Secrets of PNC Park

I thought I'd post some of the hidden "secrets" of PNC Park and the surrounding area. There are lots of places to go, things to eat and things to drink in the area that people don't know about.

First off is the Outback in PNC Park. Do you know they are open everyday, year-round? Do you know you can buy a table to watch the game from there? Do you know beer is cheaper in the Outback than in the stadium? Do you know that during a game you can get Outback To Go and bring it to your seat? Do you know they don't raise prices for games? Do you know that you can take beer out of the Outback with you?

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ballpark/outback.jsp

Another good place, this time for parking, is to go to the garage across from the Clemente Bridge. It's only $4 for a game and it's a short walk over the bridge to the stadium. On your way pick up a water and some peanut about for 1/4 the price than they are in the stadium from one of the vendors on the street.

Another great place to get food in the stadium is in Buccaroo's Corner. It's in Legacy Square (where the Negro League tribute is) and in there you can get $1 hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, chicken nuggets, ice cream and candy. The sizes are smaller that the regular concessions but it's still a way better deal than the ripoffs at the other concession stands.

As you're walking over the bridge, enjoy the saxophone player. Whenever I am walking over there and I have a Phillies hat on, he plays Rocky for me.

When looking to buy tickets, I think the bleachers are WAY overrated. They don't offer a good viewpoint of the game. I think for the same price you're much better off getting LF/RF Grandstand seats. The view is better, it's relatively low to the field and if you get first row (row K) in certain sections, you're golden.

Finnigans Wake (down a bit from Hi-Tops) is a decent place to go after the game. Beer is reasonable, they occasionally have a band and will often times have seating for plenty of people.

Ugly is really good as well. The beer is cheap and it has bubble hockey, always a key game in any bar.

I tried Jerome Bettis' restaurant for the first time this weekend. I came away really impressed. Jerome was there with Smokey Robinson. Jerome came out of his VIP room and said hellos and took pics. The beer was fair priced and the bartenders were excellent. I had the steak salad and it was incredible and it was HUGE. Jerome Bettis' 36 Grille will be my post game hangout from now on.

Know anything that I haven't? Let me know!