Minnesota Twins Playoff Run Creates Boon for Local Bar Business
It’s several hours before the first pitch and the Twins are the talk of the town at Malone’s Bar and Grill in Maple Grove.
“It’s a great vibe, atmosphere,” said Milan Luzaich, bar manager at Malone’s. “Anytime Minnesota sports are doing well, you definitely see it in the bar and restaurant industry.”
Malone’s is one of the go-to spots to catch a big game in this area.
Or in the case of Nick Sieben, it was the perfect spot for pregame fun before the Twins game 3 ALDS matchup against the Houston Astros.
“People that watch sports at home, I’ll never understand,” said Sieben, a Twins fan from Maple Grove who visited Malone’s Tuesday morning before heading to Target Field. “Just have a couple drinks and then get ready to go to the suite and cheer on the boys. It doesn’t happen very often that they make it past the first round, so I’m excited to go check them out.”
“Excited” would probably be the best word to describe the attitude of fans in Twins Territory after the team won its first playoff series since 2002 last week against the Toronto Blue Jays.
A sign inside Malone’s Bar and Grill shows their support for the Twins.
The staff members at Malone’s are riding the wave.
“We’re all wearing Twins gear, all the night servers and bartenders are wearing Twins gear,” said Luzaich. “Everyone is kind of on board supporting.”
Malone’s is generally a busy place as it is, but that’s compounded when postseason optimism is in the air.
“Instead of just being one deep at the bar, you’re maybe two deep at the bar,” Luzaich said. “A little bit longer wait for a table, but people are okay with it. People are ordering more food and drinks cause they’re staying longer for the games.”
There’s just something about sharing an experience with a bar full of Minnesota sports fanatics. It’s a group that’s certainly used to heartbreak, but with the Twins’ solid pitching staff and some clutch hitters in the lineup, maybe, just maybe, this year is different.
“I am a lot more optimistic about this team than I’ve ever have been about a Twins team,” Sieben said. “I’m excited to watch what they do.”
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