The Reds are "revamping another part of Great American Ball Park by adding a giant bar just in time to host" the MLB All-Star Game this summer, according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS JOURNAL. The Reds are "building a bar to be called The Bootlegger on the first-base side of the lower-level concourse." They are "carving out one side of the enormous, four-sided concession stand that houses local favorites like Skyline and LaRosa's." Reds COO Phil Castellini said that those concessions "will remain, but the Reds are converting the side facing the field" into The Bootlegger. Watkins reported the new bar "will give fans the feel of walking into an old-time bar while also moving some of the concession lines out of the concourse walkway." Castellini "got the inspiration for it from the old bar behind the lower-level blue seats at the Reds' former home, Riverfront Stadium." Castellini said the new bar will have the feel of "a speakeasy." Watkins noted The Bootlegger will "have liquor and beer, including some craft brews." It is the "second major bar renovation" for the Reds this winter, along with the Riverfront Club. Castellini said that the Reds also are "redoing the concession stand facades along concourses down the first- and third-base lines to look more like storefronts." Many will "have brick fronts and will completely change the feel of the ballpark concourses." The Reds also are "creating a Retail Row at the main entrance" to the ballpark. MSA Sport, a unit of Cincinnati-based MSA Architects, "was the architect for all of the renovations." The changes "will be wrapped up by Opening Day on April 6" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/5).
