♫ Yosemite Sam's ♫ - If Cartoons Owned Bars...

Location: 2126 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104

Phone Number: 901.726.6138

Cover Charge: nope!

Food: possibly during the day, not at night.

Entertainment: Karaoke, dancing, pool, bigscreen showing the game...

Crowd: Midtown-y Variety

Service: Great - Pleasant Bartenders

Cleanliness: Decently clean - the tables and chairs are always wiped down

Drink Specials: $10 domestic pitchers

Smoker Friendly: Yep

Review:

If I had to create a boring slogan for Yosemite Sam's, it would be, "Midtown Memphis' Karaoke Bar!" because it is just that - not boring, but it is a karaoke bar located on the edge of Overton Square, right on the corner of Cooper and Madison. You know, next to Bosco's? Honestly, you can't miss it since it has a picture of gun totin' Yosemite Sam himself smack-dab on the side of the building. Even though it sticks out fairly well, I am shocked at the number of people I talk to who have never been there or even heard about it. Pardon me, Mr. Sam, for not knowing your history, but it is my understanding the bar has been there for a while, and it has certainly stood the test of time.

During peak hours & nights, you will not be able to park directly behind the building. There are plenty of well-lit spaces to park within a block, so I would advise you just skip trying to fit behind the building and move right along to the parking lot farther behind Yosemite Sam's small lot, or even a block West across the street from Memphis Pizza Cafe.  

As you walk in the entrance, you are greeted by the stocked bar immediately on your left and amateur singers belting out their favorite Journey song towards the back right of the floor. Go ahead and grab a seat - there is usually plenty of seating. Yosemite Sam's has tables-for-two as well as tables-for-twenty which make this bar outstanding for groups. 

With the bar being situated in the middle of Midtown, you will encounter many different types of people such as the artsy-fartsies, the college kids, the bachelorette party, the middle-age mamma's, you might even catch granny and grandpa there as well! Yosemite Sam's brings in a perfect blend of different groups and ages and asks them pick from a decent list of songs to sing for each other. If you don't sing, you can dance to the music, and if you don't do that, they also have a pool table - it's rarely open due to high demand, so get your cue-balls in early.

Drinks are, well, expect to pay a little extra for your drinks. They certainly won't rob you, but they do charge $10 for a pitcher of domestic beer which is a couple bucks more than they charge down the street. But the pitchers are nice and big - perfect for my group of friends since we like to make sure everybody keeps a full glass. The bartenders are very friendly and I get the impression that they have been working at Yosemite Sam's for a while. They certainly know what they're doing!

Though it's a great bar, I only have one complaint - when it is "the guy" who is taking requests and working the karaoke equipment, expect to wait a long time if you put a request in unless: a) you hand him a good tip, or b) you can push your cleavage together. I refuse to spend $20 to have my chance at a song, and since I'm a male, "b)" isn't an option, so it usually is a long wait until my name is called. But, I suppose this is good news for those hardcore karaoke'ers or well-endowed women who pretty much demand that it is their turn next...

Overall, this is a great bar located in a fun part of the city. You'll enjoy singing your favorite tunes while being able to knock back a few cold beverages. Bring yourself and serenade a stranger, or bring a big group of friends and put on your own little concert - see if you can inspire the entire crowd to dance and sing to your song. I promise you'll have fun, and you'll probably end up wanting to stay longer than you anticipated.

Silky O'Sullivan's - When Memphis and Ireland Collide...

Location: 183 Beale Street, Memphis, TN, 38103
Phone Number: (901)522-9596
Cover Charge: $5
Food: BBQ, Fried Food, Burgers - Menu
Entertainment: Piano Bar, Live Music, Drunk Goats
Crowd: Young, Old, Rich, Poor...
Service: Good Service
Cleanliness: Decently Clean Beale Street Bar
Drink Specials: $18 Divers, $8 Hurricanes, $3 Dom./$5 Imp. (16 oz) - $5 Dom. 10$ Imp. (28 oz)
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review:
Every time I've been to Silky's, I've been pleased. It's a Beale Street staple, known for its back-yard goats and gallon-deep divers. If you're walking down Beale and want to know why people are carrying around a big yellow bucket, it's because they just finished a famous Memphis beverage whose taste can be likened to that of "every single bar beverage plus a wedding cake in a bucket," or "beer, liquor, and sugar." You can only get it at Silky's.

Silky's is a very versatile bar, which is important for the life of any bar on Beale. Immediately inside, you are greeted by a large room with a small bar on your left, and a large one on your right. Towards left about halfway down the room are two head-to-head grand pianos that battle it out all night long. If inside isn't the place for you, walk to the back right of the room and take the door outside to the back patio. Generally, there will be a live band playing music that keeps the mood lively.

Also outside is the famous Silky's goat named Killian. He lives in the back and likes to keep watch from the top of his spiral-shaped tower. But, if he's in the proper mood, he'll be down at the fence showing his good side for a bottle of beer - no joke.

