The excitement of prime-time football in Cincinnati was felt all over the city Thursday. Fans flooded into bars and restaurants to cheer on Bengals as they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars.The Thursday night game came at a time when bars and restaurants are trying to stay afloat, a year and a half into the pandemic that's forced many to close."We're still working on bringing that clientele and crowd, but I understand that there's still a lot of people that are not yet comfortable coming out and really socializing, and that's completely understandable," said Jordan Norman, general manager at Queen City Radio in Over-The-Rhine.Norman said business has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. He is also dealing with the staffing challenges that have become an industry staple throughout the country.Queen City Radio recently marked its fifth year of business. Norman said TQL Stadium is helping breathe life into businesses like his."I think it kind of brings and stretches out the length of the city," he said. "There are things to go on from stadium to stadium."Thursday, there were more Jaguars jerseys than Bengals jerseys in the bar's outdoor seating area."We actually got a booking from a Jacksonville Jaguars fan group that came up from Florida to pre-game here with us," said Erica Turer, Queen City Radio's event coordinator and social media manager. "I mean I'll take money from Florida," she said.Closer to the stadium, Kitty's Sports Grill on West Third Street saw a big crowd Thursday as well. "This is our best night probably in three years," owner Billy Watson said.Business is still way down during the week, especially during the day."Business is not there because there's so many people working remote," Watson said. "If they are working downtown, they're working two, three days a week." He was thrilled to see a full bar Thursday and as a small business owner and fan, is optimistic about the season.
The excitement of prime-time football in Cincinnati was felt all over the city Thursday. Fans flooded into bars and restaurants to cheer on Bengals as they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Thursday night game came at a time when bars and restaurants are trying to stay afloat, a year and a half into the pandemic that's forced many to close.
"We're still working on bringing that clientele and crowd, but I understand that there's still a lot of people that are not yet comfortable coming out and really socializing, and that's completely understandable," said Jordan Norman, general manager at Queen City Radio in Over-The-Rhine.
Norman said business has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. He is also dealing with the staffing challenges that have become an industry staple throughout the country.
Queen City Radio recently marked its fifth year of business. Norman said TQL Stadium is helping breathe life into businesses like his.
"I think it kind of brings and stretches out the length of the city," he said. "There are things to go on from stadium to stadium."
Thursday, there were more Jaguars jerseys than Bengals jerseys in the bar's outdoor seating area.
"We actually got a booking from a Jacksonville Jaguars fan group that came up from Florida to pre-game here with us," said Erica Turer, Queen City Radio's event coordinator and social media manager.
"I mean I'll take money from Florida," she said.
Closer to the stadium, Kitty's Sports Grill on West Third Street saw a big crowd Thursday as well.
"This is our best night probably in three years," owner Billy Watson said.
Business is still way down during the week, especially during the day.
"Business is not there because there's so many people working remote," Watson said. "If they are working downtown, they're working two, three days a week."
He was thrilled to see a full bar Thursday and as a small business owner and fan, is optimistic about the season.
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