Sacramento bars gearing up for crowded Super Bowl watch parties
'We're getting ready to host a little bit over 400 people,' Tom's Watch Bar operating partner Joe Ortiz said.
'We're getting ready to host a little bit over 400 people,' Tom's Watch Bar operating partner Joe Ortiz said.
'We're getting ready to host a little bit over 400 people,' Tom's Watch Bar operating partner Joe Ortiz said.
As football fans get ready to watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, bars and pubs in Sacramento are preparing to welcome large crowds.
The staff at Tom’s Watch Bar, located at Sacramento’s Downtown Commons, has already placed Super Bowl signage and cardboard cutouts of 49ers players throughout the business. Operating partner Joe Ortiz said the game will be shown on every single one of the more than 80 televisions at Tom’s Watch Bar, both inside and on the outside patios.
“We’re expecting a huge turnout. We’re getting ready to host a little bit over 400 people here, so we’re very excited. It should be a great, fun day,” Ortiz said.
To keep up with the anticipated number of customers, Ortiz said 10 to 15 additional employees will be working on Sunday.
“Obviously [with it] being the Super Bowl, we’re going to do a little extra. We’re going to have more staff. We’re going to have an MC throughout the whole game. We’re going to have giveaways, prizes, a little bit of everything to kind of enhance the guest experience,” Ortiz said.
Tipsy Putt, a bar located on the other side of Downtown Commons, is offering a special deal on Super Bowl Sunday.
“We’re doing a $49 deal for the Super Bowl, so we’re trying to support the Niners, because we’re from Northern California, and then that’s going to include unlimited drinks, unlimited games and then a private chef bar,” shift lead Maggie Anderson said.
Anderson said the back area of the business will be roped off with a projector set up to show the game. Tickets are available online, but are expected to sell fast, Anderson said.
“We’re about 75% of the way through selling out, so tickets have been going a lot faster as we’ve been getting closer,” Anderson said.
For those looking for a more intimate watch party setting, Bear and Crown British Pub in Old Sacramento might fit the bill.
Owner Jesse Ledin said Bear and Crown just opened about five months ago and has more of a classic-casual British style. The pub is hosting a Super Bowl watch party inside its VIP room, which holds about 40 people.
“We’re selling tickets. It’s $22 a ticket, with limited tickets available, but there will be food and discounted drinks, along with, obviously, a guaranteed seat and audio for the game in that area,” Ledin said. “We’re not a big sports bar.”
But Ledin said that is the point.
“It’s comfortable, relaxing. It’s not a crazy sports bar atmosphere. But it has that kind of fun, cozy, homey feel,” Ledin said.
Several other bars across Sacramento are either hosting watch parties or are simply just expecting many people to come to watch the Super Bowl. The main message from all the establishments to customers is to come early. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. PST.