The List: Win or lose, here's where to go after OSU's NCAA opener
Ohio State will know its opening round opponent in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, March 11. With gameplay tipping off Thursday, March 15, and the Buckeyes currently pegged as a likely five seed by experts, we thought we'd offer up a handful of post-game spots, win or (gulp) lose.
If the Buckeyes win:
Pins Mechanical Company
Multiple locations
pinsbar.com
If you want to celebrate, do it in a high-energy place filled with all manner of games, from bowling to ping-pong to giant Jenga.
16-Bit Bar + Arcade
254 S. Fourth St., Downtown
16-bitbar.com
Like Pins, 16-Bit is always buzzing. Plus you can continue the basketball action by tabbing a trio of friends for a game of NBA Jam. (Pro tip: Control John Stockton of the Utah Jazz; his three-point shooting and defensive steal ability make him low-key unbeatable.)
Little Rock Bar
944 N. Fourth St., Italian Village
littlerockbar.net
This lively Italian Village watering hole offers a great selection of local taps and an eclectic crowd that regularly includesAlivefilm critic Brad Keefe. Be sure to tell him how much you loved “The Shape of Water” if you spot him on the cozy outdoor patio!
If the Buckeyes lose:
St. James Tavern
1057 N. Fourth St., Italian Village
stjamestavern.com
OK, if the Bucks do indeed get tabbed for a five seed, fans need to be wary of a potential upset (the 12-5 matchup is notoriously unpredictable). If the unthinkable happens and OSU does get bounced in the opening round, best to hole up in a low-key, low-lit establishment where you can dull the ache with a bountiful selection of quality brews.
The Bottle Shop
237 King Ave., Harrison West
facebook.com/thebottleshopcolumbus
“Just because we're bereaved doesn't make us saps.” This line, uttered by Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) in “The Big Lebowski,” could potentially apply to Buckeye fans if the ball bounces the wrong way. Even if you are bereaved, there's no reason to make due with cheap hooch. This eclectic bar serves up inventive, delicious cocktails that could help erase some of the sting of defeat.
Dick's Den
2417 N. High St., North Campus
whynotcolumbus.com
To paraphrase the slogan adopted by the long-running campus dive: “Why not drown your sorrows at Dick's?” There's nothing pretentious about this shot-and-a-beer bar, which also hosts the city's best jazz players on an almost-nightly basis. Basketball will be but a distant memory once you're listening to the likes of local drum legend Wally Mitchel.