The catch-all label for Memphis between downtown and East Memphis, covering Overton Park, the medical district and the Cooper-Young feeder streets.
Frank and Hazel Vernon's Madison Avenue Memphis BBQ room invented BBQ spaghetti and has run dry-rub and wet ribs from a wood-pit smoker since 1987.
OrderHalf slab of dry ribs with a side of BBQ spaghetti.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. The Dancing Pigs sauce ships nationally if you want to keep the meal going.
Memphis Pizza Cafe's Madison Avenue midtown room has run thin-crust by the slice and house specialty pies since 1991, a casual midtown standby with a side.
OrderThe Hippie pizza with feta and pesto.
TipOpen daily for lunch and dinner; the patio is the seat in spring. Multiple locations across Memphis run the same menu.
Central BBQ's Midtown Memphis room on Central Avenue is the chain's original, opened in 2002 with dry-rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos.
OrderPulled pork sandwich with BBQ nachos to share.
TipThe patio is the seat; the dining room fills fast at lunch. Online ordering skips the line.
Lamplighter Lounge on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis is the city's defining smoke-stained dive bar, with cheap beer, a pool table and a relentlessly local.
DrinkBeer and a shot
FoodNone
TipCash preferred. No food. The 03:00 close pulls everyone in midtown when other bars shut.
Central BBQ in midtown Memphis runs the city's standard BBQ nachos: tortilla chips with pulled pork, sauce, sour cream and jalapeños. Open daily 11:00-21:00.
TryBBQ nachos
TipOrder at the counter and grab a patio table. Available at all four city locations.
The Bar-B-Q Shop on Madison Avenue in Memphis invented BBQ spaghetti: pulled pork and BBQ sauce tossed over noodles. Open tue-sat 11:00-21:00.
TryBBQ spaghetti
TipOrder a small spaghetti as a side; the full plate is enormous. The Dancing Pigs sauce ships.
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis runs each May at Liberty Park, the centrepiece of Memphis in May with global BBQ teams.
TipFriday is the easier day to walk through the team tents. Saturday is the finals and most crowded.
Central BBQ in midtown Memphis runs the city's most reliable pulled pork sandwich under $13, plus BBQ nachos and a half slab combo that splits between two.
OrderPulled pork sandwich with BBQ nachos to share.
TipOrder online to skip the lunch line at the Midtown branch on Central Avenue or use the app.
Lamplighter Lounge on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis runs cheap beer and a pool table to 03:00 daily, the city's longest-burning smoke-stained dive bar.
OrderBeer and a shot at the bar, jukebox playing.
TipCash preferred. No food; bring a sandwich from Young Avenue Deli first.
Hi Tone Cafe on Cleveland Street in midtown Memphis is the premier live music venue since 1999, with a 400-capacity room and a 21-plus downstairs lounge.
TipOpen seven days from 17:00. The downstairs lounge runs comedy and DJ nights.
Growlers on Poplar Avenue in midtown Memphis runs live music seven nights a week from local rock, blues and soul acts, a midtown alternative to Beale.
TipOpen daily from 17:00. Tickets at the door; check the calendar for touring acts.
The Pumping Station on Poplar Avenue in midtown Memphis is the city's longest-running LGBTQ+ bar, with a leather and bear focus, weekend drag nights.
TipOpen daily. The back patio is the seat in summer; drag nights run Friday and Saturday.
Dru's Place on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis is a long-running LGBTQ+ neighbourhood bar, with karaoke nights, drag brunches and an inclusive midtown.
TipKaraoke runs Thursday and Sunday. The kitchen runs a small bar menu.
Metro Memphis on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis is a long-running gay nightclub with drag shows, dance floor and a leather bar in the back.
TipDrag shows Friday and Saturday at 23:00. Cover charge on drag nights.
Railgarten on Central Avenue in midtown Memphis is an outdoor entertainment complex with three bars, live music stages, ping pong tables and a beer garden.
TipLive music most weekends. The Central Avenue patio fills at 18:00; covered seats with a roof.
Lamplighter Lounge on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis is the city's defining smoke-stained dive bar, with cheap beer, a pool table and a relentlessly local.
TipCash preferred. No food; the 03:00 close draws midtown when other bars shut.
Guided tour · 3.5 hours
VIP behind the scenes access to local craft breweries, up to 12 beer samples, a fresh baked snack, and round trip transportation. Led by a Beer Guide who will educate ...
Guided tour · 1 hour
Explore "America's Most Iconic Street" on a one-hour guided walking tour. Learn about the colorful characters and stories that have made Beale Street the "Home of the Blues."
Multi-day trip · 6 days
Picture it, a journey from Nashville to Memphis to New Orleans, recording tracks in iconic studios, walking in Elvis’ footsteps and diving into the food, music and cul...
