Today is Selection Sunday, and its time to get your brackets on as college basketball’s biggest tournament beings this Tuesday, March 13th. For 77 years, the NCAA Tournament has been considered one of the premier sporting events in America – and for good reason. Year after year it has proven to be the proving ground for basketball greatness, a place where professional basketball careers are launched and where Cinderella stories are made. With a total of 67 match-ups over the next three weeks, there will be some great games. If you can’t make it courtside but want to get in on the action, we’ve rounded up 8 of the best places across the US to watch and enjoy in luxury style.
If you want to kick it mogul-style as March Madness unfolds — and channel your inner Mark Cuban — here are our top picks for the right places to settle in as 68 teams vie for the coveted national championship title. Food + drink + good game = Luxury experience par excellence.
Boston: With over 40 flat screen TVs, an open architectural design and a circular bar that provides up close views, you won’t miss anything at Champions Sports Bar. With high ceilings, sleek private dining rooms and a vast menu that offers everything from traditional hot wings to marinated steak tips, its gonna be hard to tear yourself away and get back to everyday life.
Chicago: Old Town Pour House has three Illinois locations – Chicago, Oak Brook and Naperville – in addition to a location in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The elegantly wood-clad and spacious restaurant serves upscale modern American cuisine, like truffle mac and cheese and duck confit nachos, plus over 90 craft beers to choose from on tap.
Connecticut: For those looking to stay out of New York City but stay in on the action, Bobby V’s Restaurant and Sports Bar has two locations in Connecticut. The Stamford location features over 200 HD TV’s, while the Windsor Locks location has 80+ televisions and a 17 foot wide LED screen. Both locations offer private meeting rooms and a list of appetizing entrees that includes filet mignon and seared ahi tuna. And should your team lose the game? Step away and play some virtual golf in their state-of-the-art golf simulator to let off some steam.
Las Vegas: Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo offers a 24,000 square-foot sports hub with more than 100 flat-screen TVs, a huge 9-foot-by-16-foot projection screen and six stadium seating rows of long couches filled with plush pillows to sink into and watch your favorite game. Each of the TV’s are strategically placed so that everyone has a view of their favorite sporting event. The restaurant has a tasty full menu of upscale tailgating and pub food designed by Emeril Lagasse and a full bar.
Los Angeles: Run by Executive Chef Jonah Johnson, a personal chef for several celebrities, Goal is considered one of the best spots to watch sports in LA. Inside are plush, over-sized booths, lots of plasma screens and tables you can reserve ahead of time. Menu highlights include a fresh ceviche served with avocado and build-your-own burgers. You may even spot Leonardo DiCaprio here, as he’s been known to drop by for a game or two.
New York: Though named after baseball’s greatest achievement, the 40/40 Club in the Flatiron district is a great spot to catch March Madness. The sports bar and lounge is owned by Jay Z and business partner Juan Perez. With additional locations in Atlantic City, Chicago, Atlanta and London, the multi-level venue has a stunning 18-foot tall champagne tower, leather wall paneling, more than 30 flat-screen monitors, and 5 VIP lounges.
Another good spot to catch the action in NYC is Bounce Sporting Club. This club is all about the latest and greatest fashionable décor, while still offering the sports bar experience (complete with more TV’s than a Best Buy). The menu classes up some old standards, serving hamburgers topped with Gruyere and a fried hen egg; duck sliders; and buttermilk fried chicken tenders.
San Antonio: Last but not least, should you be unable to make it to the Alamodome for the final match-up on April 2nd, you can always go to the next best place: Cover 3. With four different locations in Texas – San Antonio, Round Rock, two in Austin – Cover 3 has become known for its elegant yet unpretentious feel. The menu ranges from classics like fried pickles and hamburgers to seared ahi tuna and jumbo North Atlantic scallops. The space includes an upstairs lounge with cocktail tables, leather sofas and flat screen TVs. If craft beers aren’t your style, Cover 3 has over 70 wines to choose from, as well as an array of handcrafted cocktails.
What’d we miss? Let us know if you have a luxurious fav that’s not on our list, and we’ll add it. In the meantime, good luck with your bracket!
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