Super Bowl LIX: Should Your Bar or Restaurant Stay Open for the Big Game?

Stream 2025 NFL Superbowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles at your bar or restaurant

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest nights of the year for bars and restaurants, drawing massive crowds eager to watch the game, enjoy food and drinks, and take in the spectacle of the halftime show. On Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM EST, Super Bowl LIX will feature a rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The event is already making headlines, not just for the game itself but also because of the highly anticipated halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar and SZA.

For bar and restaurant owners, this presents a major decision: should you keep your doors open to capitalize on Super Bowl excitement, or is it better to cater to those who want an alternative experience? And beyond game day itself, how can you extend the revenue boost by hosting Super Bowl-themed events leading up to and following the big night?

Let’s break down the pros and cons of hosting a Super Bowl event at your establishment, followed by creative ways to maximize profits both before and after February 9.

The Pros and Cons of Hosting a Super Bowl Watch Party

Pros:

  • Increased Foot Traffic and Sales – Super Bowl Sunday is one of the busiest nights of the year for bars and restaurants. Fans want to watch the game in a lively, communal atmosphere, leading to strong food and drink sales.
  • Extended Customer Stay – The game itself, along with the commercials and halftime show, ensures that people stay at your establishment for hours. Longer stays mean more rounds of drinks and food orders.
  • Appeal Beyond Football Fans – With Kendrick Lamar and SZA headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show and Taylor Swift’s connection to Chiefs star Travis Kelce, your venue can draw in music fans, Swifties, and pop culture enthusiasts, not just die-hard football fans.
  • Ability to Offer Exclusive Deals – Super Bowl Sunday is a great opportunity to offer unique food and drink specials that people can’t get at home. You can also introduce team-inspired cocktails, beer specials, and appetizer platters to encourage larger group orders.

Cons:

  • Competing with House Parties – Many people prefer hosting their own Super Bowl parties, meaning you’ll need strong marketing and incentives to attract guests to your venue instead.
  • High Staff and Supply Costs – Super Bowl Sunday can be chaotic, requiring extra staff, more inventory, and careful planning to handle the crowds.
  • Potentially Rowdy Atmosphere – With large groups drinking and passionately supporting their teams, there’s always the risk of rowdy behavior, fights, or excessive intoxication, which requires extra management.
  • Not Every Venue Fits the Super Bowl Scene – If your establishment isn’t a sports bar or casual eatery, you may struggle to attract a football crowd, and it may not be worth the investment.

Making the Most of Super Bowl Sunday

If you decide to stay open for the Super Bowl LIX, you’ll want to create an experience that keeps people engaged from the first kickoff to the final whistle. Here are some ways to make your event stand out.

Offer Team-Themed Food and Drink Specials

A successful Super Bowl party isn’t complete without great food and drinks. Instead of just offering your regular menu, consider crafting special items inspired by the competing teams and players.

  • Kansas City BBQ Platter – Pulled pork sliders, burnt ends, and smoked wings served with house-made barbecue sauce.
  • Philly Cheesesteak Nachos – A twist on the classic sandwich, with shaved ribeye, melted provolone, and peppers on crispy tortilla chips.
  • Red and Gold Punch – A Chiefs-inspired cocktail with cranberry juice, pineapple juice, rum, and a splash of grenadine.
  • Eagles Green Margarita – A bright green margarita made with Midori, lime juice, and tequila.
  • Taylor Swift’s Favorite Cocktail: The French Blonde – Since Swifties will be tuning in, why not serve Taylor’s go-to drink? A mix of gin, Lillet Blanc, elderflower liqueur, and grapefruit juice.

Encourage customers to order these themed items by offering deals like buy-one-get-one appetizers during the first half or discounted specialty cocktails at halftime.

Turn the Super Bowl into an Interactive Event

To keep guests engaged, consider adding interactive elements to your Super Bowl watch party.

  • Commercial Bingo – Hand out bingo cards featuring common Super Bowl LIX ad themes (like “celebrity cameo,” “car commercial,” or “dog in an ad”) and offer prizes for winners.
  • Super Bowl Squares – A classic betting-style game where customers buy squares for a chance to win prizes based on the score at the end of each quarter.
  • Best-Dressed Fan Contest – Offer a prize for the most spirited fan wearing Chiefs or Eagles gear.

Cashing in on the Taylor Swift Effect

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s relationship has drawn a whole new audience to football. Many Swifties who never cared about the NFL are now paying close attention to Chiefs games, and that trend is expected to continue during the Super Bowl. If you want to tap into this crowd, consider incorporating Swift-themed elements into your event.

  • Play Taylor Swift Music Before the Game and at Commercial Breaks – Create a Swiftie-friendly atmosphere by mixing her hits into your pregame playlist.
  • Host a “Swifties vs. NFL Fans” Trivia Game – Test customers’ knowledge of both football and Taylor Swift with a trivia event during halftime or before the game.
  • Offer a Special “Kelce-Swift” Cocktail – A themed drink that combines flavors associated with the couple. Try a whiskey-based drink (Kelce’s drink of choice) with a touch of champagne for a Swift-worthy sparkle.
Host Musical Bingo!

Super Bowl Trivia Nights: Pre- and Post-Game Fun

You don’t have to limit your Super Bowl promotions to game night itself. Hosting Super Bowl-themed trivia nights in the weeks leading up to and following the game can keep the excitement going while filling your bar on otherwise slow nights.

  • Pre-Game Super Bowl Trivia – Host a trivia night featuring questions about past Super Bowl winners, famous halftime shows, and legendary plays.
  • Post-Game Recap Trivia – After the game, test fans’ knowledge of what went down in Super Bowl LIX. Ask questions about the final score, standout plays, and even the commercials.
  • Kendrick Lamar and SZA Music Trivia – Since the halftime show is a major draw, you can host a music-themed trivia night featuring questions about the artists’ careers.

Hosting Other Weekly Events to Keep the Momentum Going

Once the Super Bowl LIX hype dies down, you’ll want to keep your bar or restaurant busy during the rest of February. Consider hosting regular weeknight events to maintain steady foot traffic.

Musical Bingo Mondays – A fun, interactive way to bring in customers at the start of the week.

Trivia Tuesdays – Keep trivia going beyond the Super Bowl with general knowledge or themed nights.

Karaoke Wednesdays – Let guests channel their inner Taylor Swift or Kendrick Lamar with a night of live performances.

Final Thoughts

Super Bowl LIX is more than just a football game—it’s a cultural event with something for everyone. Whether you’re attracting hardcore football fans, music lovers tuning in for the halftime show, or Swifties curious about the Travis Kelce connection, there’s plenty of opportunity to boost business and build customer loyalty. With the right approach—creative food and drink specials, interactive events, and well-planned promotions—you can make the most of Super Bowl Sunday and the weeks surrounding it.

As always, check out Good Thomas Entertainment for more hospitality industry insights!