Beale Street
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking Areas
About
Also known as the "Home of the Blues," Beale Street is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves live music and great food. Start your evening at sunset, for awesome views over the Mississippi River, then take a walk down Beale Street to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, colorful neon lights, and historic buildings. Join a guided tour to learn about the history of blues and explore the best bars and music clubs in the area. For a unique experience, visit on Bike Night, when the street comes alive with hundreds of motorcycles rumbling down the street—check the schedule for timings before you go. – Tripadvisor
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  • Michael W
    Preston, United Kingdom3,984 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Lively Place but a little rough around the edges
    We were staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel which is located of North 2nd Street and is approximately 11 blocks away from Beale Street. This is ok in the evening when it is cooler but not to be attempted in the midday heat. This area is closed most of the day and only really opens up late afternoon when the bars are still mostly empty even at weekend. After 6pm and into the evening it is the opposite and bars and the streets around here become packed and very lively.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 8, 2023
  • Donna
    Gatton, Australia8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing even in an ice storm
    Memphis was great even in the middle of Winter storm Mara. Lots to see. Graceland, Civil Rights Museum, Bus tour of the city and BB Kings Blue Club on Beale Street. Highly recommend Memphis & Beale Street.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 26, 2023
  • Vicki S
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun to visit
    We had a great time. We went up and down Beele street. We listened to music and had good food. We ate at blues city cafe and recommend the ribs. We recommend Silkys O Sullivan to set outside garden patio and listen to music. I used a mobility scooter and was able to get around very well. The sidewalks all have curb cut out ramp for entry ,very convenient. The really isn’t any Benches to sit on so if you need to sit you have to go into restaurants or bars with tables outside to sit. But everyone was friendly.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 29, 2023
  • ssrome
    Kansas City, Kansas12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of Fun in Memphis
    We enjoyed our trip to Memphis so much! Stayed at the Hampton Inn on Beale St, was perfect location, had lots of great BBQ and gumbo, went on haunted ghost tour, Halloween pub crawl, Graceland, Sun Studios, the Peabody Ducks and more! Will go back again!!!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 30, 2023
  • PHILIP R
    48 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Memphis Must Do.
    You can't go to Memphis without going to Beale Street. It's about 200 yards long from Elvis's statue at the top by Main Street to the end. Loads of bars with bands playing blues and Rock 'n Roll' which must be experienced. Again, like so many places similar worldwide drinks are very expensive.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 6, 2023
  • Lisa P
    Woodridge, Illinois644 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not what I thought!
    First time visitor! It was raining and no one was out! But I must say I am from Chicago, and I can say this. I did not feel safe - even in the daytime! I thought it was dirty! They seem to be trying to revamp and build near the river but until then I'll take a pass! BUT the blue music was nice to hear!
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 13, 2024
  • Robert L
    Amherst, Massachusetts1,616 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not that hot
    After spending a few days in New Orleans, Beale Street is pretty tame. Minimal street performers, overly loud bands in a few bars, and most people strolling around. Even on a Saturday evening, most bars were surprisingly empty.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 23, 2024
  • R Dupree
    Snyder, Texas25 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great food fun and beggars.
    I had a day to spend in Memphis and decided to start by walking Beale st. Starting from the Peabody. I was met with a beautiful sunny and cool morning. My pleasurable walk quickly turned sour as I got hit about once every few hundred feet by panhandlers. I left. Won’t go back. Sad. I did give one guy some money. He immediately asked for more 🙄
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 22, 2024
  • Linda P
    Massachusetts498 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not What I Expected
    Not impressed! Not a very long street to begin with and one end seems a bit sketchy. We were there in the day which I would recommend and not go in the evening which we were told not to do. We were able to hear some good music when we were there in the daytime but some places don't start music till 4:30pm or later. Someplace to say you've been but once is enough.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 23, 2024
  • hbhakh
    Roanoke, Virginia2,266 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the area
    We walked through Beale St. while visiting Memphis. It's the main downtown attraction and there are numerous restaurants, shops, and museums nearby. We found a place to park in the garage behind the Hampton Inn, which was very convenient. We didn't stay for the nightly entertainment (or crowds) but enjoyed the area.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles8,872 reviews
Excellent
3,740
Very good
2,707
Average
1,681
Poor
489
Terrible
255

