Chris Murie expects to serve more than 200 pounds of chicken wings this upcoming Sunday.
Murie owns The Dizzy Sports Pub on Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto and is working in advance to prepare his Superbowl Sunday menu.
He said chicken wings are in high demand and pose an issue every year.
“You got to get your chicken wings in early,” Murie said. “So I’ll be placing my order this week because if you wait until the weekend to order, they’re going to be all over.”
Murie isn’t the only one making plans for the big night. He said many bars are struggling to accommodate the demand for Super Bowl seating and will require all hands on deck.
“We’ll have to be fully staffed,” Murie said. “We’re doubling it.”
The Bottom Line Sports Bar in Toronto prepares for Super Bowl Sunday
Wayne Cowley has owned The Bottom Line Restaurant & Bar for 18 years. He said he expects his bar to be at full capacity, seating up to 280 guests this Sunday.
“We’re sold out,” Cowley said.
Cowley is an ex-NHL player. Regardless, he said Super Bowl Sunday is the bar’s biggest event of the year.
He said they are working with their sponsor, Molson, to attract new customers and bring the event to life.
“We generate advertising throughout the whole year to get prepared for the Super Bowl,” Cowley said. “And we do a special menu just for the Super Bowl.”
This year marks the first restriction-free Superbowl since 2020. Last year, capacity and masking restrictions were still in place due to COVID-19 mandates.
“In my area alone, eight restaurants have closed and none have reopened,” Cowley said. “Before COVID, eight bars would close and 12 would open.”
He said owning a larger bar has been both a blessing and a curse throughout the pandemic.
“My rent here is over 40,000 a month,” Cowley said. “Our landlords have been good to us, so we’re very lucky.”
COVID-19 restrictions were still in place for last year's Super Bowl. As a result, Cowley expects Super Bowl crowds to be extra large this year. Photo credit: Rheegan Goodale
Coming out of the pandemic, Murie said Torontonians are looking for an excuse to celebrate. He said as a result, Super Bowl crowds will be extra large this year.
“People are just dying to cheer about something,” he said. “People are calling every day. They’ve been calling for two weeks, and we’ve been sold out for two weeks,” he said.
Cowley and Murie said they expect to turn many people away on Sunday.
Cowley said anyone without reservations will have to rely on last-minute cancellations, and even then, he said he has a waiting list.
“We’re just not even entertaining it,” he said.
The Bottom Line can seat up to 280 people at one time. On Sunday, Cowley is expecting a full house. Photo credit: Rheegan Goodale
To secure a spot at their favourite bar, Murie said Torontonians should look to make a reservation.
“If your spot is taking resos, which we’ve decided to do this year, go for it,” he said.
Murie said not all places will be taking reservations, though, and may operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. In those cases, he said it’s best to arrive around 4 p.m.
“Show up early, or send one person down early to scout out a spot and hold it for the rest of the group,” Murie said. “Let them hold the seat down for you and you’re good.”