A massive 2,000 square foot video wall may be the first thing you notice when you enter the DraftKings Sportsbook. The screen can be configured to show up to a couple dozen sporting events at one time, or just one. The video wall is ideal for an entertainment venue where DraftKings hopes the primary focus eventually will be on sports gambling.
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"Why you are here versus sitting at home on your couch? You probably don't have that in your living room. We try to provide a unique one of a kind experience," said Blake Milburn of Marquee Development.
DraftKings has been working on this space for more than a year and it will open to the public later this month.
While the sportsbook is connected to Wrigley Field, it shares some of the iconic bricks and steel beams from the park and you can see the adjacent ballpark concourse through the windows, the Draft Kings Sportsbook is considered a separate building.
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Even though they do not yet have regulatory approval to offer sports gaming they are ready to open to members of the public 21 and over as a sports bar and restaurant.
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"The experience here and ambiance is unprecedented to any location we have in the Wrigley area," said Jeff Denlea of Levy Hospitality.
Last fall, the Bulls and Blackhawks introduced the FanDuel Sportsbook location next to the United Center. They are also waiting on regulatory approval to begin offering sports betting.
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DraftKings is planning on using this location connected to the historic Wrigley Field as a flagship location for their business across the country. While they wait for sports gambling, they believe the bar still has enough other attractions to bring in customers in the meantime, including the food menu.
"We're trying to keep it more unique with our twist on it. More of a higher level than you see at sports bars around here," said Executive Chef at Levy David Burns, who curated the sportsbook menu.
DraftKings is hoping to put sports betting kiosks in this location, however they still have to meet regulatory approval and be granted a license by the Illinois gaming board. In the meantime the restaurant will open next week, but the sportsbook walls will remain bare.