Silky's has something for everyone. If you don't feel like paying a cover, stop at one of their outside bars, buy a diver, and roam up and down Beale. If you have the chance, stop by and say "hello" to Mr. O'Sullivan himself. He'll be the one sitting on a throne, smoking his cigar, and enjoying the crowd he's brought in town since 1992.

Website: http://www.silkyosullivans.com/

Young Avenue Deli

Location: 2119 Young Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone Number: 901-278-0034
Cover Charge: Yes and no. Call before your visit to find out.
Food: Deli food. Menu (they deliver too)
Entertainment: Live music, 4 pool tables, foosball table, arcade games, TV's
Crowd: 'Hip' midtowners and college kids
Service: Friendly Bartenders, waitress came by infrequently
Cleanliness: Clean
Drink Specials: "Beer Card" program. Buy 10 drafts, get the 11th free.
Smoker Friendly: No
Review:
Young Avenue Deli is, simply put, a midtown essential. It's located in the oh-so-popular Cooper/Young district, which for many is the primo social locale in midtown. When I first heard of Young Avenue Deli, I envisioned a small little midtown, well, deli. However, my first experience there showed me something quite different...

The Young Avenue Deli strikes me as a pretty 'hip' place to be. The windows are littered with flyers advertising upcoming events and the music playing inside leaks through the door every time it's opened. I've only been twice. The first time I was greeted with loud music, a busy crowd, and a large smoky bar. My buddies and I went for a PBR night and to listen to some live music while enjoying our brews. It was a hot summer night, and even though they had an industrial fan running in the back, it was still warm inside. However, the live music was good, and so was the environment in the bar. My second (and most recent) visit to Young Avenue Deli was much different. There wasn't a huge crowd, no live music, and smoking is no longer allowed. I also wasn't drinking PBR. This time it was $2.50 16oz Schlitz!

Both times I've visited, I've appreciated the size of the place. It's one giant room, but it's sort of split off into open sections. For instance, as you walk in, on your right you'll see the stage and in front of that is the music area. On the opposite side from that is the seating area, with 6 seating booths and plenty of 4-seater tables. Running along the right side of the wall is the very long bar with many room for seating, and in the back left of the room is the game area. They have 4 pool tables, a pinball machine, a few arcade games, and a foosball table. They have a flat screen behind the bar and when they aren't featuring live music, Young Avenue Deli drops a projection screen in front of the stage. Needless to say, they have plenty of entertainment for just about every type of bar-goer out there.

I was surprised at the number of beers they carried. On their bar menu, they showcased around 30 different draft beers, 110 bottled beers, and even featured some shooters they make (B-52's, Liquid Cocaine, Sex On the Beach, and Car Bombs to name a few.) If you appreciate a great variety of drinks, you'll like Young Avenue Deli.

But the Young Avenue Deli isn't just a bar or a restaurant; it's also a noted venue for live music in the Memphis area. Apparently, bands make around 35-50 requests a week to play there. So if you appreciate live and local music, keep your eye out for their special events. On their website, they keep current upcoming music. You can also subscribe to have them send upcoming events to your email.

The Young Avenue Deli really surprised me. At first I thought it was just a deli, then I learned it was a loud music bar, and then I had the chance to experience it as a less crowded, sit-down bar. If anything can be said about this place, it would definitely be that Young Avenue Deli is incredibly versatile and is prepared to handle anybody willing to give it a shot. They have a little something for everybody, whether it be drinks, entertainment, or environment. I can't comment on the restaurant aspect, but when it comes to the bar, I really need to consider this place more often when I'm up for a midtown bar hop night. So should you.

Anything Else: Parking to the side and in the back. Expect to park in the surrounding neighborhood on busy nights.
Website: http://www.youngavenuedeli.com/

Sauces - Mojito Bar Extraordinaire

Location: 95 S Main St. Memphis, TN 38103
Phone Number: (901)473-9573
Cover Charge: N/A
Food: Seafood, Salads, Sandwiches, Sauces - Menu
Entertainment: Music, WiFi
Crowd: Varied, Casually Fancy
Service: Wonderful
Cleanliness: Very Clean
Drink Specials: $7.75-$8.75 Mojitos
Smoker Friendly: No
Review: For those who don't know, a mojito is mixed drink made from rum, sugar, lime, mint, and carbonated water, and Sauces pretty much specializes in making the perfect one. They have a selection of about 10 different types of mojitos ranging from the standard "10 Cane" to a "Spiced Peach" or a "Pomegranate" mojito and they all sound and look delicious.

I originally heard about Sauces from my girlfriend. She had a girls-night here and immediately insisted afterwards that she and I take a night to visit it. Prior to Sauces, my only experience with mojitos were of the pre-mixed "place in the freezer and stir" variety. I was pretty excited to give the real ones a try. The bar/restaurant is located on the Main strip and is tucked neatly in a corner of a building. They have a small delightful outside patio lit-up by white lights that could be pretty cozy and romantic during the warmer months. Inside I found a bar with a very unique theme. Contemporarily-decorative lights hang from the ceiling and give the room a soft feel while featured local artwork hangs from the deep red-bricked walls. I quickly got the impression that Sauces appreciates all forms of modern art.