Jim S
Nerja, Spain168 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Great variety of honkytonks to choose from, with some brilliant musicians playing throughout the day. No cover charges, if you like the performer/ band then throw some dollar notes in the tip bucket. Surprisingly some good value food also available for such a tourist magnet
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

forci2017
Adelaide, Australia9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We visited there just after midnight on New Year’s Eve thinking it would be a bit ugly with drunks, but were surprised to find a giant crowd of happy revellers and felt totally safe. Ended up in the Rum Boogie Cafe where there was the most amazing bluesy talented band Tony Holland and friends were playing. A great way to start the new year. Another good night was had in the BB King venue. Great music and good food.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon3959
Vail, CO37 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We were traveling the Blues Highway and met a couple who had just come from Beale Street and they said they were disappointed in the experience. We arrived on a Thursday and heard great blues all night so didn't understand how they could be disappointed UNTIL Friday night. There was one phenomenal blues band from 5-8p but could not find any other blues on Beale. There was 80s hair, country, disco and pop but no blues. So disappointed to find not one Blues club - including BB Kings bringing in blues musicians every night. We were lucky we had one great night but now understand how the couple we met were so disappointed.

Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rafrew
Townsville, Australia94 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
Plenty to see and do in Beale Street. Eat, drink, listen to music, see the neon lights, watch the crowd, street entertainment etc. We headed down to Beale Street as the sun was going down and enjoyed a beer or two while listening to a great band play music in an outdoor garden bar. We then wandered up and down the street taking in the sights. The people in the street were very responsive to our requests for photos and everyone we approached was very friendly. We never felt unsafe, however we did heed other peoples suggestions and headed back to our hotel shortly before 9pm.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rdrozd7
Boston, MA581 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Business
Funky area to wander around, though very busy from the afternoon. B.B.King restaurant opens at 11am and is very popular with the locals and the tourists as well. Great BBQ sauce, of course.
Walking around is adventurous and pleasant at the same time . Recommending.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dana R
Baton Rouge, LA34 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
After reading alot of reviews and was apprehensive about going at night. We drove pass it at first. Didn't seem bad had a big crowd but didn't stop. So we got up the next morning and went. We had breakfast at Miss Poly's cafe. A neat little diner on Beale St. Cool sayings throughout the restaurant about their chicken and the great painted photos and write ups about various artists on each table. The workers were very nice. We stopped at a candy shop I forgot the name of it. We walked the whole street which was nothing but a few blocks not long at all. There's restaurants bars and shops. There were the homeless but none that begged us like the other reviews stated. And I didn't smell or see trash on the street as explained in other reviews. Overall it was okay. Maybe if we have went at night we could have experienced the live music more.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ashley K
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
So I traveled to Memphis for Céline Dion’s concert. It was my first ever visit to Memphis so I wanted to take in as much as possible! Beale Street was lots of fun! The air was cold but the music was on fire and the people and atmosphere was warm and welcoming. So many places to go with all kinds of live music from blues to cover bands , there is something for everyone. I can not wait to go back!
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katie
Richmond, VA75 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
The cover charge was back into effect when we were there, but we visited earlier in the day around noon and we were able to get in without paying. We had our dog with us so we were only able to visit during the day while he was at daycare. I've read that dogs are not allowed but even if they were I wouldn't take my dog due to the large amounts of people. We quickly walked through during the day to take pictures and stop into some shops but a lot of restaurants and stores still weren't open around noon. Overall, you have to just go, but I wouldn't expect to stay for long amounts of time unless you're eating and drinking there.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ificouldonlyfly
Yankton, SD261 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
We wanted to see Beale St., mainly to say we've been here. We went in the afternoon, as we had our daughter with us, and really aren't into the night life, drinking scene anyway. We barely got out of the car, when we were approached by someone asking for money. That was the main theme of Beale st - several people coming up to us, with their masks below their nose and sometimes mouths, asking for money. I don't believe any of them were homeless, because they did not look like it.

We enjoyed reading the music notes on the side walk, and finding Elvis's as well as the Elvis statue which is at one end. There really wasn't much to see here - we did stop in Schwab's for an ice cream, but I wasn't impressed with that either. If you've been to a Cracker Barrell, then you won't be blown away by what they sell at Schwab's. The ice creams were good, but the guy making them was standing there with his mask under his chin until we ordered, and then informed me he couldn't make an Elvis because he had no bananas, which was disappointing and the whole reason I stopped in. This was on a Monday afternoon, so not sure when they get their groceries for the week....

Everywhere we went in Memphis, the people were friendly and great, there were hand sanitizer containers everywhere, and masks were enforced.....except here. Practically nobody was wearing masks properly if at all.

I realize this is a fun place for those that want to party and drink and check out the live music. It was interesting to be there, but I was glad to leave.
Written November 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennette R
Leadville, CO703 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Tons of music and food but so dirty!!! The homeless folks are not like most homeless. Chicago-they stand with a sign, NOLA-they do a song and dance, Memphis- The follow and follow and follow and are very aggressive. It just really wasnt for me.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Beale Street - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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