Louisville Bats, Whiskey Thief Announce Two Whiskey Thief Clubs Opening March 27

The Louisville Bats and Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. announced at a March 3 news conference a multi‑year partnership to convert two premium hospitality areas at Louisville Slugger Field into the Whiskey Thief Backstop and the Whiskey Thief Stadium Club, both scheduled to open by Opening Day, March 27, 2026. The Bats open that night hosting the Omaha Storm Chasers at 7:15 p.m.

The On‑Deck Club will be rebranded as the Whiskey Thief Backstop and the existing second‑level club behind home plate will become the Whiskey Thief Stadium Club, the team said. Louisville Slugger Field’s downtown address is 401 E. Main St., and the second‑level club will offer panoramic views of the ballpark and downtown Louisville’s eastern waterfront area.

The Whiskey Thief Backstop is described as a speakeasy‑style bourbon lounge beneath the stadium and behind home plate, with padded seating in the first two rows behind home plate and a positioning that, in media renderings and descriptions, “puts spectators closer to the catcher than the pitcher is even.” The Backstop will pour premium Whiskey Thief products and sell tickets at $99, advertised as all‑inclusive and specifically including access to an all‑inclusive buffet with food, beer, and wine.

The Whiskey Thief Stadium Club Bar and Lounge will occupy the second level behind home plate with indoor seating, a bar and lounge layout, Whiskey Thief products and a Whiskey Thief “look and feel,” and views across Slugger Field to the East Waterfront. Multiple outlets report Stadium Club tickets priced at about $30, and media outlets published renderings of the Stadium Club interior in coverage of the announcement.

Louisville Bats president Greg Galiette framed the deal as a fan‑experience upgrade: “We’re proud to partner with Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., a strong Kentucky brand that aligns with our commitment to enhancing the fan experience at Louisville Slugger Field.” Galiette added that, “The Whiskey Thief Stadium Club Bar and Lounge and the Whiskey Thief Backstop will elevate two of our premier club areas while adding a distinctive new element to the ballpark. These spaces will serve our fans during Bats games and provide a year‑round venue for corporate events, special gatherings, and private functions beyond the baseball season.” The Courier‑Journal quoted Galiette saying he expects the spaces will be “the ultimate experience as far as any minor league ballpark in America has to offer.”

Whiskey Thief founder and CEO Walter Zausch, whose operations include a NuLu tasting room at 10 Nanny Goat Strut, said, “We're big believers that whiskey is an experience, we're excited about that.” Whiskey Thief is noted in coverage for its single‑barrel production model and is described by at least one outlet as Frankfort‑based; WDRB noted the distillery opened its NuLu tasting room more than a year before the announcement.

Team and ticket pages tied to the announcement included direct purchase prompts and site elements: a Milb page carried a “CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE WHISKEY THIEF BACKSTOP” call to action and a sponsor block that read “Louisville Bats Logo Sponsor Cincinnati Reds.” Most outlets use the name Louisville Slugger Field, though at least one rendering caption labeled the venue Louisville Slugger Stadium, a discrepancy noted in coverage. The Backstop and Stadium Club are marketed to operate during Bats games and as year‑round event spaces beginning with the March 27 opening target.