Where to watch the NCAA tournament in the suburbs
March may not always deliver on the warm weather front, but at least three things are guaranteed this month: booze, betting and basketball. Whether you're a fanatic follower or just a casual fan, it's easy to get wrapped up in March Madness. So grab your bracket sheet and head to these spots to catch the games and follow the plays while enjoying some NCAA action yourself.
Durty Nellie's West Irish Pub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150; www.durtynellies.com
Serious sports fans will be giddy over the prizes they could win for picking the Final Four. Here's a tip: Even if you need to consult a psychic to get it right, the chance to win pairs of tickets to see the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Bears and Hawks is totally worth it. Runners-up can win Cubs tickets, Metra fare to get there and dinner at Durty Nellie's, or concert tickets and food for four.
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Even if you don't get lucky on your sheets, you can still enjoy half-priced appetizers during game time throughout the tournament. Oh, and where good guessing fails, sheer numbers can be on your side: If you can get 20 buddies to show up in the school colors of one of the teams playing that day, you'll get a special section to sit in and a $100 gift certificate to party with while you cheer.
Hot Shots Sports Bar and Billiards, 2S610 Route 59, Warrenville, (630) 393-1241; shopcpn.com/webpage/display.cfm?ID=38337
With six big screens and 43 regular TVs, it's hard to miss a play at Hot Shots. That doesn't mean there won't be more going on during the games with Miller girls asking trivia questions from 9 to 11 p.m. March 27 for a chance to win an iPod Nano. You can also get a special March Madness 20-ounce souvenir cup of Miller beer for $2.75 or $2.25 for 15 ounces throughout the tournament.
Moretti's Ristorante Pizzeria, 1893 Walden Office Square, Schaumburg, (847) 397-4200; www.morettischicago.com
Sure you can get a decent idea of where things stand in the tournament by doing some research before the game. Then again, why not just let 670 AM, THE SCORE do the work for you. Chicago's Sports Radio will be stopping by Moretti's with Miller Lite reps to broadcast live from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27. Columnists Mike Mulligan and Brian Hanley will handle the early show, with Mike Murphy coming in after noon to talk about the tournament. The event also features free Miller Lite giveaways and $5 Miller Lite pitchers you can enjoy while watching 30 HD flat-screen TVs.
Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub, 1941 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, (847) 303-5100; www.finnmccoolschicago.com
In case you miss THE SCORE crew March 27, you don't have to go far to get another chance to see them. They'll broadcast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 28 at Finn McCool's as part of the pub's Miller Lite College Hoops Party. Test your skills with the Pop-A-Shot contest for a chance at taking home an iPod Nano, basketballs and a chance to enter into the final tournament, where the winner competes to take home a set of four tickets to a Bears, Cubs and Sox game. Even if you're not feeling competitive, you can enjoy the $5 Miller Lite pitchers, $8.99 perch fish fry and 40 large, flat-screen TVs, including one 50-inch set.
Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 541-4700; www.cubby-bear.com/lincolnshire/
Cubby Bear may be known for baseball but it certainly isn't slacking on the college basketball front. If the 33 TVs and two giant screens leave you with HD envy, you have the chance to win your own during the last night of the tournament. Even if your home is already well equipped, a $10.95 buffet tonight and $2.75 pints of Miller throughout March should give you plenty of incentive to come out anyway.
Bannerman's Sports Grill, 858 S. Route 59, Bartlett; (630) 213-2400; www.bannermans-sports-grill.com
Even if you don't really need an incentive to pound down some beers while watching sports, Banner-man's is piling the perks onto its pints. Not only are the drinks cheap at $2.50 for 20 ounces of Miller, but throughout the month the proceeds go to breast cancer research. And every beer you buy gives you a chance to win a foosball table or a Playstation 3 during a drawing April 7. Expect the Miller girls to stop by tonight and for the Final Four games with more giveaways. Don't worry about being distracted. When you're surrounded by 75 TVs, including two jumbo 12-by-10-foot screens, it's hard to miss a play.
Mullen's Bar and Grill, 3080 Warrenville Road, Lisle,(630) 505-0240; www.mullensba-randgrill.com
Sure it's nice to dream about taking home a nice big prize (or a big pot of money) after the Championship game, but Mullen's offers more immediate gratification. Members of their Pub Club who order wings through April 7 have a chance to win the excellent prize of still more wings. If you're not a member, servers can sign you up at your table while you keep your eyes glued on Mullen's 16 plasma-screen TVs. During this Miller-dominated season, the $3 Shiner Bock pint specials should provide a refreshing change of pace.