Bounce into March Madness Viewing Mode at Atlanta Restaurants

By now you’ve finished agonizing over which team to put where in those all-important brackets. W’hoop it up and follow NCAA March Madness action with fellow hoopsters over thirst-slaking bevvies and game munchies, be they shareable snacks or something more substantial. Atlanta restaurants are all over the court with brews, views and fan-worthy fare that banish stadium popcorn and peanuts to the cheap seats.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland courts basketball fans with craft beers by draft, bottle or can, cocktails, wine for day or night drinking along with an Always Available menu of favorite appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches. Fast action and cold brews hanker for Guinness-dipped pretzels, pimento cheese and stout mustard, Big Green Egg smoked wings, Atkins Park confit wings and Atkins Park nachos and Southern “Totchos” ($7-$12). While players sink baskets, sink teeth into a Bruno burger or Big Green Egg pulled pork on a jalapeño bun and affirm the full-court press over a pressed Cuban sandwich or grilled chicken panini ($10-$11). Plenty of screens for almost-courtside viewing.

Glued to the games over the weekend? Gather to toast and rehash the win (or drown sorrows) over specially priced drinks and half-priced appetizers at Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse in Buckhead. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the conveniently located steakhouse tosses out prices of $4.50 for draft beer, $8 house wines, $8 house caipirinhas and $8 for house martinis. Snap up half-priced appetizers Monday through Friday from 4:30-7 p.m. Stave hunger over a dozen marinated and grilled Chama wings ($7.50), shrimp or steak nachos ($6), charcuterie and aged cheeses ($8), or grilled delicacies of picanha ($5.75), shrimp ($5.50), chicken breast and filet mignon wrapped in bacon ($6) or two Australian lamb chops ($8). Game days, follow the action on two screens in the bar area while enjoying drinks, appetizers, lunch or dinner. Break away and enjoy some downtime outdoors over a relaxing patio meal of grilled picanha, filet mignon, rib-eye, Australian lamb chops, chicken breast or shrimp ($24-$38), as well as appetizers, soup and salads. Another way to celebrate a win and score points with your teammate? Take advantage of the restaurant’s March Malbec wine-and-dine special: a bottle of Catena Alta malbec and weekday lunch for two is $110; $130 for Sunday brunch for two or $150 for a bottle with dinner for two.
 

Bracket followers in Brookhaven and Midtown can watch their teams progress on big screens at both HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern locations. Sip bourbon from the comprehensive list, go with craft brews or signature cocktails or toast wins with wine while enjoying mouthwatering tavern fare prepared with Southern flair. During the NCAA March Madness Final Four, March 31-April 2, adults wearing team gear from any of the Final Four teams can score a free shot during the game at HOBNOB Midtown or Town Brookhaven.

Taco Mac slam dunks it as a sports-watching venue with the most craft beers on draft, award-winning wings and multitudes of screens. Throughout March, specials on Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Shock Top beers prevail including 60-ounce pitchers ($11.95), 20-ounce drafts ($4.75) and mix-and-match buckets filled with four beers ($13.99). Taco Mac’s annual Bracket Showdown is already underway. The guest with the best bracket at each location receives a $100 Taco Mac gift card; guests who correctly predict 60+ games take home $5,000; and those who predict a perfect 63-game bracket win $10,000 cash. One Overall Bracket Champion will ride home on a brand-new Harley-Davidson XG500 Street.

Think high-spirited rim shots, as in shots of tequila or salty-rimmed signature margaritas, at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina or choose cool bottled, draft or pitchers of beer to quench hoop-induced thirsts. Tin Lizzy’s multiplies game-viewing ops with multiple cantina locations, lots of screens tuned into the games and a star-studded roster of tacos, quesadillas, skillets, nachos and more. Staying on the home court? Let Tin Lizzy’s cater your home or office viewing party. 

