Everywhere to Watch the Games During March Madness

March Madness is upon us, which means that you might be committing more time to your local sports bars than usual. In case you need some variety, we’ve rounded up a selection of bars and restaurants that are showing the games as well as featuring killer drink deals, raffles, prizes, and food specials.

Royal Exchange (301 Sacramento St.)
Head over to the Royal Exchange around happy hour (2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day) to secure a bar stool in time for the game — you’ll get a dollar off well drinks and select beer and wines. If you’re in the mood for a snack, be sure to check out the food menu, which features appetizer specials like Brussels sprouts, hummus plates, and panko-fried cod bites.

Ace’s (998 Sutter St.)
Ace’s is featuring March Madness specials all month long — like enormous cans of Budweiser for $3, happy hour perks ($5 shots of Sailor Jerry’s and Jaegermeister), and its house speciality: a fizzy frozen Irish coffee drink for when you need an extra potent pick-me-up. Ace’s is the unofficial headquarters for Wisconsin Badgers fans — which means that when the Badgers are up, you can snag buckets of Bud Light for $11.

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (4234 Geary Blvd.)
Inner Richmond newcomer Overtime is hosting raffles, prizes, and food and drink deals all throughout March Madness. Order a drink, check in on Facebook to watch a game, and the bar will serve you a complimentary order of tater tots or fries.

SFAC/Facebook

San Francisco Athletic Club (1750 Divisadero St.)
For March Madness, SFAC is playing all the games at full volume and serving bathtubs of beer (yes, you read that right) — a tub filled with twenty-four bottles, or, enough for you and your entire crew to enjoy before halftime. SFAC is also pouring $18 pitchers of Bud Light and serving its usual menu of pub fare classics like club sandwiches, burgers, nachos and Chicago-style hotdogs.

The Wreck Room (1390 California St.)
Mules are the drink of the hour over at The Wreck Room. This Nob Hill hub is offering $8 mule combos poured with Bulliet, Crown Royal, or Kettle vodka. Not in the mood for ginger beer? We suggest the $9 beer and shot combo.

Tunnel Top (601 Bush St.)
This tiny double-decker bar is playing the games on its downstairs television screens as well as in the upstairs mezzanine, which is available to rent out for large party viewings.

The Chapel (777 Valencia St.)
It may not be your usual sporting venue, but with four televisions, a twenty-four foot long projection screen, $8 tequila sunrises, and a view onto Valencia street, The Chapel is ideal for prime time viewing.

Bar San Pancho (3198 16th St.)
Die-hard basketball fans are rewarded at Bar San Pancho, where you can ask for a March Madness punch card on which to keep tabs of all the games you view. Collect enough punches and you’ll receive a complimentary margarita -- the ideal drink with which to enjoy the bar’s speciality food item, a quesadilla-meets-hamburger mash-up called a “quesoburguesa.”

Hi Tops (2247 Market St.)
This classic Castro stopover is playing all the games and hosting a happy hour that runs as late as 8 p.m.

Giordano Bros (3108 16th St.)
With multiple television screens, enormous Pittsburgh-style sandwiches, and an extensive beer menu, Giordano Bros is notorious for its limited standing room during sporting events. Our suggestion? Get there an hour before the game starts to be sure you’re guaranteed a barstool.

Jake’s Steaks (3301 Buchanan St.)
All your needs are met at Jake’s — this sports bar boasts enormous flatscreens, a menu filled with cheesesteak sandwiches galore, and $3 pints.