Doug Bickel
Editor’s Note: We compiled this list several weeks ago and Covid-19 is an ever-changing situation. As always, please follow pandemic safety protocols when dining inside and call ahead to make sure all of the establishments listed here are still offering live entertainment.
After more than a year at home together, separation anxiety can be hard to overcome, but your couch and Netflix account will be fine if you take a break from a blue light bath and hit the streets of Memphis. , where another type of energy has settled over the city. Whether you settle into your favorite cabin for a draft or let the bass of live music rock your bones, Memphis is ready to welcome you back to its nightlife.
Absinthe Room – If you haven’t quite adapted your eyes to daylight or loud noises after hibernating in your indoor cocoon, this pool and billiard room on Beale will soothe your soul with its calm and cozy atmosphere until its closing at 4 a.m. 166 Beale
Alchemy – This Cooper-Young Lounge is perfect for those looking to sip a cocktail, nibble on snacks (maybe even share if you’re ready to part with a bite), and catch up with coworkers, friends, neighbors or A date. 940 S. Cooper
Alex’s Tavern – Serving ice cold beer and perfectly flavored Greek burgers, Alex’s is a laid back and friendly home away from home for its loyal clientele. For fear of sounding trite, I won’t quote the Cheers theme song, but that’s what comes to mind when you walk into Alex’s place. 1445 Jackson
Boscos – Longtime resident of Overton Square, Tennessee’s first brewery can satisfy all tastes with its assorted menu – pizza, tacos, shrimp and oatmeal – and, of course, the many craft beer options to accompany your meal . Be sure to check out their seasonal offers; they won’t let you down. 2120 Madison
Irish pub brass door – Behind the door, a timeless space awaits, with gleaming aged wood, century-old tiling, antique lamps and charming Irish collectibles. Whether you’re stopping just for a drink or staying for hours, it’s hard to tell if you’re in Ireland or Memphis, or both. 152 Madison
Brookhaven Pub and Grill – With trivia nights, darts, live music and sports games on the many TVs, this East Memphis pub knows how to keep you entertained while serving great food and a wide range of drinks. 695 West Brookhaven Circle
Carolina watershed – Four fluted metal grain silos house this restaurant and bar, surrounded by picturesque greenery and two waterfalls. The cool, neutral tones of the Watershed’s decor match the laid-back vibe of its indoor / outdoor experience. The Watershed serves cocktails, wine and craft beers. 141 E. Caroline
The relaxed pint – This Highland Row beer garden and bar offers an impressive selection of draft, bottled and canned beers. But don’t be overwhelmed by its many beers; the staff will be happy to help you decide, and you can always sample a few with a flight or six pack to go. 395 S. Highland
Celtic crossing – I’ve never heard of a boring time at this Cooper-Young neighborhood bar, where the schedule is packed with live music, bingo, quizzes, and sports watching. Perhaps the lack of dull moments here can also be attributed to Celtic’s drink menu, with a huge selection of whiskey and other Irish pub staples like Harp and Guinness. 903 S. Cooper
City market Downtown – Just a hop, hop and hop away from AutoZone Park, the Orpheum, and other downtown destinations you’ve missed, this little corner store has local beer on tap at great prices. bargain – only $ 2.99 a pint! 66 S. Main
The handle – Drink my friends! And forget your worries at this nautical-themed bar, where fresh oysters and specialty cocktails go hand in hand. 2559 Large
Dru – Entertainment abounds at this tiny LGBTQ + bar, where karaoke and drag shows take over the night and prove that nothing really beats live entertainment alongside friends with a drink in hand. 1474 Madison
Draft Emporium Flying Saucer – You know how little aliens Toy story to remain stunned while looking at the Claw? Well, the Flying Saucer’s gigantic selection of draft beers deserves that kind of reaction – truly, mind-blowing. 130 Peabody Place; 1400 N. Germantown Pkwy.
