The Royals will debut a new craft beer bar at Kauffman Stadium this season. “Craft and Draft” replaces the old .390 Club in the left-field corner on the ballpark’s loge level. Between 80-100 season tickets will be sold for the space, including tiered seating at the front of the bar. The revamped area features around 75 beer varieties, which will be highlighted by K.C.-based Boulevard Brewing. The food menu includes quick-fired pizzas. The Royals invested $750,000 in the retrofit. Aramark, the team’s concessionaire, is the operator. Locally based Clockwork was the lead architect, with consultation from Populous (Don Muret, Staff Writer). KCTV-CBS' Jonathan Carter noted Craft and Draft replaces "the glassed-in private club that ran down the left field line on the club level." Royals VP/Ballpark Operations & Development Bob Rice said, "If you go down to these small breweries, they really have a feel to them, so it's polished concrete. It's a lot of woods. We wanted the glass out, because we wanted the people to hear the game, and really connect with the game." Carter reported the Royals have 45 KAMCO Construction workers "going 12 to 16 hours a day, in an effort to finish the project" by Opening Day on Monday. The old .390 Club "held 298 people," but Craft and Draft "will be able to serve 500 fans" (KCTV5.com, 3/30).
UP FOR RENEWAL: The Royals yesterday announced that Budweiser has renewed its long-standing relationship with the team. The partnership will include a new Shock Top Tavern concept offering new varieties of the beer in the right-field concourse area of Kauffman Stadium. Miller Lite and K.C.-based Commerce bank also renewed partnerships with the team. The bank is the title sponsor of the Royals HOF (Royals).
