PNC Park unveils 11 new concessions, Wigle Whiskey bars and new tech for players
The Pirates return to PNC Park on Friday with a sold-out opening game against the Baltimore Orioles. To go along with the joy of starting the 2024 season — with a 5-0 record and a recent USA Today ranking as the “best ballpark in America” — the team is trotting out some fun new food and fan experiences.
Aramark, the longtime food provider for the ballpark, debuted nearly a dozen new foods for the new season at a media event on Tuesday, including a pot roastand pierogi-topped hot dog called the Renegade Dog.
Fans also will have their pick of several new items in the team store, including colorful kids’ shirts from Tiny Turnip, a vintage-style batting practice hat that features the stars and “P” logo of the late 1970s, a Mitchell & Ness Willie Stargell jersey and a Roberto Clemente jacket.
In addition, Pirates president Travis Williams unveiled several behind-the -scenes investments aimed at player and coach development.
The robotic pitching device called Trajekt Arc can project an image of any MLB pitcher onto a screen and simulate that pitcher’s release point and pitches against batters. It was in use during Pirates spring training at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., and is now installed in an indoor batting tunnel at PNC Park.
“We can replicate their motion, their wind up, every pitch that [the pitcher] throws in their arsenal,” Williams noted. “And it even comes down to the point where the ball comes out. That can move to be where the arm slot would be of the pitcher. … So when they’re going out there for the first time and swinging, they’re not seeing it for the first time.”
Players also will be able to catch some shut-eye before games in a new sleep room outfitted with blue lights to allow for a deeper REM cycle, so they can “really rest before going out on the field,” said facility operations director Jackie Riggleman.
In addition, the women’s home locker room now boasts the same amenities as the mens’ locker room, while the original women’s umpire room from 2001 — used for other purposes over the years because there were no female umpires in the league — has been restored to its original intent.
There also are several new “collaboration areas” for player/coach meetings, and the performance kitchen now boasts a brand-new dining space where, in addition to enjoying team meals from chef Tony Palatucci, ball players can relax and enjoy bonding time while watching TV or playing video games.
About those food offerings
Speaking of food, Aramark chef Gabor Kovats, who is in his third season with the Pirates, is hitting it out of the park with several new food items.
In addition to the foot-long Renegade Dog, which will available near section 133 until the All-Star Break, for the first time fans will be able to nosh on Big Mozz fried mozzarella sticks (Sec. 127, 146 and 222); fill up on a gloriously messy biscuit with fried chicken, honey butter and chorizo gravy and topped with pickles from food partner Coop de Ville at Chicken on the Hill (Sec. 144); and catch some heat from Caliente Pizza and Draft House’s new Caliente Wings in three flavors (Sec. 109).
The Coca-Cola Patio, meanwhile, will feature a new Nachorita concession space (Sec. 138), with the following LowKey Taco menu items: nachos piled high with slow-cooked birria beef, queso fresco, sliced jalapeño and cilantro lime cream; super-sweet caramel-stuffed churros with drizzled with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar; and, for the vegetarians among us, roasted corn on the cob with Bang-a-rang Sauce.
Smallman Street Deli (Sec. 135) also has a new hot dog they’re calling the Pitt Dog. Nestled in a Martin’s potato roll, it’s topped with a hearty mix of capicola, provolone cheese, potato sticks and a vinegar slaw to add some tang.
It’s pitted in the hot dog wars against Chicken Pitt’s new pepper-and-onion topped cheddar and chive bratwurst (Sec. 127).
Rather satisfy a sweet tooth? New dessert items include Cannonball Burger’s sweet cheese pierogi topped with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar (Sec. 146). Then there’s the utterly addicting candied bacon sundae. It sounds weird, but the sweet and salty combination of chocolate-covered pretzels, caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream on top of a Belgian waffle is actually quite magical. Alas, it won’t be available until after the All-Star Break in Sec. 119.
In the club (level)
Getting stuffed? There’s more, if you’re lucky enough to have seats on the club level. There, the ballpark is taking advantage of its unique partnership with Wigle Whiskey ( Pirates owner Bob Nutting purchased it in 2022) with three new Wigle Whiskey bars. Cocktails will include a light and summery gimlet made with the distillery’s gin. And fans will also be able to enjoy its just-released, small-batch artisanal Wigle Reserve whiskey.
“We are just so excited to see our brand come to life here,” said chief operating officer Alex Moser.
No access? Wigle also is opening a new restaurant at 115 Federal St. that will feature a full menu and be open every day of the week. It will open Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other upgrades on the club level include new paint and carpeting throughout, a display of Bill Mazeroski’s 2001 and Roberto Clemente’s 1969 jerseys, 2,000 signed baseballs, and multiple pieces of artwork that add a “classical touch” while telling the story of the Pirates brand, according to MLB advisor Janet Marie Smith of Canopy Team, who also oversaw last year’s park enhancements.
Outside the park, fans can expect bigger block parties along Federal Street before games, now that the Sixth Street (Roberto Clemente) Bridge is open and fencing is down.
“We haven’t had that luxury over the last couple of years, so it’s going to be awesome to have that activity back into the Downtown corridor and be able to have our fans walk across on an exciting game day,” Walker said.
The team also is reimagining Sundays, which in the past centered on kids. “Now we’re going to focus on family fun days, with something for everyone.”