A lot goes on in the sports world in March, including the World Baseball Classic, the start of the Formula 1 season, the Paralympics, UFC bouts and MLB’s Opening Day. There is no shortage of action, but one event captures nearly everyone’s attention: The NCAA March Madness tournament. Sixty-eight teams compete to be college basketball’s best. Bars and restaurants have special events and sometimes have designated schools for fans to come cheer for as they watch the game.
The Mesa
6164 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego
mesabargrill.com
The Mesa is one of the newer spots in La Mesa. Opening this past December, it has already become a favorite for college students. The bar has 11 TVs, daily specials, and a 10% discount for all college students with an ID.
Every Thursday is big college night featuring beer pong tournaments and a DJ starting at 9 p.m. On the weekends, the crowd shifts with brunch running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 21+ during the night. The bar also hosts trivia every other Tuesday, karaoke on Wednesdays and musically-themed nights, like R&B Sundays and EDM Saturdays. The Mesa is also known for its UFC fight nights, which attract a lot of students. Definitely check them out on Instagram at @themesasd_.
Dirty Birds
6499 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com
Dirty Birds is the classic wings and sports hangout spot, especially when SDSU is playing. The place gets packed fast, and most of the screens are always on basketball. With a total of 30 TVs, 26 inside and four outside, this is the place to catch every second of every game.
The menu is a huge addition to the spot’s vibe, especially the wings. It offers 43 flavors, with the Dirty Ranch and Garlic Parm flavors being fan favorites. Dirty Birds has happy hour deals and different specials every day.
Even though it is a college favorite, the crowd is pretty diverse. You will see some families and older regulars all watching together. The staff has a friendly vibe, and the sound is always on for big games, making it feel more like a watch party than a restaurant. It is loud and packed– just the kind of place where people actually cheer on their teams.
Dirty Birds has the most “college vibe,” but it is still a great spot for anyone who wants a fun, high-energy place to watch the games.
Buffalo Wild Wings
254 Town Center Pkwy., Santee
buffalowildwings.com
Buffalo Wild Wings is the most family‑friendly option, but it still pulls in a lot of high school and college students on game days. With around 70 to 75 screens inside, plus another 10 to 15 outside, it can show up to 10 games at once. This makes BWW one of the easiest places to keep up with the entire bracket.
The deals are a big reason to pay a visit as well. The restaurant offers a halftime “drill menu” during big games, which features $2 domestic pints, $4 appetizers and coupons handed out throughout the night. Their “ultimate sampler” is one of the most popular items during tournament season.
Also, fans who show up in jerseys usually get priority seating. Another awesome feature is that sports betting is available to customers, drawing in a mix of older fans and younger adults. The crowd is exciting, making it a good option for families or anyone who wants to watch multiple games at once.
Buffalo Wild Wings ends up being a great choice if you want a big‑screen experience without the college‑bar energy. It is easy to get into and is built for people who want to watch as much basketball as possible in one place.
The NCAA March Madness tournament will start March 17 with the First Four at Dayton, Ohio, and it will end April 6 at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium for the National Championship.
