March Madness Tips Off at 6 Top San Antonio Sports Bars

March brings with it Daylight Savings Time and the first day of spring, but for millions of sports fans it means one thing: March Madness, aka the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The one-game-knockout format results in exciting games, thrilling finishes and upset victories.

As the proud home of the NBA's Spurs, San Antonio is a huge basketball town. We've scouted out some of the best places to settle in with food, drinks and friends to watch the games.

1. Cover 3

Just 15 minutes from Springs at Bandera, Cover 3 was recently ranked as the best sports bar in San Antonio by Foursquare users. The menu features upscale versions of bar food favorites, including five types of sliders and three varieties of flatbread pizza. Their signature chicken is cooked underneath a brick for crispy skin with a juicy interior. Cover 3's TV package includes NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings and the Longhorn Network, so you won't miss a game all year long.

2. Charlie Brown's Neighborhood Bar & Grill

How can you go wrong with a place named after one of America's most beloved cartoon characters? With 11 TVs, you have a good view from any spot. The hotter-than-hot butt-burner chicken wings come with a disclaimer for the faint of heart. On Saturdays, stick around for live music and free breakfast at midnight. Charlie Brown's is a short 12-minute drive from Springs at Live Oak.

3. Ticket Sports Pub

At the aptly-named Ticket Sports Pub, no game is ever sold out. Thanks to their central location downtown in the historic Houston Street district, this pub draws a diverse group of sports fans to watch the big games on 15 HD big-screen TVs with surround sound. During halftime, challenge your friends to a lively game of darts, pool or retro arcade games like PacMan, Donkey Kong and Frogger.

4. MadDogs British Pub

Add some international flair to your sports-watching at MadDogs, "the pub that thinks it's a club." This authentic British pub, located in a prime spot on the River Walk, features 16 HD TVs and two jumbo screens. The extensive drink menu includes Cricket Bat Beer Samplers and beer cocktails such as Black & Tan and Snake Bite. Their seven-days-a-week entertainment schedule rotates between live music, DJs and karaoke.

5. Watering Hole Saloon

This bar with its classic Texas atmosphere is less than a 10-minute drive from Springs at Creekside. Two 12-foot big screens and 30 satellite TVs preside over the centerpiece, a hand-carved bar created by chainsaw artist Terry Boquist. The bar list includes more than 50 domestic and specialty brands with Happy Hour offered 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and all day Sunday.

6. Fat Racks

At Fat Racks, you'll find varied drinks specials served by a friendly and efficient staff. Tasty club grub like spicy pickle chips and beer-battered fish wedges help keep you fueled as you watch the game. There's also billiards for a flat-rate fee and plenty of TVs to watch the games.

Where will you be watching the tournament? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor's note: This post was originally published on 3/10/16 and the content has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.