8 live music in Memphis our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Memphis nightlife.
B.B. King's Blues Club ★ 4.0
downtown · 143 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 ★ 4.1
downtown · 182 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
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 ★ 4.4
downtown · 174 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
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 ★ 4.2
overton-square · 2119 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
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 ★ 4.3
midtown · 282-284 N Cleveland St, Memphis, TN 38104
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 ★ 4.3
south-main · 550 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
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.
Alfred's on Beale ★ 4.0
downtown · 197 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
Alfred's on Beale at 197 Beale St in Memphis is a long-running Beale Street music venue and bar with rooftop patio, live blues and bands and a kitchen.
Tip: Cover charge on weekend nights. The rooftop patio is the seat on warm evenings; live music from 21:00.
Growlers ★ 4.0
midtown · 1911 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
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.
Tip: Open daily from 17:00. Tickets at the door; check the calendar for touring acts.