Team up: 3 bars to watch March Madness
March Madness is sweeping across America and Iowa is in the thick of this year's basketball action. Although the NCAA Tournament isn't coming to Des Moines until March 2016, Iowans have plenty to root for with all three teams headed into post-season action. Whether you're crazy for Fred Hoiberg's Cyclones, mad for Aaron White and the Hawkeyes, or frantic for the not-so-underdog Northern Iowa Panthers, there's a bar in Des Moines for you to catch your team's game alongside fellow fans.
Follow your team's colors into these pubs for what is hoping to be a truly mad March for the Iowa college basketball teams:
IOWA HAWKEYES
With its Hawkeye flag billowing above the front door, Iowa fans don't even need to step inside to know that G Migs 5th Street Pub is a safe haven for fans of the black and gold — there might not be a better place to catch a Hawkeye game in all of central Iowa. The fans are energetic to the point of manic. The game blares loud, spilling into the Valley Junction neighborhood street. Most importantly, the beer never stops coming. Celebrate the big wins and drink away the painful losses with fellow Hawkeyes at this little piece of Iowa City fandom tucked away in sleepy West Des Moines.
G Migs 5th Street Pub
Find it: 128 5th Street, West Des Moines
Hours: 3-11 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday
Info: 515-255-4550
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Drink heavy and watch Fred "The Mayor" Hoiberg lead his Cyclones deep into this year's tournament at West Des Moines' The Keg Stand. As the bar's name suggests, this is the spot to pair up your March Madness with pour after pour of cold, frothy brew. The only thing better than watching Georges Niang cut through the D for a big score? Watching him do so with fellow Cyclone faithful and a selection of 82 beers on tap.
The Keg Stand
Find it: 3530 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines
Hours: 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m., 12-2 p.m. Sunday
Info: 515-327-7429
NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS
The 2015 Missouri Valley Conference tournament champions head into this year's big dance with expectations to bust the brackets for title contenders from coast-to-coast. According to posts by the Greater Des Moines Panther Club on Facebook, Exile Brewery is one of the best spots to catch all of the Panther basketball — during what fans hope to be a magnificent cap to a magical season. Exile, one of Des Moines' premier breweries, offering up an excellent variety of both flagship and seasonal brew. Try the "Betty" honey lager for something unique, but don't be scared to try the "Gi Gi" dark larger for something a bit bolder.
Find it: 1514 Walnut Street
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Info: 515-883-2337