Jackson Free Press

The Big Dance is here, baby! Get your dancin' shoes on because some Cinderella team from Timbuktu is about to moonwalk all over your favorite powerhouse and ruin your office bracket pool. It happens to you every year.
To watch another heartbreak, head on over to one of these local establishments and numb your senses. The right medicine will cure your March Madness.
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Alumni House Sports Grill - We all wish we could have graduated from Hickory High School and played alongside the great Jimmy Chitwood, but instead we held first chair in the trombone section and made JV Debate team our senior year. Go team. Well if you are an alumni of the school of hard knocks, reunite with your fellow classmates at the Alumni House Sports Grill and take in all the action that you never got to be a part of while in school. 574 Hwy. 50, Ridgeland

Buffalo Wild Wings - When I make my first billion in a Ponzi scheme, I'm going to start a professional basketball team franchise in Buffalo, NY and name them the Buffalo Wild Wings. No lawsuits will stop me. Want some tasty food and non-stop coverage of the tournament? Buffalo Wild Wings is the place to be. 808 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland

The Bulldog - Will Miss. State go far in this year's tournament? Will Jarvis Varnado block every shot a photographer takes? Will Coach Stansbury perform the Dawg Pound Rock before the first game? Will you stop by The Bulldog to enjoy the wide selection of draft beers? You betcha'.
6111 Ridgewood Rd.

Electric Cowboy - When you aren't bumpin' 'n grindin' to the dirty south's dirtiest hits, take a load off and watch more agile and coordinated men dance the night away on the hardwood. 6107 Ridgewood Rd.

Fenians - Notre Dame fan? No luck for the Irish this year as they were relegated to the NIT. However, you can still enjoy the games while sipping on Ireland's finest brews. 901 E. Fortification Street

Hal & Mal's - The Mal's St. Paddy's Parade this weekend will be one to remember....even if you don't exactly remember what happens. If your eyes get weary from seeing too much green, walk over to Hal & Mal's and see if you can pick the winners. 200 S. Commerce St.

Last Call Sports Grill - Nobody likes to hear "Last Call". However, if you want to witness the memorable last-second shots of this year's tournament, drop into Last Call Sports Grill and take your own, "last shot". 3716 I-55 North Frontage Rd.

Main Event Sports Bar & Grill - Anybody watching hockey tonight? It's tonight's main event, right? Wrong. To any puckheads out there hoping to catch the "NHL fever", Main Events Sports Bar & Grill is the wrong place. Hoops only, folks. 4659 Hwy 80 W.

Martin's Lounge - Already screwed up your bracket and down $300? Martin's is the place to sulk in the shadows and pray for a March miracle. Catch one of their highly celebrated rock shows and maybe you'll perk up. 214 S. State St.

Mugshots - The last thing you want to do is drink and drive after MSU loses by 30 and end up with your own mugshot. But if you promise to be responsible, take a seat at Mugshots and enjoy the spirits of the night. 1855 Lakeland Dr.

Ole' Tavern on George Street - George Mason University was the Cinderella of the 2006 tournament. As an 11th seed, the Patriots made it all the way to the Final Four. By George, this year might be just as exciting. 416 George St.

The Pub - David Spade once starred in a sketch on Saturday Night Live in which he abbreviated words to save time. The system works! "Head down to the "pub" this "eve" and watch your "fav" "bball" team "dom" the "comp". See, it's that easy! Hwy. 51, Ridgeland

Scrooge's - Don't be a Dickensian character and miss the non-stop action. Even fans from across the pond enjoy hoops. Just ask Luol Deng, your favorite British basketballer. Deng, anyone? 5829 Ridgewood Rd.

Serpentine Fire Sports Bar - Though the name may sound more intimidating than Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge, you can still drop by and enjoy watching basketball gods clash against one another in epic battles. 1805 Baily Ave.

Sportsman Lodge - A true sportsman, or sports fan, knows where to watch the big game. I hope you bring your "A" game when you join the other sports fanatics as Sportsman Lodge. 1220 E. Northside Dr.

Time Out Sports Bar - Every now and then we take time out of our busy work schedules, or in my case, sleep schedules, to wind down and root for our favorite teams. If you leave this out of your daily routine, you are asking for trouble, buddy. 6270 Old Canton Rd.

VB's Premier Sports Bar - The premier teams in this year's tournament will likely go down in flames by the time we reach the Sweet 16. Fear not, VB's isn't going anywhere any time soon. 1060 County Line Rd.

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If I left any local bar off the list that will be showcasing the Big Dance, contact me and I'll have their info up in a jiffy.

Previous Comments

ID

144952

Comment

Some folks are gathering today at 4 to watch the Dawgs in Hal & Mal's brew pub. Go, Dawgs!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-03-19T12:02:28-06:00