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The best World Cup viewing days brought double the revenue to LV Mar, according to the restaurant’s owner, and that was the goal behind watch parties in the heart of downtown Redwood City.
Manuel Martinez is owner and chef behind LV Mar, a Latin-inspired cocktail and tapas restaurant that sits in the heart of downtown Redwood City. Martinez also owns La Viga and San Agus Cocina Urbana and Cocktails, in Palo Alto. Business boomed at LV Mar and San Agus during World Cup games, said Martinez, who promoted viewing parties and events during the matches.
“It brought a lot of excitement. People were really energized, looking forward for their teams to win,” Martinez said. “The final was pretty packed. All the Mexican games were super packed. [And] the Colombian games, U.S. games.”
Thousands of locals and visitors flocked to downtown Redwood City throughout the tournament to watch at the Courthouse Square viewing area, where a large screen was streaming the game.
Amanda Anthony, the city’s economic development manager, said the city estimated crowds of 6,000 and 10,000 for the two Mexico games on June 24 and June 29 respectively. Two U.S. games drew crowds closer to 2,000 to 3,000 visitors, she said.
The city also piloted its first-ever “entertainment zone” which allowed adults over 21 to drink alcoholic beverages outdoors on the 2000 block of Broadway on three different dates in June and July. Local businesses like LV Mar also offered special promotions and themed events throughout the tournament.
“The watch parties brought thousands of people together in downtown Redwood City and generated positive regional attention in the press and social media for the community,” said Anthony over email. “They provided an opportunity for visitors from throughout the Bay Area to experience downtown Redwood City as a welcoming, beautiful and vibrant destination.”
With the World Cup in the rearview mirror after Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday, businesses and localities will tally the economic impact of the games.
Martinez said the World Cup events were mostly positive for his businesses since patrons flocked to the restaurants to watch the games or stopped by after viewing matches in Courthouse Square. One problem, he said, was that parking was limited and some patrons stayed longer at the restaurant but didn’t necessarily eat or drink the entire time.
Anthony said the city plans to survey downtown businesses about their experiences, but data is not yet available.
The Bay Area Host Committee is the nonprofit coalition that has brought major sporting events to the Bay Area, including Super Bowl LX in February and six World Cup games this summer. A sportsperson for the organization said it was too early to share information about the economic impact of the World Cup. Prior estimates, however, indicated that the FIFA World Cup would bring at least $480 million total to Bay Area counties from job creation, tourism and revenue for local governments.
“Come and visit downtown Redwood City,” Martinez said. “We have plenty of restaurants, food choices, and entertainment options too.”
