7 bars in Memphis, editor-picked for bars open late. Bars serving past 23:00. All bars in Memphis.

Earnestine and Hazel's ★ 4.6

south-main · 531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

Hours: Mon-Sun 18:00-03:00

Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main downtown Memphis is the city's defining dive, a former brothel and pharmacy with a jukebox, Soul Burgers and ghost lore.

Tip: The Soul Burger is the bar food order. The upstairs is where the ghosts are said to live.

Mr. Handy's Blues Hall ★ 4.4

downtown · 174 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

Hours: Daily 19:00-03:00

Mr. Handy's Blues Hall on Beale Street in Memphis is the only original juke joint left on the strip, a tiny no-frills room with live blues and Beale's rawest sound.

Tip: Tipping the band keeps the music going. The room holds maybe 40 people. Get there early.

Hu. Roof ★ 4.3

downtown · 79 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

Hours: Mon-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-24:00

Hu. Roof sits on the 17th floor of the Hu. Hotel on Madison Avenue downtown Memphis with panoramic Mississippi River views and the city's only all-season rooftop.

Tip: Sunset views west of the Mississippi River are the draw. Reserve a window seat in advance.

Bardog Tavern ★ 4.2

downtown · 73 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

Hours: Mon-Fri 07:30-03:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-03:00

Bardog Tavern on Monroe Avenue downtown Memphis is a long, dark dive with red-brick walls, sliders and subs, and downtown's earliest weekday breakfast at 07:30.

Tip: Late kitchen until 02:00 most nights. The Tuesday night $5 Soup of the Day is a Memphis classic.

Young Avenue Deli ★ 4.2

cooper-young · 2119 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Hours: Daily 11:00-03:00

Young Avenue Deli in Cooper-Young Memphis runs over 100 beers, a deep tap list with 30-plus drafts, deli sandwiches and a live-music back room since 1995.

Tip: The patio is the seat in spring. Live music most weekends; check the calendar online.

Lamplighter Lounge ★ 4.1

midtown · 1702 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Hours: Daily 18:00-03:00

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 crowd.

Tip: Cash preferred. No food. The 03:00 close pulls everyone in midtown when other bars shut.

B.B. King's Blues Club ★ 4.0

downtown · 143 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

Hours: Daily 11:00-24:00

B.B. King's Blues Club at 143 Beale Street in Memphis is the flagship of the B.B. King chain, with the Beale Street Allstars in residence and a full Southern menu.

Tip: Cover charge after 19:00 most nights. Sit upstairs for an easier view of the bandstand.