The room felt relatively tight and small, maybe a little crammed. Candle-lit tables lined the walls and were situated pretty close together, and I wasn't sure where we were going to sit or if we'd even have enough privacy. The hostess then led us to the back of the room, down a set of stairs, and into a whole new room with larger tables spread further apart. We didn't sit at the bar, but I need to describe it because it really was fascinating. The first thing that caught my eye was the variety of colors. Sharp but soft greens, blues, reds, and yellows dressed the bar, the bottles, and the walls. The backdrop was a white opaque wall, but behind it was a red light that gave the appearance of tasteful graffiti. They put a lot of good work into making the entire bar eye-catching.

Another thing that caught my eye was the artwork. My girlfriend informed me that the paintings on the walls came from local artists. She pointed out the small tags hanging from the corners and told me that they were also for sale. I think that's a pretty cool way to help support the local art scene. Most, if not all of the paintings were beautiful and gave their own little 'flavor' to the room. Having a drink at Sauces is almost a two-in-one because you're not only drinking, but you're also at an art gallery.

We were then seated in the back of the room at a nice table and had a good view of the room. I had a peek at the online menu earlier in the day, so I knew what I wanted. I ordered the "10 Cane Mojito" and my girlfriend asked for the "Mango Mojito." We also ordered entrees: crab cakes for me, mahi-mahi for the girlfriend. The drinks took a while to come out, in fact, the food came out before the drinks. But that's to be expected when the food takes a speedy five minutes to come out. The food was absolutely amazing. My crab cakes were drizzled with one of their signature sauces that gave it a nice spicy kick. The mashed potatoes and veggies came as a side and were delicious. I'm not here to review the food, I just want to point out that if the food tastes that good, the same can be expected of the appetizers, which most people order when out for drinks.

The drinks finally came out and were almost a work of art themselves. No pre-frozen mixed mojitos here - they make them the authentic way, mint leaves and all. Just looking at the picture makes me want another one. Served in a tall glass with ice, mine was very fresh and flavorful. I sampled my girlfriend's mango mojito and it had a nice hint of mango flavoring to it, but it didn't take away from or overpower the "mojito" minty-lime taste. The drinks didn't taste strong at all, but after I had a few sips I could tell that they didn't short-change me on the alcohol. These were very well-mixed drinks. I didn't get to experience it since we were sitting downstairs, but I can imagine the process of making a well-mixed mojito is fun and entertaining to watch, since there are so many steps involved.

The night was very fun and relaxing. Soft modern music was playing in the background, and though the room was filled with people, there was not a lot of loud background noise. Our waitress was very friendly and non-intrusive. I can guarantee that I'll give Sauces another visit, but sadly I don't have a weekly hankerin' for mojitos, so I highly doubt I will be there frequently. However, it is an awesome specialty bar that literally portrays the contemporary art-culture of Memphis.

Anything Else: They have a full bar if mojitos aren't your thing. Open at 11 mon-fri, noon on sat and sun, brunch on Sunday and live music from 4-7.
Website: http://www.saucesmemphis.com/

Side Street Grill - The Red Bar

Location: 31 Florence St. Memphis, TN 38104
Phone Number: (901) 274-8955
Cover Charge: N/A
Food: Upscale Grill - Steak, Pasta, Seafood, Sandwiches, Salad, Appetizers
Entertainment: TV, Cigar Parlor
Crowd: Slightly more mature, but varied
Service: Great, very friendly servers
Cleanliness: Very clean
Drink Specials:

• Regular Martini: $7.75
• Jumbo Martini: $12

Smoker Friendly: Yes, cigar smokers welcome too. (For those that heavily dislike cigar smoke, I couldn't smell any hint of cigars on my trip.)
Review: I’ve been to Side Street Grill/The Red Bar a few times now. I decided to visit it again for a lovely night out with my girlfriend, celebrating our one year anniversary. She loves martinis, it’s close to home, and it’s incredibly easy-going and comfortable. Side Street Grill/The Red Bar are two locations combined into one renovated midtown house in Overton Square, and it couldn’t have been done any better. Side Street Grill is located on the left side, and attached to the right by a small hallway is the lounge area known as The Red Bar. I’m going to refer to the entire location as Side Street Grill from here on out.

As I mentioned, Side Street Grill is located in midtown and is quite a unique bar that everybody should enjoy at least once. From the outside, it blends in with nearby houses, but on the inside, it’s remarkably different. It has rustic dark wooden floors and the red accented walls are scattered with old 40’s – 50’s era photos and artwork. There is plenty of seating available and multiple sizes of candle-lit tables to accommodate any group. If you want to sit at the bar itself, there are a handful of seats in both the grill and lounge area.

One reason Side Street Grill is so unique is that it has a very long list of specialty martinis (around 25) to choose from. They also have two sizes: regular and jumbo. They aren’t kidding when they say jumbo either... If you just want to stick to one choice, get the jumbo. But if you want to sample two of the martinis, opt for the regular size. I’m a standard martini drinker, so I ordered the jumbo “Dirty Martini," vodka. My girlfriend loves variety and started with a regular sized “Wedding Cake” martini, and topped the night off with a regular sized “Nutty” martini (Amoretto, Stoli Vanil, Kailua). To get an idea on the variety of martinis, you can also try a “Tequila Kiss”, which is Tequila and Grand Marnier lined with a burgundy rim, or you can have a “Chocolate Martini” – a sweet, chocolate, alcoholic drink lined with a chocolate rim.

