New Ballpark Feature – Budweiser Bowtie Bar at PNC Park
PNC Park is the most beautiful ballpark that no one knows about, simply because
no one goes. Nineteen-straight losing seasons will do that to even the best stadium.
But it’s a must-see for any ballpark lover, as it aced the “old-time charm with new-
age amenities” test with flying colors.
The newest amenity that fans want in a park is a good bar. With all of the different
features at new ballparks, fans are spending less time in their seats than ever.
No longer do you need to be in your seat to see the game. With open concourses
and beautiful sightlines, you don’t have to miss the action while checking out the
secondary features that stadiums have to offer.
Which means that fans no longer have to stay wedged in their seat if they want an
$8 beer.
But unlike many stadium bars that are accessible from the concourse, but are
essentially outside the stadium (McFaddon’s in Philadelphia is a prime example of
this) and offer no view of the game itself, the Budweiser Bowtie Bar is an open-air
setting just down the right field line, behind the foul pole.
New this season, the Triple-B (not a nickname yet, but I’m working on it) provides
Pirates fans an outlet for their on-field frustrations and a place to drown their
sorrows.
It’s not perfect, however. Despite being located right at the end of the first-base side
concourse, it’s actually quite difficult to see the game from the bar. There is only a
small opening on the closest side of the bar from which you can see the game action,
and while that provides a nice view of the entire playing field, you are basically
standing in an aisle.
But while in the bar, you really need to see the game.
I have always failed to see the point of spending money on a ticket, then spending
$8 a beer, only to watch the game on TV. PNC Park is located just a block from many
great bars, where you can drink for a lot cheaper, and don’t need a ticket to get in.
But there are reasons to go to the bar area, whether you are attending the game
with a non-baseball crowd, or the game is out of hand, or perhaps you just want to
check the place out.
The bigger problem, however, was that the TV’s were on such a delay, that I knew
the outcome of each pitch before I saw it on the screens. This happens at most
stadium bars, but was a bigger problem here. In one particular spot in the bar, I
could see the scoreboard change the ball/strike numbers after each pitch, and yet
it still hadn’t been shown on the TV. I knew the outcome of each pitch before it was
even thrown, even those with no plausible crowd reaction.
Needless to say, I found the small spot of the bar where I could see the game.
no one goes. Nineteen-straight losing seasons will do that to even the best stadium.
But it’s a must-see for any ballpark lover, as it aced the “old-time charm with new-
age amenities” test with flying colors.
The newest amenity that fans want in a park is a good bar. With all of the different
features at new ballparks, fans are spending less time in their seats than ever.
No longer do you need to be in your seat to see the game. With open concourses
and beautiful sightlines, you don’t have to miss the action while checking out the
secondary features that stadiums have to offer.
Which means that fans no longer have to stay wedged in their seat if they want an
$8 beer.
But unlike many stadium bars that are accessible from the concourse, but are
essentially outside the stadium (McFaddon’s in Philadelphia is a prime example of
this) and offer no view of the game itself, the Budweiser Bowtie Bar is an open-air
setting just down the right field line, behind the foul pole.
New this season, the Triple-B (not a nickname yet, but I’m working on it) provides
Pirates fans an outlet for their on-field frustrations and a place to drown their
sorrows.
It’s not perfect, however. Despite being located right at the end of the first-base side
concourse, it’s actually quite difficult to see the game from the bar. There is only a
small opening on the closest side of the bar from which you can see the game action,
and while that provides a nice view of the entire playing field, you are basically
standing in an aisle.
But while in the bar, you really need to see the game.
I have always failed to see the point of spending money on a ticket, then spending
$8 a beer, only to watch the game on TV. PNC Park is located just a block from many
great bars, where you can drink for a lot cheaper, and don’t need a ticket to get in.
But there are reasons to go to the bar area, whether you are attending the game
with a non-baseball crowd, or the game is out of hand, or perhaps you just want to
check the place out.
The bigger problem, however, was that the TV’s were on such a delay, that I knew
the outcome of each pitch before I saw it on the screens. This happens at most
stadium bars, but was a bigger problem here. In one particular spot in the bar, I
could see the scoreboard change the ball/strike numbers after each pitch, and yet
it still hadn’t been shown on the TV. I knew the outcome of each pitch before it was
even thrown, even those with no plausible crowd reaction.
Needless to say, I found the small spot of the bar where I could see the game.
A perk of the Budweiser Bowtie Bar, however, especially for those at the game for
the social atmosphere, is that it does not abide by the standard 7 th inning last call
rules that most stadiums have for their beer vendors. The bar area not only serves
customers the entire game, but stays open close to an hour afterwards. Again, if
you want to keep drinking after the game, you can walk to a dozen bars within
five minutes of the stadium, but for those who enjoy having a beer in a ballpark
atmosphere, it allows that experience to be extended.
Overall, the Budweiser Bowtie Bar is a nice addition to a stadium that was already
great. It is unimposing and offers yet another perk to the average fan who enjoys
the ballpark atmosphere as much as the game itself.
Jeff Moore is the creator of MLBProspectWatch.com, your one-stop site for all the
information you need about minor league prospects.
the social atmosphere, is that it does not abide by the standard 7 th inning last call
rules that most stadiums have for their beer vendors. The bar area not only serves
customers the entire game, but stays open close to an hour afterwards. Again, if
you want to keep drinking after the game, you can walk to a dozen bars within
five minutes of the stadium, but for those who enjoy having a beer in a ballpark
atmosphere, it allows that experience to be extended.
Overall, the Budweiser Bowtie Bar is a nice addition to a stadium that was already
great. It is unimposing and offers yet another perk to the average fan who enjoys
the ballpark atmosphere as much as the game itself.
Jeff Moore is the creator of MLBProspectWatch.com, your one-stop site for all the
information you need about minor league prospects.