What to Look For
- Multiple screens for simultaneous NCAA Tournament games. The first and second rounds of March Madness feature 16 games per day across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. The best March Madness bars run 4+ screens simultaneously so fans can watch every game at once rather than choosing.
- Early opening hours for noon tip-offs. First-round tournament games start around 11 AM Mountain Time on Thursday and Friday. A bar that opens by 11 AM and has its screens set up for the opening tip is the right venue for bracket week.
- All four NCAA Tournament channels. CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV are the four networks that share March Madness broadcasting rights. Confirm the bar carries all four — most Denver sports bars on standard cable do, but verify for the first week when the most simultaneous games air.
- A bracket-friendly atmosphere. The best college basketball bars lean into the tournament experience — bracket sheets, group viewing areas, staff who follow the games. These details distinguish a dedicated tournament venue from a bar that happens to have the games on.
Game Day Tips
- Thursday and Friday of the first NCAA Tournament weekend are the two biggest days in bracket sports watching. Reserve seating or arrive early — popular Denver bars fill by the noon tipoff. The second weekend (Sweet 16/Elite 8) is almost as busy.
- Regular season CU Buffaloes and CSU Rams games air on ESPN, ESPN2, and CBS depending on the matchup. Most Denver sports bars carry these. Conference tournament games in early March air on the same networks.
- For the Final Four and National Championship (late March to early April), games move to CBS and TBS in primetime Mountain Time. These are widely available and draw large bar crowds in Denver.
- College basketball runs November through April. Beyond March Madness, the Big 12 regular season (CU) features quality weeknight games on ESPN and ESPN2 all winter — good options for any weeknight bar visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Denver bars are best for watching March Madness?
- Look for bars that open by noon Mountain Time (first games tip off around 11 AM or 12 PM Mountain), have multiple large screens, and carry CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV — the four networks that share NCAA Tournament broadcasting rights. Bars that set up multiple screens showing different first-round games simultaneously are the ideal March Madness venue.
- What channels carry the NCAA Tournament at Denver bars?
- The NCAA Tournament airs across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV under the current TV deal. All four channels are available on standard cable packages at most Denver sports bars. The first and second rounds in March feature simultaneous games across all four networks.
- What time do March Madness games start in Denver (Mountain Time)?
- First and second round games during the week tip off in four pods: approximately 11 AM, 1:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 8:30 PM Mountain Time. Thursday and Friday of the first weekend are the highest-volume days, with 16 games per day.
- Where do CU Buffaloes basketball games air?
- CU Buffaloes basketball (Big 12) airs primarily on ESPN, ESPN2, Big 12 Now, and occasionally Fox or FS1 for marquee matchups. Most Denver sports bars carry ESPN and ESPN2; Big 12 Now requires a separate streaming subscription that fewer bars have.
Find Confirmed Bars Now
March Madness is the crown jewel of college basketball bar watching in Denver. The key is finding a bar that is prepared for the full tournament experience: open early, multiple screens, all four tournament networks. Use WhereToWatchSports to find confirmed venues for specific tournament games — and for regular-season CU and CSU matchups throughout the winter.