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NBC's first sports bar may open at Universal CityWalk today

 
. Rendering of the world's first-ever NBC Sports Grill & Brew is coming to Universal CityWalk. Opening this fall, the all-new restaurant is designed to reflect the excellence and excitement of NBC Sports' coverage.
. Rendering of the world's first-ever NBC Sports Grill & Brew is coming to Universal CityWalk. Opening this fall, the all-new restaurant is designed to reflect the excellence and excitement of NBC Sports' coverage.
Published Oct. 6, 2015

It appears NBC is set to open its first sports bar, the NBC Sports Grill & Brew at Universal CityWalk, with a massive HD stadium screen more than 100 feet wide at the entrance.

Steven Jayson, executive chef at Universal Orlando, posted "We are ready!" on his Twitter account, and said it would be open at 5 p.m. Tuesday, although Universal has not officially released the news.

Taking the place where the NASCAR Sports Grille was located before it closed in November, Universal has said the eatery will be stocked with more than 100 beers and food prepared on open kettle grills. One hundred HD TV screens will play a constant stream of live sports content.

Those visiting should note Universal Orlando raised the price of parking at its resort this week from $17 to $20. The increase comes on the heels of Disney's similar increase in parking fees rolled out Sunday. The Disney change came along with increases for annual and seasonal passes.

The restaurant has been under construction all summer and this week appeared to be almost completed. The monitors inside have been turned on and construction workers appeared to be putting finishing touches on the huge outside screens.

The addition is one more flourish in the major revamp Universal CityWalk has undergone in the last year, bringing in eight new shops and restaurants including the beef and sushi restaurant Cowfish, upscale Vivo Italian Kitchen, the Hot Dog Hall of Fame and Antojitos, a Mexican restaurant with 200 different tequilas.

Coming in 2016 is Universal Orlando's fifth on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong, a King Kong-themed attraction in Islands of Adventure. And 2017 will bring Universal's Volcano Bay, a new water theme park experience.

Contact Sharon Kennedy Wynne at swynne@tampabay.com. Follow @SharonKWn.