There's a new hot 'Corner' in Cleveland

Don Muret

There's a new hot 'Corner' in Cleveland image

The Indians have introduced a new version of baseball's hot corner.

The Corner is the name of a new bar in the upper deck in right field at Progressive Field. It's part of $26 million in ballpark renovations completed during the offseason.

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Early in the 2015 season, it's proving to be a hit among Tribe fans of all ages due in large part to the self-serve craft beer wall featuring 40 local and original flavors.

You can even buy a beer flight with four 5-ounce cups for $12, served in a disposable carton. Large craft beers cost $12. Small beers are $6.50.

For the first three home games, craft beers accounted for 75 percent of total sales at The Corner, according to officials with Delaware North Sportservice, the Indians' concessionaire.

For craft beer connoisseurs out there, three of the more popular sellers on opening weekend were Willoughby Brewing's Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter, Portside 216 Dry Hopped Session Ale and Market Garden Brewery's Citrimax.

The two-level space can fit 750 fans, between the indoor space and an outdoor area equipped with tiered drink rails for fans to enjoy a microbrew and enjoy the game.

Fox Sports Ohio, the Indians' regional television partner, has a broadcast stage set up next to the bar's ground floor. The network sponsors the bar's second floor, branded as the SportsTime Ohio Patio.

The Corner replaces the old Bud Patio, a private group space with suites upstairs. Now it has been transformed into a social gathering space open to all fans.

"We're [past] our 20th season at Progressive Field and need to find ways to make the experience new and compelling for a new generation of fans," said Andrew Miller, the Indians' senior vice president of strategy and analytics.

The retrofit falls in line with The Rooftop at Coors Field, another SRO space in the upper deck to drive revenue for some of the least-attractive seats in ballparks.

 

Don Muret