Reds season kicks off Monday at Great American Ball Park, which means Cincinnatians will be spending a varying amount of time in the stadium, depending on their fan level. Whether you go once a season or to every Reds game, GABP has added a few new features for everyone in 2015, and just in time for the 86th MLB All-Star Game in July.
“Many of the new ballpark features include historic elements and streetscape façades that pay homage to the Queen City’s cultural heritage,” said Phil Castellini, Reds COO, in a recent press release. “Reds baseball is an intrinsic part of our past, and we are excited to have the ballpark reflect the vibrancy happening throughout our downtown. These ballpark features are a great opportunity to showcase Cincinnati’s history to the thousands of guests visiting the region during All-Star Summer.”
Bootleggers Bar Bootleggers is a beer and booze addition to existing offerings like the “Reds Brewery District” — the 60-tap, 85-foot craft beer bar between sections 117 and 118. Bootleggers, located on the Terrace Level by first base, features a historically inspired design, reminiscent of Over-the-Rhine’s 1900s Wielert’s Biergarten. The walk-in bar will serve beer and liquor. Concessions Updates Several updates have been made to GABP concession stands. The Frisch’s, LaRosa’s, UDF Ice Cream, Penn Station, Skyline Chili, Moerlein Lager House and Taste of Belgium Terrace-level stands have all received new streetscape façades. Some of the hot dog/brat/mett stands have been rebranded as “Porkopolis,” to pay tribute to our porky heritage. And the Fry Box, which is located in a repurposed shipping container, will feature fresh-cut fries with a variety of toppings.
DraftServ Beer Stations These self-serve beer stations (20 of them) will be installed around the ballpark and will feature Budweiser, Bud Light and Goose Island on draft. Purchase a “beer card” at retail team shops and pay for beer — which you can pour yourself — by the ounce.
Food Ordering Kiosks Avoid waiting in line and place an order for food at one of four touch-screen kiosks on the Terrace Level by third base. Food can be picked up at designated concession stands.
The Handlebar at the Riverfront Club New GABP restaurant The Handlebar features an all-inclusive buffet and open bar, 26-foot video wall, high-definition video columns and both indoor and outdoor seating. Located on the Club Level overlooking right field, fans can purchase standing room “Handlebar Access” tickets online, daily access passes for season ticket holders at a discounted rate, outdoor rail seats ($120) or luxury boxes that seat groups of 12 to 14 guests ($100 initial group deposit). For more information, visit reds.com/handlebar. Nursing Suite For moms, there’s a new nursing suite from Pampers and Fischer Homes. It’s a private area open to all breast-feeding/bottle-feeding moms, and moms with other childcare needs. It features gliders, changing stations, a private restroom, a kitchenette with a sink, ice and a fridge, lockers for storing items like diaper bags and several flat-screen TVs broadcasting the game. It’s located on the Suite Level near the Champions Club elevators.
Retail Row This new streetscape façade inside the main gates features the Majestic Home Plate Shop, Split the Pot Booth, Season Ticket Holder Central, Game-Used Authentics and Fan Club Corner.
This article appears in Apr 1-7, 2015.
