The opening weekend of March Madness 2023 is fast approaching and many of us are planning our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of gambling – Las Vegas.
Of course, no degenerative trip itinerary would be complete without first reserving a seat at the perfect watch party.
Below, I’ll recap available watch parties, their price point, and what’s included with a link to book a seat.
I’ll be sure to add additional March Madness watch parties to the list as details are released.
See Also: Where to find Cheap Drinks on the Strip & Happy Hour Deals Downtown.
Free March Madness Watch Parties in Las Vegas
The D March Hoops Viewing Party: The D holds a free watch party in their 12th-floor Detroit Ballroom with food and drink available for purchase. The event is first come first served, so getting there early is recommended.
Mancaves are also available for groups at an additional cost of $300 per person, per 6-hour session. To be eligible to purchase, you must have a group of 8 or more people.
Each private mancave comes with 4 TVs, a $25 match play coupon, free wifi, and unlimited food and drink. You’ll also have your own dedicated cocktail server.
Circa’s Galaxy Watch Zone: A FREE party, Circa’s Galaxy Watch Zone will again be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This one will be a hot commodity – I’d get there early. Circa will also have paid party options in their sportsbook and at Stadium Swim.
Beer, Brats, & Brackets at El Cortez: A free party, El Cortez will host a viewing event in their Fiesta Room on the opening weekend of the Tournament from Thursday to Sunday. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on-site.
Boyd Properties – March Hoopla Palooza 2023: Each of Boyd Gaming’s Las Vegas properties will host a free March Madness watch party with an assortment of beer and liquor available for purchase.
Properties that fall under the Boyd umbrella include Fremont, The Cal, Main Street Station, Gold Coast, Aliante, The Orleans, Suncoast, Sam’s Town, and Cannery.
Treasure Island Viewing Party: A FREE watch party, TI’s Madness in March viewing takes place on their second-floor convention hall Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Seating is first-come, first-served, and doors open at 7:30 am (I’d recommend hopping in line earlier though). Food and drink will be offered for purchase, and satellite betting stations will be available.
Golden Circle at TI: TI’s sportsbook & bar will also host a free watch party with first-come, first-served seating on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Again, I’d recommend getting there early if you want to snag a seat.
Gilley’s at TI: TI is offering a 3rd free watch party option at Gilley’s on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Games will be projected on screens and seating is again first-come, first-served.
More Madness at South Point: An annual tradition for many, South Point’s free party will take place in the Grand Ballroom and be completely free. Inexpensive stadium food and drinks will be available for purchase. As tends to be the rule with free parties, we’d recommend getting there early if you want a seat.
March Hoops at Green Valley Ranch: Located away from the Strip, Green Valley Ranch will hold a free watch party in their Estancia Ballroom on March 17th 18th. Doors open at 8:30 am, and food and beverage will be available for purchase.
KAOS Nightclub at Palms: Doors open at 8:30 am at KAOS, which is offering a free viewing party with a la carte food and drink offerings. Notably, some seating options offer a personal TV.
Paid March Madness Watch Parties in Las Vegas
Off-Strip Watch Parties
Westgate Hoops Central 2023: Westgate’s theater viewing party is back. Every seat in the house costs $45+ fees on Ticketmaster. With your ticket, you’ll receive 1 free drink. Stadium food and drink is also available for purchase.
I’ve personally attended this viewing party previously and was impressed with the setup and atmosphere. There are 4 large screens, so you won’t miss a second of the game.
Ellis Island Hoops Mania 2023: Hosted in their Front Yard addition, Ellis Island’s party starts at $200 for a half-day and $400 for the full day. Included in the deal are a guaranteed seat, unlimited food, and endless Ellis Island brewed beer and select cocktails.
OYO Hotel and Casino March Mania: OYO will host watch parties in both their Splash Cantina and Underground Lounge for $195 per half-day session. Included in the deal are access to an open bar, and an all you can eat buffet.
