Photo by cstein96

March Madness, the NCAA Division I basketball championship, is upon us. Some local teams are still alive, and even if you aren’t a fan of a local team, you have dozens more to choose from. For many, this is the most exciting time of the year in sports, where big schools and little schools, powerhouses and minnows, all get time on national TV and a shot at the national title. But it’s always more fun to watch the games out somewhere.

While there are other lists out there, we asked DCist’s staff for some of their favorite places to watch the games, have a drink or two and get some grub. Take a look, and tell us what spots you’d recommend too.

Alyse Kraus likes Churchkey, which “has several TVs but usually you don’t get sound. However, if you just want to watch a bunch of games without sound (who honestly needs to hear Charles Barkley and Steve Kerr pretend they know college hoops?), drink great beer and eat good food then that’s a solid choice. Also, they have really comfortable bar stools, which is something a lot of people overlook.”

Crystal City Sports Pub is always a good spot across the river, with a lot of space, a lot of TVs, and a lot of friendly folks. They also host alumni groups, like tourney teams Xavier, N.C. State, Iowa State, and more.

A few staffers mentioned Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights. There’s a number of TVs upstairs, but downstairs is where it’s at, with plenty of TVs, pool, and shuffleboard. Plus you can sit at a table tap and pour your own beer, though the table taps are often in high demand. They have a plethora of good American beers on tap, and make sure to try the hand-cut fries with rarebit sauce.

Ventnor Sports Cafe is a good Adams Morgan destination too. Josh Novikoff likes their weekend bloody mary and mimosa specials, “along with pretty good bar food and their signature bags of free popcorn.”

While RFD is loud, it’s also big and has plenty of TVs. And you can’t go wrong with the beer selection from former Brickskeller owner Dave Anderson.

If you’re venturing into Maryland, fellow sports editor Brett Gellman recommends Freddy’s Lobster and Clams in Bethesda. They have one of the best beer lists in Montgomery County (Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA is currently on-tap), great bar food, and plenty of TVs. And while the lobster roll is solid, they make some great burgers, too. Other recommended spots (listed in decreasing degrees of brahness) include Caddies on Cordell, Blackfinn Bethesda, and Rock Bottom Bethesda.

Beer writer John Fleury recommended Smoke and Barrel, the former Asylum in Adams Morgan, which “just got five big plasma TVs this week. So combine that with Vinnie’s amazing barbeque (chipotle honey buttered wings are insane) and great drink selection with the same beer director as Meridian Pint.”

A bunch of people recommended Lou’s City Bar, a Columbia Heights neighborhood sports bar. Josh cited the large number of TVs, including some on a covered outdoor patio. Plus they’re getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, with specials like $3 green beer, corned beer and cabbage, and bagpipers. Amanda Mattos adds that “unlike most sports bars in DC, you can actually see all of the games no matter where you’re sitting, while still being in a relatively intimate/cozy pub setting. I love Nellie’s, I love Duffy’s, the Greene Turtle and Iron Horse have their purposes, but when I want to tuck in and watch some games, it’s actually sort of difficult at most of our sports bars.” Both Amanda and Kat Lucero also mentioned the friendly staff.

Laughing Man Tavern downtown got some kudos too. Josh called it “the place to go for Metro Center-area office workers looking to duck out of work for an NCAA lunch break or happy hour game-watching binge.” They also have pretty tasty appetizers and drink and app specials from 3-8pm on weekdays.

Go Outside: And of course, if you don’t like basketball, it’s going to be nice out. Martin suggests Rock Creek Park; Meridian Hill Park and the C&O Canal are also good options.