Local businesses pulsating with renewed vigor as Knicks ignite playoff chase, countering tourism and spending downturn.
Shaking Things Up at New York's Stout:
Three floors of cheers and spirits await at Stout, a bustling watering hole a stone's throw from the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden. As the ticking clock inches closer to tip-off, the staff at this beloved brewery is hustling to ensure that the joint's about to burst at the seams with eager Knicks enthusiasts.
Bar staff are double-checking reservations, feverishly cleaning every nook and cranny, and stocking up on mixers as cardboard cutouts of Knicks stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns keep a stoic watch. With a capacity of roughly 700, the two-decade-old establishment is prepped for an electrifying night. If the Knicks manage to pull off a victory, vodka-based blue and orange shots will be passionately distributed to the feverish crowd.
The Knicks' first conference finals appearance since the millennium has been a much-needed lifeline for businesses like Stout, bracing against tough industry winds stirred by dwindling sales and escalating operational costs. The Big Apple's tourist sector is also taking a hit, with a projected 400,000 fewer tourists expected to visit this year, according to The New York Times. The city's grappling with trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties brought on by Trump administration policies.
The cramped profit margins this season have placed pressured on merchants to dish out extra efforts to make ends meet. "Our business would be very different if the Knicks were lounging at home," Ian Conroy, co-owner of Mustang Harry's, says candidly.
Conroy and his brother, Niall, have helmed the popular sports bar on 7th Avenue for three decades, experiencing some rocky lows in the Knicks roster's history, such as their seven-year playoff drought. The past month has, however, proven the peak of revenue for their beloved establishment, coinciding with a wave of economic turmoil.
"People that are coming out will spend less, but at least they're coming out," Conroy admits. "The fact that the Knicks are on a playoff run, people want to be amongst other like-minded fans, buzzing with excitement. It's definitely much better than if someone else was in their spot."
Following their recent defeating of defending champions, the Celtics, the streets around MSG became a madhouse, with revelers tossing bras, flipping garbage cans, scaling poles, and riding atop taxis in jubilant celebration.
In an attempt to maintain the excitement, the Knicks have organized official viewing parties outside MSG, which are free to attend. While the first Eastern Conference Finals game against Indiana Pacers will be held within Radio City Hall, with entry costing ten bucks a pop, the organization has formed partnerships with local NYC bars for fans seeking that energy-charged atmosphere.
"While we don't measure the economic impact of sports tourism specifically, we know that major moments like the Knicks' thrilling playoff run, drives foot traffic and spending – especially near MSG," NYC Tourism and Conventions CEO Julie Coker shared in an email statement. "It's clear that New York City's hometown teams are fueling not just local pride, but also adding vibrancy to our visitor economy."
After the Knicks steered past the Celtics last week, the city saw a spike in foot traffic around the area. The team's tenacity has also put a boost in local pizza shops. Iconic MSG eatery, Pizza Suprema, has witnessed a colossal increase in business on playoff game days, requiring additional staff to cater to the increased traffic.
Even Papi's Pasta & Pizza on 7th Avenue, which had a quiet post-holiday season since its November grand opening, was swept up in the whirlwind of Knicks fever following their Game 3 win over the Celtics, selling out of soda at times inundated with patrons newfound enthusiasm for the orange-and-blue.
"We just can't wait for them to play again," says manager Axel Foley. As the Knicks battle their '90s rival, the Pacers, for a chance at their first Finals appearance since 1999, it's a rekindling of nostalgia for longtime business owners in the city. "We definitely have a team worth cheering for. And they're cheering us on too."
People flock to sports bars like Mustang Harry's and Stout, investing their finance into businesses that offer a sense of camaraderie during the Knicks' playoff run. In the midst of this, the sports-betting industry might also see an increase, with basketball games like the ongoing series between the Knicks and the Pacers garnering much attention. The revitalized spirit of New York City, fueled by the Knicks' performance, is not only boosting the sports sector but also benefiting other businesses such as pizza shops and nearby restaurants.
