Grizzlies hope upper-deck bar fuels attendance

The Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies made the renovations without public money. It's an effort to make the arena experience more appealing. Last year the Grizzlies averaged 15,775 fans, well short of the FedEx Arena's 18,119 capacity.

Upper-deck seats often sat empty aside from the team's biggest games, so the team hopes standing-room tickets -- and immediate access to alcohol -- would be a better use of the space.

Adding bars and more in-arena amenities, generally separate from basketball, have been commonplace in the NBA recently. The Atlanta Hawks added a bar directly behind one of the baskets, with an accompanying club for premium ticket holders. 

The Sacramento Kings have the Bud Light Junction, a similar standing room-only section in the Golden 1 Center's upper deck. The Golden State Warriors offer courtside lounges with private wine cellars (complete with your own butler) for their luxury suites. 

The Grizzlies arena is near Beale Street, one of the country's more famous nightlife districts, so being able to get a small portion of that tourist traffic could be huge for the team.