Where to Watch the Final Four Near Savage and Apple Valley

March Madness turns everyone into a college basketball fan! This year's tournament kicks off on Tuesday, March 14, so here are five of our favorite basketball-watching spots near our Springs Twin Cities luxury apartment communities.

1. Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom
14998 Glazier Ave, Apple Valley
952.891.4600
1 mile from Springs at Apple Valley

Pizza and beer is a classic combo for tournament watching, and Old Chicago does them up right. Both thin crust and deep dish pizza are available, with varieties ranging from traditional pepperoni and cheese to gourmet Thai. In addition, Old Chicago prides itself on being a craft beer authority, with employees trained to guide customers through their extensive brew menu. Enjoy happy hour specials every afternoon and every evening from 9 p.m. until midnight.

2. Carbone's Bar & Grill
7670 W 160th St, Lakeville
952.997.2900
2.4 miles from Springs at Apple Valley

There's not a bad seat in the house at Carbone's, where you'll find yourself surrounded by TVs at every turn. Carbone's also takes generic bar food to a new level with pizza crusts, dressings and sauces, and several other items made from scratch in-house. Try the prime rib sandwich, salmon BLT or pulled pork sandwich with Carbone's proprietary BBQ sauce. Drink and pizza specials are offered every night from 9 p.m. until close.

3. Lucky's 13 Pub
2033 Burnsville Center, Burnsville
952.435.3311
4.6 miles from Springs at Egan Drive

With its rustic, welcoming interior and TVs at every angle, there's no bad juju going on at Lucky's 13. The menu includes dozens of unique burgers and sandwiches along with signature drinks such as four types of Mules and a 22-ounce BLT Mother Mary. Sunday is Happy Hour all day long, and stick around Friday and Saturday evenings for live music.

4. Buffalo Tap
4990 W 123rd St, Savage
952.808.7317
3.3 miles from Springs at Egan Drive

Buffalo Tap's picturesque location on the Credit River makes it as appealing outside as it is inside. Their famous wings are available by the bucket and half-bucket, so you won't go hungry even if the game goes into overtime. Buffalo Tap is also known for more than a dozen types of the local favorite Juicy Lucy, including elk and buffalo versions. The beer menu features traditional and premium brands along with a rotating list of specialty brews on tap.

5. The Pointe Grill & Bar
16691 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake
952.855.9856
1.1 miles from Springs at Egan Drive

The NCAA tournament may be an all-American event, but you can add some international flair when you watch it at The Pointe. There's a global influence in the pizza menu, which includes Greek, German and Mexican styles, along with other dishes such as Irish potato skewers and Asian chicken wraps. On Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m. after the hoops action is done, the most popular local cover bands take the stage.

Will you be cheering for a favorite team in this year's tournament? Let us know in the comments!