March Madness: Downtown Sports Bar Edition

March Madness is approaching, which means three weeks of ball games, brews and stiff competition all over town. And when we say “stiff competition,” we’re not talking about college matchups: Our local sports bars get into the spirit, too! But where exactly should one post up with burgers and beers to watch the NCAA tourney? 

Given that the Alliance loves all of Lower Manhattan’s watering holes equally, we adopted the Sweet Sixteen bracket system and took to the ever-reliable Twitter to crowd-source for answers. Peruse the results, but note that all of these bars are winners (for a full rundown of their offerings, see below the graphic). So stop by whichever spot speaks to you, or pub-crawl ’em all as you watch the teams vie for the title. The madness kicks off on March 14.

West Side

O’Hara’s (120 Cedar St.) – A Lower Manhattan fixture for two decades, O’Hara’s is a welcoming pub-style restaurant that pours a fine pint of Guinness and always has the TV tuned to the latest sport event. The kitchen serves up spicy chicken wings, a cheesesteak hero, a soup of the day, juicy burgers and more. Look for dinner specials Monday through Friday nights.

Cats Sports Pub (96 Greenwich St.) – Once a legendary go-go bar, this sports bar offers a pool table along with beers and mixed drinks.

Treadwell Park (301 South End Ave.) – The downtown iteration of this casual beer spot boasts a lengthy rotating selection of craft and import brews, along with bar bites, burgers and other classic American fare.

Clinton Hall (90 Washington St.) – This classic beer hall features outdoor seating, oversized bar games and a rotating selection of 20 brews and ciders to challenge and surprise even the most knowledgeable beer lover.  

Wogie’s (44 Trinity Pl.) – Cheesesteaks and sandwiches are the name of the game at this brick-lined bar.

Blarney Stone (11 Trinity Pl.) – The last of a former NYC mini-chain, the Blarney Stone has all the trappings of an Irish watering hole, including corned beef served in the back of the bar.

Mudville 9 (126 Chambers St.) – This family-owned restaurant and tap house boasts a large assortment of American dishes amid a rustic setting. It’s a prime spot for beer lovers, who can enjoy a flight, take part in a tasting or join their very own beer club.

Monk McGinns (57 Murray St.) – This two story craft beer and cocktail bar boasts an industrial look and exposed brick setting that give it the feel of a 1920s-style tavern.

East Side

Carragher’s (17 John St.) – Plenty of space to kick back with an inviting array of hearty dishes and potent cocktails to start your weekend early.

Beckett’s (81 Pearl St.) – A friendly, casual bar-and-grill atmosphere — drop in for a drink and enjoy a satisfying selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads and classic bar appetizers.

Underdog (55 Stone St.) – Known originally for their cocktails, this Stone Street spot also serves craft beer, spirits, wine and bar food like burgers, wings and vegan disco fries.

Broadstone (88 Broad St.) – Homey pub Broadstone Bar serves up beer, cocktails and classic bar food.

Ulysses (95 Pearl St.) – This charming Stone Street bar takes literary inspiration from Homer and James Joyce and serves up ales, whiskey, cocktails and pub fare. It’s a great late night stop as the kitchen is open until 1am every night.

Stone Street Tavern (52 Stone St.) – Set on a cobblestone street with eclectic food offerings, the locale offers diners hearty American fare and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Mad Dog & Beans (83 Pearl St.) – Mad Dog serves up traditional Mexican cooking in a landmark building with exposed brick and original exterior stone. The menu includes fresh guacamole prepared tableside and an extensive tequila list.

Stout NYC (90 John St.) – You’ll find all the signature Stout NYC favorites at their Lower Manhattan outpost. Office workers enjoy dropping in for lunch or after-work drinks, plus they’ve got bottomless brunch on the weekends.

photo: Monk McGinns