Memphis is a city synonymous with the blues, and perhaps no place more so than Beale Street, which is home to scores of music clubs and memorials paying tribute to this all-American form of music.
A walk along Beale Street makes is easy to see why it is among Tennessee's most-visited attractions and why it's a must-visit for all lovers of the blues.
And with American Queen Steamboat Company practically delivering you to Beale, it can be hard to narrow it down. Here is our list of the top five places to immerse yourself in the blues.
B.B. King's Blues Club. You can't visit Beale Street without a visit to the original B.B. King's Blues Club. Conveniently located on the corner of Beale and Second Avenue, this legendary spot combines the best of Southern comfort food and the kind of music you would expect in a place named for the King of Blues. B.B. King's Blues Club All-Star band will get your toes tapping as they play the very best of Motown, blues and funk.
Handy Park. With a spacious stage and seating area, this public park is a popular concert venue in the warmer months and a great place to pop in for a free concert in the park. In the afternoons, local musicians can be found playing free shows on the small stage.
Blues City Caf. Indulge in some finger-lickin', lip-smackingly good Memphis barbecue (Pro tip: Get the ribs!) and then get ready to dance your socks off to a top line-up of blues talent.
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Silky O'Sullivan's. With an open-air courtyard, it's the place to be when the weather is warm. Earlier in the evening, it's a great spot to bring the kids thanks to its resident goat. Later, sample the Sippin Dippin and Flippin Ribs as you down a cocktail or two and enjoy the music. Hang out long enough and you'll get to hear the dueling pianos, that is unless you decide to indulge-if your dare-in a Diver, a full gallon of a cocktail made with Silky's secret recipe.
Mr. Handy's Blues Hall. Connected to the Rum Boogie Caf, this spot is evocative of an old-time juke joint with floors worn down from the feet of thousands of dancers over the years, tiny tables crammed into corners and some serious blues being played on stage. Be warned, the place is so small that it doesn't have its own bathrooms, so when nature calls saunter on over to Rum Boogie.
With plenty of activities for families and adults looking for an evening of music and fun, Beale Street is more than worth a visit, but be aware that on weekends a curfew goes into effect: After 9 p.m., children are permitted only in the company of adults until 11 p.m., at which point Beale Street is open only to those 21 and older.
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