Scotland Fans Drink Boston Bars Dry During World Cup
· Yahoo Sports
Scotland’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup appears to have delivered a major boost to Boston’s bar scene.
Thousands of Scottish supporters descended on the city for Saturday’s Group Stage match against Haiti, helping drive beer sales to unprecedented levels and leaving some bars and liquor stores scrambling to restock.
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According to the Irish Star, the influx of fans created one of the busiest weekends many establishments have ever experienced. Some bars reported selling out of beer brands entirely, while others said inventory levels dropped far below normal expectations.
Among the biggest beneficiaries was Hennessy’s Bar in downtown Boston, where chief operating officer Noelle Somers told The Boston Globe that business exceeded even the city’s busiest annual celebrations.
“We’ve been here for over 30 years, and we’ve never seen anything like it,” Somers told the Irish Star. “We tripled St. Patrick’s Day.”
Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 in the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, but the celebrations extended far beyond the stadium. Businesses reported packed bars, impromptu singalongs, bagpipers performing in the streets, and fans filling establishments throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Federal Wine & Spirits in Boston’s Financial District also reported selling out of certain beer brands as Scottish supporters flooded the area before and after the match.
The scenes come as little surprise to followers of the Tartan Army, Scotland’s famously loyal and festive traveling supporters. The fan base has built a reputation over decades for turning major tournaments into city-wide celebrations, often earning praise from locals and rival supporters alike.
Boston’s hospitality industry may not have seen the last of the surge. Scotland remains in New England for its next World Cup match against Morocco on Friday, with another large turnout of supporters expected throughout the week.
Additional World Cup fixtures, including matches featuring England, France, Norway, Iraq, and several knockout-round contests, are also scheduled for Boston, potentially bringing even more international visitors to the city.
For local bars, restaurants, and liquor retailers, the first weekend of World Cup action offered an early glimpse of the tournament’s economic impact—and the spending power of thirsty soccer fans.
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