SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Businesses around Golden 1 Center are preparing for an influx of Sacramento Kings fans ahead of Friday’s home opener.
The activity includes the opening of a new Kings team store in the Downtown Commons, or DOCO. The 4,000-square-foot store carries merchandise for adults, children, and pets and will remain open year-round.
“It’s really a place for our Kings fans to come year-round now, to be in the center of DOCO and to shop and eat with all the other stuff that we have going on,” said John Rinehart, the Kings’ president of business operations.
The store opens as Golden 1 Center celebrates its 10th anniversary. Rinehart said the location gives fans access to team merchandise outside the arena and on days when the Kings are not playing.
Nearby restaurants, bars and cafés are also preparing for larger crowds.
Tipsy Putt plans to show every Kings game and offer a $5 Mulligan Lights house beer before games, according to a list of promotions released by DOCO. The business will also serve its Beam Team cocktail, made with tequila, blackberry, Bácúr and ginger.
General Manager Adam Richards said game-day discounts will begin three hours before tipoff.
“Anytime the Kings are in town, regardless of whether they’re performing well or a little worse, we always see a higher crowd,” Richards said. He added that the business increases staffing to accommodate the additional customers.
Café X is offering another option for fans through its recently launched Café X After Dark a new spin on a Coffee Lounge. The concept features specialty coffee, cocktails, beer, and small bites in a relaxed setting.
“We want a different vibe — away from bars, away from clubs — just a nice, chill vibe,” owner Alan Jimenez said.
The café will offer extended hours on Friday nights, select concert nights and after Kings home games, according to DOCO. Its coffee and cocktails can also be served with custom Kings-themed latte art.
Jimenez said the beginning of basketball season could provide an important boost following a difficult summer. He also expects nearby seasonal attractions, including the downtown ice rink, to bring more families into the area.
Other businesses are joining the game-day promotions. Fizz Champagne & Bubbles Bar will offer complimentary duck fat fries to customers who purchase two drinks on Kings home game days. Customers who purchase a bottle will receive a complimentary snack pack.
The 7th Street Standard will offer 20% off food and nonalcoholic beverages to customers wearing Kings apparel on game days. Tom’s Watch Bar plans to show games on more than 80 televisions, while Polanco Cantina will feature a Kings-themed cocktail menu throughout the season.
Revival at The Sawyer will offer two game-night drinks: the nonalcoholic Kings Caddie and the vodka-based Beam Team cocktail. Cabana Club is also serving a “Light the Beam” cocktail made with vodka, lavender and lemon simple syrup.
Andrew LaFrance, business development manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said Kings games consistently increase activity in the city’s core.
“We definitely see more foot traffic, people coming downtown during the Kings season,” LaFrance said. “This brings in a fresh wave of people looking for dinner, for drinks or experiences.”
LaFrance said the partnership contracts with a private security company to patrol the district around the clock. Its staff also cleans downtown public spaces and engages with visitors and businesses.
More seasonal activity is expected after the home opener. The downtown ice rink is scheduled to operate from Nov. 4 through mid-January, while Old Sacramento will host holiday attractions including Theatre of Lights and its annual Christmas tree.
For downtown businesses, the return of Kings basketball represents more than the beginning of a new season. Owners hope the crowds and excitement surrounding the team will translate into more customers throughout the city’s core.
A complete list of game-day specials and fan experiences is available here.
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