Bars & patrons prepare for Super Bowl Sunday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “This Sunday, we’ll be slammed,” says Bill Nolan.

Nolan owns Steamer’s Sports Pub, a Philadelphia Eagles-themed bar in East Charlotte. Like many bar owners across the country, he’s making last-minute preps before Super Bowl Sunday – but when the Birds are involved, all bets are off.

“Especially when the Eagles are in it, it’s huge,” Nolan beams, “You can feel the building shake.”

Steamer’s may be an Eagles bar, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be wearing the midnight green there on Sunday.

“I’ll just say,” Stacie Pittman says confidently, “The Eagles, you’re about to fly away.”

Pittman, a five-year Charlottean, will be back here Sunday night – rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs deep inside enemy territory.

“I’ll get through it with a few martinis,” Pittman remarks.

But Greg Brangle says that’s not the best idea.

“Have you ever been to Philadelphia?” Brangle questions.

“The fans are not nice.”

Brangle is spending his evening at Smokey Joe’s Cafe and will be back at his favorite dive bar for the Super Bowl.

“This is all the chips right here,” Brangle beams, “People who are football fans will tune into football, but then some people who are hanging out there will really want to see the commercials, and get more entertained by that.”

Bartender Kalyn Case is all for it.

“I’m just hoping for business and to support our bar every day and go from there,” says Case.

Case has been working at Smokey’s for nearly a decade – but the camaraderie she’s built with patrons here will last a lifetime.

“It’s really a family affair, kind of here. And so everybody comes together, watches, football, brings food, sit down, and all come together to watch sports. I mean, it’s really a good time.”