The successes of the World Cup were not spread evenly throughout the Kansas City area, and not every business saw a boost. But some, whether by location or ingenuity in planning, benefited greatly from the tournament.
Varsity Club was consistently packed during the six-week-long World Cup with soccer fans from near and far cheering on their favorite teams — or groaning in despair. The bar’s owner-operator, Caleb Roye, made slight adjustments, like being open for and showing every match and hiring a temporary bartender, but nothing drastic; no staying open until 5 a.m., no automatic gratuity and no major increase in staffing.