Blues, BBQ, and Beale Street until the wheels fall off.
Beale Street, Stax tour, Sun Studio, Rendezvous ribs, the Peabody ducks, and a final-night blues set at B.B. King's. The deep-South music-and-BBQ bachelor — walkable, soulful, with enough kitsch to keep the photos interesting.
food tour • 3-4 hours
Tour Elvis's mansion, car collection, and private jets — mandatory Memphis stop.
food tour • 1 hour
Where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded — birthplace of rock 'n' roll.
brewery tour • 3-5 hours
Hit every bar on the three blocks of Beale Street — open containers allowed.
distillery tour • 1 hour
Memphis-made vodka and whiskey with tastings in a beautiful South Main space.
bar • balanced • $$
Beale Street anchor with live blues every night and solid Southern food.
bar • unhinged • $
Beale Street institution with a massive courtyard, goats, and bucket drinks.
bar • unhinged • $$
Beale Street rooftop bar with live music and a party atmosphere.
lounge • balanced • $$
Overton Square live music venue with intimate vibes and national acts.
bar • balanced • $
Crosstown indie music venue with punk, soul, and everything in between.
dueling piano • unhinged • $$
Beale Street dueling piano bar — request songs and join the singalong.
dive bar • chill • $
Midtown dive bar with cheap PBR, a great jukebox, and zero frills.
rooftop • chill • $$$
Rooftop cocktail bar at the South Main distillery with river views.
Dress code: Smart casual
honky tonk • unhinged • $
Beale Street blues bar with autographed guitars on the walls and nightly live music.
dive bar • balanced • $
Legendary haunted juke joint with soul burgers and a coin-operated jukebox.
BBQ • $ • Best for: lunch
Memphis BBQ royalty — dry-rubbed ribs and pulled pork nachos.
BBQ • $$ • Best for: group-dinner
Downtown alley institution famous for dry-rubbed ribs since 1948.
Southern / Fried Chicken • $ • Best for: lunch
Spicy, crispy fried chicken in a no-frills downtown setting.
New American / Brunch • $$$ • Best for: brunch
Cooper-Young restaurant in a converted beauty salon — killer brunch cocktails.
New American / Tasting • $$$ • Best for: group-dinner
Tasting-flight-style small plates on South Main — perfect group dinner format.
Burgers • $ • Best for: late-night
Beale Street deep-fried-in-100-year-old-grease burgers — it's a thing.
Diner / Brunch • $ • Best for: brunch
Memphis's oldest cafe since 1919 — sweet potato pancakes are legendary.
New American • $$$ • Best for: dinner
Cooper-Young fine dining with seasonal menu and craft cocktails.
hotel • Max 4 guests
Iconic downtown hotel with the famous Peabody Ducks — the place to stay.
boutique-hotel • Max 4 guests
Modern boutique hotel on Main Street steps from Beale Street.
boutique-hotel • Max 4 guests
Converted train station hotel in the South Main district with a great rooftop.
airbnb • Max 12 guests
Full house near Beale Street with porch and walking distance to everything.
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