BROOKLYN, N.Y. — In a city of about 9 million people, hundreds of miles away from home. Well, sort of.
"So bringing the Bills to this far in this neighborhood, it feels like home no matter like what day of the week it is," said Landon McKinnon, manager of The Little Whiskey in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. "I've been here about four years now. [I] kind of wanted to do something new, and, I thought that was like the right age to do it as well."
McKinnon runs the house for fellow Buffalo Bills fans knowing not everyone shares his Western New York roots.
"A lot of people who aren't even Bills fans, kind of just become Bills fans by the end of the season, just from the energy that we kind of bring," he said. "My favorite part about this is always just being with people."
Like John Baum and and Shelby Bretschger who have been regulars for years.
"I grew up in Connecticut, not too far from the city. I'm here because I love the bills," said Bretschger.
The engaged couple shares their love for this city and those from the other end of the state.
"I'm from New York, but my father is from Niagara Falls and all my uncles are still living in and around Buffalo," added Baum. "So shout out to them. They're all in Lockport."
It all comes together from whistle to whistle when Josh and company take the field.
"I just love the energy, like, it's tough," Bretschger added. "Fall and football season is when my family talks the most because we're just so like hyped up on the Bills too. My sister over there, she loves the neighborhood."
Not to mention her dog Shrimp, decked out in blue, red and white.
"You're everywhere if you're in an airport. Doesn't matter where you are," said Baum, who spent the day decked out in standard blue, red and white zubaz-themed swag. "I was like, I got a bunch of 'Go Bills' on my way here. I was like, 'let's go'."
Rooting for a team with a welcoming identity, from all corners of the world to a bartop in the Big Apple with friends and strangers who could have had it any other way.
"Yeah, there's a bunch of [New York] Jets fans. no thanks. Bunch of [New York] Giants fans. Respect it, but no thanks. Bunch of [New England] Patriots fans. Not likely. I just like the Bills fans. It's fun," said Kevin O'Donnell, who introduced John and Shelby to the neighborhood haunt.
It doesn't hurt that recently the New York state of mind runs through Buffalo.
"Seems like it's going to be another Victory Monday. Love that, love that," O'Donnell said as 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers blared on the speakers and the Bills walked out of Seattle with a 31-10 win.