The Legendary Memphis Nightlife

Elvis Presley, BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and many others helped to put Memphis on the map, and with such an amazing and artistic history, it's no wonder the Memphis nightlife is equally as amazing. The following jumping clubs and other forms of evening entertainment are listed in order of popularity, in order to help you make an educated decision on where you would like spend your Memphis nights.

Beale Street

It's only natural that this famous street be placed before any club, seeing as this is where some of them call home. Beale Street has a life of it's own when the sun goes down in Mississippi Valley. The Blues first rang out over the Mississippi Delta, and then moved north to the streets of Memphis. The city may be the birthplace of rock 'n roll, but Beale Street is where the blues call home. Street performers line the sidewalks at night and people begin dancing in the streets. Beale Street is unlike any other street in the world.

Rum Boogie Cafe

Rum Boogie Cafe is the most happening place on Beale Street. The food is excellent, famous for the red beans and rice, and the bands are lively. This bar has wraparound windows that let you watch historic Beale Street from the inside. Autographed guitars from such musical greats as Carl Perkins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Joe Walsh hang from the ceiling. There's a band every night of the week. The house act, James Govan and the Boogie Blues Band play when there are no visiting performers.

Kudzu's

Kudzu's is a little less like an attraction, and a little more like a neighborhood bar that the locals have come to know and love. There's a pool table for friendly games, and a large deck for the warm city nights. Join them on a Wednesday night and take part in a Kudzu's tradition, the Kudzu Pub Quiz. The questions get a little more obscure as the drinks go down, and the regulars simply compete for the pride of winning.

B.B. King's Blues Club

This is a favorite of Memphis visitors, simply because it gives them an authentic Memphis experience and is located right on Beale Street. It's owned by a Memphis native, serves Memphis style barbecue, World Championship gumbo, catfish, and more. Although B.B. King has been known to play his club occasionally, the real treat is catching Ms. Ruby Wilson (aka The Queen of Beale Street) on stage, belting out her beautiful Southern songs.

Java Cabana

Before stepping through the door of Java Cabana, be sure to look in the display window, inside is a real treat for Elvis fans, and it only costs a quarter. While the Java Cabana may not be the place best place for partying the night away, it is the perfect place for kicking back and soaking up the local culture. There are poetry reading nights, where you would be more than welcomed to step on up and recite a poem, or make something up on the spot. There's also occasional acoustic guitar shows put on by the locals. They don't serve alcohol here, but they do make one mean pot of coffee.

Malco Studio on the Square

This is no ordinary movie theater, not by a long shot. Watch a film in a cozy cafe atmosphere, rather than in those dirty chairs that are bolted down so close together on a sticky floor. There's an outdoor patio, a wine and cappuccino bar, imported beers, and an expanded concessions menu. Going to the movies at the Malco Studio on the Square is not like going to see a movie anywhere else on Earth.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Kudzu's is a neighborhood bar, Flying Saucer is on the other end of the spectrum. The food is designed to compliment their wide variety of beer. The Beer Cheese Soup is a Flying Saucer Draught Emporium original, and a favorite. One of the rooms contains a large bar and wooden tables and chairs; the other room has pool tables and a sports-bar atmosphere. There's a large patio outside, where cigar smoking is encouraged. In fact, they offer a cigar list with choices ranging from USD2.50-USD17, and guests can enjoy live music on the weekends.

No matter if it's fine arts you're looking for, which can be found at Playhouse On The Square, or jumping and jiving at any one of the numerous clubs, it's all here. Memphis has a night life that just won't quit, and it deserves to be seen and enjoyed by people from all over the world.