Bars and restaurants ready for full capacity crowds during NHL playoffs

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It’s the first time since the pandemic began that bars and restaurants don’t have to deal with capacity limits or alcohol sale cutoffs during the playoff run. Devon Potvin, owner of Silver Buckle, says even before the playoffs started, business had been picking up.

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“It’s kind of just been a snowball with Canadian soccer, the Jays are amazing, leading into the playoffs it’s just getting better and better,” Potvin says. “As things open up and we get more and more involved, it’s become a lot more exciting with every sport in general going on.”

While he expects a great turnout, Potvin knows people are still cautious about wanting to watch a game at a bar rather than staying home.

“I think that’s a sliding scale as well. I think just because restrictions are lifted, some people you know, flocked, some were cautiously optimistic, so that we kind of see as a trend of continuously improving,” Potvin says.

For Boles, she hopes the playoff atmosphere sticks around for as long as possible.

“I’m just hoping that we can continue this and people still continue to come in and have fun,” Boles says. “We have our sound on, a bunch of TVs, drinks specials, jersey giveaways, and then, I think people are also excited for the next [round] if both teams make it.”