If martinis aren’t your thing, Side Street Grill explicitly welcomes cigar smokers. You can sit in the cigar lounge, purchase your favorite cigar, and enjoy it with a single malt scotch or a cognac. You can find in the menu that they have the "finest selection of single malt scotches and cognacs" in Memphis, and it’s obvious they pride themselves in that fact. For you winos, they have a great selection of vintage wines to suit your taste.

I usually don’t get much to eat at bars, but when I first walked in, I saw people eating off plates beautifully decorated with very generous serving sizes of amazing looking food. If you’re looking for entrees, they’ll cook you a reputably awesome steak, some seafood, or some pasta. I had just eaten prior to arriving, so I narrowed my choice down to two appetizers: honey baked brie or artichoke dip. I opted for the dip and got to eat the heartiest warm artichoke dip I’ve ever had off lightly toasted flatbread slices. YUM-O! (Rachel Ray anyone?)

Though I haven’t experienced it, I can almost bet this place has a great crowd before and after a play at the nearby theater. You can have a couple of drinks here in your jeans and t-shirt while the party at the table behind you is dressed to the nines and neither of you will feel out of place. The atmosphere is extremely relaxed, and the servers are very friendly and patient. The music playing consisted of modern rock/pop, which I feel didn’t suit the environment. I would have preferred some “jazzy” sounding music which would have complimented the environment well. The ambient noise isn’t deafening, so you won’t have to talk over your company. It was too cold for us to enjoy this time, but Side Street Grill has a large patio outside that almost doubles the amount of patrons the bar can handle. I have sat outside here before during the summer, and it’s extremely enjoyable. I highly recommend it if you have the opportunity.
Definitely give this place a shot if you’re in the area. It is entirely possible that you will plan to only stay for an hour at night, but end up staying a lot longer.
Anything Else: Excellent alternative to Downtown's martini bar: Swig (Swig is now closed)
Website: N/A

Circa - by John Bragg

Location: 119 Main Street, Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone Number: 901.522.1488
Cover Charge: N/A
Food: Contemporary, Sophisticated, French-inspired Memphis Cuisine. Bar Menu
Entertainment: TV at the bar, Private room available w/ Wi-Fi and 50'' Plasma Screen
Crowd: Classy
Service: Excellent
Cleanliness: Spic-and-span
Drink Specials: Happy Hour Specials from 4-7 every night

• Mon - $5.00 Martinis
• Tues - $2.50 Beers including Microbrews and Imports
• Wed - $8.00 Featured Wine Flights
• Thurs - Scotch Night - All Single Malts $2.00 off
• Fri & Sat - Complimentary Hors d'Ouvres
• Sun - Tasting Menu w/ Wine Parings - $45 per person. $3.00 Small Plates at the Bar

Smoker Friendly: No, smoking not allowed in restaurants in Memphis
Review:
irca, "the best reason to dine downtown," was a fun experience, and an excellent Memphis bar. I had first heard about it through Paul Ryburn's Blog, a pretty famous blogger/drinker in downtown Memphis. My first impressions before experiencing this place were a little different from the actual experience. Initially, I was under the impression Circa was on the same page as the Flying Saucers, the Blue Monkey's, etc. I was expecting loud music and lots of people - your general 'bar'. However, I was surprised to find out my experience was quite different from what I had expected.

Circa is an upscale, swanky, and contemporary restaurant located on the Main Street strip. I'm ashamed to say this was my first time walking down this block of Main. I was quite impressed. Outside Circa were some tables gently illuminated by small white-stringed lights hanging from above. I was dressed in jeans and an untucked button-up, and immediately I felt a little embarrassed to walk inside because I felt underdressed. My group and I were greeted at the front and I mentioned we were just there for the bar. The greeter (which also turned out to be our bartender for the evening) told us enthusiastically to "have a seat!" I was really impressed with the decor. It felt very upscale and contemporarily artsy - perfect for Main Street. I brought my camera to take pictures, but sadly it had run out of batteries before I could snap any photos. The lighting was soft, and it paired well with the upbeat jazz flowing through the room.

The four of us sat down at the bar and took up nearly a third of the seating. The bar had a handful of stools, and behind us were a few small tables. I realized then that Circa was a restaurant first and a bar second. Not a problem! We asked to see the drink menus which had plenty of great beers to choose from. Not only that, but they had over 50 wines by the glass to choose, and have the city's largest collection of scotches. I ordered a beer, the bartender poured it in a glass for me, and the night began.

I was very caught up with the look and feel of the place. The bar area was fantastic. The bottles behind the bar were sitting on a neat looking wooden-type shelf. Each bottle had its own square. Not only that, but it was open to the back and you could watch people walk in and out behind the bar. I could have been entertained enough just looking around all night. But if that wouldn't satisfy you, they had a tv playing basketball in the left corner.

