Watch the game on a 40-foot-wide digital screen with 70 million pixels
March Madness officially begins today (March 18), kicking off a tidal wave of NCAA basketball tournament action. It’s one of the busiest times for Las Vegas sports books, so, plan ahead to maximize your viewing experience while (hopefully) cashing in on a good wager. Here’s where to catch the action on The Strip.
Hoops & Hops
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Running strong for 10 years now, Hoops and Hops is one of the most-anticipated college basketball parties of the year in Las Vegas. The viewing event takes over The Chelsea theater March 19-20 with wall-to-wall stadium-style projection screens and on-site betting. Reserved stadium seating begins at $300 per person, and reserved sofa seating begins at $450 per person. Contact directly to book and ask about upgrades for unlimited food and/or open bar. Other venues at The Cosmopolitan showing the games include The William Hill Race & Sports Book, Clique, Holsteins and The Pool Marque.
The Sahara
The Strip
The Sahara is going all-in on March Madness with property-wide viewing parties March 19-30. Tickets include guaranteed seating at venues like Casbar Lounge, Sahara Theatre Lounge, The Tangier and Paradise Lounge with food-and-drink credits and on-site wagering. Casbar is also hosting viewing events for the final championship games April 3 and 5. Drink deals include $13 you-call-its. Game-day food is supplied by Northside Cafe.
Hyper-X Arena
Luxor
The HyperX Esports Arena usually hosts video game tournaments but is transforming into a March Hoops viewing party March 19-20 with all the action displayed on an LED video wall. Admission begins at $75 and includes tickets for five call drinks. Extra food and drink are available, and, if you prefer to splurge, book a VIP suite with private catering and televisions with gaming consoles.
Electra
The Palazzo
March Madness is even better when as many as five games are shown at the same time on a 40-foot-wide digital screen with 70 million pixels. Group packages begin at $575 and include bottle service, beer buckets and food from Moon Palace and the brand-new Brera Osteria. Book reservations March 18-21.
Trustworthy Brewing Co.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian
The first and only brewery on The Strip will have a special breakfast menu available 9-11 a.m. for March Madness excitement March 19-20. Specials include bottomless steins of draft beers for $29, individual 24-ounce drafts for $9, a 16-ounce draft and Jim Beam shot for $12 and Jim Beam cocktails for $9.
Sugarcane
The Venetian
Sugarcane is a large restaurant with plenty of space to comfortably pack in plenty of college basketball fans for viewing events March 18-21. Doors open early at 8 a.m. with $25 pitchers, signature cocktails and an all-day menu full of brunch favorites.
The Still
The Mirage
With more than 25 flat-screens positioned at all angles, The Still is one of the best bars for watching sports on The Strip. Doors will open for March Madness beginning March 19 with more than 50 beers on draft and burgers, tacos, dogs and other bites served from an Airstream kitchen.
Beer Park
Paris Las Vegas
The viewing parties start early at 9 a.m. at Beer Park, which has a clubhouse feel and an expansive outdoor deck overlooking The Strip (with The Bellagio Fountains right across the street). Admission for two begins at $400, which goes toward a food credit. Beer Park is known for having more than 100 choices of beer and a wide variety of game-day grub.
Charlie’s Bar + Grill
Wynn
Charlie’s Bar + Grill is only open on weekends (and it isn’t doing anything special for March Madness), but it has great views of the sleek, modern Wynn sports book next door. Place your bets and watch the games from a comfortable seat while noshing on pretzels, nachos and one of 16 beers on tap.
Blondies
The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood
Blondies may be tucked inside a giant, touristy shopping mall, but it has a great sports bar atmosphere. Reservations for March Madness viewing parties are divided between morning and afternoon sessions, so plan accordingly—and be aware that the famous all-you-can-drink Happy Hour is suspended during these games. If you need to place a bet, the Planet Hollywood sports books is just a short walk away.
The Book
The Linq
The Book is probably the most unique sports book in Las Vegas with living room-style “fan caves” that can be reserved for larger groups. The place is all about comfort and convenience. Fill up your pint with auto-billed self-serve beer taps and have food delivered from Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen. The Trash Can Nachos are perfect for sharing.
Tap
MGM Grand
After temporarily closing during the pandemic, Tap is back open for the early days of the NCAA tournament March 19-22. Book a reservation and enjoy the games on 60 TV screens throughout the venue, which is heavily decorated with sports memorabilia. Tap is also conveniently close to the MGM Sports Book.