WATCH HOOPS, MUNCH, AND HOPE FOR MARCH GLADNESS
By Butch Maier / Photo above: Socky’s co-owners Sharon Sockman, David Sockman, and Alison Sockman-Gillis, courtesy of Socky’s
Check out these five independent sports bars where you can watch college basketball games in March and enjoy some eats. I do have to give a shoutout to one chain sports bar, too. AJ Gator’s at Mt. Pleasant Marketplace in Chesapeake came through in the clutch when I had to make a last-minute detour to catch a game.
I had visited one other independent Coastal Virginia sports bar not listed—and that I will leave unnamed—but left immediately when I discovered its televisions inexplicably did not have the ACC Network…in a sports bar…in ACC country. Now, that’s madness.
Socky’s Bar & Grill
2401 Seaboard Road #103
Virginia Beach
sockysbarandgrill.com
757-301-2274
Sunday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.*
Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.*
Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.*
*Will stay open later for late games
Socky’s Bar & Grill in Virginia Beach lives by one of the better mottos a sports bar can have:
“We stay open for sports!”
Socky’s opened in March 2024, tucked into a small shopping corner on Seaboard Road. Co-owner Alison Sockman-Gillis said the establishment’s regular business hours end earlier than some sports bars since it is situated in a neighborhood community.
Residents can appreciate that. Customers can appreciate that the bar extends its hours on occasion to committed sports fans.
“If people are watching a late game, we will stay open later for them so they can finish watching,” said Sockman-Gillis, who co-owns Socky’s with mom Sharon Sockman and uncle David Sockman.
The NCAA Tournament bracket is on the wall, and televisions are wall-to-wall, with the best seat in the house at the bar in front of a giant screen.
The menu features the Sock Daddy Burger, but since I am a plain Jane, I chose a meat-and-bun-only Classic Burger. With the option of adding a second patty for a few bucks more, I went ahead and added a third. The triple burger was a delicious deal.
The Tailgate Sports Pub
344 Constitution Drive
Virginia Beach
tailgatevb.com
757-961-3468
Monday, 5 p.m.-midnight
Tuesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight
Friday, noon-2 a.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight
The Tailgate lives up to its name, with cool booths set on pickup truck bed cutouts. The cheese Flatbread Pizza was a satisfying choice. The sports bar offers 19 televisions, with two of them set up above urinals—for when watching a game is your No. 1 priority.
Baxter’s Sports Lounge
500 Granby St.
Norfolk
baxterssportslounge.com
757-622-9837
Thursday, 4-11 p.m.
Friday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Baxter’s has a Cheers-like feel with a chill atmosphere that is perfect for sitting at the bar and watching a college basketball game or grabbing a bite on a hockey night before heading to nearby Scope Arena to see the Norfolk Admirals. The Happy Hour Chicken Tenders were so good I ate several before I remembered to take a photo.
Clubhouse Bar & Grill
3208 Holland Road, Suite 101
Virginia Beach
757-468-3716
Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
If you prefer a smoke-friendly, pool-playing place with classic Temptations tunes gracing the speakers, Clubhouse is your vibe. There are three pool tables to utilize when your basketball team is not playing on any of the 15 TVs. Speaking of temptation, I was enticed by the price to get a Pound of Steamed Shrimp. With a small appetite, I instead opted for a tasty Popcorn Shrimp appetizer and added fries.
GameDay Grille
8111 Judith Lane
Mechanicsville
gamedaygrille.com
804-789-8005
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
For those Coastal Virginians who find themselves traveling near Richmond and do not have enough time to make it back for a game at their hometown sports bar, this is the place to stop.
I was greeted at the door immediately, asked what channel I wanted to watch, and had my choice of a dozen large, sharp TVs for a Saturday afternoon game.
A plate of Old Bay Wings is a recommended go-to, complete with a heaping helping of Old Bay seasoning.
An unexpected treat was the best dessert I have enjoyed in a long time. The Marshmallow Cookie Dough Cake combines three of my favorite things: edible chocolate chip cookie dough, marshmallow cream, and cake.
Alternate your bites between cookie dough and chocolate cake to savor both, or one will be gone before you know it.
Save the cream for the final buzzer.
Butch Maier