Most bars I visit have a stressed-out bartender running around filling drink orders. Rare is the time where I go to a bar and actually talk with the bartender. Our server for the evening asked us to call him House. He was an extremely friendly gentleman who told us a little about the history of the restaurant and the Chef himself. We were there for an hour or so and he talked with us nearly the entire time. Now, I'm sure he would have left us alone if he could sense we just wanted to drink and sit, but a social crowd and conversation is always welcome. I have to say that House's friendliness helped make Circa more than just a plain 'ole bar.

House told us that Circa has been selling Absinthe at the bar for a while now. If you aren't aware, Absinthe has been noted as a drink with other powerful side effects other than drunkenness. It has been said that it inspired many great writers and musicians centuries ago. The United States had banned the beverage up until recently. But, if you're curious, go sample it at Circa. We were told if we were going to drink it, we had to make sure it's the first thing we have for optimum effects, so if you try it, don't pre-drink. Our bartender also let us know that they have a beer that was brewed just for Circa that they sell. It's brewed by Bosco's, a noted beer-joint in Memphis. I don't see it on their menu, but it's supposedly very good, so ask for their Main Street beer next time you're there. Also I learned that, Circa has some reputable claims:

• Circa is the only restaurant in Memphis that serves Bosco's brewed beer on tap.
• They have the largest selection of scotches in the city, 50+ available. (Maybe I should start drinking scotch?)

Circa is a very modern-day bar that can accommodate a handful of people. The food looks exquisite and the drinks are plentiful. As a guy right out of college, I probably won't become a regular there, but you can bet that it would be a superb place for me to take my girlfriend for special occasions or "just because" nights. Keep in mind that Circa is probably better suited for a small group of friends when it comes to just drinking, as the bar lacks big tables for a large party. Though I suppose a large group could just as easily be served at a table away from the bar. This bar is perfect for all groups of people including visitors as well as locals who are a little tired of the loud and obnoxious bar-scene and would like to drink to a little sophistication.

Anything Else:
Bosco's draft beer, Cream Ale, Pale Ale
Free Valet Parking. Open from 4p-10p Sunday thru Thursday, 4p-11p Friday and Saturday.

Website: http://www.circamemphis.com/

The Windjammer Restaurant and Lounge

Location: 786 E Brookhaven Cir. Memphis, TN 38117
Phone Number: (901) 683-9044
Cover Charge: None with my experience, carry a $5 just in case.
Food: Pub Food
Entertainment: Karaoke (Wed-Mon), Darts, Shuffleboard, TVs
Crowd: Variable. Young and Old
Service: Good, Friendly Service
Cleanliness: Decent
Drink Specials: $5.00 domestic pitchers (!!!)
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review:
If you love Karaoke and need it more than once a week, you'll love Windjammer. It's located in what appears to be a renovated single-story house a few blocks from Poplar and Whitestation in East Memphis, so it's a pretty convenient location for both the Midtown hippies and the Suburb stiffs. The crowd reflects this. You will see college kids there, and you might even find your grandma singing her favorite song. There is plenty of parking available in front, too.

By day, Windjammer is a restaurant, and judging from the menu, it seems to be a pretty good one too. Though I cannot comment much about the day-scene aspect of the bar, my friend (who loves the place) can. He made a comment that he drove by the place one day and it looked like it had burned. It hadn't, but that may give you an idea on its outward appearance. Don't let this discourage you.

At night is when this place really starts to come alive. Walking up to the building, you can see lights through the windows and you can hear the faint sound of the bass of the karaoke speakers seeping through the walls. Upon opening the front door, you are greeted with the sounds of somebody singing or attempting to sing, which could be a good or bad thing. During the weekend, this place can get relatively crowded. There is a front room, a side room, a back room, (all of which are open to each other), and a back porch. Most of the time, you'll be able to easily find a place that suits you best without any problems.

The front room has booths and tables for sitting, a karake stage, and a nicely sized tv for projecting the lyrics of a song for all to follow. The side room has a few tables as well as a shuffleboard table for your entertainment. The back room has dart boards and larger tables for larger groups. The bar is located in the area between the front and back room and has a good number of barstools. The back porch is really nice if you want to get away from the singers for a little bit. It's covered and resembles your typical homely back deck.

The servers are incredibly nice. Usually, they'll come around and give you what you need, but if it's a really busy night, don't count on them to make it to you with promptness. It's usually best to go to the bar and order your own drinks when it's really crowded, unless you don't mind waiting. My favorite part about Windjammer, and I'm sure all my friends will agree with me, is their $5.00 domestic pitchers. It's a great place to end the work week with cheap beer, karaoke with a really nice song selection, and a friendly environment. This place is really fun, and it's extremely easy to waste an entire night here without even realizing it.

