Blue Jays championship hopes fell short, but playoff run delivered a winning streak for Toronto bars

The Blue Jays may have lost but there were still many wins that came out of their World Series Run — one of them being a much-needed boost in sales for local bars and restaurants.

Payments processing company Moneris says that during World Series Game 6, total restaurant spending near the Rogers Centre climbed 20 per cent week-over-week, and jumped 26 per cent during Game 7.

That boost was felt at Mill Street Brewery in the Distillery District.

"We hosted every single game sound on and we were a packed house the entire time. The energy was wild," said Emma Barrett, head of marketing at the brewery.

Fans across the GTA gathered in restaurants and bars to watch the games, and stayed for more than just a quick bite to eat.

"We saw a huge bump. We actually over-delivered on what we expected to do in October by 30 per cent," said Barrett, adding the company's special 'Blue Wave' Blue Jays-themed hybrid beer sold out across the city at bars and the LCBO.

"The Jays fans really showed up, and we've been so fortunate."

It wasn't just businesses in the downtown core and near the stadium that were feeling the love — Henry VIII Ale House in Etobicoke, a smaller, and normally more intimate pub where almost all locals know each other, was also packed full of fans.

"The seats were full every single night," said Kristen Black, operations manager.

"What I really appreciated was groups coming in and if there weren't enough seats, they'd share the banquette or booths. It was total strangers bonding over beers and baseball," she recalled.

The boost in sales came at a time when business owners say restaurants and bars typically experience a bit of a lull after the summer.

Kris Barnier, vice-president of central Canada at Restaurants Canada, says the industry continues to face huge challenges post-pandemic, primarily due to affordability.

"Everything from food costs to labour costs are all up at about the 11 to 14 per cent rate, but we're seeing spending going down," he explained, adding eating out is usually one of the first things cut from a budget when the cost of living rises.

"So it's made it a really tough go for the restaurant industry ... and things like a Blue Jays run makes a huge difference," he said.