Minneapolis sports bars see boost in revenue as professional teams continue playoff runs

Minnesota’s playoff runs are giving Minneapolis sports bars a boost as three Minnesota sports teams have punched their ticket into the playoffs.

Bars and restaurants in Minneapolis tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they are seeing more business as both teams keep winning in the playoffs.

Jay Ettinger, co-owner of the Rabbit Hole in the North Loop, is one example. Opening one year ago, Ettinger said the Rabbit Hole bet on Minnesota sports teams to have postseason success, and so far that bet has paid off.

“All the other restaurants in the neighborhood don’t really allow for large groups, so we built this to have large groups to celebrate things like this,” said Ettinger.

Ettinger said the restaurant is set up for sports fans with 54 TVs across the bar and seven more expected to be installed by next week to meet demand. He said playoff games on back-to-back nights have brought a major increase in business.

There are currently three Minnesota teams in the postseason: the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Minnesota Frost. Meaning the Rabbit Hole can expect a large crowd and a large revenue boost almost every day this week.

“We’re going to have hockey tonight, basketball tomorrow, hockey, basketball…” said Ettinger. “I would say on those off nights…it’s probably triple to quadruple what our numbers would normally be.”

The Rabbit Hole is not the only business benefiting, either. The Minneapolis Downtown Council estimated last year that one Timberwolves playoff game could add up to $1.5 million for the city. But this year, for the first time ever – the Wolves and Wild are playing in May.

“After work, you come down during the week and there are people that are out getting a drink, getting a bite to eat…it makes the whole entire vibe of the city better…it’s just awesome to live down here right now,” said Minneapolis Resident, Caleb Wall.

“Like I said, something feels different this year…something just feels very different with the fandom, with the teams, with the attitude, with the culture of the teams, it just feels different this year…in a great way,” said Ettinger.