Lawrence bars brace for Final Four basketball business

By Terry Rombeck     Apr 2, 2003

Matt Daugherty/Journal-World Photo
From left, KU students Meghann Patrick, Angela Griffin, Amy Morantz and Kelly Hutsell celebrate a Kansas basket. The group watched the game Saturday from the balcony of The Granada, 1020 Mass. Lawrence bars are getting swamped with calls about reserving seats for the KU -Marquette Final Four game Saturday.

The game doesn’t start until 5:07 p.m., but Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar will be opening early Saturday morning for Final Four fans.

“We’re opening at 9 a.m.,” said James Neumann, the bar’s manager. “We know we’ll have people here waiting to reserve tables. We had people here at 8:45 a.m. to reserve tables last Saturday.”

For Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Mass., and other bars in Lawrence, the Jayhawks’ appearance in the Final Four means lots of extra business. But it also means lots of extra work.

Nic Bandelier, manager at Henry T’s Bar & Grill, 3520 W. Sixth St., said his establishment would have extra people working Saturday.

“It’ll be wall to wall,” he said. “People will be showing up for the game about 1 o’clock. It’s going to be crazy. But it’s always a great time in here.”

Patrons at JB Stout’s Sports Bar & Grill, 721 Wakarusa Drive, have started calling general manager Fee Monshizadeh about reserving tables. He expects the crowds to begin building Saturday by 1:30 p.m.

“It’s a tremendous help to the economy in this area,” he said, noting that all 27 televisions would be tuned to the game. “I appreciate KU going to the Final Four.”

Jason Franklin, general manger at Jefferson’s Restaurant, 743 Mass., said basketball season was a big part of his business once students return from holiday break.

“We had people standing outside the window watching the TV who couldn’t get in,” Franklin said. “Saturday (against Arizona) was absolutely crazy.”

PREV POST

Doherty resigns from UNC

NEXT POST

14671Lawrence bars brace for Final Four basketball business