Beale Street Entertainment District

Really enjoyed Beale—felt uber safe, as there were police posted at both ends. The street was clean and welcoming. Be sure you take your identification to get in.

Great place to experience the blues from the past. We loved listening to the old songs and learning about the performers history which is so rich with culture and heritage. Everyone was so friendly and warm we felt at home.

Three blocks boasting full of life, tremendously delicious food, bars, and great shops. Don't miss this is you're visiting Memphis! Visit during the day for a quieter experience, or at night the fun party scene.

We went on a Sunday night so not as jammed packed - a number of places were closed. Great music and tasty local beer. Remember to tip musicians. Check out all the historical markers and the musical notes on the sidewalks.

Overpriced tourist trap! Go on a Sunday....at least it is free metered parking. Did not understand why people were still paying for parking in a parking garage. Two drinks with tip on a Sunday afternoon cost $40! Area had people sleeping on the sidewalk, walking around talking to themselves, and others who smelled like they hadn't gotten a shower in who knows how long! Need to watch your surroundings. Some families were out and about, but not really a family area. I can say I been there, done that, but will take my tourist dollars elsewhere.

Great walking street tends to say lots of music great bars great food can’t say enough good things about this. Reid had a lot of fun stopping through Memphis and this area really was wonderful and made our stop in Memphis a great time there’s lots of parking lots nearby but the parking lots are fairly expensive if you’re just stopping in for a quick trip.

The famous Beale Street. Lots of pubs and entertainment. Lots of souvenir shops too. I have to confess to being a little disappointed. Not much atmosphere and I felt everywhere I went someone was trying to sell me something. Still, bucket list ticked.

Great walk back into history. The city of Memphis has to deal with the beggars and the homeless situation. You have to keep a heightened sense of awareness at all times. The police we saw in the evening were standing around visiting instead of being productive. (I respect them but when you ignore “issues” right in front of you…) The drinks in every place we went were seriously overpriced. Gouging the tourist is getting old.

I think many are surprised with how tiny Beale Street is compared to its Nashville and New Orleans sister districts. While it does still have its array of bars, restaurants and tourist shops, it is a much more chill vibe. You could easily be done with this area quickly depending on what you want to do. However, one of the big standouts that Beale Street has are the blues clubs. They truly do feel like the magic of Memphis! I also find it interesting the Beale Street allows you take walk around outside with alcohol, yet Nashville doesn't... So with that, there are a lot of 'to-go' type drink stands, making it convenient for some. While it might not be as exciting as other places, I still do enjoy visiting Beale Street while in town. It's definitely a can't-miss while visiting Memphis.

Beale Street - A Must-Visit in Memphis! Beale Street is an absolute must when you're in Memphis. I love the vibrant energy of all the little bars and pubs featuring live blues and R&B--it's the heartbeat of the city's music scene. The area feels safe, thanks to regular police patrols, though it can get a bit overwhelming in the evenings with the heavy tourist crowd. That said, the lively atmosphere and historic charm make it a truly amazing and beautiful experience. If you're a fan of music, culture, and great vibes, don't miss Beale Street!

The only time I would even consider going to Beale Street is during daylight hours. I've been a first-hand witness to the crime problem down there, and that was enough for me to quit going almost 20 years ago. Since then, it's only gotten worse. If you do decide to check it out, stick to the daytime and keep your eyes open at all times. What used to be a lively spot has sadly turned into a place where safety feels like an afterthought.

Although I was there on a weekday and the streets were empty we had an absolutely amazing time. We hopped from bar to bar, trying different drinks and listening to live music. This place is filled to the brim with history and culture and is a must do on a bucket list for Memphis.

Quality/Quantity - Nashville Broadway is way more lively and 100 times busier. If you like that kind of atmosphere. Came here during the day and night on two different days. Very slow, if not closed during the day. We do not recommend coming during the day. On Saturday night, it was much more lively and due to the Halloween holiday coming up, so many people were dressed up. Very safe as police were everyone and security at all entrances. They were ready for people to party. See pictures. Only one aggressive person here asking for $$, probably entered before all the police and security set up their perimeter. My family bought more gifts and souvenirs. Atmosphere - See above. Security scans ID prior to entering. Minors allowed with an accompanied adult until 11pm. Meter parking nearby until 10pm with the rate of $1.50 an hour. Then we discovered free street parking near Gus (see other Yelp review). Events - See website. Service - Good, a tourist attraction. Price - Depends on what you buy, eat, or drink. $5 cover charge after 9pm. Owner Comment - Thank you Beale St. for creating a safe place to party.

