Atlanta Hawks' Improved Philips Arena To Have NBA's First Courtside Bar

ATLANTA, GA -- The Atlanta Hawks unveiled more plans this week after the transformation of Philips Arena, which includes a conference center and courtside bar, an NBA first. The sports venue will also feature several amenities that capitalize on the city's moniker as a music capital, including Killer Mike's Barber Shop, a d unique culinary concept called the Zac Brown Social Club and Topgolf Swing Suites.

Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks, said in a news conference Wednesday that the venue will put the city at the vortex of live sports entertainment. (To get notified of more local news like this, click here to sign up for the Atlanta Patch. Or find your Atlanta-area town here. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

"We've designed this arena to reflect the city's character and to provide experience to sports and music fans that will be unparalleled in live entertainment today," Koonin said. "The reimagined venue will have several attractions that will reflect the unique culture of our town ... starting with the fan. Today's fans' portal to the world is through the screen and new technology in this building will enable fans to connect in unique and different ways."

"Our building will feature more large screens than any other venue in the NBA," Koonin said, adding that the building will have top-notch eating options and also further Atlanta's reputation as a premiere concert venue.

The $192.5 million transformation is the most extensive renovation in NBA history, second only to New York's Madison Square Garden. Hometown rapper Killer Mike said that opening a barber shop in the venue is a dream come true. "I'm very happy that the front porch of the Hawks is going to be host to a Swag Shop," he said in a promotional video shown at the news conference."

Zac Brown echoed the sentiments, saying, "Getting to partner with the Hawks and join hands with Atlanta in a bigger way is a big opportunity."

The renovations are set to be completed for the 2018-19 season, according to the Hawks.

Image courtesy of Atlanta Hawks