Best dive bars in Memphis? 10 of the city's top spots and why locals love them

Memphis has a rich history of nightlife and bar culture. While the scope of those establishments runs the gamut, from high-end cocktail spots to sports bars, one of the Bluff City’s strongest niches is the “dive bar.”

It’s a term that means different things to different people, but generally it conjures thoughts of a dark place, with a well-worn aesthetic and a welcoming downhome vibe, plenty of characters and a cast of regular customers.

The “dive bar” designation is not monolithic, however; there are many varieties and nuances within the broader term: there’s the old man bar, the beer tavern, the throwback drinking den and so on.

The following is a list of our 10 favorite “dive bars” in town that offer a mix of atmospheres, pleasures and libations.

Alex's Tavern | 1445 Jackson Ave.

Alex's Tavern is located at 1445 Jackson Ave. in Memphis.

Founded back in 1953, Alex’s Tavern is the oldest, single-family-owned bar in the city. A juke joint at heart, the jukeboxes that still play the blues are a staple. As is its food, like the iconic Greek Burger. A little Cavender’s Greek Seasoning turns an otherwise simple burger into something special. The other longtime options — chicken drummies, ribs and gumbo are great too.

It’s all captained by Rocky Kasaftes, who inherited the spot from his dad. The stories are endless, the music bumping and food delicious, and it makes Alex’s the quintessential dive bar.

— Jacob Wilt

Bar Keough | 247 Cooper St.

Bar Keough is located at 247 Cooper St. in Memphis.

Bar Keough, a neighborhood corner bar with good vibes, is arguably one of the best-kept secrets in Cooper-Young. (I am always amazed at how many lifelong Memphians I’ve met in my three-plus years here that have never visited this gem.)

Bar Keough has a retro chic style to it that will bring a smile to any hipster’s face. But truly, where Bar Keough shines is the free jukebox. Whether it’s Prince, David Bowie, The Cars or Madonna, the ’79 Claremont Jukebox filled to the brim with classic ‘80s tunes is worth the trip.

Sipping on a Manhattan just hits different when Springsteen is blasting through the bar.

— Neil Strebig

The Bobcat Bar & Grill | 4730 Poplar Ave.

The Bobcat Bar & Grill is located at 4730 Poplar Ave. in Memphis.

Hidden away in a backside corner of a shopping center on Poplar (between Perkins and Colonial), The Bobcat is a classic old man bar of the highest order. It’s the kind of place that offers basic beer options, a few simple snacks and a blissful place to drink (and smoke) in peace. Though a handful of new Memphians discover its charms each year, The Bobcat has been operating for decades in relative seclusion. It's an absolute gem in a part of East Memphis where this kind of drinking den — with a low-key aesthetic and dark, relaxed atmosphere — remains a rarity.  

— Bob Mehr

The Cove | 2559 Broad Ave.

The Cove is located at 2559 Broad Ave. in Memphis.

One of the anchors of the revitalized Binghampton neighborhood and Broad Avenue Arts District, The Cove first opened in 2007, but its charms recall a much earlier time in Memphis’ bar scene heyday. A nautical-themed/pirate bar, it’s firmly in the tradition of great Crescent City drinking spots — indeed, much of The Cove’s décor comes from the old New Orleans-style Memphis restaurant Anderton’s. The Cove isn’t strictly speaking a dive bar, as its cocktail and food options — plenty of seafood and specialty drinks — are too elevated for that classification. But it offers up the welcoming feeling and lively atmosphere of a classic dive, with all the benefits of a fine menu and drinks program.   

— Bob Mehr

Earnestine & Hazel's | 531 S. Main St.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “dive bar”? Recognizable patrons, good music, a storied history? That’s Earnestine & Hazel’s to a tee. The nearly-100-year-old building E&H occupies was at different points in history a pharmacy, brothel and café that was frequented by legends like B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry and many more.

These days, regular live music performances carry on that legacy of sound, and the world-famous Soul Burger adds flavor to the joint that beats out most restaurant burgers. Downstairs is the place for music, and upstairs the private rooms give off a quieter, intimate vibe interrupted only by laughter. It’s a beat-up, creaky old place, and it’s one of the best in Memphis to grab a beer and catch up with friends or watch a game. Just keep an eye out for any ghosts.

