Local’s guide to Downtown Wichita
Between cheering on your team and waiting to hear the results of others, there will be plenty of things to do during your trip to Wichita other than sitting in your hotel room. Here are some local bars and restaurants that you should be sure to put in your schedule.
Mort’s Cigar and Martini Bar
- Sun.: noon to 10 p.m.
- Mon. through Thurs.: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Fri. and Sat.: noon – 2 a.m.
With a martini menu boasting more than 15 options, there’s something for everyone. From the Pineapple Passion to the 007 Martini, you can indulge in anything from a classic flavor to something completely out-of-the-box. For the tournament, Mort’s created a Melon Madness cocktail and plans to feature various beer, whisky and car-bomb specials for St. Patrick’s Day.
River City Brewery
- Sun.: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Mon. and Tues.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Wed. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
From huge chicken fried steaks, delicious pizzas and probably the best ranch in town, River City has everything from good beer to great food. Upstairs is The Loft, where you can hang out, drink beer and watch the games. The Loft will be open all day on Thursday and Satuday. Happy hour specials include half-price cocktails and appetizers.
Donut Whole
- Sun. through Thurs.: 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Fri. and Sat.: 5:30 a.m. – midnight
Homemade donuts, coffee and boba tea — what’s not to like? With a giant rooster adorning the roof, you can’t miss this Wichita staple. For specials next week, the Donut Whole will be having $5 six-packs for any donuts or $10 12-packs.
Emerson Biggin’s
- Wed. through Sun.: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Mon. and Tues.: 11a.m. to midnight
If you’re looking for a classic sports bar and grill to watch the games and enjoy some chicken wings, Emerson’s is the place for you. Emerson’s has everything from loaded chicken nachos, delicious wings and eight different burgers to choose from. For the tournament, Emerson’s is blocking off the area around the building so you can take your drinks outside. There will also be beer and food trucks in the area.
Third Place Brewing
- Wed. and Thurs.: 4 to 10 p.m.
- Fri.: 4 to 11 p.m.
- Sat.: noon to 11 p.m.
Third Place Brewing will have Peach Basket Wheat, a beer brewed especially for the tournament, on tap starting Wednesday. They will also be tapping two other beers for St. Patrick’s festivities called Rally’s, Ali’s pale ale with raspberries, and St. Paddy’s Shillelagh, an Irish red ale seasoned with oak. Third Place also installed new TVs on their expanded patio so people can enjoy the games.
Central Standard Brewing
- Sun.: noon to 5 p.m.
- Tues: 3 to 10 p.m.
- Wed. and Thurs.: noon to 10 p.m.
- Fri. and Sat.: noon to midnight
Considered one of the best breweries in Wichita, Central Standard has made a name for itself by specializing in sours. For the tournament, Central Standard will be tapping Wicked Crossover, a collaboration with Hopping Gnome Brewing Company. The brewery will have food trucks by their patio, yard games and a new brew featuring mango, passionfruit and blood orange Gose.
Public at the Brickyard
- Sun.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tues. through Thurs.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Fri. and Sat.: 11 a.m. to midnight
Public is an indoor restaurant with an outdoor patio area called The Brickyard. The Brickyard will be hosting live music Thursday and Friday featuring $4 Deep Eddys and $5 Coronas. For St. Patrick’s Day, festivities will start at 11 a.m. with $5 Guinness and $6 Irish car bombs.
Pumphouse
- Sun.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Mon. through Sat.: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
During the day, Pumphouse features their full menu of sandwiches and pizzas, but at night, because one of the best bar scenes in Wichita. Pumphouse has a closed in patio with yard games as well as a dance floor inside. They will have more beer on tap for the tournament as well as a St. Patrick’s Day special called Keg and Eggs. For the event, they’ll open at 8 a.m. and feature a breakfast buffet.
Wheat State Distilling
- Sun.: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wed. and Thurs.: 2 p.m. to midnight
- Fri. and Sat.: 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Wheat State, connecting to Distillery 244, is hosting a major St. Patty’s party with free admission for anyone ages 21 or over. They’ll have an indoor watch party with five 12-foot projector screens, a free nacho bar, yard games and various drink specials. On the Wheat State side, they will be showing the games all week.
Marissa Campbell was the Culture Editor for The Sunflower. Campbell wrote music reviews as well as arts, culture and other entertainment stories. From...