World Series Games Bring Giant Loss Of Business For Some Restaurants And Bars
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — The World Series has been great for some Bay Area bars and restaurants, but for others—not so much. Not having TVs showing the game can lead a serious drop in business during game time.
Home or away, but especially with the Giants in Kansas City Tuesday night, places showing the game will be packed. But what about higher end restaurants, or even great neighborhood eateries without TVs?
"Business is great on the days that the Giants aren't playing and on the days that they are playing, it's a little bit more tough," Brad Levy, owner of Firefly in San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood, told KCBS.
Levy said people either stay at home to watch or head over to their favorite sports bar. They don't go out to eat a nice dinner.
"It's probably down about 25 percent on the nights during the times when there's a game," he said.
So Tuesday night might be the night to get an easy table at that restaurant you've always wanted to try.
Meanwhile, Rufus Jeffris with the Bay Area Council said that, on balance, the World Series translates to into big bucks.
"From my office I can hear down in the street the cheering going on from places like Harrington's, the Royal Exchange and other bars," he said.
More Giants:
Expect overflow crowds at the sports bars and a big party at San Francisco's Civic Center, where the game will air on a big screen TV.
Jeffris said sports bars and casual places are packing them in, generating hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of dollars in extra business.
"Maybe the smart ones are getting creative and they're going to bring in some TVs. It certainly couldn't hurt their business, I think. Whether you like a rich meal, or a burger and beer, everyone likes the Giants," he said.