Right in the heart of Downtown Memphis lies the legendary Beale Street. Ever since its inception in 1841, Beale Street has always been a major locus of commerce in the city. As the years progressed and the street and the area around it built up, the street snowballed into a thriving commonplace for travelling African-American musicians to perform. With the advent of the Orpheum Theater and the Church Park, nightclubs, restaurants and shops began to brim the area. Through the early 20th Century, legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters and BB King performed on Beale Street and developed the Memphis Blues sound. Today, Beale Street is a major attraction in the city of Memphis, with legendary blues clubs, restaurants and shops that have been around almost as long as the street itself. Come evening, the street and its many lanes are illuminated by myriad neon-signboards of bars and restaurants which merrily beckon tourists and locals alike. The street is also known for hosting the grand Memphis in May International Festival and the Beale Street Music Festival every year.
Website: bealestreet.com
Phone: (901) 526-0117
Cross Streets: Between Hernando St and S 3rd St
Open now
- Fri Open 24 Hours
203 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103 ·621.07 mi
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Amenities
- Family friendly
Reviews
tripadvisor
Quiet on a rainy Sunday eveningSmallish crowds Good music Safe—Big police presence
MoreAfter all the hype of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, I was totally disappointed. Most of the shops were closed when we got there at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Most of the restaurants they are not handicap accessible. And there’s a lot of bars they’re just pushing drinks to get people drunk. I guess you have a better time when you’re a partier.
MoreCame this weekend over Labor Day from Indy, left the very next day to head home. So disappointed in downtown and Beale Street. ICE agents & many police walking up & down the street. They charge 5.00 now to walk on the street & all the bars charge a cover fee to listen to music. The locals have taken it over. It’s secured because of the police. But sad that it’s not the touristy area it once was. BB Kings is still happening but it will cost to park downtown, & it’s very very unsafe to walk very far. So disappointed in how this town allowed this to happen. Some places are even boarded up.
MoreCaveat our 3 star review as we were there during the week in August (their off season) but will add that we didn’t feel concerned for our safety at time and even spoke to the police on duty at the time who, whilst they have a presence suggested most crime was kids being ‘disruptive’. Cover charge in the bars we went to was a disappointment (after Broadway in Nashville which had none) and the band still seeks tips. The bars we went in were ok. Might be a different scene at a weekend or during peak season but, if you’re in Memphis you really have to take a look.
MoreCame here 10 years ago, and things have not changed for the better with the passage of time. A 5 dollar cover change to enter most venues seems to be the norm, even when door staff can't tell you who's playing. It's supposed to the the home of blues music, but one place had a band doing Alanis Morissette and 4 Non Blondes stuff. There's also a DJ guy halfway down pumping out electronic dance rubbish. I can see the whole place slowly dying out. In 10 years it will all be a distant memory.
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