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Downtown Barkeeps Stay Hopeful Despite Snowy Super Bowl

By David Matthews | February 1, 2015 5:49pm
 Some of the sights during the blizzard Sunday afternoon
Downtown snow photos
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DOWNTOWN — Many Downtown barkeeps downplayed the impact the snow could have on their Super Bowl business Sunday afternoon.

Howell's & Hood General Manager Andrew Macker said the restaurant at Tribune Tower usually benefits from inclement weather because of its proximity to Downtown hotels. The bar had 140 reservations booked for the Super Bowl, and fielded only "two or three" cancellations, he said. Macker also acknowledged the draw of a chili flight contest called "Super Chili Bowl II" that the bar is hosting.

"Because of the promotion, it's a little bit better than normal," he said.

Across the Chicago River, Sweetwater Tavern & Grille General Manager Colette Grant said the bar hooked up a backup TV feed in case the storm knocks out satellite service during the big game. Still, her expectations for turnout were modest.

"We feel that most people go to house parties (for the Super Bowl)," she said. "It's not a big day for us."

Check out the slideshow for more photos of the blizzard's effect on Downtown.

The storm disrupted much of the work that trucks and shovelers were attempting to accomplish Sunday. Many sidewalks, particularly near closed River North boutiques, were buried in snow. Most Michigan Avenue sidewalks were perpetually cleared by shovelers making repeat trips.

Headquarters Co-Owner Brian Galati was tending shop Sunday afternoon at the beercade's River North bar, which was hosting its first Super Bowl with a nacho party promotion. Galati also said the bar was expecting most of its Super Bowl reservations to show up.

"Our crowd's loyal," he said.

Though snowy, the weather otherwise seemed mild to Mallory McSweeney, a manager at Fado Irish Pub in River North.

"To be honest, I think Chicagoans are used to this sort of thing," she said. "I know it's a blizzard, but it's fun."

Still, McSweeney only expected "average" turnout for the Super Bowl, mostly because of the pub's clientele.

"We're a soccer bar," she said.

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