Tailgate Social at Palace Station: The off-Strip sports bar at Palace Station will offer both morning and afternoon watch party sessions during the opening weekend of March Madness. The per-session food & beverage minimum is $95 during Round 1 and $75 for Round 2. Simply double those amounts if you want to stick around all day.
Mabel’s BBQ at Palms: Mabel’s is offering a half-day seat at their watch party for $150 per person, and full-day passes for $275 per person. Included in the deal are unlimited cocktails, beer, and food on their “Mable’s Madness Menu”. Mabel’s is a short distance from Palms’ sportsbook and also have a number of bar games.
Topgolf March Madness Viewing Party: Providing the opportunity to hit some balls while watching hoops, Topgolf offers a differentiated experience when compared to other parties on the list.
4-hour time blocks start at $840 plus fees for a group of up to 8 people. Of that price, $440 is a food & beverage minimum. Seating options that don’t include golf are also available.
You can email lasvegasevents@topgolf.com for a flyer that lays out all of your options along with pricing.
Uniquely, Topgolf also has a 2-level pool that anyone can use. If the weather’s nice, bring your suit!
Crazy Horse 3: For those looking to mix business with pleasure, Crazy Horse 3 is offering “Hoops at the Horse” packages that start at $39 per person (transportation and admission included). Enhanced, VIP and group packages are also available.
Sapphire March Madness: On the topic of gentlemen’s clubs, Sapphire is offering single tickets and group packages to watch the games. The cheapest option is $55 per person that includes a 2 hour open bar, transportation, and a seat.
On-Strip Watch Parties
STRAT Festival of Hoops: Full-day tickets to STRAT’s viewing party start at $150 per person and include bottomless drinks (well drinks, domestic beer, and wine), access to a stadium-style buffet, and a chance to win giveaways.
Cosmopolitan Hoops and Hops 2023: A popular annual tradition, Hoops & Hops is held in the 40,000 square foot Belmont Ballroom that comes equipped with 10 betting stations, a hardwood basketball court, and even a few arcade games. Access to an open bar is included with admission, as is a complimentary entree to Cosmopolitan’s Marquee Nightclub.
Tickets for both Thursday and Friday are $300 and Saturday costs $150. Options included in the open bar include well liquors, beer, wine, soda, and water.
Hoops Mania at the Hard Rock Cafe 2023: Attendees will gain access to Hard Rock’s game day buffet and premium open bar for $300 daily. Note, this is at the cafe on the south end of the strip (across from Park MGM) as opposed to Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
AmeriCAN March Mayhem 2023: A bar on the LINQ Promenade focusing on canned beer options, AmeriCAN is offering full-day all-you-can-drink packages for $175. You receive a guaranteed seat and access to their premium all-you-can drink bar. No food is provided but you can bring in outside options.
Rockhouse March Mayhem Viewing Party 2023: Tucked in Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes, Rockhouse is offering both full and half-day ticketing options. Full-day watch party tickets provide a seat and access to a premium open bar for $300, while a half-day will set you back $175.
Access to a tailgate buffet can be added for either $50 or $100.
Blondies in the Miracle Mile Shops: The popular bar in the Miracle Mile Shops is hosting both AM and PM sessions for the opening weekend. Morning session seats can be reserved in advance for a $150 per person food & beverage minimum, while afternoons are only $100 per person.
Both AM and PM sessions are a minimum spend of $100 per person on Saturday.
Cabo Wabo in the Miracle Mile Shops: Surround yourself with massive TV screens ranging from 80 – 200 inches. Half-day sessions require a $125 minimum spend per person and require a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Beer Park at Paris: The popular rooftop bar at Paris is offering full-day seating indoors for a $200 minimum spend per person daily. The minimum spend jumps up to $250 per person if sitting outdoors.
BrewDog: Located atop the Showcase Mall on the south end of the Strip, BrewDog offers nearly 100 beers on tap. They will be hosting a March Hoops watch party with 3 timeslots available (9 am – 1 pm / 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm / 6 pm – 10 pm) for $120 food & beverage minimum per person.
See Also: See my recent BrewDog Review!
