SPOKANE, Wash. – Jack and Dan’s, a popular spot near Gonzaga University, is gearing up for a busy night as Gonzaga basketball fans prepare to celebrate game day.
The bar and restaurant have been bustling with preparations for the matchup in Seattle. Fans say gathering at such a place fosters a sense of community.
“It’s game day – it’s Zag day, let’s go,” said an enthusiastic fan.
Inside Jack and Dan’s, known as the Gonzaga bar, Rolf Zane Zeisner shared why he keeps coming back. “I keep coming back because it’s where our crew goes – good spot to be around,” he said.
Zeisner has been watching the Zags at Jack and Dan’s for the last two years.
Ed Eschenbacher, a longtime employee, explained the extra work involved on busy days like this. “I start pacing before we get busy. I’ll pace back and forth waiting for this all to happen,” he said.
Eschenbacher, who has worked at the bar for decades, emphasized their main goal on such days. “Cutting more fruit and more French fries, extra fries, sauce, making sure we’re ready for everyone that’s here,” he said.
He attributes the bar’s success to its proximity to Gonzaga. Inside the restaurant, Zags fans were ready for the game hours ahead of time.
Ethan Lee, who arrived with friends including Zeisner at noon, expressed the shared excitement. “The environment has Zags students and Spokane locals all in the same place with the same goal, same desire for the Zags win,” he said.
While fans focus on winning Saturday’s game, Eschenbacher is already thinking about the playoffs. “I think the Zags are going to make the tournament. I’m not sure how far they’ll go yet, but these next two games against Kentucky and Yukon should tell us a little more,” he said.
