After opening their 2008-2009 season in Houston on
Wednesday, the Grizzlies return to Memphis on Friday for their home opener
against the Orlando Magic, marking the eighth season they’ve called the River
City home. This year’s young team may be
short on experience, but they boast plenty of athleticism and talent. O.J. Mayo, the sensational USC standout
described by Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley as “the next Dwayne Wade,” and
fellow rookies Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur join the returning cast of players
that includes point guard Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, who led the team in scoring
last year with 20.1 points per game.
Don’t miss the chance to catch some exciting Grizzlies action at the Fed
Ex Forum this season as Memphis looks to rebound from last year’s disap
pointing
season and to battle for a playoff spot in the highly
competitive Western
Conference. To order tickets, go to http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/.
But the fun of going to a Grizzlies game doesn’t have to end
when the final buzzer sounds. With the
Fed Ex Forum located in the heart of the Beale Street entertainment district,
fans have a host of choices when it comes to post-game activities.
If you’re eager for some late-night noshing after a game,
you’ll find no shortage of delectable dining choices. If it’s some BBQ you’re craving, then head to
the corner of Beale and Second Street and enjoy a rack of succulent wet ribs at
The Blues City Café http://www.bluescitycafe.com/
. If prefer dry rub, stroll down a few
blocks to 52 South Second for a taste of world-famous BBQ at The Rendevous http://www.hogsfly.com/.
There’s a chance, though, that if you visit the concession
stand during a game, you won’t want something as big as a rack of ribs. If want something smaller and faster, say, a
burger and fries, drop by Dyer’s Burgers http://www.dyersonbeale.com/
on Beale. Opened in 1912 by Elmer “Doc”
Dyer, the restaurant has served up tasty burgers for nearly a century,
purportedly using the very same grease—strained daily—used by Doc himself.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cold beer with some
friends to celebrate a thrilling Grizzlies’ victory or trying to drown your
sorrows following a devastating loss, downtown offers plenty of choices for pub
crawling. Here’s a quick look at just a
few of the options:
The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium – 130 Peabody Place www.beerknurd.com
A beer lover’s heaven, the Flying Saucer serves over 75
draught beers and gives patrons a chance to join the BEERKNURDs beer club. The pub’s large beer garden also hosts live
music.
Rum Boogie Café – 182 Beale Street www.rumboogie.com
As their name entails, Rum Boogie Café boasts a wide variety
of rum, making it a must-stop for rum and mixed-drink lovers. The café also serves up plenty of Memphis
cuisine: BBQ ribs, gumbo, catfish, and
more. It’s also a prime spot to catch
some live music from local and national acts.
Beale Street Tap Room – 168 Beale Street
With 27 beers on tap and 33 bottled beers, beer lovers have
no shortage of options. The Tap Room, known
for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere, also serves food and offers an
extensive selection of liquor.
Coyote Ugly Saloon – 326 Beale Street
www.coyoteuglysaloon.com
Famous for its bar top-dancing beauties, Coyote Ugly is bent
on creating a good-times atmosphere for its patrons. Take advantage of one of the numerous drink
specials, and if you’re hungry, grab a burger or some wings.
Jillian’s – 150 Peabody Place
www.jillians.com
Jillian’s is a veritable adult playground. Divided into six “venues,” it
gives customers
a variety of entertainment choices. If
you haven’t had your fill of sports for the night, grab a table at the Video
Café and watch games while enjoying a beer or some American cuisine. If you’re wanting a little competition of
your own, shoot some pool at the 9 Ball Lounge, bowl a few games at Hi-Life
Lanes, or try your hand at arcade games in the Amazing Games room. And if that’s still not enough for you, you
can strut your stuff at Atlas Dance or chill out in one of the VIP rooms.
A Family-Friendly Choice
For Grizzlies fans looking for a quiet and family-friendly
hangout after the game, the Blues City Pastry Shop & Coffee Bar (www.bluescitypastry.com) is the
perfect choice. Located at the
intersection of Main Street and Peabody Place, Blues City Pastry Shop has a
bevy of coffee drinks and desserts sure to entice any java fanatics and sweet
tooths alike. Choose from two- dozen
dessert options ranging from cheesecake to apple strudel, ten coffee beverages,
all-natural fruit smoothies, gourmet chocolates, and more.