Anything Else: The blonde waitress can talk anyone into drinking a beer.
Website: N/A

The Blue Monkey

Location: Two Locations

• 2012 Madison Ave. Memphis, TN 38104
• 513 S Front St. Memphis, TN 38103

Phone Number: (901) 272-2583
Cover Charge: $5
Food: Full Menu - Great Pizzas
Entertainment: Live Music, Pool Tables
Crowd: Variable. College-Middle Age
Service: Good Service
Cleanliness: Clean
Drink Specials: $3.50 well dirty martinis
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review:

The Blue Monkey is a big hit among Memphians. It is located in Midtown on the corner of Madison and N. Morrison which means that it's a great place for college students as well as older people who need to get out of the house but don't feel like braving the downtown area. Limited parking is located behind the bar on N. Morrison. If that fills up, your only other option is to park around the surrounding neighborhood. It's not a far walk, so don't worry. The Blue Monkey has a wheelchair ramp that enters the back door, but most people use the front.

Immediately upon entering, you are usually greeted with the loud music of a live band playing on the stage to your left. Directly ahead are some wooden tables, and the bar is on the right. If the tables in the main room are full, just check the spare room on your far right - There may be some free tables there. Once you find a seat, decide what you want to drink. The Blue Monkey has around 35 beers on tap and a full bar, so they will more than likely be able to accomodate any of your beer drinking or liquor sipping needs. I enjoy a dirty martini occasionally, and they have a surprisingly good vodka dirty martini for only $3.50 a pop. If you're hungry, they have pretty darn good food. I recommend any of their pizzas.

The Blue Monkey is a medium sized bar. If you don't enjoy bars that are so crowded your shoulders are always touching somebody else, this place may be great for you. You can move to the very back and shoot some pool, or if you're a loner, they have some of those electronic bar-top games that will keep you company. They also have TV's that are turned on to sports for those sitting in front of the bar so you don't have to miss out on your favorite team.

I don't go to this bar as often as I probably should. It's reasonably priced for Midtown, not incredibly crowded, and it has all of the entertainment and beer to keep me happy. If you're in the area, give it a go and let me know what you think about it. I know you won't be let down.

Anything Else: I have not been to their downtown location - I will update and include a review of the downtown Blue Monkey after I visit it.
Website: N/A

The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

One of the Greats.
Location: Two Locations

• Downtown - 130 Peabody Place, Memphis, TN 38103
• Cordova - 1400 N Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN, 38016

Phone Number:

• Downtown - (901) 523-7468
• Cordova - (901) 755-5530

Cover Charge: Weekend nights usually, $3-5, free for members. (See "Anything Else" below)
Food: Full Menu - heard rumors the Cordova Saucer scored a 40% on their health inspection. It doesn't stop me though, and it may only be rumors.
Entertainment: Occasional Live Music, TV's, Pool Tables (Downtown Only), Darts (Both Locations)
Crowd: Wide variety.
Service: Some rude waitresses and some incredibly friendly waitresses during slow and peak hours. Though sometimes you need to take your own orders to the bar during peak times (Pint-Nite: Mondays, and mostly downtown only.)
Cleanliness: Clean - though see "Food:" section above.
Drink Specials: All nights features a "Fire Sale." This is one beer that sells for $2.75 a pint. Excellent deal if you ask me. The Fire Sales are usually very good beers that you cannot find at normal locations. Pint Nite (Mondays) sells most draft pints for $2.50 a piece. Where else can you find beer such as Newcastle or Young's Double Chocolate Stout for that price?
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review:
If you're a beer drinker, this bar is for you. If you aren't, a visit or two will turn you into one. This bar has two fine locations - one in the middle of the downtown, and one in the Cordova suburbs. Both locations are great, but each one has its own personality. The downtown location has more of a 'youthful' vibe to it. The big entry room has pool tables, a stage, and picnic table style seating as well as bar stools that face outside. The top half of the side walls open to create an 'open-air' feel. The inside bar area has a long bar with seating and tables scattered throughout. You can find a couple dartboards in the back corner if you're into that. The music playing over the sound system is louder and the song selection caters to the younger crowd.

The Cordova location is similar, but a few things are different. I've noticed the music is a little less loud and caters more to the 'slightly older than the younger' crowd, if that makes sense. The Cordova saucer is generally less crowded and offers an outdoor patio which is amazing in the warmer months. They cover it and put heaters inside during the cooler months. Both Saucers offer the same thing, so both are excellent in my opinion.

The Flying Saucer is also known for its fine-lookin' waitresses. They come ready to take your order in a tight Saucer t-shirt and a plaid school-girl miniskirt. Who can complain about that?

So what if you don't visit on a Pint Nite and you don't particularly care for that night's Fire Sale? They have hundreds of different beers available. Some you have tried, while most you haven't. You can pay anywhere from 3.50 up to 20-30 bucks for a beer if you so choose. They have the beers categorized by types in their beer menu for easy location and selection.

There really isn't much else to say except that The Flying Saucer is a Memphis bar giant. Most everybody knows and loves going to this place. So if you feel up to a fun night with your friends, or if you want to go out and meet people, this is a great place to do it. They have a good reputation and they definitely hold up to it.

