March Madness coming to Providence for first time since 2016

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — As Bryant Men’s Basketball makes its way to Cleveland for March Madness, eight other teams are set to head to The AMP for the first round of the tournament.

Local bar and restaurant Moonshine Alley hosted a watch party in downtown Providence on Sunday.

“It’s gonna be crazy but crazy in a good way,” Moonshine Alley General Manager Jeff Shabo said. “We’ve been talking about this for well over a year now since it was announced that March Madness was coming back to Providence.”

Shabo said he was excited to see some of the teams that will be heading to the Capital City.

The list includes Clemson University, Purdue University, the University of Kansas, Arkansas, and St. John’s University.

“We were rooting for St. John’s from the beginning,” Shabo said. “It’s only a couple-hour drive away, and obviously the biggest thing is Rick Pitino, growing up as a Friar fan, everybody knows Rick Pitino and the history.”

But perhaps more importantly for businesses like Moonshine Alley, the tournament should provide an economic boost.

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau said March Madness is projected to bring rough $3.7 million dollars to the local economy.

There are 4,600 hotel room nights contracted and 8-10 block parties happening, according to the bureau.

“[It’s] giving us extra business, this is the time of year that it tends to be a little slower,” Shabo said. “March tends to pick back up, so I’m excited, not for just the city, but Moonshine Alley.”

The first round of games will be played on March 20, while the second round is March 22.

“We’re ready for the teams, whether it be Kansas, Purdue, Clemson, St. John’s, everybody’s welcome,” Shabo said. “Can’t wait to have you here.”