Alex's Tavern

Great place to hang out. Bar is well stocked. Jukebox is classic. Food is OG with some of the BEST ribs, wings, and burgers in Memphis. Old school and safe. Try it don’t miss it.

Can’t beat this spot—quick to call it the best dive bar in Memphis; honestly thinking it might be the best dive bar I’ve ever stepped foot in. Cheap libations and excellent food—topped off by one incredible atmosphere. Cash only!

What a wonderful restaurant. We had a lovely relaxing lunch here. The service was outstanding, atmosphere was relaxing and lovely decor in the restaurant. We had the platter of mixed meet and cheese followed by tiramisu, one of the best ever. Highly recommend not. I can't remember her name we had a few drinks ..LOL but the blonde one who gave myself and wife a drive to our hotel after ..xoxo

My fiancée moved into Memphis Dec 11th, we were introduced to Alex's and fell in love. Rocky the owner might be the patron saint of Memphis.

Nice dive bar. Cash only, but they have an ATM. Burgers and wings were reasonably sized and priced. Limited draft list, but there's probably something there you'll like. Good conversations and friendly service.

Can't think of anything bad to say. Sometimes they've got Old Style from Chicago. Nice smoking bar w bar shuffleboard. Great prices. $3 liquor setup. Rocky is a great dude, super personal. Great dive bar. Cash only, but they have an ATM...but a $5 fee. Nice comfortable oversized old bar seats. Nice booths. Jukeboxes. Just super nice. Not quiet, but loud at all. Nice place to unwind.

No idea why it’s taken me this long to review my favorite bar in Memphis, but that’s what it is. Cheap high lifes, ciggies, and an insanely good ham & cheese sandwich. It’s the perfect bar.

Alex's was recommended by a local. Well outside of the tourist area, the owner was extremely nice. Excellent gumbo and wings. Would highly recommend for someone looking for an out of the way dive bar with excellent food and service

Alex's doesn't pretend to be anything other than a dive bar! The employees are incredibly nice and I have a feeling they know their regular customers by name. We had to try the famous burger and double dip wings. While the burger was delicious, it was small and wouldn't be on my list of must-have burgers. The wings were good if you are a wing lover. Overall, I think Alex's is a great neighborhood spot to watch a game and get a bite to eat, but if dive bars aren't your vibe, it may not be for you.

What a great place. It's as advertised. Decent beer selection. Lots of televisions. Friendly, sole proprietor establishment. Old school.

Great food and atmosphere to watch a game and enjoy some good food and a great music selection from the jukeboxes. The Service is always friendly and welcoming.

No idea why it's taken me this long to review my favorite bar in Memphis, but that's what it is. Cheap high lifes, ciggies, and an insanely good ham & cheese sandwich. Best ribs I've had in Memphis too. No lie, it's the perfect bar.

The best wings and ribs I've ever had in Memphis. We'll definitely be back! Great atmosphere. When you're here you're family

Great local dive bar. Low key, at home feel. Owner is friendly. The Greek burger is amazing. I'm coming back for the ribs. They have Beer and it is cold. Watch some sports, TV, or just and with locals.

This is a dive bar of dive bars located near the famous Rhodes College area. Dirty, old projection type screen TV, Pabst blue ribbon beer! They have all of the other beers too. On the plus side there food is amazing and must try's are Rocky's famous ribs, the legionary greek burger, and he always makes something off menu daily like spaghetti or chicken and dressing etc. They have the most complete selection of music on their jukeboxes ! Late night can get crowded with college types so roll back the clock and know you got to go to Alex's Tavern at least once in your life Visited by all The Who's who regularly!

Best burger in town. Order an Alex burger with cheese and fries and a order of hot wings with blue cheese and a beer of course

Burger was inedible and expired! Worst burger I ever had it reminded me of raw mondo burger with no seasoning!

