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Years ago, a typical Super Bowl Sunday for local business owner Mikela Dreskin involved barbecues and a big at-home watch party with friends and family.

Now, her Super Bowl tradition involves running Spectators sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Bar & Grill in the Northeast Heights and offering those special gathering experiences for others.

鈥淲e鈥檝e always watched (the game), and now this is our tradition,鈥� Dreskin, the restaurant鈥檚 managing member, said. 鈥淢y older son actually works here in the kitchen, so he鈥檚 already part of the business. Then my younger son 鈥� we come (to Spectators) every year, and he always asks me, 鈥楢re we getting the same table?鈥欌��

Annie Liu-Amoah 鈥� daughter of Kenny Liu and Kim Yang, who own A1 Wings & Seafood in Uptown 鈥� agreed. Running the eatery has become a major focus for her parents, especially on holidays and occasions like Super Bowl Sunday.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the restaurant business,鈥� she said.

Super Bowl weekend, encompassing one of the nation鈥檚 most-watched television events, always has major economic advantages for the city hosting the big game. This year鈥檚 matchup, Super Bowl LX, will feature the Seattle Seahawks playing the New England Patriots at Levi鈥檚 Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Last year, in New Orleans, according to a  from Louisiana State University鈥檚 E.J. Ourso College of Business, the city saw a total economic output of a little more than $1 billion associated with the championship game that saw the Philadelphia Eagles take down Patrick Mahomes鈥� Kansas City Chiefs.

The weekend also boosts business for local bars and restaurants across the nation. Last year, the United States Chamber of Commerce that the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 metro area would see $51.2 million in Super Bowl-related spending.

Tyler Fabian 鈥� who runs Urban 360 Pizza, Grill and Tap House with his family 鈥� said he鈥檚 expecting sales to be up as much as 20% 鈥� an increase he said is typical for Super Bowl weekend compared to a normal weekend for the restaurant.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty busy,鈥� Fabian said, citing increased in-person traffic, carry-out orders and an annual catering order for roughly 150 people at Shamrock Foods鈥� sa国际传媒官网网页入口 warehouse.

The restaurant, which opened in 2018, offers chicken wings, green chile wontons, brick-oven pizza, sandwiches, burgers and a char sui pork bowl. A typical meal costs between $20 and $25, Fabian said. The restaurant鈥檚 indoor barstool and table seating can accommodate about 70 people, and the space also offers four televisions and outdoor seating.

Fabian said he doesn鈥檛 expect a larger Super Bowl crowd than normal, with not many Seahawks and Patriots fans in New Mexico.

鈥淏ut it鈥檒l be fun; a lot of people still like to just come out for the games,鈥� he said, adding the restaurant鈥檚 TV raffle is also part of the enticement.

Spectators will do a Super Bowl raffle, giving out items including a TV, golf bag, cornhole set, Southwest Airlines voucher and portable grill.

Super Bowl prep is a big deal for the sports bar, which hosts a reservation-only watch party and buffet every year. Tickets 鈥� which can be purchased over the phone or at the door 鈥� are $30 and come with a table and unlimited access to the buffet, which features freshly made enchiladas, rice, beans, chips, salsa, guacamole and a football cake.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always enough food for probably thirds,鈥� Dreskin said.

Dreskin and her team begin planning for the weekend at least a month in advance. But the goal of the event isn鈥檛 necessarily to bring people in, Dreskin said. While newcomers are always a bonus, the event largely caters to the following of regulars the restaurant has built up over its more than 30 years in business.

鈥淪ince I鈥檝e been here, I鈥檝e served three generations of families,鈥� Dreskin said. 鈥淚鈥檝e served their grandparent, and now I鈥檓 serving their grandson, so I think that鈥檚 really unique about this bar, is that it鈥檚 mainly word of mouth.鈥�

The restaurant鈥檚 regular menu, which includes everything from wings to fajitas, ribs and eggrolls, is also available on Sunday. The space seats more than 150 people and offers 38 TVs to watch the game.

While A1 Seafood & Wings doesn鈥檛 have a television, it does have fresh chicken wings and 29 flavors of handmade sauces, made fresh daily 鈥� a draw for people watching the big game at home.

鈥淲e鈥檙e expecting鈥� there to be a lot of to-go orders,鈥� Liu-Amoah said.

The restaurant鈥檚 Valentine鈥檚 Day deals will be active on Sunday, including discounted wings and seafood, Liu-Amoah said. While well known for its wings, A1 鈥� which opened in June 鈥� also offers Florida-style southern seafood boils, lobsters and recently added crawfish. Philly cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, hibachi and salads are also an option, Liu-Amoah said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to not find something you like there,鈥� she said.

The weekend will offer a timely boost, Fabian said, saying it comes after a slower-than-normal year of business.

鈥淚鈥檓 sure if you鈥檝e talked to other restaurants, you know business has been a lot slower this last year than it was any other year,鈥� Fabian said. 鈥淚 think spending is just a little tighter nowadays. Going to a restaurant is a little less of their priority.鈥�

For Dreskin, knowing that Spectators provides a space for community 鈥� whether it鈥檚 crying, cheering or a little trash talking 鈥� is a plus.

鈥淧eople argue about their teams, but that鈥檚 part of sports,鈥� Dreskin said. 鈥淚t brings people together.鈥�

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.