Although it isn’t quite ditch-the-jacket weather yet, spring is in the air, and that means that one of the best times of the year for sports fans is officially upon us. March Madness begins on Tuesday, March 17, so fill in your brackets and head to any one of these bars around town for some game-day specials.
Mt. Washington Tavern: Although this neighborhood haunt is known for its fancy wood furnishings and sophisticated entrees, Mt. Washington Tavern is always down to party when it comes to sporting events. For all post-season and tournament games the tavern will be offering $3 16-oz Natty Boh cans, $6 Red Bull vodkas, $4 Blue Moon drafts, $10 chicken quesadillas, $10 jumbo-lump crab dip, $8 slow roasted chicken wings, and $10 loaded tots. 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6903.
The Greene Turtle: This chain restaurant celebrated the debut of Shell Raiser Pale Ale—its first signature house beer—back in November, and the McHenry Row location is getting in on the NCAA tournament fun by featuring $4 16-oz. and $6 22-oz. drafts of Shell Raiser on all game days. The bar will also be offering a deal on cleverly-named March Madness shooters for $5, such as the “jump,” (Smirnoff vanilla, triple sec, and pineapple juice) the “layup,” (Three Olives grape vodka and lime juice) and the “foul” (Three Olives cherry vodka and grenadine.) 1606 Whetstone Way, 410-528-8606.
Luckies Tavern: With seven 50-inch TV screens and one jumbo screen, this Vegas-inspired spot in Power Plant Live is a great place to hangout and cheer on your alma mater. Specials will include $5 bites, $3 Miller Lite drafts, and—if you’re feeling adventurous—a massive 100-oz. Miller Lite tower with its own controllable tap for $20. 10 Market Place, 410-223-1105.
Looney’s: As we all know, tasty pub grub and a pitcher of beer is a match made in heaven for sports fans, so if you’ll be cheering on your team from Canton, head over to this Irish pub to take advantage of tons of specials. Looney’s will be offering a dozen wings and a half-pound of shrimp for $9.99, a full order of 50 mussels and a pitcher of beer for $20.99, a pound of shrimp and a pitcher of beer for $23.99, and two-dozen wings and a pitcher of beer for $23.99. 2900 O’Donnell St., 410-675-9235.
Sliders: While this popular sports bar, located 771 feet away from home plate at Camden Yards, patiently awaits the glory of Opening Day, it will be featuring plenty of deals on food and drinks for March Madness to hold everyone over. Head to the orange awning for $2 domestic drafts, $3 import drafts, $5 Fireball shots, and $6 wings made with a variety of 12 homemade sauces. 504 Washington Blvd., 410-547-8891.
Charles Village Pub & Patio: If the rising temps are making you resist the temptation to head outside, check out the outdoor patio at this Towson spot, which boasts plenty of screens to watch the tournament games. Enjoy discounted drinks like Coors Light and Miller Lite specials ($2 for bottles, $5 for buckets), and show off your Maryland pride with $5 ruby red Terps crushes. 19 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Towson, 410-821-8155.
B’more Beers: Sip your picks from a selection of 32 microbrews under the twinkling lights of this circular bar in Horseshoe Casino during its “Hoops and Hops Craft Beer Madness” event on April 4. From 5-11 p.m., guests can taste 30 2-oz samples of the featured brews while watching the semi-finalists compete in the Final Four. The price of a ticket also includes a souvenir Horseshoe pint glass. 1525 Russel St., 844-777-7463.
Camden Pub: With featured eats like wraps, burgers, pit-beef sandwiches, and plenty of beer offerings, this family-owned spot has all of the essentials for a great viewing party—no matter what sport you’re watching. March Madness specials at Camden Pub will include $2 Miller Lite cans and 60-cent wings for all games. 647 W. Pratt St., 410-547-1280.
World of Beer: With more than 50 unique brews on tap and plenty of upscale bar snacks to go around, this McHenry Row tavern is a go-to game day hangout. World of Beer will be offering happy hour deals like $1-off all drafts and $5 tavern fare—like its signature German pretzels, mac and cheese with bacon, and beer battered onion rings—for all guests who mention Baltimore magazine during March Madness. 1724 Whetstone Way, 41-752-2337