March isn’t only about the beginning of spring or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day… (but if you want to know what to do in Denver for St. Patrick’s Day check out our St. Patrick’s Day 2016 Denver guide). March also is known for the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament month, a.k.a March Madness, and to celebrate this great month we have a special March Madness 2016 Denver events, contests and food + drink specials guide for you.
But first…
What is March Madness?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament is a single-elimination tournament played each March in the US, currently featuring 68 college basketball teams, (but four preliminary games knock that number down to 64) to determine the national championship of the major college basketball teams. The tournament, organized by the NCAA, was created during 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. It is known informally as March Madness or the Big Dance, and has become one of the most famous annual sporting events in the US. The term “March Madness” was actually born out of a high school basketball tournament that began in Illinois in 1908. The term was adopted at the college level in 1982 when CBS sportscaster Brent Musburger used it in a broadcast. (Thanks Katie Couric for the info!)
March Madness 2016 Game Schedule
First Four: March 15th – 16th 2016; UD Arena Dayton, Ohio
First and Second Rounds: March 17th & 19th 2016 at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa; PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C.; Pepsi Center, Denver; Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.
March 18th & 20th 2016 at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY; Scottrade Center, St. Louis; Chesapeak Energy Center, Oklahoma City; Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, WA.
West Regional: March 24th & 26th 2016 at Honda Center, Anaheim, CA.
South Regional: March 24th & 26th 2016 at KFC YUM! Center, Louisville, KY.
Midwest Regional: March 25th & 27th 2016 at United Center, Chicago, IL.
East Regional: March 25th & 27th 2016 at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA.
Final Four: April 2th & 4th 2016 at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
March Madness 2016 Denver Events
Brews N’ Brackets | All Neighborhood Tavern Locations + Whiskey Tango Foxtrot + Chopper’s Sports Grill
Where: Tavern, Find your local neighborhood location at www.tavernhg.com; Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2907 Huron St, Denver 80202; Chopper’s Sports Grill, 80 S Madison St, Denver 80209.
When: After selection on Sunday, March 13th 2016.
Be a part of the NCAA March Madness action! Enter the 2016 Tavern Brews ‘n Brackets contest, sponsored by Bud Light and Alice 105.9. Get your picks ready for Selection Sunday, March 13th 2016 and be sure to fill out your Tavern bracket by visiting www.tavernhg.com between March 13th and the first tip-off on March 17th. Then watch all the games at your favorite neighborhood Tavern!
Brews ‘n Brackets Grand Prize – A trip for two to Las Vegas with 3 Days – 2 Nights at Mandalay Bay complete with airfare! Other top winners will receive $250, $200, $150 and $100 gift cards! Food specials + $3.50 Bud & Bud Light drafts *Specials available during all Men’s NCAA Tournament Basketball Games
NCAA March Madness Viewing Parties | EXDO Event Center
Where: EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver 80205
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Reserve your seat to watch your favorite teams on the Biggest screen in Denver at the EXDO Event Center. Custom food packages and advanced reserved seating available for larger parties. Drink specials, Beer Specials, Food Trucks. *21+ with valid ID.
Email [email protected] for reservation information.
March Madness Shoot Out | Renaissance Denver Hotel
Where: Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St, Denver 80207
When: Wednesday, March 16th 2016
Time: 2pm – 3pm + 7pm – 8pm
Cost: FREE
Visit the Renaissance Denver Hotel‘s lobby to take your chances at the hoop! Check out your skills and participate for your chance to win some wonderful prizes!
March Madness 2016 Happy Hour | Occidental
Where: Occidental, 1950 W 32nd Ave, Denver 80211
When: Monday – Friday 4pm – 6pm; Saturday 11am – 6pm; Sunday All Day
Occidental are hosting a special March Madness Happy Hour throughout the month featuring tacos and tequila by Tecate and Tequila Ocho!
March Madness 2016 Specials | Jake’s Sports & Spirits
Where: Jake’s Sports & Spirits, 3800 Walnut St, Denver 80205
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Jake’s Sports & Spirits will be screening all of the NCAA games on their 18 big screen HDTV’s and will be offering food and drink specials.
NCAA March Madness & Nuggets Seats Giveaway | Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill
Where: Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, 1605 Wynkoop St, Denver 80202
When: Throughout the month of March
Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill is a great place to watch the NCAA Tournament, with nine TVs, 52 beers on tap and a top of the line audio and video system. During March, when guests dine at Thirsty Lion they can enter to win a six-pack of tickets to the Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks basketball game on Monday, March 28th 2016 or a free dinner at Thirsty Lion. *The pub also hosts Happy Hour from 3-6pm and from 9:30-Midnight every day of the week.
March Madness Game Time Specials | Sporting News Grill
Where: Sporting News Grill, 6900 Tower Rd, Denver 80249
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Sporting News Grill will be offering special game time food and drink specials during game days. Located on Tower Road, just west of Denver International Airport, Sporting News Grill offers fantastic breakfast, lunch & dinner entrees served in an authentic sports bar environment. Come cheer your team to victory while enjoying a number of local Colorado beers on tap along with their famous appetizers.
March Madness Screenings | Jackson’s
Where: Jackson’s Denver, 1520 20th St, Denver 80202
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Jackson’s, located right next to Coors Field, has 85(!) television screens throughout the bar as well as giant indoor and outdoor space for guests to kick back, grab dinner and catch the game. They will have buckets of Coors Light on special throughout the day as well as their regular daily specials.
March Madness Cornhole Tournament | Mile High Cornhole
Where: Jackson’s Denver, 1520 20th St, Denver 80202
When: Sunday, March 20th 2016
Time: 11:30am – 5pm
Cost: $15 a person, $30 a team
Mile High Cornhole are hosting a special March Madness Cornhole Tournament at Jackson’s Denver in celebration of March Madness. Check-in and open boards at 11:30am. Bags fly at 12pm.BYOP (Bring your Own Partner) with no restrictions.
Format: Double elimination with 2 out of 3 to move on in the winner’s bracket and singles games in the loser’s bracket – 3 game minimum. 4 sets of boards will be setup. Cash – 100% payout to the top 3 teams – (possibly higher payouts).
For signup or questions visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/milehighcornhole
March Madness 2016 Screening | Govnr’s Park Tavern
Where: Govnr’s Park Tavern, 672 Logan St, Denver 80203
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Govnr’s Park Tavern was recently recognized at one of the top 5 places to watch the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Govnr’s can accommodate groups of all sizes with great visibility of all games and great food and drink specials daily.
March Madness Screening | Punch Bowl Social
Where: Punch Bowl Social, 65 Broadway, Denver 80203
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
Punch Bowl Social is a top spot to take in the March Madness games. Punch Bowl Social boasts 16 TV’s, so there’s plenty of screens to catch your favorite NCAA team. Grab a group for the shareable featured punch, Wearing of the Green and the favorite appetizer, Cauliflower Nachos. Not so into the hoops? Hit the bowling lanes, ping pong, private karaoke rooms, arcade or pinball games. Call (303) 765-2695 for reservations.
NCAA March Madness Giant Screen | The Rosedale
Where: The Rosedale, 1135 E Evans Ave, Denver 80210
When: Throughout the month of March on game days.
The Rosedale, the new Platt Park neighborhood tavern, will be screening all the games of the NCAA March Madness on a giant screen and will be offering food and drink specials as well.
Happy March Madness 2016 Denver. Game On!