RCB craze: Restaurants, pubs in Bengaluru sold out for IPL final day 

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team reaching the finals of Indian Premier League (IPL) finals and the final match being played on Tuesday (June 3), has come as a blessing in disguise for the restobars and pubs in Bengaluru as most of them are expecting two or three times more than usual footfall on the day. 

“On a regular Tuesday, our footfall is only around 350 – 400 covers. But on the final day, we are expecting at least 700 – 800 people as we do not have any cover charge and are open to all,” said Vinay Chandrashekhar, partner at Long Boat Brewing Co, Marathahalli. 

Alister Braganza, Senior Regional Business Manager, South, Impressario which owns SOCIAL, which has multiple outlets in the City, said that the footfall on Tuesday is expected to be three times more than a regular weekday. “We were filled across outlets on the day of Qualifier match itself. The crowd is going to be even higher for finals,” he said.  

To enhance the match viewing experience, most restaurants in the City have decided to erect gaint LED screens on their premises, introduce some new items on the menu, play popular Kannada songs, distributing sparklers and some are even organising face painting and such activities. 

“We are putting up 8 feet by 12 feet LED screen in a special area which can be viewed from both the floors,” Mr. Chandrashekhar shared. He also said that a 32-inch pizza has also been introduced as large groups of people are expected to gather on the day. 

Red-coloured shots representing RCB’s jersey colours to big snack platters and beer buckets are some of the other items restaurants are preparing for Tuesday.  

Early bookings

 The hospitality industry, which has been facing several issues of late including the rising prices of beer, says that IPL has been a saviour for them this time considering the home team’s good form. 

“We have 300 reservations for dinner and all of them have already sold out. We are keeping a few covers for walk-ins. The moment RCB reached finals, we got a lot of bookings,” said Fino Frangline, Co-Founder of Mykos Craft Kitchen and Bar, Bannerghatta Road and 21^st Amendment Gastrobar, Indiranagar. 

He added, “Our Indiranagar outlet, which is in the heart of the city was constantly sold out for RCB matches. On the day RCB won the Qualifier, within an hour, we were sold out for the final match day.  

As most venues have already sold out, cricket enthusiasts are also finding it difficult to find places where they can go for a screening. “I stay close to J. P. Nagar and there are plenty of options. But I am sure the regulars will throng those places, and it is looking impossible to get a reservation anywhere for the match day. I am planning to go to one of the lesser popular restobars as a walk-in and hope to find a table,” said Sirish. M. Kumar, an RCB fan.  

With most restaurants expected to be jam-packed on Tuesday, restraunteurs are requesting their patrons to take public transport. 

“The city is going to be chock-a-block on that day and hence, we are advising our patrons to not drive but take cabs or public transport. Parking is also going to be an issue if there are too many vehicles,” said Chethan Hegde, who heads the Bengaluru chapter of National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI).  

Published - June 01, 2025 05:30 pm IST