Spain may have won the World Cup, but D.C. bars are lifting their own trophy after a month of blockbuster soccer business.
Why it matters: Following a bruising winter of snowstorms, government upheaval and softer nightlife spending, the tournament gave D.C. bars and restaurants something they rarely see in thesummer: packed houses.
- “The World Cup probably threw a lifeline to a lot of businesses in D.C.,” Tin Shop co-founder Peter Bayne tells Axios.
Stunning stats: For many, the tournament was a bigger business driver than July 4th — drawing not only soccer fans but customers from D.C.’s enormous diplomatic, ex-pat and immigrant communities.
- Bayne (Franklin Hall, Penn Social) says June revenue roughly doubled across eight Tin Shop venues compared to the same time last year.
- Whitlow’s saw business jump 300% on championship Sunday compared to their usual numbers. Tournament sales climbed 16% year over year on U Street and 12% at the Wharf.
- At Dupont’s Admiral, beer sales tripled from the same stretch last year.
What they’re saying: “The winner of the World Cup was definitely the D.C. restaurant industry,” Admiral owner Fritz Brogan tells Axios…