Anything Else: Join the U.F.O. club for $14. It gets you a BEERKNURD T-shirt and a personal member's card. Swipe the card when you purchase a new beer, and it will keep track of what you have bought. After you purchased 200 different beers (limit 3 per night), you are rewarded not only with a party in your honor (they'll cover $100 of your bar tab), but also you will receive a plate on the wall with your name on it, letting the masses know what you have accomplished. Becoming a member also eliminates all cover fees. That alone makes it worth it if you're a frequent visitor.
Website: http://www.beerknurd.com/

Neil's Bar & Grill

Location: 1835 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone Number: (901) 278-6345
Cover Charge: No cover
Food: Full Menu - great drunken appetizers
Entertainment: Frequent live music, Pool Tables, Shuffleboard, Darts, Game Room, TV
Crowd: Mostly college age with some older folks too.
Service: Good service
Cleanliness: One of the cleaner dive-bars. The bathrooms could use a little work...
Drink Specials: $5.00 domestic pitchers, cheap liquor.
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review:
I would call Neil's your "Steak & Potatoes" of the Midtown bars. It's a very popular place among college students in the area, and has everything you need in a bar and not much more. Neil's is located on the corner of Madison and South McLean and has plenty of parking on the same block. It has an outdoor patio that's perfect for the warmer days, a main bar room, a game room, and a music room.

One of the first reasons to enjoy a night at Neil's is its prime location. If you don't feel much like fighting the downtown crowd and live in the Midtown area, Neil's is just a few minutes away from a cold beer. The second reason to enjoy Neil's is that as long as I have been going there, I've never been charged a cover. So if you don't like it, you're not $5 in the hole. The last reason among many others to have fun at Neil's is their $5 domestic pitchers. They have very fairly priced drinks also. If I'm feeling like getting drunk fast and cheap, I'll order a long island iced tea and they'll load it up with alcohol. It might not be the best tasting beverage, but it sure does the trick for $8.00.

The live music is entertaining also. They usually feature pretty good cover bands at Neil's. While listening to the music, you can order a batch of fried pickle chips (which are amazing), fried mushrooms (which I have heard were equally as good), or you can order any of your typical bar entrees. If you don't feel much like eating, they have plenty of pool tables - if you keep your eye out, you'll be able to snag a table without any troubles.

There is plenty of seating in the main room. They have a handful of bar stools on the bar, a nice size of green booth seats, and some other tables scattered around the room. If it ever fills up, people usually spill into the back music room which has equally as much seating.

The service is very friendly as well. The bartender made an effort to remember my name after only seeing me for the second time. She also remembered my drink and food order from two weeks prior. If you're not sure what you'd like, just ask the workers and they'll be glad to recommend you their favorite appetizer.

If I happened to make Neil's sound like a sparkling gem, I didn't give it proper justice. Consider it a dusty quartz crystal half-buried in the ground. It's not the fanciest place, but it is a lot of fun.


Anything Else: Get the fried pickles.
Website: N/A

Pat O'Brien's - A Beale Street Staple

Location: 310 Beale St, Memphis, TN
Phone Number: (901) 529-0900
Cover Charge: Dependant on time of evening & entertainment. Expect to pay $5 to get in.
Food: Full Menu - Cajun Themed
Entertainment: Piano Bar, Live Music
Crowd: Variable. 21-50s not uncommon
Service: Excellent service when not crowded, Decent service when full.
Cleanliness: Clean
Drink Specials: None that I'm aware of. 3-4$ domestics. More for imports. Small variety on tap.
Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review: Update: As of 8/10/08, Pat O's is closed for good. I'll leave the review up if you're curious - I'm sure the other venues are nearly alike too.

Pat O'Brien's (or Pat O's for short) is a Beale Street must. This bar and restaurant is a replica of the famous original location in the French Quartier in New Orleans, but can also be found in other exotic locations such as Orlando and Cancun. It's motto is, "Have Fun!" and they try hard to do just that. The bar itself is modeled from the old-style French architecture and features brick walls, stone walkways, elaborate ironwork, and even it's famous "Fire Fountain."

Inside, you can find different rooms that satisfy any of your social needs: a main bar, piano bar, patio (covered in the winter, a courtyard restaurant, and an upstairs suite. The piano bar is where I find myself most when I visit this bar. Hosts and hostesses dressed to theme serve you drinks while you sit back and join in during your typical piano-bar songs like "Sweet Caroline," "Piano Man," "Tiny Dancer," etc. I also recommend standing up and show your discourage with two thumbs-down or if you're more adventurous, two middle fingers up, while they play "Rocky Top."

Drinks are a little pricier than your favorite hole-in-the-wall bar, but this is to be expected because it's one of the more popular bars on Beale. They don't have a very wide selection of draft beers, but they have just about everything you need in bottles. They'll also make you just about any mixed drink you can think up. Speaking of drinks, if it's your first time there, ask for one of their world-famous "Hurricane" drinks. You can get it in the specialty glass and take it home as a souvenir too.

You'll find a wide range of ages present at Pat O'Brien's. Look left and you'll see a bachelorette party, look right and you'll see an older couple sitting and smiling in the corner. I brought my parents here not too long ago and we all had a great time. This just shows that no matter what your age, Pat O's probably has something to offer you.

