Local bars preparing for large Chiefs crowds

By Harry Loomis

Nobody can question the loyalty of Kansas City Chiefs fans after last Saturday. Even for those that didn’t go to Arrowhead Stadium and embrace the -30 degree wind chill, the Peacock live stream of the Chiefs win over the Miami Dolphins became the most streamed event of all time.

Even with these factors in play, fans still filled up the downtown bars to support their favorite team.

“I thought it was not going to be as busy as it was,” said Kyle Johnson, bartender at Hi Ho. “But we had pretty much the whole place filled last week.”

As the Chiefs prepare for Sunday’s AFC Divisional on the road against the Buffalo Bills, places downtown are preparing for the inevitable rush of red and gold that will follow.

“We’ll be completely full the whole time the Chiefs game is on,” Johnson said. “And if we win, usually people stay for a long time afterwards celebrating.”

“[There’s a] big following for the Chiefs,” added Evan Casey, taproom manager at Riverbluff. “Obviously the Swifties will be out here, should be a good time.”

The game will be easier for fans to find, moving from Peacock to KCJO channel 30. That doesn’t mean fans will pass on going out to watch their team.

“Every table is usually full,” Johnson said. “For the Chiefs, we have a lot of regulars that come in and it’s a really good atmosphere in here.”

“It’s going to be a better turnout for for us,” added Casey. “It’ll be here on all of our TVs, it’ll be on the in the overhead sound, it’ll be on our our big screen, our big projector screen.”