Local restaurants, sports bars prep for Iron Bowl

The Iron Bowl is almost like a holiday in this state.

Just ask local sports bar owners, like Nita Heeder. She has spent all week preparing for today’s festivities for the game.

“There’s always a big crowd, and it’s usually one of the biggest days for us,” said Heeder, owner of Timeout Sports Bar. “I’ve decorated the place in orange and white and blue and red balloons.”

For places like Timeout and Beef O’Brady’s, the yearly Alabama-Auburn showdown brings in people by the droves.

“It’s one of the busiest days. The Super Bowl and Iron Bowl are our two busiest days,” said Virginia Boutwell, manager of Beef O’Brady’s.

With such large crowds expected, the managers have to make certain preparations.

“We usually don’t have a hostess, but we do have a hostess when it’s that busy. We try to sit people at tables according to the number of people. If we don’t have the right size table for a group, we join people together with tables, and we do have a waiting list,” Boutwell said.

Timeout will provide guests with complimentary food, as Heeder says the bar does every year.

“Last year we did wings, and this year we’ve got hot dogs and pizza provided for people,” said Heeder, who added there will be prizes awarded as well. “This year, we’re going to do something a little different. I bought a bunch of Auburn and Alabama merchandise, and we’ll let people pick what they think the score will be. Whoever comes closest, I’ve got tons of Alabama and Auburn merchandise to give away.”

While local sports bars anticipate large turnouts today, the same doesn’t hold true for restaurants.

“We haven’t had a big crowd for the Iron Bowl since we opened here,” said Mike Bryan, manager of TGI Friday’s. “Most people tend to have private parties and things like that during the game. We will be showing it, but we’re not expecting a big crowd. Maybe after the game.”

Another restaurant chain, O’Charley’s, also isn’t preparing for a large turnout.

“Most people are grilling out,” said Brad Walker, manager of the Dothan O’Charley’s. “It’s an afternoon game, at 2:30, and people will be at their houses grilling out and having Iron Bowl parties. We’ll have some to-go business, but we’ll be busy after the game’s over, not before.“

Some believe this year’s game will produce a greater customer turnout than other recent Iron Bowl games, given the stakes.

“We’re hoping we’re going to have a big crowd, with so much at stake, Alabama being No. 1 and Auburn trying to knock them off,” said Keith Green, manager of Hooters, which he says is used to drawing big crowds for football, wrestling and Ultimate Fighting Championship shows.

Heeder says she expects to see a good turnout from fans of both teams.

“We’ve always had a great turnout from both sides,” she said.