks on the Strip, The Mirage also is home to The Still, a popular craft-beer restaurant and bar that hosts “Brackets and Beer” from March 18-21. Table reservations are available for one of two sessions (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 3 p.m.-9 p.m.), or both. Each require a food-and-beverage minimum. (March 18-19: $150 minimum for one session, $300 for both; March 20: $100 minimum for one session, $200 for both; March 21: $75 minimum for one session, $150 for both.)
Options abound in and around Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops. Want an all-inclusive experience? Visit PRR Rock Bar, which offers premium seating, an open bar and complimentary food (starting at $150 for half-day packages). Or head to Blondies, one of the Strip’s most popular sports bars that features more than 60 big screens (including one that stretches 12 feet wide), plus food and drink specials.
