JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The next few Jaguars games will be outside of Jacksonville, leaving many fans looking for places like Lynch’s to go catch the game. Now, Jacksonville Beach has approved a two-year pilot program allowing some bars to expand outdoor capacity on Jaguars game days, giving fans more places to watch as the team prepares to move to Orlando.
“Every away game I come out and go to the bars to watch the Jag games,” said Jaguars fan Daniel Frandsen.
Jaguars fans like Frandsen are trickling into Jacksonville Beach bars to cheer on the Jaguars.
“Away games definitely have a bigger crowd,” said Gemal Irvin of Ginger’s.
Those bigger crowds were anticipated as the Stadium of the Future left fewer seats at the stadium and created more away games this season. That led Jacksonville Beach to pass an ordinance allowing some bars to expand capacity for Jaguars home games.
“I actually don’t go to as many home games as I did. I used to have season tickets, but I didn’t renew them this year, so I’m actually out here almost every game now,” Frandsen said.
Several bars along Jacksonville Beach say the influx of fans has been slower than expected. At Ginger’s, the business is not allowed to expand space onto the sidewalk because it is city-owned, so staff members are trying to attract fans with game day specials.
“We haven’t got the influx yet. It’s been a little slow on the uptick. But we’re hoping it’s going to get better. We’re offering some specials and things to entice people to come in,” said Candy Breidert, owner of Ginger’s.
Places like Lynch’s have their regulars coming in early to secure a good spot.
“It’s kind of stayed consistent. I think people are trying to stay, get to the stadium while they can before it’s closed down and before the Jags are going to be away next year,” said Heather Rooney of Lynch’s.
But these bars say each away game is an opportunity to bring in more customers, especially when the games move to Orlando next year.
“Oh, once that shut down, I think it’s going to hard to get in here,” Rooney said.
“Duval!” Frandsen shouted.
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