Local Restaurants Planning First Super Bowl Weekend Under COVID-19 Restrictions

Since the Ontario Government lifted restrictions for in-house dining on Jan. 17 at half capacity, local restaurant owners are excited to be open for Super Bowl Sunday weekend.

This is the first Super Bowl that Ontario will have in-house dining under COVID-19 restrictions. Last year, restaurants were only available for take-out and delivery. In 2019, they operated at full capacity, one month before the province went into lockdown. In spite of the restrictions, restaurants have made more food orders — especially chicken wings and beer — in preparation for the event.

Maple Moose Pub opened last year and will host its first Super Bowl weekend in Peterborough. Angie Poucher, general manager says despite the restrictions, the exciting atmosphere for restaurants will be present.

"It's definitely going to be more exciting. A big difference between watching the Super Bowl at home with your friends and being in a bar is the dynamic," said Poucher. "You almost get that energy like you're at the game. Like you're in the stadium because it's loud. Every TV will be on the Super Bowl and it will be cranked."

Other restaurants that have been in Peterborough for several years are thankful to be open for dine-in regardless of the restrictions.

"It's an amazing feeling (to be open) with what we've been through,” said Franz Roessl, One-Eighty owner. "It's good to see people back and definitely here to celebrate the Super Bowl. It’s nice to see people come through the doors again."

"It's nice to get back to normality, I think that's a huge thing on everyone's radar," said Addison Brown, Dr. J's BBQ & Brews owner. "To be able to have people in here, separated with their friends, having drinks, watching great football and enjoying barbeque, nothing goes better than football, barbeque and beers."

However, the restrictions have created challenges and obstacles for some owners. Staffing, omitted features and short-notice planning were examples some owners had to face.

"With the limited tables, I only need so many servers and the bad side of this is a lot of servers haven't been brought back just because there's not a ton of work for them right now," said Roessl. “Once these restrictions open up a bit, it'll help us out.”

One Eighty is not doing their annual outdoor pig roast as a result of the half-capacity seating.

In their first year, Maple Moose Pub has had a difficult time building its brand due to the quickly-changing restrictions according to Poucher. The pub currently occupies the space that was formerly the nightclub Aria.

"It’s a big space,” she said. “It's hard to build a clientele when people can come and then they can't come. We are starting to build up a nice clientele but it will take a while. The first year is always hard, period, let alone in the middle of COVID but we're definitely getting there."

There are positives stemming from the restrictions. With only half-capacity allowed for restaurants, Roessl says there is a lot less to manage and plan for the upcoming weekend.

“With the limited tables, I only need so many servers and the bad side of this is a lot of servers haven't been brought back right now just because there's not a ton of work for them right now," Once these restrictions open up a bit, it'll help us out."

Dr. J’s has not had any problems despite the restrictions and Brown is grateful to have his business open.

“They've closed us down five times and we've opened up five times so we've got it down pat,” said Brown. "To have the regulars back and all the other customers, it's special to us and we're just going to keep moving forward.”

One Eighty will hold an NFL squares pool, cooler raffles, merchandise giveaways and beer specials. Dr. J’s will feature four different Super Bowl platters. Maple Moose Pub will have special Super Bowl platters, swag giveaways, prizes, pre-order takeout specials and a television raffle.

This year’s Super Bowl features the Cincinnati Bengals led by second-year quarterback and former number one overall pick Joe Burrow. They will face the Los Angeles Rams with former number one overall pick and former Detroit Lion Matthew Stafford. This is the first Super Bowl appearance for both players.

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