March Madness Brings Excitement to Pittsburgh Bars

Fans pack local establishments to watch NCAA basketball tournament games

Mar. 20, 2026 at 3:48am

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As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gets underway, basketball fans in Pittsburgh have flocked to local bars to watch the games and fill out tournament brackets. Fans expressed their enthusiasm for the annual event, with some even filling out multiple brackets in hopes of winning big money.

Why it matters

The NCAA tournament, known as March Madness, is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. It brings a sense of community and camaraderie as fans gather to watch the games and root for their favorite teams, creating a festive atmosphere in cities across the country.

The details

On Thursday, fans packed into Tom's Watch Bar on the North Shore to enjoy the mid-day celebration of postseason basketball. Fans like Joe Keene of Bethel Park and Bill McMahon, a Robert Morris alum and Ohio State fan, filled out multiple brackets in hopes of winning big. Some fans, like North Hills native "Jimmy P" who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, took a more traditional approach and filled out their brackets by hand. The excitement was palpable as fans watched underdog teams like VCU and High Point pull off upsets over more established programs.

  • The NCAA men's basketball tournament, known as March Madness, began on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • The Final Four will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The players

Joe Keene

A fan from Bethel Park who filled out 12 tournament brackets, picking Michigan and Arizona as potential national champions.

Bill McMahon

A Robert Morris alum and Ohio State fan who filled out 12 brackets, choosing between Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Arkansas as potential national champions.

"Jimmy P"

A North Hills native who currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and filled out his tournament bracket the "old school" way, by hand.

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What they’re saying

“Christmas is for the kids, this is for me, baby. I've got to have a couple days of the year that I celebrate. We have a good time. We get together. We drink. We eat. It's what we do.”

— Joe Keene

“You root for Ohio State, but you pick Michigan, and if they win, at least you get some money for it.”

— Bill McMahon, Robert Morris alum and Ohio State fan

“I filled [it] out old school. Old school bracket, by hand. I signed it and dated it.”

— "Jimmy P"

What’s next

The NCAA tournament will continue on Friday with four more games scheduled.

The takeaway

The NCAA tournament is more than just a basketball event - it brings a sense of community and camaraderie as fans gather to watch the games, fill out brackets, and enjoy the excitement of the annual event.