Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • C7

Break out your baseball mitts and pop open the Cracker Jacks: time for Opening Day! The Tigers open their home schedule Thursday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals weather permitting, of course, because we live in Michigan and here to give you the lowdown on the game itself, new at the ballpark, what you should know about and parking, and more. get to it. RYAN FREE PRESS PLAY BALL! Your guide to Opening Day 2019: Parties, food, more Brian Manzullo Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK FREEP.COM THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 7C Tigers Opening Day Hot dogs, peanuts and beer are baseball park staples, and at Comerica Park, so is pizza thanks to Little Caesars. But there are new food items awaiting Detroit Tigers fans this season. Some are ethnic; a few are even health- ful.

A few weeks ago, the Tigers gave us a peek at and a taste of the new Some fans may consider them pricey, but the ballpark also is some value items. Below are some of the items on the Comer- ica menu this season and what cost you. Keep in mind that updated bag policy allows you to enter the park with a back- pack as long as it exceed 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches. Soft-sided coolers that within that size are permissible, too. You can bring in your own bottled water as long as factory sealed.

Snacks such as bags of peanuts are allowed. What pay for new food items at Comerica Susan Selasky Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK The Detroit Tigers' home opener on Thursday at Comerica Park is a big event for downtown bars and restaurants. Many of these establishments will be pumped up for the occasion and eager to draw in fans with food and drink specials. If you're looking for a place to eat, drink or just hang out before or after the game (or a place to watch if you don't have tickets), a sampling of eating and drinking spots. Some are just min- utes from Comerica.

Anchor Bar, 450 W. Fort Street New owners took over the legendary Anchor in De- cember, and be hosting a grand reopening Thursday. Posts on their Facebook page promise $3 shooters, $4 draft beers, $5 well drinks and live entertainment. https://www.facebook.com/AnchorBarDetroit/ Bookies Bar Grille, 2208 Cass Ave. The annual Opening Day party starts at 7 a.m.

and includes an entertainment tent out back with a DJ and a limited menu featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. $20 cover after 10 a.m. for both inside and outside access includes shuttle to the game. 313-962-0319 or http://www.bookiesbar.com/. Central Kitchen Bar, 660 Woodward Doors open at 9 a.m.

and brunch will be available until 3 p.m. with $5 Bloody Marys, $4 mimosas and $4 draft beers. The kitchen will close at 3 p.m. and reopen at 4. 313-963-9000 or centraldetroit.com.

Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W. Larned A party on the patio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will in- clude cocktails and complimentary ballpark food. Free shuttles to Comerica compliments of the Han- dleBar.

Cash bar. For 313-800-5500 or https://detroitfoundationhotel.com. The Detroit Home Opener Festival, 440 Madison St. Doors open at 9 a.m. on the grounds at the corner of Madison and Brush next to the Music Hall.

There will be heated tents, including a beer tent, and an outdoor party featuring DJs, bands, entertain- ment, food, games and more. Tickets are $20- $2,750. detroithomeopener.com. Elwood Bar Grill, 300 E. Adams Ave.

Steps from Comerica Park and Ford Field, the El- wood is throwing its annual tailgate party starting at 8 a.m. The patio will be open, and the Elwood also will take over the first floor of the parking structure next door. Menu items include hamburg- ers, hot dogs, Italian sausage and chicken sausage. $5 cover after 10 a.m. 313-962-2337.

Fort Street Galley, 160 W. Fort St. Doors open at 10 a.m. with restaurants serving their regular fare, and a DJ will keep things lively from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cocktail and beer specials will be available throughout the day, including Ti- ger Lager tallboys for $2. 313-230-0855 or fortstreetgalley.org. Harry's, 2482 Clifford St. The fun starts at 7 a.m. with a menu of chef favor- ites, a DJ and drink specials.

There will be a party under a tent in the parking lot as well as festivities on both floors. 313-964-1575 or http://www.harrysbarandgrill.com/. Hockeytown 2301 Woodward Across the parking lot from Comerica, this sports bar has numerous TVs, a large bar and rooftop seating. A pre-party kicks off at 8 a.m. with a re- vamped food and drink menu that includes a new liquid-smoke Bloody Mary.

WJBK-TV (Fox 2) will broadcast from the heated tent on the roof. 313- 471-3400 or www.hockeytowncafe.com. Little Caesars Arena The second annual Jack Daniel's Season Opening Party takes place in the District Detroit area of LCA. Access is free and open to all ages. The fun starts at 8 a.m.

and continues until the end of the game, when the area will be cleared for Thursday night's Muse concert. The game will be shown on TVs in LCA restaurants: Pizza Bar, Sports Social Detroit, District Market and Kid Made in De- troit. Each will have food and drink specials. During the event there will be music, interactive games and Red Wings, Tigers and Pistons promotions. http://www.districtdetroit.com/newseason.

4222 Second Ave. Buffet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is $23.95 per person and includes one lobster plus prime rib, salads, desserts, a pasta station and peel-and-eat shrimp. A shuttle to the game is included.

313-832-1616. Mootz Pizzeria Bar, 1230 Library Street: Mootz will begin serving slices and whole pizzas at 9:30 a.m. Slices are $5, while whole pizzas are $25 (cheese) and $30 (pepperoni). The bar serves beer, wine, shots and well drinks. 313-243-1230 or https://www.mootzpizzeria.com/.

Nemo's Bar Grill 1384 Michigan Ave. An Opening Day party has been a tradition at Ne- mo's for more than half a century. There will be a heated tent in the parking lot with entertainment from 3 to 7 p.m. Menu items include ground round burger, sandwiches, hot dogs, onion rings and fries. Cover charge is $5 and includes a shuttle bus to the game.

