Toronto bars, restaurants enjoyed sales bump during round 1 of NHL playoffs: data

Toronto Maple Leafs fans packed bars and restaurants near Scotiabank Arena during round one of the NHL hockey playoff series against the Ottawa Senators, according to consumer spending data.

Spending by customers at bars and restaurants near the arena increased by five per cent during Game 1 and peaked with a 30 per cent increase during Game 4, according to data provided by Moneris, a commerce company that processes payments.

Spending increases tapered off in round one after that game, according to Moneris. 

The Maple Leafs could have taken the best-of-seven series in Game 4 of round one, making it a four-game sweep, but the Senators won that game 4-3 in overtime to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Senators beat the Leafs again in Game 5 by 4-0, but the Leafs beat the Senators 4-2 in Game 6 to advance to round two of the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 4, however, was pivotal, which added to the excitement, according to David Litwin, manager of external communications for Moneris.

"When we take a look at the results for round one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, what we see is some pretty significant increases for local bars and restaurants," Litwin said.

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'As the stakes get higher, spending gets higher'

While spending data for round two against the Florida Panthers has not been released yet, Litwin said the last time the Maple Leafs made it to round two of NHL playoffs in 2023, the spending increase was 126 per cent near Scotiabank Arena and 113 per cent for the city as whole.

"Typically, as the stakes get higher, spending gets higher," he said. 

"Round two success is something unique. Round two success for the Leafs could also be a lot of success for businesses as well."

Litwin said the data also shows how important fan zones, such as Maple Leaf Square, are — not only as a hub for people to gather, but also as a source of local business. 

'Everyone's in a good mood'

So far, round two has been good for at least one restaurant downtown.

RendezViews, a large patio that screens Maple Leafs games, is enjoying its best year in some time, general manager Vince Farago said Monday. The restaurant has about 120 tables. 

"The past couple games have been just wild with how many fans are coming out," Farago said.

"Everyone's in a good mood, everyone's dressed up," he said. "The further the Leafs go, it's good for everyone around the city, not just for money wise, but you know, emotionally — everyone just seems to be right with it."

Game 5 between the Maple Leafs and Panthers will be held Wednesday in Toronto and Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Sunrise, Fla.