Business & Tech
Ames Sports Bars Gear Up For Crowds Watching Friday's Pinstripe Bowl
Maximum crowds are expected at Ames establishments Friday afternoon for the kick-off of the Cyclones vs. the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Any sports bar in town will be a good place to be Friday afternoon as the Pinstripe Bowl kicks off with the Iowa State Cyclones battling the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, says Dan Culhane, president and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
“There will be a wide variety of places to watch the game,” Culhane said. “Regardless of where people watch the game, let’s hope and pray the Cyclones win.
The 8-4 Rutgers team faces a 6-6 Iowa State capable of big upsets, including a win over then No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State.
Find out what's happening in Amesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Calls to Ames restaurants and sports bars revealed that while a few are offering drink specials, most are running hours and business as usual, but expecting bigger crowds.
At , 3720 Lincoln Way, bartender Jake Leiting said about 100 people are expected for the kick-off at 2:20 p.m. “We’ll have a good crowd for that. Iowa’s game is later and I don’t think we’ll have as big a crowd for that.”
Find out what's happening in Amesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Tim Randles, one of the managers at , 4518 Mortensen Road, No. 108, expects a big crowd in to watch the bowl game. The business has added to its usual Friday afternoon crew. The pub is offering $10 buckets of domestic beers and $5 nachos. They also will be kicking off a raffle for a 55-inch screen TV that will be given away in March.
“We expect it to be much busier than usual, more like the Saturday game day than a Friday afternoon,” Randles said. “I would say we’ll have in the 150 range for number of people. I expect a lot of people to take the day off of work Friday. This is a big deal for Iowa State.”
, 114 S. Duff Ave., will serve $2.50 Captains, Bloody Mary’s and screwdrivers, and $11.25 buckets of domestic beers, as well as a half-price appetizer with every bucket sold, said Adam Longtin, bar manager. He believes there will be between 100 and 125 people on hand to watch the Pinstripe Bowl.
Buffalo Wild Wings, 400 S. Duff Ave., isn’t offering any special deals, but has added wait staff for Friday afternoon, said Gideon Schoepp, assistant manager. The restaurant seats about 250 people.
“The last time we had a big game, I know we filled up early and there was a wait list all day long. Most people will come in and not leave until the game is over,” Schoepp said.