Memphis is one of the US’s musical capitals.
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What New Orleans is to jazz, for example, Memphis is to blues and rock. And while Nashville might take the cake in terms of musical cities in Tennessee thanks to its booming country music scene, that doesn’t mean Memphis doesn’t have great venues and nightlife.
In fact, it’s home to many legacy bars and music halls.
In the 1960s and 70s, Memphis steered genres like blues and soul with a gritty and textured approach to lush arrangements and profound vocals. Even to this day, Memphis’s Beale Street is the US’s epicenter of blues and soul music.
The city has also left its mark on genres like hip-hop, rock’n roll, and gospel—and you can feel it all during the city’s live shows.
Assuming you know where to find them, that is.
If you’re heading to the city to catch some great live shows, these are the best music venues in Memphis.
Best music venues in Memphis
B.B. King’s Blues Club
Start where it all began. B.B. King’s Blues Club is located in the heart of Beale Street, giving you a sneak peek into the past. This legendary venue offers live music every night from B.B. King’s Blues Club All-Star Band.
Want to get a feel for Memphis-style R&B? Go to B.B. King’s.
Lafayette’s Music Room
Want some soul food with your live music? Lafayette’s Music Room offers live shows every night along with a Memphis-centric menu. You can hear live performances from local legends like Steve Forbert, Ingram Hill, and Jason D. Williams.
Minglewood Hall
Minglewood Hall is a historic venue that focuses a bit more on Memphis’s jazz influence. But this venue doesn’t offer nightly shows. It’s a massive 13,000-square-foot venue, meaning you’ll need to look at the lineup before buying tickets.
Still, it’s a great place to catch a range of local acts, from modern R&B to hip-hop to country.
Overton Park Shell
Want that same large-scale experience, except outdoors? The Overton Park Shell is an outdoor amphitheater that regularly hosts free shows for locals and visitors. The venue’s Shell Yeah series also brings on food trucks, while also allowing guests to bring their own picnic supplies.
Handy Park Pavilion
Want to keep things home-grown instead? The Handy Park Pavilion is located smack in the center of Beale Street. The informal setup sees performers take the stages almost every night, which established acts claiming the larger stage and up-and-comers doing their thing on the smaller stage.
Feel the pulse of real Memphis music at Handy Park Pavilion.
Newby’s
This venue is one of Memphis’s lesser-known musical venues. Most visitors don’t hear about it because it’s largely a college haunt. Despite its young demographic, its acts draw in crowds from around the city.
For example, the experimental jazz band Mojo Possum is known to perform at Newby’s regularly. If you like jam bands with Memphis flare, start at Newby’s.
Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall (aka Blues Hall Juke Joint)
This Beale Street staple is known for its funky and beloved reel of performers. Locals usually head to the bar when their favorite bands and performers are playing. Like many other Beale Street venues, Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall offers a lineup of weekly shows that let you sample some of the city’s coolest sounds.
Center for Southern Folklore
If you want a homegrown and grassroots look at music in Memphis, it doesn’t get any more local than the Center for Southern Folklore.
Like the name suggests, this spot sees dozens of local artists come in to do their thing—whether poetry, painting, or music. Unsurprisingly, you can hear some of the area’s most promising up-and-coming performers musical chops.
