‘The energy is up’: Lincoln businesses make adjustments for rest of Husker football season

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – With six Husker home football games still on the schedule, Lincoln businesses are making adjustments to be successful with the crowds.

Thousands flood the Haymarket District on game days.

Jordan Nielsen, bar manager at Barry’s Bar & Grill, said the first home game sets the tone.

“The environment around here, the energy is up,” he said. “The first home game always gives us an idea of what we’re looking at for the rest of the season. Numbers-wise, it doesn’t fluctuate too much.”

That first game can also tell business owners what changes they should make for the rest of the year.

“We do notice little things as far as what alcohol to purchase,” Nielsen said. “Busch Light is always a huge seller.”

And staffing is something to consider, too.

Nielsen said the home opener was different from what the bar normally sees.

“During the game, you would expect less people to be in the bar,” he said. “That wasn’t necessarily the case last weekend. It almost seemed like there were more people in the bar once the game started. So we’ll definitely make an adjustment there and be better prepared for this game.”

Nielsen believes there are a few factors that added into that, one of them being that it was the first home game under new head coach Matt Rhule.

“There was more hype around a new head coach, which is great,” he said. “Whenever a new head coach comes into town, it kind of revitalizes the program.”

As for this weekend, Nielsen said Barry’s is expecting its same loyal crowd, opening early at 9:30 a.m.

And there’s one thing he wants to see.

“Another Husker football win!”