And so it begins.
The Badgers men’s basketball team is going to the big dance — the NCAA tournament. The Badgers’ first game in the NCAA Tournament (that tips off today), is against James Madison. It takes place on Friday, March 22. Tip time is set for 8:40 p.m. Marquette will play Western Kentucky on Friday with tip-off time around 1 p.m.
On the women’s side, the Badgers women’s basketball team is in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, after a 13-year post season drought. They’ll play either Southern Indiana or the University of Illinois-Chicago. Date and time are TBD.
Meanwhile, he Marquette women’s basketball team will take on Ole Miss on Saturday, March 23 at 3:45 p.m in the NCAA tournament.
Wisconsin basketball isn’t the only sport making a splash on the national scene. The Badgers women’s hockey team is competing, again, in the Frozen Four. The team is two wins away from another national championship after beating St. Lawrence last weekend in a NCAA Regional Final. They next play Colgate on Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m.
The men’s hockey team is also going to the NCAA playoffs. They won’t know who they’ll be playing and where until the brackets are announced on Sunday, March 24.
Meanwhile, Madison Forward FC soccer’s new season is now upon us.
With all of these sports to watch, where can one go to enjoy them with others? You don’t have to look far to find a good Madison sports bar. Here are some of our favorites.
Arena Sports Bar, 2121 E. Springs Dr.
Located inside Bowl-A-Vard Lanes, you can watch sports after playing a sport out on the alleys.
Dexter’s Pub, 301 North St.
Small but mighty, the bar offers 24 lines of big beers and cider.
Dutch Mill Sports Club, 4818 Dutch Mill Rd.
The bar has been around for over 40 years and serves things like sloppy Joes and goulash.
Hawk’s Bar & Grill, 425 State St.
Poutine burgers have been on the rotating burger menu. We repeat, poutine burgers.
Jordan’s Big 10 Pub has the largest outdoor beer garden on Regent Street. | Photo via Jordan’s Big 10 Pub
Jordan’s Big 10 Pub
Jordan’s Big 10 Pub, 1330 Regent St.
During Badgers football games, the bar entertains over 1,500 fans. It has the largest outdoor beer garden on Regent Street.
LJ’s Sports Tavern & Grill, 8 N. Paterson St.
Not only do they support local sports, but they also make a concerted effort to support the Madison Fire Department.
Locker Room Bar & Grill, 1810 Roth St.
A small dive bar-type affair, there are TVs to catch the game and raffles to win meat.
Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub, 1313 Regent St.
A huge indoor space for Badgers fans, the place is owned by former Badgers basketball player, Rod Ripley.
Pitcher’s Pub, 323 W. Beltline Hwy.
The sprawling sports bar has pool tables, dart boards, and, occasionally, arm wrestling tournaments.
Player’s Sports Bar & Grill, 2013 Winnebago St.
The neighborhood bar has been around since 1990, serving fun burgers of the week with cozy game time viewing.
Every Packers game and every Brewers game are shown at the Red Zone Madison. | Photo via the Red Zone Madison
Red Zone Madison, 1212 Regent St.
With large flat screen TVs lining the walls, nearly every Wisconsin sports game is televised.
SconnieBar, 1421 Regent St.
Rest assured, one of the 37 TVs will have something on you’ll want to watch, whether it’s the Bucks, the Brewers, or Bucky on the sidelines.
State Street Brats, 603 State St., Unit 1015
Established in 1989, the Badger sports bar is known for its brats that they ship nationally.
Axe Throwing
FlannelJax’s Madison, 6704 Watts Rd.
Not so much a sports bar, as a place to have a beer while throwing axes around.
Golf
Blind Shot Social Club, 177 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
Practice your swing any night with a craft cocktail awaiting you.
7 Iron Social, 508 State St.
It’s an upscale sports bar and has indoor golf and sports simulators.
Hockey
Echo Tap & Grill, 554 W. Main St.
It’s been around since 1941 with plenty of pub grub and TVs tuned in to the best hockey games.
Motorsports
Club LaMark, 1525 N. Stoughton Rd.
It is Madison’s NASCAR bar.
Soccer
The Coopers Tavern, 20 W. Mifflin St.
The upscale Irish pub is a pub partner with Forward FC Madison.
The Forward Club, 917 E. Mifflin St.
Located inside Breese Stevens Field, what better way to celebrate Madison Forward FC’s winning ways than right there at the field?
Volleyball
Pooley’s Sports Bar and Events Center, 5441 High Crossing Blvd.
You can watch sports to your heart’s content and play indoor volleyball.
The Wisco, 852 Williamson St.
The neighborhood bar on Willy Street has a sand volleyball court for all spikers and setters.