313-965-3180. Where to eat, drink and mingle on Opening Day Susan Selasky Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK Home Run Happy Hour Happy Hour, which will be offered at the Pepsi Porch, the Copper Craft Bar and the Miller Lite Pub, takes place the first hour after the gates open. On Opening Day, Comerica will hold it from 10 a.m. to noon. available: 24-ounce Pepsi products and Aquafina water, $3 16-ounce Miller Lite and Coors Lite, $5 Specialty cocktails, $5 Jumbo hot dog basket, $5 Quarter-pound burger basket, $5 Nachos, $5 Coney Dog Eggroll ($6.50) Hot dog slices and chili nestled in an eggroll and fried until crisp.

drizzled with mustard and sprin- kled with diced onions. Al Pastor Dog ($7.50) Natural-casing hot dog topped with pulled pork, Ballpark favorites Hot dog: $5 Pizza: traditional slice, traditional whole pie; $15.50 Coney dog pizza: slice, $6.75, Dish whole pie, $13 Beer: Prices can vary. A 16-ounce can of domestic beer is $9.25. Value meals Values meals for adults and kids are $6.25. Both in- clude a hot dog and bag of chips.

Meals for kids come with juice; adults get a small soft drink. pineapple relish, sriracha aioli and cotija cheese. Beyond Burger ($13) This plant-based burger looks and cooks up like a beef burger. topped with lettuce, tomatoes, on- ions and a pickle balsamic dressing and served with french fries. Beyond Burger Bowl ($13) Plant-based burger served on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, onions and pickle balsamic dressing.

French Onion Burger ($13) A burger with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions. served with zip sauce on the side and french fries. Bahn Mi ($7.50) Thick slab bacon topped with an Asian slaw and sri- racha aioli. Hand-Carved Gyro ($10.50) Soft pita filled with carved meat, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce and red onion. Zeppole ($6.50) Fried Italian dough balls served with a chocolate dip- ping sauce.

French Onion-Topped French fries ($11.25) Crispy fries topped with Swiss cheese and onions and served with a zip sauce. Garden Salad in a Jar ($8 and $10) Fresh spring greens mix, cheese and vegetables lay- ered in a jar with ranch dressing on the bottom. All you need to do is shake the jar to mix all the ingredi- ents. You can also add chicken. The vegetarian Beyond Burger is made with a pickle balsamic dressing.

MANDI DETROIT FREE PRESS Detroit weather on Opening Day The forecast call for snow anymore. But still bring your coat. The high is expected to reach about 44 degrees in the afternoon, with cloudy skies all day. In the afternoon, There is a to chance of rain. First pitch national anthem Guillermo (Willie) Hernandez, the 1984 World Se- ries MVP, American League MVP and AL Cy Young Award winner, will toss the ceremonial first pitch for the Tigers on Thursday.

Mary Wilson, Grammy Award nominated singer and original member of the Supremes, will sing the national anthem. Get inside the park early! The pregame festivities, which include the roster introductions, tradition- ally start around 12:30 p.m. Detroit traffic information First things first: Get to downtown Detroit early. Between the tailgaters and it still technically be- ing a customary work day, be plenty of cars near and around Comerica Park. Comerica gates open at 10 a.m.

Not only that, but parking spaces near the ballpark will fill very fast. The streets surrounding Comerica Park will be closed off for foot traffic, including Brush, Mont- calm, Witherell and Adams. Where to park in downtown Detroit There are plenty of parking options around the ballpark in downtown Detroit, ranging from $25 near Comerica Park down to $10-15 a few blocks away, if in the walking mood. Want a discount? You can pre-book a space near Comerica Park ahead of time, oftentimes at a dis- count, using the ParkWhiz app. Getting around downtown: If you need to park further away and would rather not walk, consider the People Mover.

75 cents per ride. also the QLINE, which connects downtown Detroit with Midtown, New Center and North End. New Comerica Park policies A few more things you need to know before you go to the Tigers game: Mobile-only tickets: Comerica Park now only accepts mobile tickets to enter games, mirroring the move Little Caesars Arena made with Red Wings and Pistons games. Fans can purchase tickets on the MLB Ballpark App or the StubHub App. So, to be clear: show up to the park with a paper ticket.

Mobile-only. A new, strict bag policy: Citing recommenda- tions from the Department of Homeland Security, the updated bag policy will prohibit all tra- ditional two-strap, multicompartment back- packs. Single-compartment, drawstring bags are still allowed. Bring your cooler! Did you know you can bring soft-sided coolers to the ballpark if you want to buy food at the game? They must have a single opening, be smaller than and can only contain clear bottles of unflavored water, drink boxes if you have children and individual portion-sized food or snacks. Now I want to go! How do I get tickets? The good news: There are still plenty of tickets re- maining on StubHub for Opening Day.

The bad news: Expect to pay a little extra, and be wary of the possible rain in the forecast. Tickets on StubHub start at just under $50 apiece, as of Wednesday afternoon. They range mostly in the $60-80 range in the upper deck and between $100-200 in the lower levels. As always, throughout the season, you can pur- chase tickets by calling 866-66-TIGER or go to tigers.com/tickets. What if I want to go to the game? As you probably know, Opening Day is an unofficial holi- day here in Detroit, so there will be plenty to do around the ballpark in downtown.

One new option is the Jack Season Open- ing Party on the exterior of Little Caesars Arena, which will be open from 8 a.m. until the conclusion of the game. The event is free, open to the public and kid-friendly. also the annual Opening Day Block Party, with doors opening at 8 a.m. at four venues: The Annex Detroit, Cabana, Brass Rail Sports bar and a heated tent right outside..