Parking sucks. But I was able to park on the street for lunch. The place was dark. It was old but it was clean. I didn't see anything that I would say was dirty. The news channel was on above the bar playing the Robert Mueller investigation. There was only one other patron at the bar during my lunch. I had plenty of company from Mike though. He's a chef and a musician and he's spent a lot of time on a nuclear submarine. Interesting stuff. I'll have to get more of his story. He treated me like an old friend. He seemed to appreciate that I went there to try their burger. And it was a damned good burger. I didn't particularly find anything Greek about it other than the seasoning. Otherwise it's a good old American burger. But it's cooked in an iron skillet. It's hand patted and it's thick. It had some flavor folks. I'd love to go back and eat it again. It is a 1/3 pound patty. I think I'd love a 1/2 pound just a little bit more. Maybe I'll ask for a double! Oh yeah. Pabst Blue Ribbon in a solo cup for $3.

TRIPLE TO LEAD OFF THE SEVENTH INNING!! Killer dive bar! I was born and raised in Memphis, and but for a brief 2-year hiatus in College Station, TX have lived here my whole life. But I had never been to Alex's! I had heard stories from friends for many years, but never made it here. First off the lighting is low in this joint. When I say low, if you walk in and the sun is shining, you may literally think the lights aren't working. It's that dark. Your eyes get used to it though. Once your eyes adjust, you realize you've been transported back in time with the retro decorations, June boxes, and shuffle board table. It's a cool place. Grabbed lunch with guy I work with the other day. He's a young twenty-something and has never been to Alex's either. We each had the famous Greek burger. I had read reviews about this burger and was glad to finally try one. Man was I rewarded. This joker was fat, juicy, and bursting with flavor. It was cooked just right and came with some yummy steak fries. It was so good that I didn't mind the paper plate and solo cup one frickin bit. You have to get down here and try this burger!

I've heard and read about the burger at Alex's for decades. I'm sad to say that the experience did not measure up to the hype. If I were drunk, this burger would be a step above a bag of Krystals. However, being sober, it was not much to talk about. And it was definitely not worth the $11 that I dropped for the burger and a few steak fries. The place itself is what you would expect from a dive bar but without anything good on draft. They pour PBR. That's it. Sorry to slam a Memphis establishment, but if you're eating sober, go elsewhere.

One of my favorite spots in Memphis. The ultimate dive bar Alex's is an icon of good times in Memphis. This old school dive features great food cheap beer and one of the friendliest bartenders you will ever meet. The own Rocky was so nice and pleasant to me I really felt like I was back in NOLA. When I mentioned where I was from he bought me a beer to try his gumbo and it was surprisingly great. I really like this joint and will be a weekly spot for me especially once we get to football season.

What a gem. I had always heard this bar had the best food and kindest bartenders in Memphis and that's exactly what we experienced. It's a great place for a no frills meal and drinks with friends-- we went on a Friday night too early for the late-night crowd and had a ball. Can't wait to go back for another meat coma-- the greek burger and ribs were soooo good! Beer and wine only, but you can tote your own hooch and grab a coke!

Rocky runs the oldest consistent family run dive bar in Memphis. Alex was his Dad and since he passed away, Rocky has made this place famous and his Dad proud. The winner of multiple national "Best Southern Bar" or "Best Dive Bars in America", you can't go wrong at Alex's. Most know they are famous for their "Greek Burger," but in recent years Alex's started winning awards for "Best Ribs," "Best Gumbo" and "Best Wings." Memphis Trivia: Alex's is the best spot to see an out of town celebrity who wants to be local for the night. Simply put, Alex's has amazing food in a dive bar setting, run by the best Tavern keeper around. He doesn't take no sh!t from anyone, while treating everyone who comes in like family. Cold, cheap beer and surprisingly comfortable chairs that are hard to leave when the game is on. Use your manners and tip well. Rocky will take good care of you.

Alex's is an overall 5 star experience. Great staff, great food, great atmosphere. You walk in and the place screams 1979. They are known for their burger for good reasoning. When you bite in, it is a flavor pop in your mouth unlike any other burger you've ever had. That's not the only thing good on the menu though. The wings are very good, as well the ribs.

