Ultimate Guide to LGBTQ+ Events in Memphis

Although it’s one of the most populous cities in the South, Memphis is a fairly low-key place. Its lesbian and gay population is less visible than in most comparably sized cities. Nevertheless, visitors to this sprawling metropolis hugging the east bank of the Mississippi River will find a remarkable variety of outstanding attractions. Therefore, you’ll want at least three days here just to cover the best ones. As for gay nightlife, don’t expect the high-octane club scene found in larger cities, but you will find some very fun bars.

From the day in 1968 that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was slain by an assassin’s bullet to about the middle of the 1980s, Memphis faced an unrelenting slump. The city began to rebound economically by the early ’90s, greatly aided by its rich music heritage. Notably, blues icon W.C. Handy and rock legend Elvis Presley became American icons while residing here. This musical legacy continues to attract fans of many genres, celebrated at several superb museums, including Elvis’ former estate, Graceland— a must-see even for non-fans.

Memphis has also made significant progress in addressing its past Civil Rights issues, with highlights including the impressive National Civil Rights Museum, situated at the motel where Dr. King was assassinated. Nonetheless, the city skyline retains charming early 20th-century buildings, including the magnificently restored Peabody Hotel.

The LGBT community in Memphis continues to gain visibility. The city’s Gay Pride event, Mid-South Pride, occurs each October in the heart of downtown, along the famed Beale Street, while Memphis Black Pride takes place in June in the South Main neighborhood (near the Lorraine Motel). Furthermore, the involvement of gays and lesbians in Memphis has played a vital role in revitalizing eclectic neighborhoods like Midtown and Cooper-Young.

Major Memphis Events

• Early Jan.: Elvis Presley Birthday Week at Graceland.
• May: Memphis in May International Festival (a month of blues, barbecue, and other fun events).
• Early May: Beale Street Music Festival (one of the world’s leading blues festivals, drawing dozens of top artists).
• Late May: Memphis Film Festival.
• Early to mid-Sept.: Outflix LGBT Film Festival.
• Mid-Sept.: Cooper-Young Festival (celebrating music and art in one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods).
• Late Sept.: Memphis Gay Pride/Mid-South Gay Pride.
• Early Nov.: Indie Memphis Film Festival.

Getting Around

To explore Memphis thoroughly, you will want a car for areas beyond downtown and a few key museums like Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum, which offer shuttle services from downtown. The neighborhoods with the most vibrant gay nightlife and retail scene are located in Midtown, typically a 10- to 20-minute drive east of downtown. For taxi and airport shuttle services, contact Premier Transportation (901-577-7700). The airport in Memphis is one of the busiest for cargo in the world and is home to FedEx; Memphis International Airport is a 20-minute drive southeast of downtown, served by all major airlines and is a smaller hub for Delta Airlines.

Driving Distances

Atlanta, GA: 380 miles (6 to 6.5 hrs)
Birmingham, AL: 240 miles (4 hrs)
Chicago, IL: 530 miles (8 to 9 hrs)
Dallas, TX: 450 miles (7 to 8 hrs)
Eureka Springs, AR: 270 miles (3.5 to 4.5 hrs)
Jackson, MS: 210 miles (3 hrs)
Kansas City, MO: 450 miles (7 to 8 hrs)
Little Rock, AR: 270 miles (5 to 5.5 hrs)
Louisville, KY: 380 miles (6 to 6.5 hrs)
Nashville: 215 miles (3.5 hrs)
New Orleans, LA: 400 miles (6 to 6.5 hrs)
Oxford, MS: 85 miles (90 min)
St. Louis, MO: 280 miles (5 to 5.5 hrs)

Memphis Visitor Resources

Focus Mid-South is a thoughtfully produced LGBT print and online resource based in Memphis. It covers news, culture, community, events, and other important issues for the city and surrounding region. Tennessee’s gay newspaper is Out & About, which leans more toward Nashville but offers statewide coverage. Additional local websites of interest include the progressive alternative newsweekly, Memphis Flyer, and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

For general tourism information, visit the helpful travel site of the Memphis CVB.