— Jacob Wilt

Hernando’s Hideaway | 3210 Old Hernando Road

Hernando’s Hideaway is located at 3210 Old Hernando Road in Memphis.

Hernando’s Hideaway is truly one of my favorite spots in all of Memphis. And, yes, Hernando’s Hideaway is a concert and event venue, but it is one of the last standing roadhouses in the country — and that by consequence, puts it in the dive category. Hernando’s is quite simply a stage, a few seats and a bar.

There are not many places left in the continental United States where patrons can enjoy a show and then immediately have drinks with the band directly afterwards. It’s the small intimacy of Hernando’s that makes it so special. It is a true roadside honky tonk.

Only a mile up the road from Graceland, the joint still boasts photos of Elvis Presley on the walls along with fellow members of music royalty, Jerry Lee Lewis and B.B. King, just to name a few. It is a place where American musicians, even the greats such as them, would venture into on an off night and play a set. That fervor for entertainment is still alive and well today at Hernando's. Make sure to have a Coors Banquet and stick around after the show.

— Neil Strebig

Lamplighter Lounge | 1702 Madison Ave.

Lamplighter Lounge is located at 1702 Madison Ave. in Memphis.

Located on Madison, right near Zinnie's, the Lamplighter might be the best-known and oldest dive bar in Midtown. For years, this cozy hole-in-the wall was owned by Ann Bradley and known for its bartender and burger chef Miss Shirley Williams (who passed in 2010), with famous patrons including the photographer William Eggleston and the rock musician Alex Chilton. Bradley eventually sold the business to new owners Laurel Cannito and Chuck Wenzler in 2018, and while they have updated its menu and modified its vibe, the classic funky feel of the Lamp has remained intact. Live music is still a regular feature of the bar, as are burgers and bonhomie, with a diverse crowd of young and old among its regulars.

— Bob Mehr

Max’s Sports Bar | 115 G.E. Patterson Ave.

Max’s Sports Bar is located at 115 G.E. Patterson Ave.

Max’s is the epitome of a neighborhood bar. It is very much a beacon for granfalloons (or perhaps more appropriately for South Mainers and Downtown residents).

Despite being a sports bar by name, it is a dive bar in spirit. It has its regulars. It has its impromptu bar-wide karaoke when the right tune hits the jukebox (we’ve all been guilty of belting out “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys) and it also is one of the few true late-night bars in Downtown Memphis, staying open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

But what makes Max’s fit on this list is the fact that whether you’re a legacy Memphian or a first-time visitor, the welcome wagon at the bar will make sure you’ll want to visit again. Or at the very least, find a photo of yourself forever enshrined on the bar’s “Wall-o-Malortface” board.

— Neil Strebig

Momma’s | 855 Kentucky St.

Momma’s is located at 855 Kentucky St. in Memphis.

The outdoor patio is a nice addition, and the truck aesthetic is alive and well still, but the heart of Momma’s is the L-shaped bar. For me, it’s one of those off-the-beaten-path stops where you find yourself sitting at a bar and talking to the stranger next to you.

And for me, that’s what lands Momma’s on the list. You can’t visit this place and leave without making some new friends. Oh, and the food menu is sneaky good. Don’t be shy, and don’t be scared to order up some meatloaf.

— Neil Strebig

Wild Bill’s Juke Joint | 1580 Vollintine Ave.

Wild Bill’s Juke Joint is located at 1580 Vollintine Ave. in Memphis.

A legendary bar and blues club, Wild Bill’s — located in a strip mall in the Klondike neighborhood — has been a mecca for music fans, international tourists and local revelers for decades. Open “from 8 to late,” the bar offers live music, an old school aesthetic, and lots friendly vibes. Opened in the early 1990s by impresario “Wild” Bill Storey the club has — despite a brief closure in late 2017 — been a consistent go-to, offering up some tasty bar fare, lots of cold beer, and hot bands every Thursday through Sunday.

— Bob Mehr

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Best dive bars in Memphis? 10 of the city's top spots and why locals love them