March Madness is a Slam-Dunk at These 5 Twin Cities Sports Bars

Everyone's a basketball fan during March Madness when the best college teams compete for the NCAA Championship. You don't need to follow any particular school to get caught up in the excitement of watching the best amateur athletes at the top of their game.

The games are best watched in the company of friends and dozens of other enthusiastic fans cheering for their favorites. Settle in with burgers and a pitcher of beer at one of these popular sports bars in the Twin Cities area. 

1. Neisen's Sports Bar & Grill
4851 W 123rd St, Savage

You'll have a front-row seat when you watch the games on Neisen's 200" Monster Screen. Happy Hour is offered each weekday, and during Sunday's games you can enjoy a free buffet with any drink purchase from noon to 6 p.m. Niesen's is less than 10 minutes from Springs at Egan Drive.

2. Buffalo Wild Wings
7551 Egan Dr, Savage 
14658 Cedar Ave, Apple Valley 

This popular national restaurant is designed to be a sports fan's dream. With more than 30 flat-screen TVs, there's not a bad seat in the house. The beer selection includes a rotating variety of domestics, imports and crafts, and their classic chicken wings are perfect game-day food. The Savage and Apple Valley locations are less than a mile from our Springs communities.

3. Carbone's Pizza & Sports Bar

12930 Harriet Ave S, Burnsville

4046 County Rd 42 W, Savage

With about 30 locations across the state, Carbone's Pizza & Sports Bar is a Minnesota tradition dating back to 1954. Their award-winning formula includes accolades for best sports bar, best pizza, best family dining and best beer bar! Daily happy hour specials like buy one drink, get one free from 11 AM until 7 PM pair with an amazing array of TVs that let you easily keep track of the game. 

4. Buffalo Tap Bar & Grill
4990 W 123rd St, Savage

Buffalo Tap's menu is so extensive that you can have a different meal each of the tournament’s 12 days and still not make a dent in it. Their specialties are elk and buffalo burgers along with 14 versions of Minnesota's iconic Juicy Lucy, including the Triple Threat with its two-pound patty of elk, bison and beef. Kids also can stay entertained on one of their 14 Xbox consoles.

5. JC's Sports Bar

251 Burnsville Pkwy, Burnsville

JC's Sports Bar is home of the "Fan Cave." It's a place where true March Madness fans in the Twin Cities will feel right at home. Video games, poker tables, a golf simulator and lots of big-screen TV cozy up to the separate bar located downstairs. Awesome specials abound with kids eating free all day long on Taco Tuesdays, an all-you-can-eat fish fry from 5 PM to 10 PM on Flash Back Fridays and a ten-inch one topping pizza for $6 on Throw Back Thursdays. 

The tournament runs from March 13 until April 2, so why not try some or all of these great restaurants?

Which team is your pick to cut down the nets? Tell us in the comments!

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 7, 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.