YAKIMA, Wash.- The return of football is bringing a new life to local sports bars.
“Football seasons always got its own rhythm,” says General Manager Erin Luke. “It’s really cool to see a lot of different folks in and expand our demographic.”
Even rival fans come in and enjoy the festivities. On NFL’s first Sunday of the season, the bar was filled with fans of the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans, all donning their team jerseys.
“Everybody gets to know us for having the Seattle games playing,” says bartender Latrell Botello. “If we don’t have them, we try to put on a game on that people can enjoy.”
The bartenders are also getting into the team spirit. Not only in wearing their jerseys but sparking banter at the bar.
“It’s a lot of fun because I like to just talk like a little bit of smack with some of the customers,” says Botello. “I like to throw it back to me. So, it’s a lot of back and forth, but everybody enjoys their time.”
The bartender says it’s rare for the atmosphere to turn hostile during a game. It might get loud, but most fans enjoy the back-and-forth.
“To see them really engaging once again, being boisterous with the guests and seeing that engagement is really it’s a bonding experience that’s really fun to watch,” says Luke.
The football games bring a slower pace for the bar and restaurant. Botello says football days are “nothing like the night scene.” Instead of shots and dancing, it’s more focused on enjoying the couple hours of customers’ favorite teams.
“We always have our beer on tap and keeping things cold and available, but definitely more fun to bring out our food focus,” says Luke. “Folks get to sit down and enjoy time with their families.”
The Sports Center says young children are more than welcome to watch the games with their parents. The bar and restaurant are family friendly until 8:30 p.m. with darts, pool and other free games for kids to enjoy.
