Downtown Sports Grill
How a local sports bar turned game day into a viral social experience, building a passionate community and driving measurable business growth.
!The Challenge
Downtown Sports Grill was a popular neighborhood spot, but owner Marcus Thompson noticed a troubling trend: while the bar was packed during big games, there was no lasting connection with customers afterward.
“We'd have 200 people cheering together on a Sunday, then they'd leave and we wouldn't see them until the next big game,” Marcus explains. “There was no community, no reason for them to think of us between visits. And our social media was basically dead because we had nothing to post.”
“Every sports bar shows the same games. We needed something that made the experience at our place special, something people would remember and share.”
✓The Solution
Marcus discovered CrowdPics at a restaurant trade show and immediately saw the potential. He started with 4 TVs strategically placed around the bar, and QR codes on every table tent and menu.
Implementation Timeline
Installation & Staff Training
Set up CrowdPics on 4 TVs throughout the bar. Trained staff on how to encourage guests to participate.
Soft Launch
Introduced the photo wall during regular hours. Collected feedback and optimized QR code placement.
Game Day Integration
Launched "Fan of the Game" contests where the best photo each quarter won prizes from sponsors.
Viral Growth
Photos started appearing on social media with location tags. Organic reach exploded as fans shared their game day experiences.
Key Features That Made the Difference
Fan Photo Contests
Best fan photo each quarter wins prizes from local sponsors. Creates friendly competition and excitement.
Team-Branded Filters
Custom filters with team colors and logos make every photo share-worthy on social media.
Real-Time Moderation
AI filters ensure only appropriate content appears on screen. Staff can approve photos in seconds.
Multi-Screen Display
Photos cycle across 4 TVs, creating an immersive wall of fan energy throughout the venue.
📈The Results
User-generated content on Instagram and TikTok
On game nights compared to pre-CrowdPics
Average during football season
For guests who used the photo wall
Within 6 months, Downtown Sports Grill had transformed from a place people went to watch games into the destination for game day experiences. Fans started showing up early to secure good photo spots, groups coordinated matching jerseys for photo ops, and the bar's Instagram following grew from 800 to over 12,000.
“CrowdPics didn't just give us a cool feature - it gave us a community. Now our regulars know each other, they tag each other in photos, they plan to meet up here for games. It's become more than a bar. It's where fans belong.”
Ready to Transform Your Game Day Experience?
See how CrowdPics can help your sports bar build a loyal community and drive measurable results.