Pirates Upgrading Fan Experience With Addition Of Bars, Meeting Spaces At PNC Park

The Pirates are "upgrading 15-year-old PNC Park by developing more public hangouts for general ticket holders," according to Don Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The multimillion-dollar project includes "two new outdoor bars and a reconfiguration of a ticketed space in left field tied to a building that was an Outback Steakhouse when the ballpark opened" in '01. Team officials said that the Pirates and their architect, Populous, also have "created a new marketing center to serve as a pregame meeting space for companies that prefer to conduct business before heading to their seats to watch the ballgame." The larger of the two new bars is "situated at the back of the upper deck behind home plate." The bar itself is "28 feet long and the space in general can accommodate 50 to 75 people," replacing a "former first aid station and some food and merchandise stands." However, the new gathering spot offers "no views to the game" for fans. The second bar is "more of a standing-room space at the bottom of the left-field rotunda underneath an escalator taking fans to the upper levels." The new bar "used to be a large storage closet." Unlike the bar upstairs, fans "can watch the game from the front edge of the rotunda bar" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/23 issue).

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE: In Pittsburgh, Stephen Nesbitt notes the upgrades are "in response to a master plan study that began in 2014 to ensure PNC Park survives the test of time." Fans requested "more communal space around the ballpark, and the Pirates obliged." A two-level terrace will "fill a gap between the upper bleacher section in left field and the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club." The terraces, measuring 250 feet, will be "accessible to all fans." Adjacent to the new terrace will be an "outdoor patio called 'The Porch,' which will feature bar stool and sofa-style seating and can fit groups of approximately 25 people" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/24). Also in Pittsburgh, Tom Fontaine reports the club "expects to complete the work before its home opener on April 13." The Pirates "would not provide the project's cost." Pirates VP/Communications & Broadcasting Brian Warecki only said that it would be a "multimillion-dollar project" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 2/24).