As the defending world champion Pistons competed Monday night in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, local bars and restaurants also competed to draw the largest crowds.
With most MSU students gone for the summer, bars and restaurants are experiencing less business, so they've turned to things such as high-definition TVs to lure people into their establishments, said Aaron Weiner, the general manager of Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave.
Retired East Lansing resident Allan Harwitz said he heads to Buffalo Wild Wings on game nights because of the big screens.
"I am here every time the Pistons play because the TVs here are huge," he said, while waiting for the game to begin. "Also, the young people here have all the energy and really make you get into the game."
Weiner said, even with the lack of students, they still get the same mix of college students and local residents.
One way of pulling people in, Weiner said, is having raffles for Pistons jerseys on game nights.
Buffalo Wild Wings might have the biggest projection screen TVs, but Michael Howell, a waiter at Harper's Restaurant & Brewpub, 131 Albert Ave., said they have far less TVs and, instead, lure summer crowds with drink specials.
Criminal justice senior and Harper's waiter, Dominic Dellamora said certain specials also depend on certain games.
"Right now, we offer just our regular Monday specials, but once the Pistons beat Miami and advance, we'll pretty much offer more promotions and even better specials," he said.
Dellamora also said, once the weather gets nicer, more people will come to eat on the patio.
Kinesiology graduate student Katie Marasco said this is the only place she considers to watch the game.
"I always come here," she said. "The food and service is much better than B-Dubs."
She also said it's less busy at Harper's on game nights.
"It's not too crowded here on nights like this, which is to be able to sit and drink at the bar without fighting large crowds," Marasco said.
Melody Stegner, a waitress at Spartan Sports Den Bar and Grill, 1227 E. Grand River Ave., said the atmosphere is what draws people to their bar.
"The atmosphere isn't too rowdy," she said. "Of course, when the Pistons score or make good plays, we all shout and cheer, but nothing where we can't control the crowd."
Mark Cheadle, owner of Dagwood's Tavern & Grill, 2803 E. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, said most of their customers are MSU alumni and few students. Cheadle said the NBA finals and playoffs contribute to busy nights.
"If the Pistons weren't in the playoffs, I'm pretty sure the bar would not be as crowded as it is," Cheadle said.
Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., also seems to attract a different crowd during the summer months and game nights, said bar owner Vivian Milligan.
"After school lets out for the summer, we begin to see more adults and families here," she said.
Residents know when school gets out, and they usually don't come in as often when the university is in session, she said.
The crowd and atmosphere might change, but Milligan said they still continue to promote all the specials on game nights, and waitresses also wear Pistons T-shirts for spirit.