Memphis Attractions Guide – Memphis Music Heritage

Downtown Memphis

Beginning any tour of downtown with a visit to the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum (191 Beale St., by the FedEx Forum, 901-205-2533) is highly recommended. This impressive building tells the city’s rich music history through informative exhibits featuring costumes, instruments, memorabilia, and a great audio tour.

Elvis Presley, while iconic, was not the first pivotal musician in Memphis; W.C. Handy, a native of Alabama, ignited the city’s reputation as America’s blues capital. The modest W.C. Handy Memphis Home and Museum (352 Beale St., 901-522-1556) has been relocated to downtown along the lively Beale Street, a pedestrian-only strip filled with live-music clubs and restaurants serving Blues, Jazz, and R&B. Nearby, the immense Gibson Guitar Factory at 145 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. (901-544-7998) offers 45-minute tours.

Beale Street can feel reminiscent of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, with bustling music clubs and affordable restaurants. A popular stop along this route is the original A. Schwab Dry Goods Store (163 Beale St., 901-523-9782), running continuously since 1876 with its own museum offering everything from bloomers to harmonicas.

Around the corner, the free Center for Southern Folklore Hall and Galleries (119 S. Main St., 901-525-3655) offers exhibits on the culture and crafts of the Mississippi Delta region, conveniently located near the famed Peabody Hotel.

South of downtown lies the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968. It is now the National Civil Rights Museum (450 Mulberry St., 901-521-9699). This creatively designed museum features extensive galleries detailing every aspect of the Civil Rights movement, complete with displays of key events. Visitors can even stand beside Dr. King’s motel room and view the balcony where he was shot. This museum also includes the former boarding house across the street, detailing the room of assassin James Earl Ray.

A lesser-known but fascinating site is the National Museum of Ornamental Metal (374 Metal Museum Dr., 901-774-6380), perched on a scenic bluff overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River. This campus features galleries and a working metal shop, showcasing impressive art installations and a sculpture garden.

At the northern end of downtown, the glimmering Pyramid Arena stands out in the city skyline. Across the river is Mud Island, home to a 52-acre park with charming bars, cafes, and the River Inn, along with the Mud Island River Park (125 N. Front St., 901-576-6507), which features engaging exhibits about the Mississippi River, including a remarkable five-block-long replica.

A final area worth exploring in downtown is the Victorian Village Historic District (Adams Ave., from Front to Manassas Street). This beautiful stretch showcases around 20 restored historic homes, some open to the public, including the elegant and LGBTQ-friendly lounge, Mollie Fontaine.

Driving east of downtown on Union Avenue, you’ll come across the unassuming Sun Studio (706 Union Ave., 901-521-0664), the renowned music-recording studio where Elvis Presley and other legends recorded. Daily tours are interesting and informative.

Another key music history site is the Stax Museum of American Soul Music (926 S. McLemore Ave., 901-942-SOUL), located in an important music studio, the former Stax Records, which lists influential artists like Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. The museum showcases over 2,000 artifacts that document the evolution of soul music.

Midtown, Overton Park, and Cooper-Young

The Memphis gay scene is broadly centered in Midtown, which features a mix of working-class neighborhoods and a vibrant LGBTQ community. Overton Park (2080 Poplar Ave.) is an expansive area popular with sunbathers and also hosts the Memphis Zoo and the respected Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (1934 Poplar Ave., 901-544-6200), which boasts an eclectic collection spanning eight centuries.

The eastern side of Midtown features trendy entertainment districts like Overton Square (around Madison Ave. and Cooper St.) and Cooper-Young (Young St. and Cooper St.), housing the city’s Gay and Lesbian Community Center and a variety of artsy shops and hip restaurants. Don’t miss the adult bookstore Inz & Outz (533 S. Cooper St., 901-728-6535), as well as Flashback (2304 Central Ave., 901-272-2304), an eclectic vintage furniture store.

