Downtown bars, restaurants count on playoffs to help Jazz up sales
Apr 21, 2022, 6:10 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2022, 1:43 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz return to the Vivint Arena Thursday night for Game 3 of the playoffs and surrounding businesses are hoping the game is a slam dunk for their bottom lines.
This year is the first time bars and restaurants will feel that playoff push that they have been missing since the pandemic started.
“I am a Mavs fan so I am rooting for the enemy,” said Jordan Newson.
While he may be rooting for the wrong team he is pulling for area businesses since he works with restaurants.
Newsome said, “Businesses, especially ones close to the sporting venues, they rely on those sales.”
Matt Crandall is the head chef at Whiskey Street. He said, “Jazz games bring people downtown from all over the state.”
Restaurants and bars say they see a 15 – 30% increase in sales during Jazz home playoff games.Crandall said it’s even better to have the game on a Thursday because Fridays and Saturdays are already busy even if the Jazz aren’t playing at home.
“We see the early dinner push, we see the late-night after game push, and we see people coming in just to watch the game,” Crandall explained.“Whatever helps restaurants bars survive is always good,” Newsome said.
Crandall added, “Everyone loves the jazz in Utah. We are excited for their playoff push.”
If you are headed for Downtown you should prepare for long lines and call ahead for a reservation.