So what are the negatives? I'm a little short on cash coming right out of college, so if I don't make it in before 10:00 PM, I'm usually stuck paying a $5 cover. Also, If I don't make it in before midnight, I'm fighting the crowd to find a seat. That's about it though... Because of its novelty, I give Pat O's five out of five beers.
Oh and before I forget, if you parked in the Peabody parking garage, Pat O's validates. Save yourself a few bucks and get that done before you leave.

Anything Else: Ask for a 'Hurricane' if you haven't yet.
Website: http://www.patobriens.com

The P & H Cafe

Location: 1532 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Phone Number: 901.726.0906
Cover Charge: Not on my visit, but $5 during live entertainment.
Food: Full Menu
Entertainment: Pool, Darts, Live Music*, Karaoke*
Crowd: Mid-town Memphis "Artsy" Crowd. 21-30somethings
Service: Order and receive drinks at the bar - Bartender comes around to collect empty glasses/pitchers
Cleanliness: Typical Dive Bar
Drink Specials: Cheap Drinks

• Domestics - $2.50
  
• Imports - $3.75
  
• Pitchers - $6.00 (Bud, But Light, Bud Select)
  
• $5.00 PBR Pitchers

Smoker Friendly: Yes
Review: This decent-sized dive bar is located in the Memphis Mid-Town district across from the "Strings-n-Things" music shop on Madison. It's well-disguised. I've driven past it many times without even knowing it existed. Tonight at the smokey P & H was Karaoke Night. Songs were being sung by a younger crowd choosing artists such as Lisa Loeb, Journey, the Cranberries, Wham!, and R. Kelly, to name a few. Though a server didn't come to the tables to take drink orders (possibly due to the large amount of people), the service behind the bar was very quick and friendly.

It's very obvious that this bar is located in a very artfully-cultural area. The ceiling is scattered with charicatures of what looked to be a few famous people, christmas lights are hung from the walls in front of a mural of crouching and kneeling crowds that circle the front room. The walls feature unaligned old framed pictures and artwork, and a few dining booths also run along the sides. When I got there at 11:00 PM, tables and chairs were not easy to come by, so if you're bringing a group, either come a little earlier or plan on standing.

The entrance room is where the entertainment performs. Behind the entrance room is a bottle-necked bar where you place your drink orders. It has a bunch of stools and is long enough to hold a crowd. Behind the bar "hall" is a game room. There are 2-3 pool tables, two dart boards, a jukebox, a Galactica arcade game, and the restrooms. Does the city have codes for dive-bar restrooms or do they leave that to the patron's disgression, because the men's restroom was exactly what you'd expect at a place like this. Let's be honest though, nobody comes to hole-in-the-wall bars for their bathrooms...

The crowd was really entertaining. It was fun watching the same 4-5 drunk people get up and attempt to sing their requested songs. The M.C. who was leading the karaoke was entertaining as well. He seemed to know most of the people who came into the bar. Overall, it was a fun place. Will this place still be fun to me in 5-10 years? Probably not, but the staff seemed incredibly friendly and thankful for the chance to give a fun night. I wouldn't recommend this bar to 30-40+ year old tourists who want to experience the city. However, if you are 30-40, happen to own a few smocks and easels, and enjoy a younger crowd, this place might be for you. As for me, I can't call it my favorite bar, but I wouldn't mind coming back in the future.
Anything Else: Free WiFi
Website: http://www.pandhcafe.com/home.asp

*Live Music and Karaoke on specified nights only. See website or call for details.

Welcome to Memphis Bars!

About the Reviewer:
My name is Ryan, I'm a local 23 year old, fresh out of college, who wants to get to know Memphis' night life a little better. I've heard too many people say, "Memphis is a boring city" for me to keep quiet any longer, and I'd like to prove to myself and others that there are amazing places (and not so amazing places) that probably haven't even been discovered yet.

How do I review? I try to take note of things that just about everybody looks for in a bar, whether they know it or not. I also try to keep in mind all the different types of people that may want to visit. This includes college students, out-of-towners, the couple celebrating their anniversary with a few drinks, the suburbians, the midtowners... Obviously I can't cater to every group, so I have found the best way for me to do this is to present it as I see it. Hopefully after reading a review, you have a good idea of what the bar is about, and what they have to offer you.

Also, once a bar has been reviewed, the review isn't permanent. If I go back and experience something totally different, I will change both the review and the rating. This can be good or bad, but I believe 'living reviews' are the only way to do it.

If out of towners are interested in a specific bar, I'd love to try to review it before you make the trip. Additionally, if you want to critique the way I review, just send me an email and let me know what's up.

I'm not paid to do this, the bars I'm reviewing don't know I'm coming, and they also don't know me, so they don't have any influence in my decision. But if you do wanna pay me...

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People read these reviews and hopefully they find them at least semi-useful. As I review more bars, hopefully more people will stumble across this site. If you're interested in gaining some exposure, I'd be more than happy to discuss throwing up a banner on the side of the page. I don't have a set price, but for now, I'll accept what you believe is a fair cost for the traffic I receive. How does that sound? If you're curious, email me.