9 FANtastic Places to Watch the Game

By Drew Brown

Published on | Last Updated

March Madness has arrived! With the UB Bulls in the Big Dance this year, this tried and true sports town is in a state of fandemonium.

Couldn’t travel to see the games this year? No worries – we’ve got you covered. When you can’t get to the game, pony up to any of these establishments, where the sports are always on for you to watch your team snatch the W:

(716) Food & Sport, 7 Scott St, Buffalo: Let’s start with the place where bigger is better! Located within HARBORCENTER, in close proximity to Key Bank Center, and built by Bills & Sabres owner, Terry Pegula, this place knows sports. Boasting nine TVs behind the bar, including a two-story, 38-foot projection screen, your worries of watching multiple games at once are a thing of the past.

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(716) Food & Sport

Buffalo Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, Buffalo: Located in the Cobblestone District right next to KeyBank Center, Iron Works is known for its daily concerts, but during gametime this place will be a haven for those looking get loud when their team scores big. Check this place out if you’re into lots of local beers on tap and a menu full of tasty tacos from Left Coast Taco.

Bada Bing, 42 W. Chippewa St, Buffalo: Grab your closest friends and gather around Bada Bing’s Jumbotron – a ginormous TV filled box that resembles the video board hanging over the ice at KeyBank Center. With all of the sports packages, Sunday Ticket, Center Ice, UFC and boxing, there’s always a reason to pop in to this Chippewa bar.

Big Ditch Brewery, 55 E. Huron St, Buffalo: The new downtown hangout, you’ll find plenty of jersey-clad patrons here when the game is on. Ranked one of New York State’s best breweries, the tasty beers are always flowing at Big Ditch. You’ll be hoping for overtime just so you can stay a little longer!

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Big Ditch Brewing Company

Soho Burger Bar, 64 W. Chippewa St, Buffalo: This “burger bar” is a reliable go-to for happy hour, an excellent meal and, yep, gametime celebrations. Located on the Chippewa Strip, this corner bar and restaurant has been supplying downtown Buffalo with good times for years!

Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St, Buffalo: An absolutely massive space situated along the Buffalo River and in the heart of Buffalo’s historic grain elevator district, you’ll be enthralled during the game with plenty of entertainment, food and beers from their on-site brewery to keep you busy during intermissions. PS – adventure-seekers can even take a wild walk on their covered ropes course between games.

Colter Bay, 561 Delware Ave, Buffalo: Re-opened by local beer connoisseur, Mike Shatzel, Colter Bay has all of the craft beer selection you’ve come to expect from a Shatzel joint AND a revamped food menu. The warm, lodgy atmosphere is perfect for a comfortable gametime experience.

Colter Bay

D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Pub, 257 Franklin St, Buffalo: Every day feels like St. Patrick’s Day in D’Arcy McGee’s! Step inside this traditional Irish Pub for a pint of Guinness, comfort foods like corned beef and shepard’s pie and Buffalo favorites including wings and beef on weck.

Sports City Pizza Pub, 1407 Niagara St, Buffalo: Sports City Pizza Pub on Niagara Street is the classic sports bar; 24 beers on tap, thirteen flat screen TVs and, of course, pizza. With a large space able to accommodate huge parties, this is the go-to family friendly sports outing location.

Drew Brown headshot

Drew Brown

Born in Buffalo's Historic Polonia District, raised in East Aurora, current resident of the West Side, and I'm still discovering new things in Buffalo every day. I'm proud to represent our community as the Director of Media & Content Strategy for Visit Buffalo Niagara. Let's go Buffalo!