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, open Thursday to Sunday.
Tip: Drag shows Friday and Saturday at 23:00. Cover charge on drag nights.
Address: 1349 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
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 by the rail line.
Tip: Live music most weekends. The Central Avenue patio fills at 18:00; covered seats with a roof.
South Main Sounds at 550 S Main downtown Memphis is the city's defining listening room for singer-songwriters, with intimate acoustic shows in a 60-seat venue.
Tip: Small room; reserve through the website. Sets usually one hour.
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 by the rail line.
Tip: Live music most weekends. The Central Avenue patio fills at 18:00; covered seats with a roof.
Art Bar at Crosstown Arts in Memphis runs occasional listening nights with curated vinyl and live acoustic sets, paired with natural wine and small plates in the Crosstown space.
Tip: Listening nights are scheduled; check the Crosstown Arts calendar. Closed Sundays.
Loflin Yard on West Carolina Avenue in South Main runs an outdoor stage in the beer garden with acoustic music sets on weekends, a covered terrace and creek-side seating.
Tip: Live music most Saturdays from 20:00. Free to enter; check the calendar online.
Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main downtown Memphis runs Soul Burgers and a jukebox until 03:00 daily, a former brothel and pharmacy and the city's defining late-night dive.
Tip: Cash works fastest. Upstairs the old brothel rooms run quiet most nights.
Bardog Tavern on Monroe Avenue downtown Memphis is a long, dark dive with red-brick walls, sliders and Italian subs, plus downtown's earliest weekday breakfast at 07:30.
Tip: Kitchen runs late most nights. Tuesday $5 soup of the day is a local rite.