I want to start by saying that I write this review with all due respect to fellow Yelpers, who have notably more seniority and hundreds of reviews more than I and who obviously have seen a very different side of Alex's... If you are a "tourist" looking for a local tavern so your husband can catch his NFL game(s) on Sunday afternoon and get a bite to eat, this really may not be the place you're looking for. If, like me, after reading all the reviews on Yelp, you decide this is the perfect place because you can hit the zoo in the morning and then make your way around the corner to Alex's, I seriously recommend actually stopping by way ahead of time...so you have time to find another sports bar before noon kickoff. I love divey little places, they are just the best, so I was really excited about my find! Well until we got there. We arrived about 11:30 Sunday morning and the first thing we notice is that this is not one of the better areas of town. About 4 people were hanging out in front of the liquor store a few doors down, waiting for it to open, and cars were pulling up to a guy hanging out on the corner who would lean into each car for a few minutes. We weren't really sure where to park so we parked on a side street facing all of this activity trying to determine if Alex's was actually open. We watched for a few minutes and then decided to go for it...besides it was only a rental car and we had purchased the insurance. The door to Alex's was propped open so we entered. The stench of stale cigarettes immediately assaulted us (it was really bad), and even though it was quiet and dark (with the exception of a few neon lights), we wandered in farther. Ugh, it was filthy, there was no way I was going to eat in there. As far as we could tell we were the only ones there, so we left - quickly. Honestly, I just don't get it. So far, Yelp has not steered me wrong. I kept telling my husband that we had to be in the wrong place. Maybe in the evening after several drinks, this is an awesome place to hang out with the locals to catch the game and the food really is the best. But at 11:30 on a Sunday morning it is truly scary.

The seasoned Greek wings from Alex's Tavern are perfection. They're not super spicy, but they've got a ton of seasoning. Unlike the Molly's wings, they're not completely dry - they've got some sort of light sauce. The wings are fried, but they're not overly crispy on the outside. I thought that a wing that big wouldn't be super tender, but I was wrong - these are super juicy. On a side note, Alex's is one of those hole-in-the-wall bars that's open all day and after hours, so you can get wings just about anytime.

The late, late, LATE place to go. Alex's has been around since Rocky's Dad (Its his pic next to the Newcastle sign) opened his doors to a very different neighborhood in '53. The neighborhood is sketchy, but Alex's is a bit of an oasis as it is also a frequent stop by local law enforcement. Not on 'official business' just to stop in for late night burgers and chicken wings. Seriously, they're only there for breaks and not to hassle anyone. I recently learned that the story that has been traveling around midtown for years, about a cr*ckhead that wandered in off Jackson and demanded money from patrons, lead to his immediate arrest by several police officers-is true. Having said all that, IF you go late at night, don't be silly, park under a street light. The cheeseburgers are AWESOME, also no fry, chip. GREAT jukebox, shuffleboard and cheap beer. No spirits.

A lot of reviews and people pointed me to this location. As I was doing my research for my meal during the BIG GAME, I was reading about Alex's. I determined it wouldn't be the best for a big takeout order before kickoff. But I was craving wings. It might have been 1AM, but that wouldn't stop my hunger. I put my shoes back on and headed out to taste these wonders. Walking in I realized that this was a big hangout spot for Rhodes kids. Whatever, I had done my time in Greek life. make fun of my pajama pants and disheveled hair, I wanted wings. I ordered the Greek burger and some wings, half hot, half Greek. The burger came out first. It was good, but not terribly impressive. It was juicy and had good flavour. No complaints from me. The wings then came out. The Greek were unique with their spice choices. I liked it, but I think ranch would have been better than my normal Bleu Cheese. The regular buffalo flavour was impressive to me. The wings had a good texture and not too much sauce. Good job guys. Keep in mind, this place is cash only and the parking isn't the best. But they are open late.

This was our third trip, as we were looking forward to their ribs, but found out the hard way that they're often sold out! They turned out to be excellent. They had a crust from a rub, but were wet, the sauce being somewhat more vinegary than most local sauces (not anywhere as overpowering as some sauces in the Carolinas however). Tender, lots of meat and it fell off the bone. Quite smoky in flavor, too much, according to my daughter, though we both agree they were nonetheless excellent. Cozy Corner still our favorite, but these may have snuck into second place? Alex's reputation is well deserved, though don't go there if you're looking for 'atmosphere'. This is a dive bar, pure and simple, with food that ranges from the overrated (wings), to the good (Burgers) and excellent (ribs).

