Where UK alumni and fans can gather in Des Moines

The party is about to get started in Des Moines, Iowa.

The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team meets Stony Brook in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at about 9:40 p.m. Thursday (CBS) in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The UK Alumni Association announced Tuesday that Beer Can Alley bar and grill will be the official alumni headquarters for the first weekend of NCAA Tournament play.

Beer Can Alley is at 216 Court Ave. The pregame gathering gets started at 4 p.m. Central time. Drink specials and UK spirit items will be available. Attendees may purchase drinks and food from the menu. Beer Can Alley is a short walk (about a half-mile) from Wells Fargo Arena. The Stony Brook vs. Kentucky game will be shown at the venue later in the evening.

If Kentucky wins Thursday night, the alumni association will return to the same spot prior to Saturday’s second-round game. Because of expected heavy crowds on St. Patrick’s Day, UK’s band and cheerleaders will not perform Thursday.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Where UK alumni and fans can gather in Des Moines."