The Lions are playing for history Sunday. Here's where you can catch the game

EAST LANSING — Mike Krueger expects Crunchy’s to be packed on Sunday night.

The volume on the sports bar's dozen television sets will be up and every one of them will be tuned into the matchup between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at 6:30 p.m. on FOX.

The game "is a huge deal," said Krueger, an owner of the West Grand River Avenue business and lifelong Lions fan.

"I think it's just been such a long time coming for all of us who have been with our boys since day one," he said. "We were born into it."

The early game on Sunday features the Kansas City Chiefs at the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship at 3 p.m. on CBS.

Lansing's Art's Pub always draws in Lions fans when the team plays a game, said owner Nick Sinicropi, but the team's playoff run has resulted in a "definite bump" in business.

"Before we were three-quarters full," he said. "Now we're completely full for Lions games."

"The Lions are finally good for once," said Frank Fata, general manager at Frank's Press Box in Delta Township. "Everyone wants to watch them. Usually, their season is over three weeks ago."

Now, Lansing-area sports bars, pubs and restaurants are bracing for a busy and likely lucrative Sunday, said owners and staff. With the NFC championship game less than a week away, here's a closer look at sports bars and eateries in Greater Lansing to consider when you're looking for a place to watch.

Art's Pub, Lansing

The dining room at Art's Pub, at 809 E. Kalamazoo St., can seat close to 100 people. Sinicropi thinks it will start to fill up well before the Lions game kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

"It'll be a busy day for brunch and then we'll go into the football games," he said. "People are watching the other game to see, if the Lions win, who they're going to play next. We're not a huge bar, so people will come in an hour before just to make sure they get their seats."

Art's Pub offers a full menu, including nachos, pizza and smoked chicken wings. Sinicropi said Lions fans can expect to see specials offered on Sunday during the game.

Crunchy’s, East Lansing

Crunchy's is less than a mile from Spartan Stadium at 254 W. Grand River Ave. Its television sets are often tuned to Michigan State University sporting events, but on Sunday Krueger expects to be hosting Lions fans.

"My guess is a lot of people will show up to watch the first game of the day, too," he said. Business could be up by as much as 50% on Sunday, Krueger said.

The sports bar offers burgers, wraps, chicken wings, beer and cocktails.

Frank's Press Box, Delta Township

Frank's Press Box, a 200-plus seat sports bar, at 7216 W. Saginaw Hwy., had a waitlist for a seat on Sunday when the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fata said. He believes the business will be just as busy this Sunday when they play the 49ers.

The team's championship run means "a lot of extra money that we never really see," he said. "We expect the same thing as last Sunday, if not busier."

The bar's 50 television sets will be playing the game and customers can take advantage of special discounts on pizza and a dollar off every pitcher of beer.

Harrison Roadhouse, East Lansing

Harrison Roadhouse is "turning into a Lion's Den" at 4 p.m. Sunday, according to its Facebook page.

The eatery, at 720 Michigan Ave., will offer drinks at half price and "Detroit-style coney dogs and Motor Coty Boogaloo sliders," as part of the menu.

One North Kitchen & Bar, Delta Township

At age 64, Scott Berman hasn't had many opportunities to root for the Lions in a championship game as a fan or as an owner at One North Kitchen & Bar at 5001 W. Saginaw Hwy., formerly home to Reno's West. He's expecting the game on Sunday will be a boost to business.

"Whenever our teams do well, so whether that's Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers, Lions, Michigan State, even Michigan to a slightly lesser degree here, it brings more people out to want to share the ups and downs of rooting for their team," he said.

On Sunday, One North Kitchen & Bar will offer special discounts on beer and special menu items, including "Motor City Bean Blitz," a dish made with refried beans, chili, sour cream and cheese, baked until bubbly and served with tortilla chips.

The Smoke N' Pig BBQ, Delta Township

The Smoke N' Pig BBQ, at 908 Elmwood Road, is extending its hours on Sunday to stay open for the game, owner Bryan Torok said.

The barbecue restaurant can accommodate plenty of fans, he said. The business expanded last year, taking over an adjacent 1,200-square-foot space in the plaza where they operate, and adding a bar and more seating. The addition sports 10 TV sets and there are another two in the dining room.

"On a normal Sunday, we might be at half capacity, but when the Lions come on it fills up," Torok said.

Stober's Bar, Lansing

Most of the regulars at Stober's Bar, at 812 E. Michigan Ave., are die-hard Lions fans, Manager Christanne Hamilton said. No matter how well the team is faring, when the Lions play, the bar's television sets are tuned in, she said.

"We show it every time they're on," Hamilton said.

And like Stober's itself, which has one of the oldest liquor licenses in the city, secured in 1933 after Prohibition, Sunday's game is historic, she said.

"I don't think there will be a TV on at any bar or restaurant in Michigan that isn't playing the game," Hamilton said. Patrons can expect specials on drinks, she said.

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

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This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing-area bars, restaurants prep for influx of Lions fans for NFC Championship