It was fun to stroll around Beale Street in the evening and enjoy a little bit of Memphis nightlife. It's shorter than I expected - just a few blocks lined with bars, clubs, restaurants, and touristy shops. It's nice that it's closed to traffic so you can wander without having to navigate around moving vehicles. For a weekday it was lively with music pouring out of different bars and clubs as we passed by. Check out the Brass Note Walk of Fame on the ground commemorating the many talented individuals who contributed to the legacy of Memphis music including Elvis, B.B. King and numerous others. I can see why some have said it's tame compared to New Orleans. It definitely isn't New Orleans. It's a lot smaller with fewer street performers and more cover bands than original music blaring from several of the bars. It also wasn't that busy on a weekday which I was more than ok with. I enjoyed having space to move around and check out all the stops along the way without it being so crowded, more my speed. Regarding the comments about safety, there were some questionable characters around, but also a lot of other people including a few families so I didn't feel particularly unsafe. Just stay vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. All in all it was entertaining for an evening and worth a visit.

The home of the blues! Say no more!! Even on a Tuesday night it's a jam. The food is great. The mood is better. The blues is the best!

I had never been to Beale Street in the daytime in the past and can say that I had no idea how it looked during the day! I enjoyed walking down the street and coming across so many photo opportunities. There were quite a few places to enjoy and I even enjoyed listening to some of the live music at a restaurant we were passing. It also felt really safe during the day when we went.

Every one knows Beale Street in one way or another. Some from music. Some from movies. Some from just general knowledge. However it may be, you just know about it. When it comes to it, it is nothing more than a street. Great to see when serving as a tourist trap, but I would suggest seeing it during the day just because you can actually see it. I will be honest, I expected more than what is essentially a two block section that was busy. Not far from the FedEx Forum, so at least it connects to something else to see. But it was a bit lackluster. At the same time, it was something interesting to see.

Definitely temper your expectations here. Memphis is not really a safe town, lots of gun violence and crime. Beale Street has been known to have a lot of shootings and so lately, police presence is huge here and they have metal detectors on weekends and busy week nights that you have to pass through to walk the 2-3 city blocks of Beale. It is commercialized to the point that there are the old neon signs and tons of BBQ and Bars with some specialty shops. We chose to visit during the day due to the safety issues and most things were closed and there was no live music. It looks dirty and run down and if you aren't in the mood for pub/bar/BBQ you won't find much else to eat here. The Peabody is one block away which is a "fancy" old hotel in need of update with a few dining options - but it's not a part of town to just walk around in so really you come only to park and walk Beale.

Love this place, definitely recommend it. It's an amazing day weather wise to walk up and down the board.. horse carriage ride is amazingly

The good, all the old buildings and music. The bad, the smell of pot everywhere you turned. It's worth walking through to say you've been there but I didn't find it a huge deal.

I had only heard of Beale St from movies. I never really took time to research what was really there. Going there was really by accident, I just so happened to be in the area and started walking around just to take a walk and explore. I would say it reminds me of Bourbon St(New Orleans), The Strip(Las Vegas), and Hollywood Blvd(Hollywood). It's a party street, lots of bars and activities in the area, drinking on the streets. They have plaques (I think that's what you call them, like the Hollywood stars on the sidewalk, with all the old blues singers names. There's murals, museums, restaurants, gift shops and more. If partying is your thing, come at night and on the weekends

This place crazy. Make sure to bring an open mind and an even more open pocket book. Yards of booze flow from the mouths of gods. 10/10, would recommend. Make sure to come at night.

What cool place to walk around and check out some sights. Went around noon on a Thursday and it wasn't super crowded. Live music playing from a bunch of different bars. Bunch of gift shops to check out. Ton of different restaurants to eat at.

