Fans of the eight college basketball teams with opening-round matchups of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships on Friday, March 20th can cheer on their schools in the friendly confines of a host bar or restaurant right here in the Arena District located in downtown Columbus!

Four watering holes within walking distance of the action at Nationwide Arena are hosting March Madness viewing parties and will have amazing photo opportunities and a special welcome created by a local chalk artist.

HOST BARS/RESTAURANTS WILL INCLUDE:

• Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar will host West Virgina and Albany alumni and fans
• R Bar will host Buffalo and Providence alumni and fans
• Three-Legged Mare will host Maryland alumni and fans and the winner of the Boise St./Dayton Play-in Game’s alumni and fans
• Gordon Biersch will host Valparaiso and Oklahoma alumni and fans

TIMES AND TV CHANNELS FOR THE 2ND ROUND GAMES IN COLUMBUS AT NATIONWIDE ARENA ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• West Virginia University vs. University at Buffalo, 2:10 p.m. on TNT
• University of Maryland vs. Valparaiso University, 4:40 p.m. on TNT
• University of Oklahoma vs. University at Albany, 7:27 p.m. on truTV
• Providence College vs. Boise State University/University of Dayton, 9:57 p.m. on truTV

If the better-seeded teams win, they’ll stay at the same bars for Sunday’s matchups in Columbus, Wimbish said. All four of these restaurants have excellent food and drink options and are just four of the downtown Columbus restaurants you have to try. For a complete guide that shows all of the food and drink options within walking distance of Nationwide Arena checkout our Menu Guide!