Memphis Whistle is a small cocktail program tucked downtown that runs themed nights and pop-up bars, the city's quietest insider cocktail run by mixologist Brent Brouwer.
Tip: Follow on Instagram for pop-up locations; bookings are limited and run private.
Address: 138 Brinkley Plaza, Memphis, TN 38103
Old Dominick Distillery on South Front Street downtown Memphis runs distillery tours, cocktails and a dimly-lit tasting room in a restored 50,000-square-foot industrial space.
Tip: Book the tour and tasting in advance. Cocktail bar walk-ins fine.
Mollie Fontaine Lounge in the Victorian Village in downtown Memphis is a small craft cocktail bar in an 1886 mansion with red velvet walls, jazz piano nights and a candlelit upstairs.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday. Jazz piano runs from 20:00 most weekends.
Old Dominick Distillery on South Front Street downtown Memphis runs distillery tours, cocktails and a dimly-lit tasting room in a restored 50,000-square-foot industrial space.
Tip: Book the tour and tasting in advance. Cocktail bar walk-ins fine.
The Green's Room is a small private cocktail room inside Catherine and Mary's downtown Memphis, with reservation-only seating, classic cocktails and an off-menu Italian snack run.
Tip: Reservation only through the restaurant. Six seats; book a week ahead for Saturday.
Mollie Fontaine Lounge in the Victorian Village in downtown Memphis is a small craft cocktail bar in an 1886 mansion with red velvet walls, jazz piano nights and a candlelit upstairs.
Tip: Open Thursday to Saturday. Jazz piano runs from 20:00 most weekends.
The Pumping Station on Poplar Avenue in midtown Memphis is the city's longest-running LGBTQ+ bar, with a leather and bear focus, weekend drag nights and a back patio.
Tip: Open daily. The back patio is the seat in summer; drag nights run Friday and Saturday.
Dru's Place on Madison Avenue in midtown Memphis is a long-running LGBTQ+ neighbourhood bar, with karaoke nights, drag brunches and an inclusive midtown crowd.
Tip: Karaoke runs Thursday and Sunday. The kitchen runs a small bar menu.
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.