Tri-Cities businesses booming from Canucks playoff run

Inside his bar, on what would normally be an average Sunday, Randy Doncaster watched roughly 400 people in green and blue jerseys jump up from their seats and scream in unison. 

A siren blared throughout the pub and white towels flew in the air. A standing ovation went on for minutes. 

“You couldn’t even find a seat in the bar,” said Doncaster, owner of the Cat and Fiddle Pub in Port Coquitlam after the Vancouver Canucks completed a 4-3 comeback victory over the Nashville Predators in the first round of the NHL playoffs last weekend. 

“For a Sunday afternoon, it was great.” 

Many pubs and businesses in the Tri-Cities are cashing in on the first Canucks playoff run at home in nearly one decade as fans gain more optimism with each win. 

At the Cat and Fiddle, a single playoff game night has brought in anywhere from an extra $3,000 to $10,000 in cash. 

“Everyone wants to go watch the playoffs with a group,” Doncaster said. “We’re definitely thankful when the Canucks are doing well. Everyone jumps on the bandwagon.” 

Vancouver last made the playoffs in 2020, when the pandemic forced the league to play out the remainder of the season in two hubs in Edmonton and Toronto. But many people and businesses were still adjusting to early COVID-19 restrictions and couldn’t financially capitalize on interest in the team. 

Before that, the Canucks previously made the playoffs in 2015, when they lost in the first round to the Calgary Flames. 

Playoff hockey has long been proven to have a positive impact on food and beverage businesses. 

During the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run in 2022, there was a 233 percent increase in spending at restaurants around the team’s arena. Moneris, a point of sales system, also reported a 70 percent rise in restaurant sales on playoff game days compared to non-game days in the city. 

Canucks playoff games have been especially helpful during slow times of the week like from Sunday to Tuesday, Doncaster said. 

While the pub is usually busy from Wednesday to Saturday, the addition of playoff games on traditionally quiet nights has translated into a temporary extra source of revenue.

“When the Canucks are playing, you see a ton of customers in jerseys, it’s a great opportunity to capitalize for us and numbers are up,” said Doncaster, adding that they have introduced new drink specials and prizes such as Canucks jersey giveaways on game days. 

Outside of private businesses, cities like Port Coquitlam and Burnaby have attracted headlines for hosting free viewing parties throughout the first round of the playoffs. 

Pending the results of Game 5, the City of Coquitlam will host a viewing party of its own for Game 6 on Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, according to Heidi Hughes, the city’s tourism and visitor economy manager.

It has been important for Coquitlam to support local businesses during the Canucks playoff run, Hughes added. The city has launched a website listing nearly 20 pubs and restaurants that are broadcasting the games. 

“Promoting their activities is also a way of helping the city thrive and build community spirit,” she said. 

Depending on how far the Canucks go in the playoffs, businesses can carry the momentum forward by offering specials — free appetizers or drinks — for fans that come on consecutive game days, Hughes said. 

“People will go back if they have a great experience,” Hughes said. 

The Cat and Fiddle is not expecting a slow down any time soon, so long as the Canucks continue winning.

“The further we get into the playoffs, the bigger response we get,” Doncaster said.