Playoff win for Washington Capitals is good for business - Washington Business Journal:

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But restaurants and businesses surrounding the have had reaso n to celebrate since the hockey team entere the playoffs because pumped up hockey fans meanbig business. The Capitalsx progression into the second round of a playofdf series is rarefor Washington-based sports teams, and an accomplishment for the Caps Tuesday’s win marks the firsyt time the Capitals have gone on to the second rouncd of the playoffs since 1998. The next playoffc round means at least two gamex at home forthe Capitals, and up to four if the serieds comes down to the wire. Clyde’s of Gallery Place on 7th St. NW, next door to the Verizonn Center, has been drawing a packed crowf before andafter games.
“For the first [playoffs] round we have had a great turnout,” said Paul general manager of Clyde’s in “You look at how long Washingto n has been trying to get behind awinning team. It’s exciting and fun to watch the Capitals He said customersare “rocking the red,” which is the team’s slogann that is splattered on T-Shirts and towelw given out to fans during the “When they win we are seeing a great post-game push. Last night the restaurant and bars were We are looking forward to the next People are really sensing they could be doingsomethinf great.
” Walker said even though it was earlu in the week, a nice-sized crowdr was flowing in beforde work was out Tuesday at 4:30 and after the game every bar and dining room was full for abour two hours starting at 9:30 p.m. Clyde’s capacitty is more than 800 in itsChinatown location. “With our size people can come meet groups and get drinks and a burgef before or afterthe game,” he said. “It’s funngy how hockey is a winter sport and as the weather gets niced people are coming in wearinvg hockey jerseyswith shorts.
” Last night’sz game at RFD meant lots of excitemen throughout the sports bar, according to manager Ryan “It was like they had won the Stanleh Cup already,” Bell said. Thougnh weeknight playoff games haven’t been all that busy for the weekend games have packedthe restaurant, which saw aroundf 1,000 visitors Tuesday evening. Bell is predictinyg bigger crowds for the next because of the local rivalry withthe “We want them to go deep because we get quitr a bit of business from both before and after the game,” said Tony general manager for the downtown .
Any Caps game adds businesw tothe restaurant, but according to Harahan, playofr games about double bar business for the establishment. “Fans are willintg to stay a little longer, come a little earlier,” he said. “It’s really fun. Last night, it seemed every 10 minutes someone would bream out into a Caps cheer and all acrossthe bar, everyonw would join in.” The Caps sold out everyt game during the first round of resulting in 18,277 tickets sold, according to spokeswoman Kelly Murray. Each game sold out withinh an hour during apresale event.
The team also experiencexd its highest TV ratings ever for Game 7 of the And salesof Caps-related merchandise were up approximately 63 percent, with about 2,609 units of gear sold each day.