Awesome bar. Food does not disappoint. Exactly what you're looking for if you like good service and fun dive atmosphere!

I took some of my office crew here... 2 years ago, and we all had their fabulous burgers and wings. So, people come, people go, it was time for another visit with some new staff. Alas, something has been 'Lost in Translation" since our last visit. I think Rocky.. was the only person working here when we showed up and there was 1 other table of customers, so it took a while, but we were OK with that. But, the burgers themselves were not nearly as good as what we had in the past. The wings were great, but the burgers strangely lacked seasoning and were dry. Too bad. Could some of the 2* review be based on the fact that earlier this same week I had the burger from Carita's Village over off Broad? Perhaps. I will say that the burger this time from Alex's was not even on the same chart at was that burger. I guess all things change.

Sunday evening around 3pm ... almost a full bar. But tvs on all types of sports (racing, football & movies) nice atmosphere ... not overwhelmingly smoky. The nice bar tender greeted us and got our drinks right away. The food was good. Had a Greek burger (3.5 stars out of 5) .. even though the place was full, the bar tender was very attentive and even attentive to the people not even sitting at the bar! Impressed! Just wish they had something for those that don't eat meat :(

People have been talking about how good Alex's Wings are, so I decided to check the place out again. I've been there before, but had never eaten there----I just remember it as a dive bar near Rhodes. It's still a dark, divey, throwback bar, with quite a bit going for it. The Jukebox here is actually two boxes side by side. It's known as the best in town. I haven't seen any better. There's a big picture of Babe Ruth on the wall opposite the bar. He's staring straight ahead with a baseball bat over his shoulder. Anyone with a tribute to the Babe in their bar scores points with me. There are many other photos on the wall. Just down from the Babe is a picture of Marilyn Monroe with a silk scarf in front of her naked chest. You can clearly see a nipple. It's a nice nipple. I think I saw the Babe sneak a peek at the nipple right before he told me to try the Hot Wings. I always listen to the Babe. The wings are a little expensive, $10 for 8 "big" drummies. For this price, I thought maybe they'd be whole wings. It took awhile to get them, which is a good sign. Wings really should be cooked a little bit longer to get crisp before the sauce gets applied. When the wings arrived (with Blue Cheese, of course) I knew they were gonna be delicious. It's so dark in Alex's you can only smell them, but that hot sauce, vinegary, chicken smell was worth the wait. I ordered the "Hot Wings", but they also have something called Greek wings. The flavor was wonderful, and the texture was a mix of crispy, and tough on the outside. Inside, the wings were tender. The sauce was pretty spicy, but not too much. These wings are as good as I've had in Memphis, which is a high compliment. Hot Wings are important to me, and I've tried many versions in my travels. Alex's is a bar. Don't come here thinking it's a nice place. Alex's is for someone who likes an authentic experience. It's a crap bar with cold beer and hot wings worthy of a drive from the suburbs. At the end of the ball game I was watching, I paid my tab and started to leave. The Babe called me out for not sharing my damn wings! I told him to keep his eyes on the breasts and leave my wings off his menu. I'm coming back soon to try the Burger, Ribs, and Greek Wings.

Ok. Read my last review and add a star for the continuing reign of THE cheeseburger in all its Greek seasoned glory. Five stars for the dynasty since 1953. Five stars for the earthiness. Icy beer doesn't hurt the rating either. Every star is deserved for the enduring experience that is...Alex's Tavern.

Good air conditioning, but I think the prices are too high to justify the dive bar aesthetic

One hidden gem in Memphis is Alex's Tavern. It's open till 3am, so it's a good late night stop. Garrett had never been, so we decided to stop by. They are known for their burgers and they do not disappoint. They can be loaded with toppings. I love tomatoes and this one was huge on my burger. It also came with a side of fries. It has a nice beer selection (it only has beer). It reminds me of a diner. It's a local dive bar. They have a juke box, too. If you haven't tried the burger, then you are missing out. I hear they have good ribs, so I am missing out. I hope to change this soon!

Best food in Memphis hands down! A friendly, homey bar with the best service. Endless excitement, fantastic jukebox, makes you feel at home even if you're just passing through. Big crush on Rock!