Spent a day on Beale Street. Seems like they are trying to combine Bourbon Street, Broadway, and the Ft. Lauderdale Strip into one entertainment amalgamation destination, but not doing well at it.

An amazing experience visiting Memphis. The clubs, food and the overall experience of being on the famed street.

Beale Street has been mentioned in countless songs and is embraced as an import part of the fabric of America. Beale Street is an important part of Memphis, Tennessee and is a place that you should check out if you find yourself in Memphis. There are a lot of spots to check out on Beale Street. It is an important part of not only the history of blues music, but of music as a whole. Go check out the bars and restaurants of Beale Street. It is a must see when you are in Memphis, Tennessee.

"Meanwhile down on Beale Street..." -Jimmy Buffet in "Cinco de Mayo in Memphis" The capital of music in Memphis, two blocks of bars, music joints, honky tonks, blues clubs, restaurants, souvenir shops and other major tourist attractions. The two blocks between Second and Fourth are a pedestrian zone and you can expect security to be present and visible during major events. This is where the Beale Street Music Festival takes place that kick off Memphis in May. It is where General Ulysses S. Grant had a headquarters during the Civil War and where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched. I was here during daytime - literally noon. You can feel that there's a completely different flavor and vibe once the sun sets. Maybe I'll try to come back for that. [Review 19856 overall - 408 in Tennessee - 829 of 2023.]

Clearly, we went way too early way before the shops opened. We went to a couple shops. People are super friendly great gifts souvenirs at a reasonable price. Definitely a place that you want to come after 4 PM.

Our visit today is part of the tour so we got to go see this famous street during a daytime visit. It must be so much fun during night. Location is in the middle of the downtown. There are so many restaurants, gift shops, museums, record stores and others near by. I enjoyed a quite two to three blocks of gracious wonder walk along this street. Worth stopping by.

Beginning decades ago and up until a few years ago, I used to hang out here with family and friends with far greater frequency. Now, with almost zero gun control in Tennessee, and despite the security check points to get onto Beale Street itself, shootings have become increasingly common here. I no longer feel safe at night in downtown Memphis, and would not recommend visiting here.

Beale Street didn't meet my expectations. I was looking forward to a smaller version of NOLA. With extreme amounts of music blaring in all directions with hordes of happy and drunkenly expressive visitors. Nope. It was empty, eerily quiet, distant music only coming from inside empty bars, and then there were the restaurants which were begging for us to come sit inside. Sadly, locals and other tourists agreed with our assessment and blamed it on COVID-19. It hasn't rebuilt itself; it hasn't cleaned itself up, it seems to be dragging along. Apparently, if you are going to visit Memphis the best time to do so are St. Patrick's Day, Elvis's birthday or celebration of death, and/or the St. Jude's marathon.

Perfect place to visit for drinks, food and live music!! I like that the street is closed off for foot traffic only.

When it comes to "Beale Street", the 1991 hit song "Walking in Memphis" (by Marc Cohn) definitely comes to mind. One of the lyrics in the song plays "Then I'm walking in Memphis.. Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale.. Walking in Memphis.. But do I really feel the way I feel?" Anyhow, to truly enjoy the full Beale Street experience, you need to visit this place at night, preferably on a Friday or Saturday. Now many big cities across the United States have their own areas where you can party and drink in public.. Las Vegas, NV (The Strip).. Nashville, TN (Music Row).. New Orleans, LA (Bourbon St).. Austin, TX (Sixth St). So it is only appropriate for the historically musical city of Memphis, TN to have their own offering which is none other than Beale Street. The main area of this heavily walked tourist area stretches 1.8 miles and spans all the way from the Mississippi River and ends at East Street. Before coming here, there are several words of advice that I recommend. When you park, there isn't anywhere you can actually park for free so I recommend parking in an open lot (roughly 3 blocks close to the Mississippi River) as well as several parking garages that range from $10-$15. Also, the crowd here can be a little on the rougher side so if you're a tourist, I would advise keeping your wallet/purse close to you since there are a ton of people that pickpocket. As long as you walk with a group of people and are street smart, you should be just fine. Now if you're a huge fan of the blues scene (like myself), this is the place to come. During any weekend night, there are dozens of amazing live musical acts performing all genres of music including blues, soul, jazz, rock, & country. I had the opportunity seeing a live band performing soul hits from the 1970's while there was a 2-girl duo; one was rapping hip-hop while the other was playing a fiddle. One of the places I would highly recommend is B.B. King's Blues Club; keep in mind there is a line to get in as well as a cover charge. As I mentioned, Beale Street and Memphis in general is a HUGE music city. Many pioneer artists got their start here; B.B. King, Elvis Presley, & Jerry Lee Lewis as well as some of the more current artists; Justin Timberlake & Three 6 Mafia. In addition to the music scene, Beale Street also has a variety of souvenir shops where you can purchase t-shirts, hats, mugs, and all other collectibles representing Beale Street. Mainly a ton of items featuring B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and Memphis. There are quite a few restaurants, dessert shops, and dozens of bars to get your alcohol fix on. All in all, "Beale Street" is an excellent spot for live music. Don't let the gritty look fool you as sometimes you just have to bypass the beggars and street hagglers. But just to say that I've been there made this experience an above average one. My rating, four solid stars.

