Thanks to satellite television packages, many sports bars are able to show every game of the NCAA tournament, from the first tip-off to the trophy presentation. Instead of exclusivity, then, the most important things to look for are the number of televisions, the quality of the specials, and whether die-hard fans are meeting there; nothing is more fun than cheering your team to victory with like-minded alumni. The Capitol Alumni Network's Web site is a clearinghouse for local alumni groups and contains links to dozens of chapters; to see if your alma mater is organizing game-watching events, check www.dcalum.org.
51st State -- Right around the corner from George Washington University, this pub is counting on a good run by the Colonials. Even if they get bounced in the first round, though, there are $2.75 Budweisers during games in addition to the regular happy hour and nightly specials (including $3 Yuenglings from 8 to close on Thursday, $3 Foggy Ales on Saturday). The 51st State has six flat-screen televisions, including a 60-inch plasma monitor.
Bailey's Pub and Grille -- Forty-nine televisions are spaced throughout the cavernous Ballston Common restaurant and bar, including three projection screens over 100 inches, a dozen 52-inch high-definition sets and a quartet of widescreens. Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Texas and Kentucky alumni usually have their spaces staked out ahead of time, and there can be a line to get in. (Slow service, though, remains the subject of many complaints.) The crowd skews towards young professionals, especially on weekends. Besides the daily happy hour (4 to 7 p.m.), there's a month-long special with $2.50 pints of Killian's Irish Red. If you fill out a bracket, you can win a party for 20 people.
Crystal City Sports Pub -- More alumni groups gather at the Crystal City Sports Pub than any other bar in the Washington area -- including those supporting number one seeds Illinois and North Carolina --- and it's not hard to see why: The rooms are spacious and covered in sports memorabilia, 60 television monitors line the walls, and service is quick and friendly -- even during the games. Wear your team's gear if you don't want to feel left out. Parking is the biggest chore, so early arrival is highly recommended if you hope to snag a seat.
Grand Slam Sports Bar -- The Grand Slam is popular with tourists, local office workers and alumni groups alike; its central location inside the Grand Hyatt near Metro Center makes it ideal for a long lunch watching your alma mater. Duke, UCLA and Connecticut alumni are among the regulars, but call the daily hotline (202-637-4789) to see which games will be shown on the three big screen televisions, four plasma screens and 26 monitors. Food and drink specials will be offered throughout the tournament, including $3 Yuengling, Miller Lite, Coors Light and Sam Adams beers. One caveat: During the tournament, seating is first-come, first-served.
Grevey's -- Grevey's goes all out for the NCAA Tournament, and with good reason: Owner Kevin Grevey played for the Kentucky Wildcats in the 1974 NCAA championship game before joining the Washington Bullets and helping them to the 1978 NBA title. Grevey's casual suburban Falls Church sports bar is an oasis for fans from Kentucky, Louisville, Connecticut and (NIT-bound) Virginia Tech, but with 65 televisions (including seven large screens) and decent bar food, it's a great place to watch any game. The alumni groups are loyal and spirited, and Grevey's rewards some of them by setting aside seating areas and donating a percentage of food and drink sales to help fund scholarships.
Mackey's Public House -- Televisions aren't abundant at this L Street watering hole -- there are only six, including two large screens -- but daily food and drink specials make it popular with Pittsburgh and Villanova alumni.
McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon -- This Foggy Bottom nightspot has tried to distance itself from the college scene with varying levels of success, but it will probably be packed with students and young people when March Madness rolls around -- and they'll keep drinking, dancing and partying after the games are over. (Being steps from George Washington University won't hurt.) Decorated in the dark wood and worn brick befitting a chain Irish pub, there are 23 televisions over two levels, including three 42-inch plasma screens and two projection screens, though the sound won't be turned on during weekend night games -- go figure. Miller Lite drafts are $2 when basketball's on, and the usual happy hour specials apply, including $2 Foggy Bottom drafts from 5 to midnight on Friday and $2 Sam Adams beers from 6 to midnight on Saturday.
Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe -- One of the area's top sports bars, Mister Days has 60 televisions, including a number of plasma displays and three projection screens. Clarendon residents, Kansas alumni and ball cap-wearing fans crowd the spacious main floor and mezzanine, though no reservations are taken. Specials include $3 Sam Adams drafts and discounted buckets of 5-ounce pony bottles while games are on. Arcade wizards, take note: Mister Days is bringing in a Pop-A-Shot machine for the duration of the tournament, and top scores win prizes.
Porters Dining Saloon -- The layout and decor is reminiscent of an old British pub, but 17 flat-screen televisions hang on the brick walls of this midtown bar. There are three levels to allow a maximum numbers of fans to congregate, and specials include $3 Miller Lites and $4 Captain Morgan drinks.
The Pour House -- Capitol Hill's largest sports bar has dozens of televisions, including a "video wall" with a bank of 6 adjacent televisions, and a 10-foot projection screen. During the tournament, specials include $8 domestic pitchers and $5 wing platters, and there will be different promotional beer specials every day. University of Washington alumni follow their top-seeded team here.
Summers Grille and Sports Pub -- Though its reputation rests on screening more international soccer games than any bar in the area, Summers is just as welcoming to basketball fans. Recent renovations added a non-smoking bar (with a separate ventilation system) and more than a dozen high-definition flat-screen monitors, giving the Arlington pub 54 televisions in all. Manager Joe Javidara promises that all games will be televised in both the smoking and non-smoking sections, and with 10 satellite dishes, Summers can show up to 50 events at once. During the tournament, Miller Lite and Killian's Irish Red beers are marked down ($2.95 a pint and $10.95 a pitcher), and buffalo wing discounts include 10 for $5.95 or 20 for $10.95. Alumni groups meeting here include Florida and Gonzaga.
Tommy Joe's -- Tommy Joe's is known more for its post-collegiate singles scene, but basketball fans head here to watch games on 20 televisions and one giant screen. You'll pay happy hour prices for food and appetizers while sports are on, and there's plenty of post-basketball entertainment, including DJs and karaoke. In smoke-free Bethesda, Tommy Joe's has an added draw: an outdoor courtyard with its own bar.
