NHL Lockout Impacts Downtown Businesses

The National Hockey League has cancelled more than 420 games through December 14th. So far, the nearly three-month lockout has reportedly caused several Downtown businesses—including restaurants, bars and parking garages—to lose lucrative revenue. No Ovechkin, Orlov and Johansson means few Washington Capitals fans are swarming Chinatown to eat, drink and storm the Verizon Center (601 F Street), which sells out 18,500 seats per hockey game. In the past, hundreds of fans regularly crowded popular pre- and post-game hot spots such as Clyde’s (707 7th Street), Rocket Bar (714 7th Street), Matchbox (713 H Street), Gordon Biersch (900 F Street) and Rosa Mexicana (575 7th Street). Even the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (600 5th Street), which operates Metro, is reportedly seeing lower ridership, which means less fare revenue. With 24 home games remaining in the regular season, all eyes are on the NHL and players—and the hope is that a sea of red jerseys will return to Downtown streets sooner rather than later.