I visited during the daytime and it was pretty cool. There was live music playing in the park area. I didn't get a chance to go back at night because of the rain.

Thought we would be able to walk up and down, stop on places and hear Music. Street parking was $ 1.75 an hour which we thought was reasonable and there was plenty. Food was extremely expensive , everyone had menus out front so you could decide before going in. Unlike Nashville, Not a lot of music for a Tuesday afternoon with an antique car show going on too! The one bar that we walked by and heard this awesome singer wanted a $10 cover each. We would have paid it but we were not going to be there for a long time. Pretty disappointed. Was hoping to hear more music.

We were in Nashville but didn't get a chance to visit Broadway. We were told to give Beale Street a try.. it's like if Broadway and Bourbon Street had a itty bitty baby. Having not been to Bourbon Street (I know, I need to get out more) we stopped here on a Saturday night. Our hotel la Quinta is located just a few blocks away, and I am glad we were walking distance. The parking situation here could be difficult, as there's many roads blocked off. I felt very safe as there's a huge security and police presence. Families and couples were walking around, and the restaurants and bars with live music were beckoning you to come in. We left early at 9:30, so I am sure the place would be jumping soon. Overall a nice visit, very touristy, and of course prices are hiked up. Worth a visit.

Lots of stores, boutique, restaurants! I enjoyed my time here. I mainly spent it by eating and shopping. I literally went from one store to another looking for souvenirs.

Interesting place to walk around and you can catch some good tunes. Lots of boarded up places after COVID though. More of a touristy place than genuine Memphis place, at least it feels so.

Only good area in Memphis. A lot of homeless people outside of this street. Sad wish those people could get the help that they need. Food is ok.

It was hot and crowded. We were only there for the playoffs so we really didn't get a chance to fully take it all in. I did think the strip would be longer than it actually was. Also, the parking is horrible! I would strongly advise against pre-paying for a parking spot online. It took us 30 min to find our prepaid lot and we never found it. We had to park somewhere else and pay again without a refund on the prior parking. I will say, paying online for a lot you're already in, was cheaper and quicker than paying at the toll kiosk!

Must experience at least once while in Memphis This was our first time in Memphis and we heard of this famous Beale Street. It is no way as glamorous as the Las Vegas Strip. It's a mini version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans (shorter in distance) three blocks of nightclubs, restaurants, shops in the heart of downtown Memphis. Beale Street, Home of the Blues, just like Bourbon Street, is one of the most iconic streets in America. We did not see the bright lit up signs and flashy lights at night, we left right after having good Memphis style ribs at the Blues City Cafe. Beale Street is closed to traffic and we can walk and cross the street safely but I'm not sure how safe it is here at night. There are a lot of places to eat, fun bars, flashy music clubs with great music, souvenir shops, and street entertainment. Not all the stores/restaurants were open though including The Hard Rock Cafe Memphis. The doors were boarded up probably a casualty from the protests. We stopped and listened to live blues music wherever they were playing. Unfortunately, we were not able to make it inside B.B. King's Company Store. We did purchase some souvenirs at the Blues City General Store and bought some cookies at Insomnia Cookies. The crowd was very little... Covid times. It's okay. Been there, done that. Review #1880

We were here around 10 am and were a bit disappointed that not much was open yet. We walked the street and we're here until around 1:30 pm and were also disappointed to not hear any live music. I know it was early, but was still hoping for more open places and some music. The history of the street is cool and I liked the signs with historical information, but I feel like that was the best part. The street smelled pretty strongly of pee in a lot of places.

