Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill in St. Petersburg generated more than $1.2 million over three World Series games this week. Owner Mark Ferguson said those three days were the busiest the bar has seen in 34 years.
Thousands of Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers fans poured into downtown St. Petersburg for Games 3, 4, and 5. They filled hotels, restaurants, and bars. Ferg’s sits right across the street from Tropicana Field.
“The bartenders and wait staff are very happy,” Ferguson said, FOX 13 reported. “Everybody’s happy, although they’re very tired.”
From Monday through Wednesday, the bar sold 3,500 cases of beer and seltzers, 3,800 burgers, and over 40,000 chicken wings. Assuming 24 drinks in each case, that adds up to about 84,000 beers and seltzers in just three days. Miller Lite and Coors Light sold fastest, mostly to visiting Milwaukee fans.
Four food trucks came in to help with the crowds. Their operators left pleased with the sales, Ferguson said.
“I have no idea how much they sold,” he said. “But, they are very happy, and they said they’re taking a vacation for a month.”
Ferguson said he expected Ferg’s to bring in nearly $4 million in October. Normally, that much money would take about three months.
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater had previously projected up to $1.8 million in economic impact from the World Series. A final figure has not yet been released.
The crowds also put the bar in front of a national audience, Ferguson said. “It was the busiest three days we ever had at Ferg’s Sports Bar,” he said. “We’ll be on the map forever because of this World Series.”
The Rays plan to move to Tampa in 2029. That leaves businesses near Tropicana Field facing an uncertain future. Ferg’s isn’t going anywhere, Ferguson said, and he is thinking about opening a second spot near the team’s future ballpark in Tampa.