Chicago's Plate

Bulls.com

CHICAGO, October 6, 2016 – The United Center, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and hospitality partner Levy Restaurants today unveiled details of Chicago Pours, a bar experience bringing together signature drinks and expertise from 15 of Chicago’s favorite bars that will be featured throughout the season. The concept, which includes renovated lounges on the United Center’s Lexus Club Level, builds upon last year’s Chicago’s Plate program, which introduced beloved restaurants from around the city into the arena.

Beginning with the start of the Bulls’ and Blackhawks’ regular seasons, the Chicago Pours experience will present a dynamic menu of rotating cocktails at each game and event. The menu centers on hand-crafted cocktails using the freshest ingredients from a who’s who of Chicago’s critically-acclaimed bars and mixologists. Chicago Pours will also feature pop-up mixologist appearances and demos, curated by Breakthru Beverage and Levy Restaurants. Chicago Pours partners include:

Chicago Pours will join the United Center’s existing beverage experts and unique in-venue bars to form the premier local beverage program at an entertainment venue. The United Center team grew last year with the addition Big Star margaritas, exclusive and rare brews from Goose Island, and a curated beer program from Breakthru Beverage Group’s Master Cicerone David Kahle. The arena also sports one-of-a-kind vantage points at the 300-level overlook bars, Goose Island Pub and Crown Royal Whisky Bar.

The success of Chicago’s Plate last season provided the blueprint for bringing Chicago’s favorite food and beverages into the United Center, taking a local food hall approach to foster a deeper connection between fans and the venue.

Chicago’s Plate will also expand this year, as part of the United Center’s ongoing transformation. At new concession stands in the 300 level, fans can look forward to favorites from Chicago’s Dish and Legacy Burger, both introduced last year on the main concourse. Chicago icon Gibson’s Bar &amp; Steakhouse and made-to-order pizza stop Woodgrain Neapolitan Pizzeria will join Chicago’s Plate on the main concourse, featuring Gibson’s Angus sliders, shoestring potatoes and Rush St. Manhattans, and Woodgrain’s hand-tossed, oven-fired pizzas.

The United Center is the largest arena in North America and has hosted more than 50 million guests since its opening in 1994. Each year, the arena hosts over 200 events. 

For more information visit chicagopours.unitedcenter.com and follow @ChicagoBulls, @NHLBlackhawks, @UnitedCenter, @LevyRestaurants.

Launching in the 2016-17 season, Chicago Pours builds upon the United Center’s strong dining program to bring a groundbreaking craft cocktail program starring top bar talent from 15 of Chicago’s most-talked about bars. Chicago Pours bar partners will take over the Club Level bars throughout the season offering signature cocktails and craft cocktail demonstrations.

Launched in 2015, Chicago’s Plate is a central piece of an ongoing renovation plan for the United Center, further establishing the United Center as a destination hub on the Near West Side. Chicago’s Plate features the signature dishes of over 20 of the city’s hottest restaurant concepts including: Big Star, Leghorn Chicken, Connie’s Pizza, Gibson’s Bar &amp; Steakhouse, Amy’s Candy Bar, Publican Quality Meats, Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap, Lillie’s Q, LQ Chicken Shack, Mrs. Levy’s Deli, Sweet Baby Rays and Vienna Beef. 

Founded in 1978, Levy has pioneered premium sports and entertainment dining and remains one of America’s fastest growing and most critically acclaimed restaurant companies. Named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine, Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants, iconic sports and entertainment venues, and convention centers as well as the Grammy Awards, PGA Championship, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and NHL, MLB, NBA All-Star Games, and has been named 2015 NHL Retailer of the Year. For more, visit www.levyrestaurants.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Michael Reinsdorf, President and COO, Chicago Bulls: “The Bulls, Blackhawks and the United Center are dedicated to providing each person that walks into the arena with an excellent experience. We are continually investing to elevate our fan experience and establish the United Center as a premier dining and entertainment destination. The introduction of Chicago Pours and the evolution of Chicago’s Plate are exciting next steps in that process.” 