Beale street was fun. Music and food were fantastic. It's just an incredible ambiance from before. Really nice during the day and at night as well. Love Memphis

Been married to someone born and raised in Memphis for 35 years and we finally made it to Beale Street. What a great area. We visited on a Wednesday afternoon so there wasn't much going on.. There was ample parking in the downtown area. We walked from a parking garage. Large selection of food and drink. The area was clean. It was obviously a "must visit" place if you are in the Memphis area. On one end of the street is a large sculpture of Elvis.. My sister in law is a local sculptor and she actually made Elvis' guitar for this display. Pretty cool !!!

[1014] 9/2019 Tons of lot parking down the street. Beal Street is cool and definitely a place to visit. it's a couple of blocks long and it's blocked so no cars (cool part). There are a ton of businesses so you can shop and buys souvenirs. This is a place you want to visit if you like to drink and hang out. In the evening they block all the streets so you can only get in if you show ID for drinking. The stores open up and you can walk up from bar to bar for a drink. Music is blasting from all the bars. It's more like a huge outdoor bar. Sooo if that's your thing then it's for you. I'm not a drinker so I did a quick walk thru and then I left. They should really add benches and/or tables in the middle of the street so people can sit and relax. I think if I was able to sit outside for a bite then it would be more appealing. Like I said it was more like a huge outdoor bar. If I am in the area I would visit again but no plans for Memphis again.

I've been going to Beale St for years, but I haven't gone for a couple of years. When we got to Memphis we changed at the hotel and immediately headed for Beale St. WTH? The city now has it barricaded and you have to show your id, pay money, and get scanned and/or searched just to walk down the street? The street was far less crowded on a Saturday night than years past and there seemed to be far less tourists. Disappointed doesn't even begin to describe it. Beale st is dead to me.

Ehhhhh... I feel the New Orleans vibe, but it wasn't what I expected. Came around 130am on a Saturday. I would suggest riding around to find free parking, but we settled on something for $5. The walk over wasn't bad but we got to the gate and realized it was $5 to get in? I liked that there was security and police around, but $5 to get into a street? Many bars/restaurants with bright lights that are attractive. Wanted Wet Willies but the line was long then suddenly it was closed? And no hours were posted, so weird. Small area to walk around in with a small pavilion area that has some seating available. The amount of trash was absolutely disgusting. Couldn't walk without stepping on full meals and drinks. Maybe I would give it another chance with different people and an open mind, but it wasn't hitting like I thought it would. Definitely a place to see and be seen for those of the younger crowd who are on the prowl. 2.5 rounded down.

Beale Street is a great attraction if you are visiting Memphis. There are good restaurants located on Beale Street, if you are looking for an amazing bar and music scene Beale Street will definitely provide a great party scene in the evenings. I would compare it to a mini Las Vegas without the gambling when you compare the bars and music. During the day Beale Street is more touristy and family friendly.

okay so maybe because we just came on a weekend the public was scared of riot, but man we have the whole beale street to ourselves!!! didnt have to wait for dinner at blues city cafe at all. the bars were empty so no crowding. the candy shop here was cool to walk and browse.

