Connecticut bars getting business boost from UConn basketball tournament runs
The UConn men’s basketball team run to the national championship is also bringing a lot of customers to local bars across Connecticut for watch parties.
“We had the audio running and everything and as soon as the final buzzer hit, everyone was going crazy. We had a nice little UConn chant going at the end,” Yash Ramchandani, whose family owns Stadium XV in Farmington, said.
There was a mood to celebrate there Saturday as Husky fans were thrilled to see the UConn men’s basketball team move on to the national championship game. Ramchandani says this was a big boost in business with 175 to 200 people at the restaurant and bar.
“We had a queue of 45 minutes for people to come in after tipoff,” he said.
He says after a calm Easter Sunday, his family is ready for the crowds to return to watch UConn take on Michigan Monday night and expect not only food and drinks to be bought, but also heavy use of their simulators.
“We have two state of the art multi-sport simulators with basketball, hockey, soccer and football,” he said.
Ramchandani says the crowds has been consistent for the men’s and women’s tournament games for the last few weekends.
“I would say about 85 to 100 people, new faces also. It’s always different generations. Sometimes it’s the younger kids, sometimes it’s the older generation,” he said.
It was much of the same at Elicit Brewing Company locations which also hosted UConn watch parties.
“It’s a good shot of energy for the entire community and all the restaurants and just retails in general,” Bruno Marini, CEO of Eli’s Restaurant Group, said.
He says the three brewery locations have seen a 30% to 35% boost in foot traffic.
“We’ll have about 600 to 700 people, and it will bring in about an additional, probably close to a double of that size,” he said.
Marini says the bump also applies to their standalone restaurants like Eli’s and Brick Oven Pizza.
“Their sales have gone up 18% to 25%, and again, it extends the visit of a guest because they want to stay and watch the game,” he said.
Win or lose, bars are definitely feeling the energy from Husky fans.
“This is the Basketball Capital of the World, Connecticut so we always love the support that UConn does, especially with any sport, especially basketball though,” Ramchandani said.
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