The Best Clubs in Memphis, Tennessee

Paula and Raiford’s Disco is a quirky, two-story nightclub in the heart of downtown Memphis. Here, you’ll find handprints on the wall, fog machines and disco balls. There are also leather couches for lounging and great music all night long. For a memorable night, the club offers a pick-up and drop-off limo service. Anything goes here, so don’t hold back.

The no-frills Wild Bill’s Juke Joint is a dive bar through and through. Crowds sit at communal tables, where they share 40oz beers. The dance floor is small and crowded, allowing you to mingle with strangers. Here, you can listen to some of the best blues music in the city seven nights a week from 8pm, so you don’t have to wait for the weekend.

Two clubs next to each other, Classic Hitz and Soulz are about one thing – having a good time. These dark clubs ooze energy, with live music permeating throughout and most patrons spending their entire night on the dance floor. You’ll also find great Southern food here – check the website for specials and themed nights. They’re also great places for a group, as the clubs accept reservations for large parties.

Memphis’s first salsa club is devoted to Latin culture. On the dance floor, you’ll see couples spinning and dipping to salsa music, which is usually played by a DJ but can sometimes be a live performer. Cuban and Latin appetizers and entrées, such as cuban-style frittatas and churrasco (a Guatemalan marinated steak), make up the menu. Colorful murals and lights surround the chic dance floor, and it offers free salsa lessons throughout the month.

Alfred’s on Beale is about live music, hosting dance bands, acoustic bands and solo artists. The club even has the occasional karaoke night. Inside, you’ll find various treasures lining the space, including rare, gold records and Elvis photos not seen anywhere else. However, most people are too busy dancing to notice. It’s open every night of the week.

With quirky chandeliers and mismatched furniture, the Mollie Fountaine Lounge is an eccentric den for creative cocktails and music in the Victorian Village. A crowd favorite is the Wild Tennessean, made with Jack Daniel’s whiskey, wild strawberry, basil and clover honey. Music-wise, you’ll find a piano on one floor and a DJ on another. The lounge opens every day at 5pm.