People are used to waiting in lines behind the velvet ropes to squeeze into Miami’s hottest bars and clubs. But when the Miami Heat is playing for the NBA title, the trendiest venue is a fishing-themed bar and grill.
Roughly two hours before Game 1 of the Finals kicked off on Thursday night, most of the wood-paneled booths and bar stools in the flannigan Kendall’s was packed with Heat fans, many of whom wore the number 22 jersey of the team’s star player, Jimmy Butler. (The restaurant is one of more than 20 Flanigan’s restaurants in South Florida.)
Dozens of unlucky fans lined up outside the entrance, even after the flight attendants told them they would wait about three hours to get in, longer than the game itself. A father and son eat fast food in the back of their minivan while watching the match on one of the restaurant’s outdoor TV screens, which can be seen from the parking lot.
“The energy and enthusiasm are electric,” said Kelly Connor, 59. Her husband had arrived hours earlier to take a table for her and their teenage daughter. “It’s the best thing after being at the game.”
Every seat in the restaurant also had a view of a flat screen TV, some wedged between life-size Atlantic blue marlins. They were all broadcasting the match.
But generous all-day specials are also a draw for this restaurant, which was started by Joe (Big Daddy) Flanigan in 1959 as Big Daddy’s, a chain of liquor stores and lounges. Although he passed away in 2005, his face still adorns the green plastic cups and restaurant signs.
In the 1980s, while facing bankruptcy, the company added restaurants to operate, said Abel Sanchez, a local historian. The pivot occurred as interest in Miami sports increased.
“They’ve been gold ever since,” Sanchez said.
On Monday, when the Heat won the Eastern Conference Finals, the series sold out more than 50,000 stands.
This is the element of Eric Morales when he comes here. He recently moved to Atlanta, but since returning to Miami for vacation three weeks ago, he’s been to the restaurant at least eight times, where he and his friends can eat about 50 wings. He also chose the restaurant for his 2010 high school graduation dinner.
“This is Miami’s hidden gem,” Morales, 31, shouted as the crowd cheered as the Heat scored. However, the enthusiasm of the fans did not prevent the Heat from losing to the Denver Nuggets 104-93. Once the game was over, the TV channels were changed and the soundtrack switched to salsa.