Bar Owners Expect To Take A Hit If Phillies Don't Make The Postseason
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies are at the bottom of the standings in the National League East. And, that may affect the bottom line of some local watering holes.
It's a familiar sound at the end of games, broadcast on SportsRadio WIP: "Phillies fall tonight by a final of 7-2."
With the Phillies looking up at the rest of the division, area sports bars aren't seeing the same baseball buzz that they've had the last five seasons.
Chris Markham owns the Misconduct Bar at 15th and Locust and says things are "definitely not as busy. There's not as much interest right now, unfortunately."
And while fans cry in their beer in July, it's the possibility of missing the October crowds that's the bigger concern.
"You cannot move in here during playoffs. Unfortunately with the early exit last year, (there was) a monumental drop in business."
And without those crowds, Marhkam says he'll have to turn to food specials and promotions.
Mike Urion, manager of the Fox and Hound at 15th and Spruce, echoes the sentiment.
"Playoff time is when, I mean, it'll be a huge hit if they're not there. Because, then everybody comes out, because those games matter on a day-to-day basis."
Losing that postseason crowd, he says, will hurt.
"Last year every day that they played it was standing room only. This year if they don't make it, people will still come in but it won't be as busy as it had been."
And in that case, Urion says, look for the TVs in his bar to be tuned to football this fall.
