The Dubliner, a pub in Boston that became a hub for Scotland supporters during the World Cup, is preparing for an influx of England fans by renting extra fridges and bringing in staff from sister bars across the city.
Record demand forces logistical changes
Bar manager Brian McDonnell said the surge in customers has been unprecedented. 'Obviously, stock – we have to stay way up on stock. We have deliveries coming in nearly every day – just always rotating around,' he said. 'We're going through so much beer, and we have only a decent-sized keg room. We're still going through so much that we had to rent a couple of mobile fridge units that we have out in the back alley, so we always have beer rotating through – it's always cold, it's always flowing.'
The venue has also brought in extra staff from sister bars elsewhere in Boston to help cope with demand. McDonnell added: 'We had to call in a few extra staff, and we're in a lucky enough position that we have a couple of different bars around the city, so we're bringing staff from there to give us an extra hand. So we just stock up on everything and hope for the best.'
World Cup transforms business
McDonnell said the World Cup had transformed business at the pub, even on days that would normally be quiet. 'In general, we're one of the busier bars in the city, so on Thursday, Friday and Saturday we'd be slammed regardless,' he said. 'But on a Monday night, you might only have two bartenders on all night long, and it'll be pretty dead. On a Monday now, we still have a queue down the street, we have full staff, we have record numbers.'
Scotland supporters praised for behaviour
McDonnell said Scotland supporters had exceeded expectations during their time in Boston. 'They are big boozers, big partiers – but while doing all that, they caused zero problems,' he said. 'I said over the last two weeks of madness… I don't think we've had to kick out a single person. There's been no scraps, no malice from anyone. Everyone's here for a good time.'
England fans expected to follow
With England supporters now taking their place in the city ahead of the Three Lions' fixture against Ghana on Tuesday, McDonnell says he expects another large turnout. He joked: 'The Scots have really set a high standard with regard to the party, but also just their behaviour and everything. So I hope the English can follow suit.'
'A lot of people had been hesitant about visiting America, visiting Boston, but coming here now they tell us it's one of the best vacations they ever took.'