Danny Wirtz, Vice-Chairman, Breakthru Beverage Group: “The successful launch of the Chicago’s Plate dining program last season has led to the evolution of a one-of-a-kind beverage counterpart to the United Center’s game night experience. In partnership with some of the city’s premier bars, Chicago Pours will showcase dynamic mixologists and allow them to curate exclusive offerings for our fans.”

Terry Savarise, Senior Vice President of Operations, United Center: “With the addition of the public atrium and upcoming renovations to the United Center campus, our focus has always centered around building the best experience for our fans. In partnership with Levy Restaurants, Bulls and Blackhawks, the expansion of the dining program with the launch of Chicago’s Plate laid the foundation for an even greater food selection for our guests. Chicago Pours— an exclusive craft cocktail program— is the perfect addition to take our food and beverage offerings to the next level.”

Andy Lansing, President and CEO, Levy Restaurants: “In designing the Chicago Pours experience, we sought out not only the most-talked about bars, but star-power bar talent who would resonate with the fans and complement what we’ve brought forward with Chicago’s Plate. Fans this season will enjoy some of the best cocktails in the city, representing a true cross-section of our neighborhoods and the diverse talent and tastes found here.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:
    Julie Adler, Chicago Bulls, 312-455-4137
    Adam Rogowin, Chicago Blackhawks, 312-455-7025
    Colleen Quinn, United Center, 312-455-4241
    Justine Boney, Levy Restaurants, 312-932-4959

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Blackhawks, Bulls, Levy Restaurants and United Center Unveil "Chicago Pours" for 2016-17 Season

Chicago - Already sporting championship action on the ice and court and world-class entertainment, the United Center will boast Chicago’s hottest dining ticket this fall. Today, the arena, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and hospitality partner Levy Restaurants announced they have curated a collection of Chicago’s best dining destinations under the banner of Chicago’s Plate, an innovative dining program setting new standards for fan dining with a world class roster highlighting some of the city’s best loved and exclusive menu items.

Chicago’s Plate is a central piece of an ongoing renovation plan for the United Center, further establishing the United Center as a destination hub on the Near West Side. Expanding the arena’s food and beverage offerings is a planned step in the United Center’s continued efforts to improve the facility with a focus on enhancing the overall fan experience and creating additional revenue opportunities.

Launching this fall, the privately financed project will feature reimagined concessions stands and walk-up bars on the main concourse and club level. New destinations will feature dishes from Chicago’s favorite producers and culinary hot spots: Big Star, Publican Quality Meats, Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap, Leghorn Chicken, Lillie’s Q, LQ Chicken Shack, Frontier, Lottie’s Pub and The Pony. Additional dining and beverage destinations will join Chicago’s Plate in future seasons.

Longtime fan favorite offerings will also join the new dining options as part of Chicago’s Plate, including Highland Baking Company, Sweet Baby Rays, Goose Island, Levy Restaurants, Vienna Beef, and DiGiorno.

Chicago’s Plate further cements the United Center’s status as a premier sports and entertainment venue and hospitality leader. During last spring’s playoff run, the United Center became one of the first arenas to introduce DraftServ self-service beverage technology. A partnership with Goose Island also brought some of its rarest brews to the arena.

Chicago’s Plate continues a series of updates and upgrades to the interior and exterior of the United Center. New signage, exterior LED and video boards, the new office building and atrium on the east side of the arena, and two team practice facilities are additional elements in the United Center’s ongoing renovation plan.

Stay tuned for pop-up events at select Chicagoland locations leading up to the season, highlighting Chicago’s Plate partners. The first of these social-media driven activations will debut this Friday, August 14. For more information visit https://chicagosplate.unitedcenter.com and follow @ChicagoBulls, @NHLBlackhawks, @UnitedCenter, @LevyRestaurants using #ChicagosPlate.

The United Center is the largest arena in North America and has hosted more than 40 million guests since its opening in 1994. Each year, the arena hosts over 200 events.

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Blackhawks, Bulls, United Center and Levy Restaurants Bring Together Chicago’s Culinary All Stars

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