‘Sens Lot’ proving popular as hockey fans take over various venues throughout the city

The “Sens Lot” has been packed with hockey fans and, according to Alex Sirois, spirits are high and the ByWard Market has been busy as the Ottawa Senators continue their first playoff run since 2017.

The “Sens Lot” has been packed with hockey fans and, according to Alex Sirois, spirits are high and the ByWard Market has been busy as the Ottawa Senators continue their first playoff run since 2017. Earlier this month, Lowertown Brewery at 73 York St. cleared out its back parking lot to create a standing-room viewing area for hockey fans to watch the game.  “It’s been a great energy,” said Sirois, who is managing partner of the brewery’s operator, Ottawa Venues. “People were super excited when they won in overtime. It was just absolute joy for everyone that was there. People were bouncing off the walls. It was great to see.”

Sirois told OBJ on Thursday, ahead of Game 6, that area bars have been packed during each match and the brewery’s “Sens Lot” has become an ideal overflow space for those who can’t find a seat.  “There hasn’t been an empty seat in the house on the main floor,” he said. “Since we opened up the second floor, we’ve started to see people there as well. Our reservations are getting booked solid. We’ve actually had to turn away a few tables and invite them to the back lot. That’s the great thing about having this lot: extra space for people to enjoy the game.” Lowertown Brewery, which often doubles as a live music space, has 280 seats inside and another 110 on its patio where fans can watch on average-sized screens. But to make the experience special, the brewery’s back lot was outfitted with a 12-foot-six-inch-by-six-foot-six-inch LED screen, inspired by other outdoor viewing areas like the Toronto Raptor’s Jurassic Park outside Scotiabank Arena. The Canadian Tire Centre will be doing something similar Thursday evening, erecting a 14-foot-by-24-foot screen in its “Red Zone” for an outdoor watch party.  But even if some fans decide to make the trip to Kanata for the party, Sirois is expecting a major turnout at his brewery for the game, and an even bigger one on Saturday if the team forces a deciding game.  “I’m sure it will be just absolute mayhem,” he said. “I think people are less nervous, even though the nerves never fully go away when there’s an elimination game. People are lively and just having a great time.” With the Leafs one game short of winning the series, Thursday could be the Sens last playoff game of the year. Though he is a Sens fan, Sirois said the screen will stay up throughout the playoffs, as long as a Canadian team is in the running.  This includes the Senators’ current rivals.  “We’ve hosted a ton of Leafs fans over the years,” he said. “When they won the first round against Tampa a few years ago, we were absolutely packed with Leafs fans. If, unfortunately, the Senators don’t get through, we’ll be happy to host them again. Honestly, it’d be great just to see a Canadian team win.” Regardless of the outcome for the Sens, Sirois said he’s proud of the team’s effort. “It could have easily gone the other way with games two and three, when they lost in overtime. It feels like they’re right there in it with one of the best teams in the league. If they don’t make it past this round, they’ve done a hell of a job this year and the future is bright.”