Chickie’s & Pete’s at Sahara: Boasting 50 TVs scattered about the venue, Chickie’s & Pete’s is offering a full day seat to their Hoop Madness event in exchange for a food & beverage minimum that starts at a $250 per person for bar seating.
Hoop Madness at Azilo Pool at Sahara: Channeling their inner Circa, Sahara’s Azilo Pool will offer a poolside watch party on their 240′ x 70′ screen. Half and full-day packages are available for $100 and $200 respectively. Both include access to an open bar.
Carlos ‘n Charlie’s at Flamingo: 6-hour packages to Carlos ‘n Charlie’s watch party start at $105 and include an endless supply of well drinks. You can upgrade your ticket to include premium bar options for an additional $25. If I’m being honest, I can’t figure out from the party listing *which* 6-hour time block you’re reserving at the time of purchase (as in am vs. pm session)… I’d recommend confirming before booking.
HyperX Esports Arena – Luxor: Although typically a hub for gaming, Luxor’s eSports Arena doubles as a watch party destination. Complete with a 50-foot LED TV wall, the venue is offering a guaranteed full-day seat and 5 drink tickets for $100 per person. Food is an additional expense served a la carte.
Stadia at Caesars Palace: The “Old-school football helmet” themed sports bar is offering seating for the opening weekend of March Madness as part of their Hoops on the Strip party. Packages for 2 people start at 300 ($100 fee / $200 min spend).
Napoleon’s Lounge at Paris: Also part of Caesars’ Hoops on the Strip series of parties, Napoleon’s Lounge is offering a full-day table for 4 in exchange for $250 ($130 fee / $120 min spend). Also included are 2 drink tickets for each of your 4 attendees redeemable for beer, wine, or liquor.
Piano Bar at Harrah’s: A table for 2 can be reserved for $150 ($90 fee / $60 min spend). Each person will also receive 2 drink tickets along with a seat. A single seat can also be purchased for $50, which includes 2 drink tickets.
Walk On’s at Harrah’s: Seating at Walk On’s starts at a $55 minimum spend for a half-day and $110 for the whole day at the bar. Tables require a $300 minimum spend for a half-day and $600 for the whole day.
Garden Bar at Flamingo: A table for 4 people at the Garden Bar’s Hoops on the Strip watch party costs $211.87. Each table will include a complimentary bucket of 5 beers.
The Still at Mirage: A seat at The Still’s Brackets and Beer 2023 watch party can be yours for a $150 food & beverage minimum per session on Thursday/Friday and a $125 food & beverage minimum on Saturday/Sunday.
Ringer Wings Pizza & Sliders Sports Bar at Planet Hollywood: A table for 2, 4, or 6 can be reserved for Ringer’s Hoops on the Strip watch party with pricing starting at $250 ($190 fee / $60 minimum spend) for a table of 2. Each attendee will receive 2 drink tickets.
Bound Cocktail Lounge at Cromwell: Tables for 2, 4, or 6 people are available at Bound’s Hoops on the Strip party with pricing starting at $195 ($150 fee / $45 min spend) for a table of 2. A complimentary bucket of 5 beers is included.
Interlude Cocktail Lounge at Cromwell: Tables for 2, 4, and 6 people are available for Interlude’s Hoops on the Strip viewing party with pricing starting at $195 ($150 fee / $45 min spend). A complimentary bucket of 5 beers is included.
Montecristo Cigar Bar Hoops on the Strip: A unique viewing experience, Montecristo gives you the opportunity to light up a quality cigar while watching your bankroll languish. Seating for 2 starts at $450 ($200 fee / $250 min spend).
Caesars Property Pools: The Hoops on the Strip parties extend to the pools at Linq and Flamingo, which amounts to renting a cabana to watch the games. While it’s a unique option, you’re relegated to watching the games on a single screen in your cabana. With multiple games going on at once, this can be challenging.
Additionally, the atmosphere isn’t exactly “basketball focused” and you won’t be able to hear the game audio over the “Untz” music – At least, that was my experience at LINQ’s Influence Pool last year.
