A fan's guide to the revamped Rogers Centre: Best sections, food, drinks

TORONTO - Rogers Centre 2.0 is open for business.

The Toronto Blue Jays began a $300-million multi-year stadium renovation this offseason in the outfield. The now-completed first phase features five distinct neighborhoods and social spaces accessible to all fans with a ticket, new 500-level seats, raised bullpens, and modernized facilities for players and their families.

Spectators will get to see the changes when the Blue Jays host the Detroit Tigers during Tuesday's home opener.

"We get to unveil the transformation of this stadium - transforming the Rogers Centre from a stadium to a ballpark," Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro told the media, including theScore, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to unveil the renovations.

Shapiro pointed to fans as the primary inspiration behind the changes.

"What our fans will see when they stream through the gates, down the aisles, fill the outfield, and the new seats in the 500 level ... (is) spaces that they don't know were largely created by them," he said. "All the research done was to ask our fans what would create a compelling experience. What kind of different ways they would want to experience watching the game."

The team president added the ballpark now has everything for all different types of fans - hardcore to casual.

"We'll try to create experiences for every type of fan - not just one type of fan. We're going to get our fans closer to the players (and) probably closer to the visiting players than the (opposition) wants," Shapiro said. "We will allow (the players) to connect with the fans in ways they never have before. An opportunity to modernize fan experience and begin the process of elevating our player experience and amenities."

Here's everything fans should look forward to when checking out the revamped Rogers Centre.

Evaluating the new outfield areas

Our rating system is out of five stars. One star is like an error on a routine groundball, while five stars is like Vladdy going plakata to walk it off in the ninth.

Corona Rooftop Patio

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Corona Rooftop Patio brings good vibes, especially when the roof is open. The view is high but excellent considering it's located in right field of the 500 level. However, there are better places if somebody is looking to be more immersed in the game. This might be the spot for more casual spectators looking to have a good time at the ballpark. There's also an area for a live band.

The food and drinks are unique. Summer cocktails such as a Corona sunshine, frozen margarita, and foul pole frose are served, while those looking for something to eat can get peameal on a bun or plant-based wurst.

Park Social

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an ideal spot for families, featuring a number of kid-friendly lawn games and wall-mounted video games to play. The views are solid for those keen on actually watching live baseball.

Park Social is the place to be if somebody has a sweet tooth. There are souvenir milkshakes, shaved ice, churros, and a giant candy wall. There's also bacon pepper or three cheese grilled cheese for those who just want the savory goodness. Alcoholic drinks can also be found in this section.

The Stop

View: ⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Attention foodies, this is what it's all about. The Stop is inspired by diverse eats along Toronto's subway lines. Jamaican beef patties, banh mi sandwiches, and lots of interesting popcorn flavors are among the items available - the honey mustard popcorn is delicious. But grab your grub and keep moving because there's no defined spot to watch baseball here.

This bar feels trendy and hip. The bartenders give off mixology vibes, which is good because it's still a sporting event. Specialty drinks such as a ball four blood orange mule, Gold Glove dark and stormy, and a cold brew martini can be found here. Yes, you can basically get an espresso martini at the game now.

The Catch Bar

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Described as a representation of King Street West, here's another cool watering hole. The area is located in the 100 level above the visiting bullpen. The views of the field are incredible. There aren't any interactive features like some of the other new sections, but the chic bar and proximity to the action make this a desirable destination.

The drinks are very good. Fans can look forward to a 5-4-3 lemonade or a walk-up music watermelon margarita. There's also a caesar from The Keg. The food is located across from the bar. A pressed smoked meat sandwich, Cubano panini, and mac and cheese are among the items for grabs.

WestJet Flight Deck

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The original social area returns with some serious improvements. The views are great since it's in center field at the 200 level. However, spectators should know the first two rows are for group tickets, and the remaining space is for general admission. Regardless, there are massive tables, arcade games, pinball, shuffleboard, and a DJ.

This is the area for BBQ lovers. Applewood smoked brisket nachos, 12-hour smoked brisket sandwiches, and jerk chicken nachos are on the menu. Grab a dugout sangria or OK Blue Jays rum punch to wash the food down.

Schneiders Porch

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Schneiders Porch has great views but limited room. The front row of the 200-level space is also for group tickets. Fans will enjoy taking pictures on the giant hotdog seesaw. However, there are better areas for more overall fun.

Hot dogs, hot dogs, and more hot dogs. It's as if Willy Wonka decided to create some crazy twists on the beloved ballpark classic. The Canadian caesar hot dog and signature poutine hot dog are available here. There's been lots of hype about the latter, and it certainly delivered.

Rogers Landing

View: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drinks: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Accessibility: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall fun: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of the areas where true baseball lovers will head to. Make sure to bring a glove, too. The space is located on the 100 level by the right-field corner beside the visitors' bullpen, which means potential interactions with players. There will be plenty of home runs ending up here, so make sure to pay attention. There's no actual place to get drinks or food, but The Catch and other concessions are a 30-second walk away. The front row is also available for group tickets.

Bleacher Seating

This will probably be the hardest area to get into if fans plan on going without assigned seats in other parts of the Rogers Centre. These retro-style bleachers are in the 100 level directly above the opposition's bullpen. Great views for a fraction of the price. Fans should go early to try to snag a spot here.