World Cafe – The idea of ​​international cuisine in this food hall is enough to make my mouth water, but their drink menu, oh my god, it’s wonderful. Literally beautiful – have you seen their Mango-rita topped with a mango cut in the shape of a flower? 1350 Hall # 157
Gray canary – At Gray Canary inside the Old Dominick Distillery, every dish, dessert and cocktail is a work of art, created with love and passion for exciting flavors. 301 S. Before
Growlers – Concert lovers, sports fans, billiards and darts fanatics can have fun in this bar. Plus, its location across from Overton Park makes it an ideal location for pre or post-Levitt Shell shows. 1911 Poplar
Half shell – The world is your oyster at this classic neighborhood bar with a superb seafood menu. 688 S. Mendenhall; 7825 Winchester
World famous Hernando’s hideout – If The Peabody’s ducks are a bit too classy for your night plans, then the Hide-A-Way chickens are the feathered friends you’re looking for. Every Sunday, one of the chickens plays a role in the glorious Chicken Sh * t Bingo, where customers buy a numbered ticket and wait for the chicken to poop on a numbered mat. If your ticket matches the lucky square, my friend, you’ve just won a prize. 3210 Old Hernando Road
Hi your – Concerts, comedy shows, poetry slams, and inexpensive drinks always draw a fun crowd to Hi Tone, making it a quintessentially Memphis experience that cannot be recreated within the confines of your home. 412-414 N. Cleveland
Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café & Honky Tonk – This Beale Street bar will transport you to Bourbon Street with its live music and French Quarter-style outdoor patio and courtyard, not to mention its New Orleans-inspired menu, which of course has its own Memphis touch. 310 Béale
The Lafayette music room – This historic Overton Square bar is back to rock and features the best local and national artists. Grab a cocktail or a can of maid and sit back for a good time. 2119 Madison
Igniter lounge – Lit only by lamps and without a ceiling light, the deliciously eerie vibes of this little Madison Avenue dive haven’t abated, even in the midst of a pandemic. 1702 Madison
The liquor store – This charming and quaint bar / restaurant offers all-day breakfast, refreshing cocktails and delicious service. Try one of their wonderful seasonal cocktails; you will not be disappointed. 2655 Large
Loflin Court – Dreamers can escape reality at Loflin’s, where barrel-aged cocktails, rustic decor, and its own winding cove provide the kind of serenity needed these days. 7 West Carolina
Lucchesi’s beer garden – This hidden East Memphis gem serves up gyros, beer, and a good time, all complemented by one of the friendliest and most welcoming services around. 84 S. Reese
Minglewood Room – While this concert hall has yet to reopen (in July), the 1884 Lounge and B-SIDE offer a taste of what’s to come when Minglewood Hall officially returns. It deserves to wait. 555 Madison
Mollie Fontaine Salon – Channel your inner Victorian past at this mansion-turned-nightclub, where distinctly eclectic interior decor adds to the magical vibe on every floor. Open until the spirits fall asleep, the Lounge offers a cocktail menu just as unique as the collection of antiques inside. 679 Adam
Beginner – A highlight of the Highland Strip, Newby’s is an old but a goodie, with its friendly atmosphere, live music and pool room as well as its fully stocked bar and extensive beer selection. 539 S. Highland
Paula and Raiford’s nightclub – Take out those dance shoes (buried somewhere in the back of your closet after more than a year of uselessness) and dance to Paula & Raiford’s Disco, where a lighted dance floor awaits your company. Be prepared to queue, but at least you won’t need to be in line for this social gathering. 14 S. Second
The Peabody – The Peabody’s Lobby Bar is second to none with its elegant and tasty cocktails, served against the backdrop of the historic building and the famous Duck March. I bet these ducks missed seeing clients in their hotel as much as you missed seeing people in the wild. 149 Union
Rail garden – Right in the heart of Midtown, this neighborhood playground – wait, I mean a bar – has it all: hammocks, garden games and live music. Oh, and I can’t forget the delicious cocktails. 2166 Center
The game room – At the games room, you can sip a local draft and celebrate your wins or mourn your losses by playing one of the bar’s many video games. 3000 Large
RP tracks – A favorite haunt for University of Memphis students and faculty, this restaurant and bar offers one of the most vegetarian menus in Memphis. Barbecue tofu nachos sound like something that shouldn’t work, but trust me, it does. 3547 Walker
Rumba room – In this downtown club you are sure to keep your heart rate up and burn some calories, as this place is all about nonstop dancing with live salsa bands, dance lessons and a full atmosphere of energy. If you need a little something to relax your joints and your inhibitions, the Rumba Room has the perfect set of tropical cocktails for you. 303 S. Main
South of Beale – As the art walks and performances of South Main Trolley Night at the Orpheum resume, South of Beale is the perfect place to enjoy a bite and a drink before or after your return to the social scene. 361 S. Main
Westy’s – With recipes perfected over decades, Westy’s food is always delicious, even after midnight, so sit back and have a drink to enjoy your stay at this Memphis institution. 346 Main N.
Wild bill’s – This real blues bar is a to-do list kind of place, and if we’ve learned anything from last year, there’s no time like the present to make those kinds of memories. So head over to Wild Bill’s, order a 40 ounce beer, and soak up the southern soul of this place. 1580 Vollintine
Young Avenue Deli – Cheese and Chilli Fries pair perfectly with any beer you can choose from the wide selection at this Cooper-Young Restaurant and Bar, where a cheerful vibe and good times reign. 2119 Young
Zebra Room – Let the piano at this chic Overton Square bar draw you inside, where you can relax and sip a cocktail or two. 2114 Trimble Place