Beale Street is known as “Home of the Blues”. The famous street incorporates three blocks of restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Memphis, Tennessee. The spiritual home of musicians like Louis Armstrong, B.B King and Muddy Waters, it’s one of the coolest corners of Memphis.
Fans of the blues, or any music, will feel right at home on Beale Street. Eclectic rhythms and blues echo from clubs and cafes, bringing a vibrant energy to the district. Musicians perform well into the night as live sessions take over atmospheric, dimly lit bars. Visitors eager to see a Broadway-style production can do so at the historic Orpheum Theatre. It has been referred to as the “South’s Finest Theatre” by visiting thespians. Those into more alternative styles of music can follow live acts to New Daisy Theatre, at the north end of Beale Street. The intimate venue is the perfect place to see an upcoming or established band in action. During the daylight hours, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum offers an insight into the city’s musical roots. The museum’s digital audio guide is packed with information and over 100 songs. Visitors will enjoy browsing exhibits featuring instruments, costumes and audiovisual displays. A short walk away, Memphis Music Hall of Fame tells the stories of musical icons, past and present. This fascinating exhibition displays a collection of rare memorabilia, unseen video performances and interactive exhibits.
It’s easy to stroll along Beale Street and throughout Downtown Memphis, as most visitor attractions are within these areas. Buses stop at each junction of Beale Street, allowing access to north, south and central points. Popular tourist trolleybuses operate into Downtown and Midtown. As the rest of the city is quite widespread, visitors wishing to venture further afield may consider hiring a car or ordering a taxi.
Entrepreneur Robertson Topp created Beale Street in 1841. The western end was filled with trade merchants who shipped goods along the Mississippi River. Travelling musicians began to perform on the street in the 1860s, and buildings and entertainment venues began to emerge. The area became a cultural gathering for all races, where music broke all boundaries. Today, Beale Street is much the same. The music haven of the 1800s and 1900s lives on in dimly lit bars, cafes and clubs and the street festivals.