The Home of American Golf’s 'Sweet 16' - Favorite Spots to Watch March Madness … and All Sports

(PINEHURST/SOUTHERN PINES) – There is no better place to be during college basketball’s “March Madness” than the Sandhills region and The Home of American Golf, which is brimming with pubs, restaurants, bars and grills that cater to sports-viewing guests. Here is a “Sweet Sixteen” selection of some of our favorite places to eat and bend an elbow, while you watch a ball game or discuss the day’s golf round with family and friends:

Bell Tree Tavern
Southern Pines
Stylish, old-school watering hole in downtown Southern Pines that serves up pub food, sports on many screens and a patio with outdoor bar. Recently named a “Great American Bourbon Bar.”

Char Bar No. 7
Southern Pines
Fun atmosphere in the Pavilion at Morganton offering a comfortable mix of upscale and casual attire — business, golf or jeans, all right at home. Featured menu every weekend prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Nice patio lounge highlighted by a beautiful stone fireplace.

The Deuce
Pinehurst
Not only the best 19th hole in golf and the ideal spot to cap off a round, the bar features nearly a dozen craft beers on tap, including North Carolina microbrews, a variety of creative cocktails — and several TVs for March Madness viewing.

Drum & Quill
Pinehurst
Ideal spot to enjoy good cheer with friends and family — or cheering during college basketball’s most exciting month. Cozy up with a pint and enjoy a bite to eat while you root for your team. They take casual dining seriously.

Dugan’s Pub
Pinehurst
Pinehurst’s largest selection of import drafts and single malt scotches. Charming, intimate space — traditional Irish Pub upstairs and a second pub downstairs — with nautical décor. A true, Village institution.

Harris Teeter at PineCroft
Pinehurst
North Carolina’s largest Harris Teeter resides in the PineCroft Shopping Center and includes two TVs, $4 craft beers with enormous variety (best secret in town), just steps way from a killer pizza bar, Asian bar and salad bar. Pay, stay and watch all day — while you earn HT fuel points to boot.

Hickory Tavern
Pinehurst
Located off Highway 15/501, this sports bar & grill chain with an extensive menu of familiar bar food and TVs galore is one of the Sandhills region’s most popular spots for game-day viewing.

Kickback Jack’s
Southern Pines
More than 50 big-screen TVs. Endless entertainment, fun with friends and family, and delicious food. Fresh, made-from-scratch appetizers, entrees & desserts, and a wide variety of draft beers, local brews, and hand-crafted cocktails. Comprehensive NFL and college football television packages.

Lake House Bar & Grill
West End
Fun atmosphere and some of the friendliest service around at this cozy, Seven Lakes neighborhood establishment. March Madness viewing isn’t the only draw; they also feature live music, karaoke nights and scrumptious food across the board.

Maxie’s Grill & Tap Room
Pinehurst
This informal watering hole offers elevated pub grub such as sandwiches and wings, amid numerous TVs.

O’Donnell’s Pub
Southern Pines
Now in its third decade, “OD’s,” as it is known to its regulars serves up craft beers or fine spirits. The “home of the proper pint” and also features one of the most inviting outside patio areas to enjoy on a sunny day.

Pinehurst Brewing Company
Pinehurst
One of the area’s favorite new Village watering holes features a 10-barrel microbrewery, a beer garden and an all-seasons patio, not to mention a couple of well-placed, big-screen TVs.

Pop’s Lounge
Southern Pines
Tasty food and gorgeous views in a casual setting at the Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club. During March Madness, enjoy a cold beer on the patio, bar or dining area under the umbrellas overlooking the resort’s iconic finishing hole.

Rudino’s Pizza & Grinders
Southern Pines
Specializes in grinders, pizza, pasta, wraps, flatbreads, burgers, salads and pasta. Piling on the meat, vegetables and cheeses, every grinder here is served on bread made from scratch on-site daily. Ideal sports viewing, and a spacious patio that includes a pool table and dart boards.

Ryder Cup Lounge
Pinehurst
Enjoy March Madness, golf or other action on large screen TVs, while relaxing on the veranda with a signature cocktail. Named for the 1951 Ryder Cup held at Pinehurst, surrounds guests with history.

Sports Bar & Grill
Southern Pines
The Sports Bar at Talamore Golf Resort tees up food, drinks and your favorite sports on large-screen TVs after an exciting day on the links.

Learn more at www.homeofgolf.com/dining/