Be there for all the basketball action at 12 of the best places to watch March Madness in Houston when the Sweet Sixteen tips off on Friday, March 29, 2024.
The big dance has arrived.
After surviving a thrilling overtime game in the Round of 32 against the Aggies, the Cougars march on into the Sweet Sixteen this weekend where Duke University awaits.
The tournament enters its second weekend with UH slated to play on Friday, March 29 at 8:30pm. Should they advance, they will play an Elite Eight game on Sunday, March 31.
Final Four action will tip off on Saturday, April 6, with the Championship Game to follow on Monday, April 8.
So, grab your face paint and find your spot from our dozen picks hosting March Madness watch parties where you can see the tournament reach its epic conclusion with fellow fanatics.
Top 12 March Madness Watch Parties in Houston
Avenida Houston in Downtown
This year, KHOU-11 teams up with Avenida Houston for a series of outdoor watch parties on the plaza outside George R. Brown Convention Center.
Gather with fellow fanatics to catch all the action through the Final Four, and take part in basketball-themed activities, meet with special guests and enjoy live music and giveaways.
Open to the public at 7pm; game starts at 8:30pm.
Saint Arnold Brewery in Fifth Ward
Houston’s flagship brewery will host all the action on their 16-foot Super Screen in the beer garden along with bucket specials and a limited time pizza pie on all UH game days.
Grab five beers and a souvenir bucket for $25 ($15 without the bucket), and grab a slice of the Cougar Paw Pizza, a pie topped with mozzarella, pepperoni, mushroom, feta and hot honey.
8th Wonder Brewery in EaDo
Named for the iconic Astrodome, the popular EaDo brewery is a hometown headquarters for local sports on the road and down the road, where the Dynamo, Dash, Rockets and Astros all play.
During March Madness, you can sip on signature brews—including $4 Cougar Paws—and catch games that play on the indoor screens, or get some air on the back patio that spans the rest of the block.
Plus, you can check out their nearby distillery and shop cannabis-infused products that carry the 8th Wonder namesake.
Pitch 25 Beer Park in EaDo
From Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching, this spacious soccer bar is known to get packed for footie matches, as well as Houston’s hometown teams and other major sporting events.
Throughout all of March Madness, you can stake your spot to catch the action on more than 55 TVs and two big screens throughout rows of indoor seating or on the breezy outdoor patio, with more than 100 beers on offer.
Plus, you can get into festivities during breaks in the games with bubble soccer, dodgeball and axe throwing.
J-Bar-M Barbecue in EaDo
One of the three official UH Alumni Association watch parties (others are at Saint Arnold and Kirby Ice House), you can show up to this EaDo bbq slinger and receive 12% discounts when you show up in UH gear.
Enjoy $2 wells, beer buckets and finger-lickin’ good ‘que while you take in all the March Madness action.
Social Beer Garden in Midtown
The Midtown beer garden hosts can’t-miss March Madness games throughout the tournament, screening across 20 indoor TVs and a large outdoor screen so you can enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
Enjoy drink specials, crawfish on Sundays, and a 21-and-up atmosphere after 7pm.
Heights Bier Garten in the Heights
Just off Shepherd and 15th Street in the Heights, this sprawling beer garden offers plenty of shaded outdoor seating suitable for all sorts of weather and boasts an impressive beer list that you can sample from multiple bars throughout.
No matter where you sit, you’ll have line of sight on televisions so you can catch all the action but consider arriving early on weekends as parking and seating tend to get packed.
Wakefield Crowbar in the Heights
Catch every minute of the Cougars’ tournament at this dog-friendly Garden Oaks bar that also features sand volleyball courts, cornhole, a kids area, and crawfish on Saturdays.
Code Red Tailgaters will be partying it up through the tournament, and you can receive a complimentary Jell-o shot when you show up in Coogs gear.
Other March Madness specials include $19 Modelo towers, $6 margs and $3 Mexican candy shots.
Post Oak Ice House in West Houston
The bar near the corner of Richmond and Chimney Rock is headquarters for UH Hispanic Alumni, who gather here for every game of March Madness.
Throw on your UH swag, come early and stay late as March Madness bounces into the night.
Kirby Ice House at Multiple Locations
With locations in Upper Kirby, Memorial (an official Alumni spot) and the Woodlands, all three Kirby Ice House outposts offer spacious patio settings with indoor and outdoor screens tuned into the tournament, so you can catch all the action.
More than 60 beers are on tap, in addition to the deep wine and liquor selections, so you’ll be sure to have a tasty beverage in hand from tip off to the final whistle.
Christian’s Tailgate at Multiple Locations
At its four locations—in the Heights, Midtown, West University and Energy Corridor—the bar and grill known for their burgers makes for a familiar spot for sports fans looking to see their favorite teams.
Dine on other pub fare, sip local brews and enjoy the bracket-busting action from one of many TVs posted throughout each location.
Little Woodrow’s at Multiple Locations
The Little Woodrow’s empire boasts nine Houston-area locations, including outside-the-loop spots in Katy, Tomball and Webster.
Each location is sure to be rooting on the Cougars throughout the tournament, but you can also get your hands on crawdads over the weekend, plus dozens of flowing taps, drink specials and plenty of sound-on TVs carrying the March Madness action.
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