Bet MGM Sportsbook and Bar at Park MGM: An all day pass to Park MGM’s Bet MGM Sportsbook and Bar costs $275 per person and includes all you can eat and drink.
TAP at MGM Grand: TAP’s Brackets & Baskets watch party is offering half-day seating in exchange for a $300 food & beverage minimum spend commitment. To book, navigate to their website and make a reservation for the am or pm session.
TAP at Excalibur: TAP will offer half-day seating to their Brackets & Baskets hoops viewing party for $135, which includes access to an open bar.
Battle of the Brackets at Aria: Hosted in Aria’s new Proper Eats food hall, VIP reserved seating is available for a $150 per half-day session. Additional TVs are going to be set up, and those that pony up for VIP seating will have a dedicated server.
Fremont Street Watch Parties
March Mania at Plaza: Plaza’s annual party will be hosted in their Showroom and games will be projected on a 24-foot video wall. Single-day tickets are available for $100, however, a 3-day ticket can be yours for a discounted $250. Included in the deal are bottomless draft beer, soda, and a raffle entry.
The D: In addition to their free party, man caves are also available for purchase and start at $300 per person for a 6-hour session (min of 8 total people). Each man cave experience comes with all your can eat food, bottomless drinks, and 4 TV’s.
Circa’s Stadium Swim: A number of options exist to watch the game outdoors at Circa’s impressive rooftop pool amphitheater. General admission is $80 for the whole day but doesn’t include a seat, or food & drink.
Daybed and cabanas at Stadium Swim are rented for either the AM or PM session and require a $1,000 or $2,500 minimum spend respectively, depending on the session you’re reserving them for.
For those making the trip, I also recommend joining the March Madness in Las Vegas Facebook group which is a wealth of knowledge. There, you can use the search function to see historical party reviews and ask questions (be prepared for some good-natured snark).
You’ll also find information about the group’s annual March Madness Eve party which occurs Wednesday night at The STRAT. The party costs $30 and provides:
- Access to a buffet
- Unlimited bottled beer (5-hours)
- Entries to a raffle (gift cards, autographed jerseys, etc)
You don’t have plans on Wednesday night anyway – May as well tip a few back with some like-minded degenerates.
Did I miss your viewing party? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it!
Related: Blow your bankroll? Check out these 95+ Free Things to do in Vegas!
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.
BG
Thursday 2nd of March 2023
Hi - any way to update which ones include a bar and betting windows? All the ones where they have a viewing theatre it is unclear if you can walk to a window or if they sell drinks and food inside.
Eric
Monday 21st of February 2022
Prior to Covid, the Flamingo Hotel and Casino also held a "Hoops on the Strip" viewing party in their 2nd floor conference room. Usually the cost was around $200 a day which included an open bar and buffet, and sportsbetting stations outside of the conference room. Have you heard if they will be doing that again this year?
Matthew
Monday 3rd of January 2022
I am wondering at the Westgate. What is the alcohol situation there? Is there an open bar option?
Jake
Monday 30th of January 2023
@Drew, they were Vegas prices, but not terrible. It was a couple years back at this point but I believe it was $6 for a 16oz can. BUT, I tipped my ticket writer like $10 when placing my bets and she gave me a FAT stack of free drink tickets.
Drew
Monday 30th of January 2023
@Jake, How much are the drinks? Normal Vegas prices or do they have cheap beer specials?
Jake
Monday 3rd of January 2022
@Matthew, Unfortunately not. It's a cash bar after you drink your one freebie.
Matt
Saturday 25th of December 2021
First time for Vegas for March Madness, staying at Park MGM. Any thoughts on either Park or the regular MGM? Also Cabo Wabo sounded fun, anyone been?
Ryan
Wednesday 19th of February 2020
Has anyone ever done the viewing party at the Criss Angel Theater in Planet Hollywood? Says $150 for beer and food. Can you upgrade if you want liquor? Haven't found a lot of info on it. Thanks!