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Our picks for the top area spots to watch the Final Four with fellow Wolfpack fans

The sofa may be tempting, but truly enjoying the historic N.C. State men’s and women’s Final Four games might require a little more company — dressed in red and drenched in beer suds.

Here’s a few suggestion for watching the men’s and women’s teams in the most Wolfpack-friendly settings.

Any spot with a television will be tuned in, but these places will be among to be the most, er, spirited.

NC State fans at Players’ Retreat in Raleigh celebrate a Wolfpack lead against Duke during the second half of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament on Sunday, March 31.
NC State fans at Players’ Retreat in Raleigh celebrate a Wolfpack lead against Duke during the second half of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament on Sunday, March 31. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com

Mitch’s Tavern

2426 Hillsborough St., Raleigh

This Hillsborough Street staple might as well be part of N.C. State’s campus, almost close enough to hit a three-pointer at Reynolds Coliseum from the upstairs window. Just be careful on the stairs. The longtime Pack-backing bar has been hosting fans on the sidewalk outside, so watch its social media for plans still in the making.

And on Saturday starting at 5 p.m., Mitch’s will place a large screen at the corner of Horne Street and serve food and drinks outside.

Chelsea Mann serves lunch at Mitch’s Tavern on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in 2022.
Chelsea Mann serves lunch at Mitch’s Tavern on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in 2022. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Player’s Retreat

105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh

Just around the corner on Oberlin Road, Raleigh’s oldest bar managed to serve standing-room only crowds spilling out onto the street after last Sunday’s victories, and it will do so again this weekend. Plenty of room under the red umbrellas.

The Goat Bar

5111 Western Blvd., Raleigh

For the fan who likes their celebrations a little funkier, and more welcoming toward furry friends, The Goat is not only offering free pizza for its watch party on Saturday, but it’s holding its 21st birthday on Sunday.

Sports & Social

301 Fenton Gateway Driveway, suite 100, Cary

This massive sports and live music venue in Cary’s Fenton development offers a 42-foot screen for its Saturday watch party. It is, however, charging $15 tickets for entry. Just so you know.

Raleigh Brewing

Locations in Raleigh, Cary and Smithfield

Watch parties for both teams will reign at all three locations, featuring Wolfpack red beer and, on Sunday, as little as $3 a pint regardless of the score.

The Brickhouse in Raleigh, a popular spot on Hillsborough Street started by friends from NC State, has been named the Triangle’s top sports bar.
The Brickhouse in Raleigh, a popular spot on Hillsborough Street started by friends from NC State, has been named the Triangle’s top sports bar. bcain@newsobserver.com Brooke Cain

Brickhouse

3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

With 10 120-inch screens and a patio, this dog-friendly Hillsborough Street mainstay always draws a pack. The Brickhouse topped The News & Observer’s list for best sports bars.

Carolina Ale House

With seven locations in the Triangle alone, the ale house is offering watch parties on both Friday and Saturday evenings with $5 margarita specials and $3 red beer. The Wake Forest location has an outdoor party with spots for blankets and chairs on the lawn.

Woody’s

The downtown Raleigh location dates back nearly three decades, and the independent straight-up bar has since spawned two other locations in the Triangle. The Morrisville tavern is advertising a watch party with giveaways Saturday, including a “Corona premier promo.”

Have fun and be safe.

This story was originally published April 3, 2024 at 2:03 PM.

Josh Shaffer
The News & Observer
Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.
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