The brig: Capitol Hill’s spacious beer garden, located between Navy Yard and Barracks Row, has a row of TVs behind its covered bar, visible from many long picnic tables, and projects the biggest games onto the wall of the neighboring building. Reservations are required for groups of five or six, but everyone else is seated on a first-come, first-served basis. 1007 Eighth Street SE.
Beer Garden Haus: The sprawling beer garden on H Street NE has plenty of TVs on its enclosed patio, shaded garden, and sunny rooftop, though some tables offer better views of the TVs than others, particularly on the roof. Call the bar directly for reservations, but most people just walk in. 1355 H Street NE.
Cleveland Park Bar & Grill: The venerable sports bar has 10 televisions on its tented rooftop terrace, spread out to allow viewing from high tables. Seating is first come, first served, although the bar opens at 11:30 a.m. during the early rounds of the tournament. 3421 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest.
Duffy’s Irish Pub: The heated, tented patio at Duffy’s continued to serve the bar’s award-winning wings throughout the football season, providing some sense of normalcy while patrons watched the games on two large TVs. The pub has gone March Madness, opening at 11:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday and offering 22 varieties of wings as part of its “March Wing Flavor Madness,” including peri-peri and lemon dry black pepper. Given the lack of outdoor space, be sure to specifically request outdoor seating when to make a reservation. (There are also seven televisions inside.) 1016 H Street NE.
Ivy and Coney: Shaw’s beloved neighborhood bar reopened its doors the first weekend of March, just in time for spring training games — and March Madness, of course. There are plenty of TVs on the ventilated roof, but only a handful of tables, so Reservations are a must, especially when the interior space remains closed. 1537 Seventh Street NW.
Jack Rose: Most people think of Jack Rose as a place to drink whiskey, not watch sports. Actually, it’s both: the flat-screen TVs on the roof terrace (refurbished for football season) are well spaced, and there’s no better way to savor a surprise than with a good quality glass of bourbon. (Be sure to make reservations for “Bar” or “Rooftop” seating via Resy if you want to see a screen.) Opening hours aren’t convenient for early games – even on weekends it opens at 1 p.m. – but it’s a solid place to relax and follow your group around ‘a glass. 2007 18th Street NW.
The Midlands: The Midlands is gearing up for March Madness this week, adding more outdoor TVs to the spacious Park View beer garden. There were already a few under the covered outdoor bar, another large screen behind the roll-up garage doors, and indoor TVs visible from the outdoor tables, but the new flat screens along the south wall, shaded by umbrellas, should constitute an entertainment space. better visual experience. With seating at picnic tables or fire pits, plated nachos and special buckets during games, reservations (via Resy) will be essential. If places are full, you can add yourself to a waiting list through Resy, provided you are within two miles of the Midlands. 3333 Georgia Avenue NW.
Queen Vic: Last summer, British pub Queen Vic on H Street NE began seating its diners around the corner on the unused patio of Nomad Hookah Bar. It was a pretty smart move, offering a lot more outside seating than the Vic’s cramped aft deck. There are multiple TV screens, but viewers of early weekend basketball games may have to compete with Premier League fans for the best placement. Reservations are available via Resy. 1206 H St. NE (patio at corner of 12th and H streets NE).
Walters Sports Bar: A go-to bar for Nationals fans, Walters has also become a hotbed for sports fans in general. Its very cool street along N Street SE features individually controlled flat screens at reserved picnic tables, meaning you can switch games when there’s a risk of an upset. Several other tables on the patio also offer views of the TVs, and indoor seating is limited. 10 N SE Street.