This place is a hole in the wall. I had no idea about it until I was with one of my drunk guy friends who insisted on coming here. I am so glad he did. This will be my go-to super late night food. It is a very low key, dark dive bar. When we left around 6 am I was blinded by the sun haha. That being said, the wait is long. Super long. I'm pretty sure I have waited around an hour both times. But man oh man once you get your food. Heaven. My favorite would have to be the chicken tenders and fries. I have never had the burger, but judging by these reviews, I am definitely missing out. Their wings are also on point. Overall, I really like this place, and don't mind the wait once its all said and done. And the fact they stay open so late is a definite bonus. I love taking my out of town friends here (or getting my uber driver to take my out of town friends here haha)

If you want corporate chain restaurant plastico and faked hospitality (as detailed in the employee hand book sent down from HQ) then Alex's is not your kind of place. If you are looking for THE BEST BURGER in town or THE BEST WINGS in the country prepared fresh and fast (ok Rocky moves a little slower these days) accompanied by the COLDEST BEER IN THE WORLD, then this is the place for you. Recently started doing RIBS too, but if they sell out quickly so don't wait! The neighborhood looks a little dicey but it is fine, especially given that when the Memphis Police Department officers aren't "serving and protecting" they are kicking back watching the ball games or talking shop at the back table. Not sure if the Diners, Drive Ins and Dives TV show has been here yet, but this place is exactly the type of place they were trying to find. Like all real taverns they only have one menu, its above the bar!

This is a great place to go late, when all the other bars in town have had last call. Typically loved by most service industry people, you are likely to run into some of your favorite bartenders and servers from their midtown establishments. It has that dive bar feel to it, with miss matched chairs and old worn out booths. They serve beer in plastic cups and the kitchen is open all night. I personally love the chicken tenders!

Great bar to visit if you're in the area. Smoked ribs with a Greek twist are excellent. Wings are large drumettes fried to perfection. We had both spicy and Greek twist wings. Rocky is a great guy to get to know. The place is even in a book called "Hamburger America" by George Motz. A state by state guide to 200 great burger joints. Definitely a place to stop in to have good food. Cash only place but a great hole in the wall place.

This Place is everything a "Dive Bar" should be and MORE! Came in on a week night and ordered the Ribs...Was a bit of a wait but will say it was well worth it! Been to several "Dive Bars" all over the U.S. and if your in Memphis or just passing through, Alex's is one of those places that you'll have to check out...! Thanks Alex I will return!

THE end of the night place. Open so late and still serves drinks (plastic-cup style) way after hours. The BEST wings I've ever had. I still dream about them. Crunchy, delicious. For what it is, it serves its purpose beautifully.

Best bar and food in the city. The environment is unbeatable. Rockmo is the man! Also great spot to watch the ball games. I

My husband and I went last night with a group of friends and had such a great time! We love going there and eating their Greek burger...awesome!!! Also love the juke box (they have 2) that are filled with a huge selection of songs. Thanks so much to Rocky and Randy!!

This joint has a great dive bar ambiance that makes folks from NOLA like me right at home. Extra kudo bonus points for this place being a late night bar in a city that is hard to find many such options like I'm used to in NOLA. This is also a noted "cop bar" so you are often going to find some fine folks from the thin blue line present and you might just accidentially overhear some damn interesting stories while you're at it. The staff is attentive and friendly and provide good service. They serve a noted burger far later than most other joints so that's another good reason to visit. They also have a nifty shuffleboard game that can test your skills of beer and shuffling. Speaking of shuffling they also have an awesome jukebox so you can get your feet shuffling and dancing too. No night out in Memphis is complete without it ending here seems to be the consensus of most of the people well versed in the fun times of the region.

