The Pirates already have shaken up the front office and hired a new manager. Now they're getting rid of the Aussie veteran in the meat of their vendors' lineup.

Outback Steakhouse, which had operated at PNC Park since the ballpark's opening in 2001, closed its doors for good Friday night after serving up its last meals, as the Pirates explore a "new concept" for the space above the left field bleachers.

The team is working with Aramark to create a "casual dining and bar atmosphere" that would be open to all fans. They are considering a concept similar to Turner Field's Chop House, an 8,000-square-foot bar and restaurant in the Atlanta ballpark with terraced seating and an outdoor patio above the bullpen.

To dine at the Outback during Pirates games, a fan had to purchase a package that included tickets and a food allowance. For example, a four-seat table cost $208, or $52 a person. A five-seat booth was $215, or $43 a person. Each ticket included a $25 food and beverage credit.

The new restaurant will be part of PNC Park and open to anyone who has a game ticket. Fans will be able to come and go as they please.

"The decision was made based on improving the best ballpark in America," Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki said. "We're creating a new concept that will be open to all fans before, during and after all games."

The restaurant and bar will be available when the gates open.

The team also is exploring the idea of keeping it open after games, Mr. Warecki said. Whether it will be open on non-game days, as the Outback was, is still to be decided.

In the announcement, Pirates President Frank Coonelly said the closing was a "mutual decision based on the desire to open the space to all of our fans." That decision involved the Pirates, Aramark and Outback.

Outback officials did not respond to e-mailed questions seeking comment.

The closing of the Outback follows the shutdown of Hi-Tops Sports Bar at Federal and General Robinson streets across from PNC Park in October. The bar was beset by financial troubles and closed as a result of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. A consultant blamed the problems in part on the Pirates' chronic losing.

Mr. Warecki said the Outback closing, also on Federal Street, was not a reflection on business on the North Shore.

"There are plenty of successful establishments around here. This change had everything to do with improving the ballpark," he said.

The Pirates expect to have the new restaurant and entertainment space ready for Opening Day in April.

One not happy with the timing is Theron Butler, a supervisor at Highmark who was scheduled to have a holiday party at the Outback Friday with six other employees.

He said employees booked the party more than a month ago and were never told that the restaurant was closing. They found out about the shutdown yesterday on post-gazette.com.

When one of his co-workers called the restaurant about the closing, she was told there was nothing that could be done, Mr. Butler said.

"I was expecting someone to say, 'What can we do to help you?' It was basically like too bad for you."

Mr. Butler faulted Outback and the Pirates for closing the restaurant in the holiday season when reservations are hard to come by. He questioned why they could not wait until after the new year.

Mr. Warecki said the Outback was closed last Friday so the new restaurant and bar would be ready by Opening Day. He said renovations would begin in the next week or so.

He urged Mr. Butler to contact the Pirates about his situation. He said there might be other areas of the ballpark available for the party.

"It's independent of us but we'll be more than happy to talk to him to see if we can reach a common-sense solution," he said.

There were 134 seats available for games at the Outback.

The loss of the seats will bring PNC Park's official capacity (excluding standing room) to 38,362. According to the Pirates, Outback has offered those who worked at PNC Park employment opportunities at four other area locations.