I've been told that time will make you lose your sex apBeale, but that will never happen to this magical street in Memphis. This street isn't the Be-all and end all of Memphis, but it's close. One of my favourite places in all of America but it is a pale shadow of the wonderful lively Cajun version of it - Bourbon Street in New Orleans - and the white version of it which is Lower Broadway in Nashville. Both of those are full of spectacularly sexy people and massive electric energy where else Beale Street seems like a relic of the past, and while it has plenty of neon, and is exciting and interesting, it's just doesn't have that electric spirit that it used to have. It's still very worth a visit and is still one of my favourite places but you'll notice if you go to Bourbon and Broadway as well that when you compare them directly this is the one that has been left in the past and that is a shame because 20 years ago while Bourbon Street was a little bit ahead, you could say that Beale and Lower Broadway were both holding their own. Nashville's Broadway has gone off the charts since then and Beale Street has been left to fade away into history. After all how many current country performers can you name? There are plenty. And how many current Blues artists can you name? Me neither. My old review: Memphis inspires many people, and is the heart and soul of the music of the USA. Beale St is the heart and soul of Memphis, and this is the place where you should start - and perhaps end - your time here. Try One & Only BBQ (ribs) while you're in town, btw. Tops BBQ is good too. Central is Meh. One of the most beautiful and exciting streets in the whole country. Yes it is aimed at tourists but it's not touristy to the point of disgustingness. In fact it's absolutely wonderful to walk up and down here and see the lights and hear the music coming out onto the sidewalk. It's pretty short, but it's still really good, and that is exactly what she said about my thingy.

I read about the similarities between Beale and Boubon street and was looking forward to reliving some my favorite NOLA experiences. I found there to be a lot of great things about Beale, but aside from the open container priveledges, I really didn't see the connection very much. So yes, you can enjoy adult beverages outside the restaurants and walk down the street checking out all the shops and restaurants. We had ribs at The Blues City Cafe which were ok and then we wandered down the street and checked out the historical restaurants, Blues museums, and even a candy shop. Live music is also a plus and it's fun to see the history. Beale is in a rather rough area in Memphis, so just walking around along the other streets like we did in NOLA with the French Quarter is not something I'd recommend. Additionally, even though places here are famous for BBQ, we had recommendations by locals to try other places that were much more impressive. Overall, I think it's a nice piece of history, especially if music and the roots of Blues or Elvis are your thing. For us, we saw it, experienced it, will probably spend our future time in Memphis elsewhere.

Beale Street is 2 blocks of music and liquor! Reminded me of a mini Vegas and similar to Bourbon Street. Main difference is the live country music. Did not park here, but does not seem like much parking in the area. We walked and Lyft'ed back. The street itself is blocked off from traffic. Only traffic light is to cross to the other block. Bright neon lights. You can hear live music from every bar and restaurant. Beer and liquor are pretty reasonably priced for a touristy place. BB King and Coyote Ugly are big name places here. Crowd was pretty small on a Thursday.

This is the place to be at night. They have a large stage which has bands on occasion, and the street's businesses are swinging. You can walk from one end to the other, and find music somewhere that will fit you and your style. We couldn't find any in the restaurants, but we did find a street performer playing who was excellent. (Make sure you tip the street performers!) Drinks are available as you walk up and down the strip. There is also Insomnia Cookies and Ice Cream available as well. Police presence at night is solid and the street is safe. There are people hustling on the street doing street acts like tumbling or jumping over your family for a fee, if you are interested in that sort of thing, We saw some people at the hotels around Beale Street taking in the concert in the park from the comfort of their own balcony. With that said, the area is pretty loud, so unless you are a sound sleeper, be careful where your room is.

I have no idea why they gave Beale Street a 3.5 star rating, I am pushing it up to 4 stars. I have been here several times and they have some great restaurants on Beale Street. If you like Blues, if you like karaoke, come to Beale Street you will not be disappointed. They have Dyers with the 100 year old grease, and the food is delicious. they have the famous BB King, which I always enjoy and NEW DAISY THEATRE, MEMPHIS ROCK 'N' SOUL MUSEUM, HARD ROCK CAFE, SILKY O'SULLIVAN'S and much more. Go the during the New Year and watch the Guitar Drop right there on Beale Street, better view than New York.. :)

Not great, dirty and smelly, should clean up the streets and the trash all over, smells like pee and sewage

Dirty and not that great Had to make a visit since we were in the area. Overall it just came across as dirty, with bums and other people trying to hit you up for money. All the stores and restaurants are overpriced just because they are on Beale street. Parking will also set you back about $10

I had a really good time on Beale Street. Lots of great music venues and I found the staff at most places to be friendly. I love the history of the place. The night I was there, we'll the atmosphere could have been better. Apparently it was some kind of bike night. I found that crowd to be obnoxious. They brought a negative vibe to what should be an electric place for music. Still with seeing and doing.