Local restaurants see vibrant crowds as Blue Jays face the Seattle Mariners

As the Toronto Blue Jays battles it out against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), what does it mean for local bars and restaurants?

Game four of the ALCS means serious business for the Jays and Mariners, but it also means big bucks for local businesses featuring the game.

“I would say it would be up about 25 per cent or so, which is pretty big,” said Malgorzata Kowalewska, a bartender at the Firth’s Celtic Pub.

At Firth’s Celtic Pub, they know to start prep early during the playoffs of any sport, not just the Jays.

They say there’s always the regulars who come in throughout the season, but when the world series is on the horizon?

A whole new ball game.

“The energy is more vibrant, electric in here,” said Kowalewska. “People stay longer and spend more money — of course they are doing a shot or two for the win.”

Jays fans say the momentum is with the blue birds and remain optimistic.

READ MORE: Homer Happy! Blue Jays’ offence comes alive in 13-4 Game 3 win over Mariners in ALCS

“They played the Mariners early in the season this year,” said one fan named Richard. “In the regular season, they blew them out in the three games they played in Seattle, so I’m hoping that happens again.”

Another fan, Rick, said “they had a tough two first games, but last night they came back. If they can win tonight it’s a whole new ball game.”

At Shoeless Joe’s in Hamilton, they’re banking on it.

Especially with the cost of doing business on the rise, they are busiest during the playoffs, and on Saturdays when multiple games are on.

“We can have an afternoon baseball game, sometimes we get lucky followed by a leaf game,” said Lorne Hansen, the owner of Shoeless Joe’s Hamilton. “At this time of year and UFC at night, that’s the home-run day.”

According to TSN 1050 Radio Host Matt Cauz the Mariners are in the driver’s seat here.

Not that the Jays don’t have a chance, but he says the odds are not in their favour.

“Most of the time, the team that loses the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series, they almost always lose,” said Cauz. “Only happened three times when a team has come back, like when Jeter won his first world series with the Yankees.”

Until game time at 8:33 p.m. Thursday night, the debate rages on.

READ MORE: Blue Jays fans arrive in Seattle for Game 3