Total hole in a wall! but for some reason, it brings out the best and craziest of people!!! cheap beers, cheap foods, and an effing good time... The hosts are really cool peeps!!! This place is a must visit for everyone after heading out from the downtown area! Apparently, they have the best burgers and chicken wings (word of mouth from friends since i am vegan). Another good thing, they never close, or so it seems! Only con of this place is they only accept cash and sometimes ATM inside is broken stop by the bank before headed there

Driving up to Alex's Tavern at first can seem a little odd, especially if you haven't been inside before. However, once you walk in, the workers make you feel welcome. There are plenty of TVs to watch whatever game(s) is playing, and there's two super cool jukeboxes. There's a short shuffleboard table too which is also fun. I haven't tried the food, but based on the other reviews, I will definitely try some. The women's bathroom is pretty small, and the sink is outside of the bathroom and easy to miss. Also, remember to bring cash as they do not accept cards (however, there is an ATM machine in case you spend all your money on the jukebox!). I will definitely be making this place one of my regular go-to's after a busy day of class as some of the busier bars in the downtown area can get old after a while.

Alex's was a favorite of mine 10 years ago when I lived in Memphis. This past week while visiting family I popped in with my pops because we were craving a late night burger. When you come late at night you have to respect the bartender. They do it all. Tend the bar, answer the phone, cook the food. The busier it gets, the more they run. Respect. Dad and I has a couple beers and cheeseburgers with fries. STILL the BEST burger in town. No fuss. No fancy toppings. Just an amazing cheeseburger. Dad said they have amazing wings - I haven't done that yet. When I used to come here it was just burgers and chips. My how the times are changing! COLD BEER! I mean the coldest Yuengling bottles ever. Swing by for a Midtown Memphis Dive experience.

Extremely underrated place to come watch a Grizzlies or Tigers game. Best burger in Memphis, plenty of comfortable seating and rarely crowded, all within the atmosphere of a Memphis staple. I had never tried the gumbo before until I went a few days ago, and now I think I'll be ordering it every time.

Cash only spot, but they do have an ATM in the corner. If you're in a pinch and it's late this is the best option for you. They use quality chicken here, it's not like some of the other places that freeze their wings too long or something and they're all rotten when you bite into them. At Alex's the chicken is always pretty fresh, and all drummies so they're easy to eat. They also make them crispy, especially if Johnny is there. Which is nice because again, a lot of local wing places serve you some soggy chicken. But the wings here are solid, every time. They are among the best in Memphis, and the juke box not bad either. The place is dependable and the beer is cold.

Great lunch at Alex's! They made the list! http://www.memphislikealocal.com/2015/06/alexs-tavern.html?m=1

Update: Tried the wings and they are just as good as everyone says they are. Slightly crisp with great flavor! These are my favorite wings in Memphis thus far. Only downside is the cost. Eight wings for 10 bucks... But, I'll pay the price any day!

I rarely make it down to Alex's but every time I do I am reminded how much I love it. The burgers and wings are great, especially with a local brew. The jukebox is prime. Remember to bring cash, but if you don't they have an ATM. Perhaps even play some shuffleboard while you're there.

when i haven't been at hi-tone this trip- i've been at alex's. this was the big college haunt and usually it's filled with annoying 20 year olds, but during christmas break it's utter bliss. the jukebox is amazing, the last call is at 5:30 a.m., the cheeseburgers are the best things i have ever tasted-- seriously. for ten years now i have sat in awe eating them and trying to figure out HOW they are so good. i went there with a friend and we each had a few beers and i had a cheese burger and chips. i went to pay my tab and he said "$12" HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?? i don't know...but i love it. warning: very sketchy neighborhood and a friend of mine got held up a gun point once here. but it's memphis. you can get held up almost anywhere truth be told.

Definitely, hands down the best burger in Memphis. Cold beer, great prices, juke boxes and shuffleboard.....what else could you want? How about the icing on the cake, a place where Rocky knows your name, and Andrew too! Get there early on game day. They fill up quickly.

The ribs were good, the ambience awesome, but the service was horrible. I waited 40 minutes for a half of a rack of ribs. I ordered a Coke, they brought it out to me, then I waited and waited for the ribs to arrive. At no time did anyone check on me or come tell me that the ribs would be done in X amount of minutes. They guy working just sat at the bar and smoke cigarettes. Besides myself there was only one other table with 5-6 people so the place was dead. On the positive side, this is the definition of a dive. Dark, smokey and Van Morrison pumping on the juke box. The ribs, while small, were very tasty. They had good flavor and had some snap. I would definitely eat the ribs again, I just don't know if I would want to endure another 40 minute wait to get them.