The Toronto Raptors run to the NBA finals is being felt in ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη.
Sports bars, restaurants, pubs and lounges have been feeling the heat in business since the playoffs started, but it has picked up even more since the team has made it to the finals.
βItβs doubled in size,β said manager Jill Roy, at The Train Station Pub.
βPeople come in as early as 4:30 p.m. before the game and stay well after the game. It has definitely picked up (since the finals started) and weβve filled the entire place for games.β
READ MORE: Comic headliners join ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη Comedy Festival
Even the popular downtown locations, that are starting to feel the heat from summer business, have seen a larger increase due to the games. Where hockey and baseball have been the usual draw to pubs for fans, the Raptorsβ run is breaking boundaries.
βItβs been building game by game, and weβve never had that for basketball,β said Kelly OβBryanβs manager Rich Willis.
βGame three had a private party on the rooftop which took up all the TVs for the game. People are calling and making reservations to make sure they can get a seat, and that they can watch the game.β
The Raptorsβ run has added to the rush of fans using the βWeTheNorthβ hashtag on their social media and tagging their local watering-holes as the place where west coast fans can watch Canadaβs team.
Glenn Smith, manager at ΑπΑ§ΙρΙηβs Canadian Brewhouse & Grill, said that the restaurant was at capacity for the Raptorsβ game three win over the Golden State Warriors.
βDefinitely been busier. Weβre packed for all the Raptors games. Weβve given away three jerseys, and weβre giving away a fourth at the final game,β Smith said.
READ MORE: ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη Falcons pick up first loss of 2019 season
Other ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη hot spots during the finals have been Dakodaβs Sports Bar, XChange ΑπΑ§ΙρΙη and Earls.
Game four of the finals is tonight.