For access to Miami’s trendiest bars and clubs, people are accustomed to standing in lines behind velvet ropes. However, this fishing-themed pub and grill become the hotspot when the Miami Heat is competing for the NBA championship.
On Thursday night, two hours before the opening game of the NBA Finals began, the majority of the wood-paneled booths and bar stools at Flannigan’s Kendall were occupied by Heat supporters, many of whom were donning Jimmy Butler’s number 22 jerseys. (South Florida is home to more than 20 Flanigan’s restaurants.)
Even after hostesses warned them they would have to wait nearly three hours to enter, longer than the game, dozens of other unfortunate fans lined up outside the door. As they watch a game on one of the restaurant’s exterior TV screens that can be seen from the parking lot, a father and son are eating in the back of their pickup truck.
“The enthusiasm and energy are electric,” observed Kelly Connor, 59. Hours before, her husband had arrived to get her and their teenage daughter a table. It’s superior to participating in athletics, in my opinion.
Each table in the restaurant had a flat-screen TV view, some of which were surrounded by life-size Atlantic blue marlins. They were all airing the game.
However, this restaurant’s varied all-day specials are also a magnet. Joe (Big Daddy) Flannigan founded Big Daddy’s in 1959 as a chain of bars and liquor stores. He passed away in 2005, yet his image continues to appear on restaurant menus and green plastic cups.
In the 1980s, facing bankruptcy, the company added restaurants to the business, said Abel Sanchez, a local historian. As interest in the Games grew, Miami became its pivot.
“They’ve been golden ever since,” Mr. Sanchez said.
On Monday, when the Heat won the Eastern Conference Finals, the series sold over 50,000 fans.
This is Erik Morales’ favorite thing to bring here. Although he recently relocated to Atlanta, he has visited the restaurant at least eight times since being in Miami for the holidays three weeks ago. He and his pals can each eat roughly 50 wings at the establishment. He also picked the establishment for his graduation supper from high school in 2010.
Mr. Morales, 31, said to the audience, “This is Miami’s hidden gem,” after the Heat scored. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 104-93 despite the energy of the crowd. The soundtrack and TV channels switched to salsa music as the game came to a close.