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 sound on Beale.
Tip: Tipping the band keeps the music going. The room holds maybe 40 people; get there early.
Address: 174 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
Alfred's on Beale at 197 Beale St in Memphis is a 35-year music venue and bar with rooftop patio, live blues and bands and a kitchen that runs late.
Tip: Cover charge on weekend nights. The rooftop patio is the seat on warm evenings; live music from 21:00.
Purple Haze Nightclub in downtown Memphis on Lt George W Lee Avenue runs the city's largest dance floor, with DJ nights, hip-hop and R&B until 03:00.
Tip: Friday and Saturday peak. Bottle service on the upper levels.
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 reopened in 2013.
Tip: Reservations on Resy or OpenTable. Patio seats face the Overton Square plaza.
Hi Tone Cafe in midtown Memphis on Cleveland Street is the city's premier live music venue since 1999, with shows in 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 Main district.
Tip: Small room, book ahead. Reservations through the website; show schedule online.
Alfred's on Beale at 197 Beale St in Memphis is a 35-year music venue and bar with rooftop patio, live blues and bands and a kitchen that runs late.
Tip: Cover charge on weekend nights. The rooftop patio is the seat on warm evenings; live music from 21:00.
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 Street's tourist run.
Tip: Open daily from 17:00. Tickets at the door; check the calendar for touring acts.
Purple Haze Nightclub in downtown Memphis on Lt George W Lee Avenue runs the city's largest dance floor, with DJ nights, hip-hop and R&B until 03:00.
Tip: Friday and Saturday peak. Bottle service on the upper levels.