What’s more important to you when you’re at Prudential Center: Better Wi-Fi or better food?Short answer: I guess it depends on how much you want Disco Fries, a Honey Hen Hot Chicken Sandwich or the Jersey Ripper Hot Dog — wait until you hear about this one: It’s a footlong deep-fried all-beef hot dog topped with secret slaw, grilled peppers and onions and Jersey Jerk relish.Better answer: You get both.
The New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center on Monday announced a new and “imPRUved” experience for food and beverage, hospitality spaces and technology.
Levy, a pioneer of stadium dining, plans to elevate the “Rock’s” food and beverage experience for hockey fans attending games at the Newark arena. The long-term commitment will feature Jersey Signature menu offerings that will roll out across concessions, a roster of restaurateurs, products and purveyors with roots in the Garden State, and elevated premium hospitality in clubs and suites.
Levy also teamed with Prudential Center and the Devils to create a unique hospitality identity at the arena, which will be introduced at the start of the regular season across concessions, clubs, suites and catering for events hosted at Prudential Center.
“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome our new hospitality partner, Levy, and provide a reimagined food and beverage experience for our fans as we get ready to open a highly anticipated 2023-24 NHL regular season,” Jake Reynolds, president, New Jersey Devils & Prudential Center, said. “As a Top 5-rated venue in the world, we are committed to elevating and easing our fan experience with Levy through first-class service, local food sourcing and enhanced technology at concession stands around the arena.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Prudential Center to create a new era of food and beverage experiences that prioritize what fans have shared is most important — the restaurants, products and flavors that are authentically New Jersey,” Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy, said. “That ‘Made in Jersey’ vision, which is so unique and already comes to life in many ways on the ice and throughout the fan experience, has guided how we’ve engaged with the state’s incredible food and beverage communities. We’re beyond proud to honor those partners and tastes at the Prudential Center.”
What’s coming to the menu?
The culinary team from Levy at Prudential Center will include new Hand-Breaded and Tossed Chicken Tenders (Sections 16 and 130), Disco Fries (Section 1), the Honey Hen Hot Chicken Sandwich (Section 16 and 130) and the Jersey Ripper Hot Dog, a footlong deep-fried all-beef hot dog topped with secret slaw, grilled peppers and onions, and Jersey Jerk relish (Section 126)
Additionally, there will be new restaurant partners and purveyors in concessions — including a burger concept exclusive to Prudential Center created with Pat LaFrieda, Popcorn for the People, and Broritos Food Truck — will join returning favorites Toms River Brewing, Goya and Calandra’s Bakery.
Additional Jersey specials and local restaurant partners will be introduced in concessions throughout the season.
Fans will also experience high-end upgrades to multiple hospitality spaces throughout the arena. The brand new Prudential Lounge will serve as an event-level elevated, flexible hospitality space located adjacent to Mulberry Street that visually ties in the surrounding city and arena, with access provided to assigned premium ticket members.
The new space sponsored by Prudential Financial will feature design elements inspired by the Red Oak tree, the official tree of the state of New Jersey, and red, the brand color of the New Jersey Devils.
Inspired by the shapes of skates and blades, the wooden flooring brings aspects of the arena into the space alongside metal framework inspired by Newark’s industrial heritage. Fun small wares, tables and stations for carving, live cooking, desserts and more will create a unique experience for guests visiting this elevated hospitality space. Prudential Lounge guests will also be able to use the Prudential Lounge as a ticket entrance, which will be accessible for Devils home games and other select events throughout the year.
Brand new to the Rock, will be a fresh, one-of-a-kind destination, the Foundry Bar, located in the East Concourse. The metal and steel framework of the bar provides a true reflection of Newark’s strong industrial past as the bar will become a major social gathering area, reflecting the atmospheres of a beer garden and traditional pub.
“With the introduction of these new hospitality spaces and arena enhancements, we hope that this brings even more of a sense of anticipation and exhilaration each time our guests step through Prudential Center’s doors,” Stephen Rosebrook, executive vice president, general manager, Prudential Center, said. “The Rock will continue to be a desired marquee destination for Newark and all of New Jersey for many years to come, and we know that these new improvements are just the start. Prudential Center will continually serve as a fresh canvas for unforgettable fan experiences, waiting for unique memories to be crafted.”
Arena renovations and enhanced connectivity
In addition to the new hospitality spaces coming to Prudential Center, M Lounge by BMW has undergone stylistic renovations that will include added soft and hard goods, as well as an extension of the current space.
The Fanatics Team Store on the East Concourse will have an expanded footprint and will be relocated to the top of the M&M’s Tower staircase.
The arena will also upgrade its technological infrastructure, supported by new 5G internet, in partnership with Verizon, and the installation of Lightpath’s all-fiber products and services.
Besides network and Wi-Fi improvements, Verizon will implement, with Levy, cashless and touchless purchasing processes for ease of sale at concession stands via new Verizon Aifi Lane and Mashgin technology.
