Canadiens’ success leading to business boom for Montreal bars after COVID-19 closures

Jun 23, 2021 | 1:24 PM

MONTREAL — Kevin Beaudry says there’s never been a better time to be operating a restaurant in Montreal.

The manager of La Cage sports bar and restaurant at the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens, says he expected customers to return when the government allowed restaurants to reopen from COVID-19 closures at the end of May.

But he said today that business at the sports bar, which has become a hub for fans to gather for Stanley Cup playoff games, has been 10 times what he expected — thanks to the success of the Canadiens.

The hockey team is now one win away from the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993.