Beale Street is a must do while visiting Memphis. My friends and I came here for 4th of July weekend and had a fun time. There are a decent amount of bars and shops but it is on the smaller side. My expectation was it was the size of Broadway in Nashville but it is maybe half the size. They do have live music at most of the bars which are a fun time. We found an Elvis impersonator and he was the highlight of the evening. We easily spent a couple hours watching him. Even though Beale Street is on the smaller and older side, it's still a must do on your Memphis bucket list read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Live music spills from each club. Smoky barbecue wafts on the breeze. History hangs in the air. I'm on Beale Street & from the moment my feet touch the pavement , I realize I'm in a music mecca unlike any other. It is the most visited attraction in the State of Tennessee. Beale Street is alive with blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, R&B, soul & gospel. There are a variety of clubs, restaurants & shops. It's live music, outdoor concerts, clubs, restaurants & neon that is authentically Memphis. After dark there was a police presence. read more

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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! read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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 read more

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"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.] read more

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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 read more

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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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. read more

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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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

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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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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! read more

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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. read more

Beale Street - Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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

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. read more

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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 read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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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. read more

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! read more

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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 !!! read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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. read more

[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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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. read more

Beale Street - Local Flavor Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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. read more

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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. read more

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