What’s New on Pinterest: Loaded Nachos

Here’s the scoop on Loaded Nachos, incredibly quick ways to feed a bunch of hungry basketball-viewing fans this month. Think Hawaiian pulled pork or loaded BBQ chicken nachos instead of plopping saucy meat on buns or pizza nachos that favor crisp chips over doughy crusts. For something different, top nachos with shrimp, chorizo and fresh pico de gallo, lobster, an Irish-y Reuben topping or veer off chips onto Cuban nachos tatchos. S’mores and apple-caramel are “nacho” usual dessert…had to throw that pun in somewhere.

Let the Madness Begin at STATS

For courtside views on multiple big screens, loads of seating and the largest bracket in town, follow March Madness at STATS, located in Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District. The menu is stacked with all-American classics and backed by a roster of high-scoring brews, cocktails and wines. Perfect for groups, singles and families, STATS is the place for March Madness mayhem.

Feel The Luck O’ The Irish at Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna

Are you feeling the luck of the Irish yet? If not, you better start picking some four-leaf clovers because St. Patrick’s Day is only a couple days away! For some traditional Irish festival fun, head on over to Atkins Park Tavern, host of the Smyrna St. Patrick's Day Fest! Get caught up with the March Madness tournaments while tossing back some ale, or bring the whole family out for some outdoor Irish festivities. Your little leprechauns will enjoy carnival-style rides, a Redhead Contest, Mayor Max Bacon’s annual green dyeing of the fountain and loads of delicious food from Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna, Zucca Pizza an the Village Café. Tons o’ live music will get you in the mood, starting with Homefront from 2-6 p.m., Andrew Black & Pine City from 6-10 p.m. and Elizabeth Reece from 10:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Four-legged friends are welcome, but ditch the strollers, backpacks and coolers, please! Tickets are only $15 at the door but you can save $5 by buying them online in advance. Come on out, and maybe you can find a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow!

Countdown to the Sushi Showdown

If your NCAA Basketball bracket has been a dissapointment, RA Sushi is giving you a chance to redeem yourself. This Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., the midtown restaurant will offer a different kind of bracket competition known as Maki Madness. For this eating contest, guests can turn in their three point shots for Tootsy Maki (the restaurant's signature sushi roll) by entering for free at RA Sushi. On March 31 from 6:30 to 10 p.m., participants will compete to see who can demolish two uncut signature Tootsy Maki the fastest. The "final four" will advance to the championship sushi showdown at 9:45 p.m., where these wasabi warriors will find out who can consume the most Tootsy Maki in three minutes.

The grand-prize eater will win sushi for a year (12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates) along with bragging rights. Second, third and fourth place eaters will receive RA Sushi gift certificates in amounts of $100, $50 and $25, respectively. All registered participants will receive a complimentary RA Sushi sweatband and Appetizer Card for use at another time (while supplies last). For viewers, there’s $7 Tootsy Maki all day and drink specials including the Free Throw Bomb ($6), 3-Pointer ($8), Rim RA’cker ($7) and Chang Beer ($3). Learn more on Facebook.

RA Sushi: 1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

Put Your Sushi Where Your Mouth Is

In the spirit of March Madness, RA Sushi just announced its first Maki Madness sushi eating contest on Sunday, March 21. Whether you are a professional food eater or just like a little competition, there will be plenty of entertainment and food and drink specials running all day long!

The contest itself is going to be broken down into "heats" just like March Madness. Think you can make it to the Sweet Sixteen or, even better, the Final Four? Advanced registration is required so stop by the hostess stand at RA Sushi to fill out your application. A $10 cash-only registration fee is due the day of the contest and all proceeds from the registration fees will be donated to Bert's Big Adventure!

In between heats, coverage of March Madness games will be shown on all TVs and inflatable basketball hoops will be available for a little off the table competition.

The eating competition runs from noon to 4 p.m. and space is limited so sign up ASAP. Grand prize wins sushi for a year (Twelve $50 RA gift certificates) and bragging rights as Atlanta's Maki Madness champion!

Hope to see you there!