Itta Bena is a nightlife spot in Downtown, Memphis.
Itta Bena is a hidden upstairs late-night room above B.B. King's on Beale Street in Memphis, named for the Mississippi town B.B. King was born.
Editorially verified May 21, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Open daily 17:00-22:00. The unmarked Second Street door is the easy entrance.
Address: 145 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
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 live blues.
Tip: Cover charge after 19:00 most nights. Sit upstairs for an easier view of the bandstand.
Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis runs live blues seven nights since 1985, with over 200 autographed guitars hanging from the ceiling.
Tip: Live blues from 19:00 nightly. The Beale Street Flippers usually take a stage break at 22:00.
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 the rawest.
Tip: Tipping the band keeps the music going. The room holds maybe 40 people; get there early.
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 live blues.
Tip: Cover charge after 19:00 most nights. Sit upstairs for an easier view of the bandstand.
Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis runs live blues seven nights since 1985, with over 200 autographed guitars hanging from the ceiling.
Tip: Live blues from 19:00 nightly. The Beale Street Flippers usually take a stage break at 22:00.
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 the rawest.
Tip: Tipping the band keeps the music going. The room holds maybe 40 people; get there early.
Lafayette's Music Room in Overton Square Memphis runs diverse live bands seven nights a week plus Southern food, in a vintage indoor-outdoor music club.
Tip: Reservations on Resy or OpenTable. Patio seats face the Overton Square plaza.
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.
Tip: Open seven days from 17:00. The downstairs lounge runs comedy and DJ nights.
South Main Sounds at 550 S Main in downtown Memphis is an intimate listening room for singer-songwriters and acoustic acts, established in 2015 in the South.
Tip: Small room, book ahead. Reservations through the website; show schedule online.