Graceland

Few attractions are as synonymous with their locations as Graceland (Elvis Presley Blvd., 901-332-3322) is with Memphis. Opulent in its appeal, this compound where the King of Rock & Roll resided contains his iconic home filled with collectibles, custom jets, and an impressive collection of vehicles. Graceland is a museum that offers insights into mid-20th-century music and culture, making it a fulfilling visit for anyone, regardless of Presley fandom.

Memphis Restaurant Guide

Memphis Barbecue

When it comes to Memphis cuisine, barbecue reigns supreme, with pork as the favored choice. You’ll find an array of options including brisket, chicken, and ribs prepared with dry rubs. Renowned spots include Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous (behind 52 S. 2nd St., 901-523-2746) and Corky’s Ribs & BBQ (5259 Poplar Ave., 901-685-9744), both known for their quality fare. However, many people consider Central BBQ (2249 Central Ave., 901-767-4672) in Cooper-Young to offer the best ribs and pulled pork. Another solid option in Midtown is Bar-B-Q Shop (1782 Madison Ave., 901-272-1277), noted for its generous portions and reasonable prices.

Downtown Dining

Downtown dining features a blend of tourist-friendly restaurants, especially along Beale Street, which, while great for live music, are generally less impressive in cuisine. Look beyond the typical for hidden gems such as Local Gastropub (95 S. Main St., 901-473-9573), well-known for dishes from hot wings to shrimp-and-grits, and the Brass Door Irish Pub (152 Madison Ave., 901-572-1813), known for comfort food like fish-and-chips. At Bluff City Coffee (505 S. Main St., 901-405-4399), you may enjoy local legend Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar & Grill (84 E. GE Patterson Ave., 901-523-9754), famous for its delicious “soul burger.”

Midtown and Cooper-Young

Midtown is home to one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the South, Restaurant Iris (2146 Monroe Ave., 901-590-2828), led by celebrated Louisiana chef Kelly English. Reserve your spot at this charming Queen Anne Victorian house and savor delightful dishes like lobster “knuckle” sandwiches and seared Kobe flat-iron steak. Don’t forget to visit the quirky Hi Tone (1913 Poplar Ave., 901-278-8663), a perfect place for enjoying live music over casual bites.

In the increasingly popular Cooper-Young District, Tsunami (928 S. Cooper St., 901-274-2556) offers creative fare with Asian influences, and nearby Alchemy (940 S. Cooper St., 901-726-4444) attracts the local LGBTQ crowd for its eclectic cocktails and small plates. For farm-to-table goodness, visit Sweet Grass (937 S. Cooper St., 901-278-0278), which features both a refined dining space and a lively bar atmosphere.

Another popular coffeehouse among the LGBTQ community is Otherlands (641 S. Cooper St., 901-278-4994), a welcoming space with free Wi-Fi and live music events. Alternatively, Java Cabana (2170 Young Ave., 901-272-7210) is an artistic spot perfect for conversation and coffee.

Memphis Hotel Guide – Gay-Friendly Memphis Hotels

Most higher-end properties can be found in downtown Memphis, with many mid- to economy-priced chains located east of downtown. Although this area is mildly distant from gay nightlife, being a large city means there will be driving involved no matter your accommodation choice.

The prestigious Peabody Hotel (149 Union Ave., 901-529-4000) opened in 1925 and is recognized as a true Southern classic. The hotel’s bright and airy guest rooms reflect a beautiful-nostalgic ambiance, while the lobby boasts a marble fountain that entertains guests daily with its ducks. Additionally, this hotel is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

A short drive from downtown, the River Inn of Harbor Town (50 Harbor Town Sq., 901-260-3333) offers an elegant escape overlooking the Mississippi River. This exquisite boutique hotel prioritizes personal service, providing guests with cozy rooms that exude charm and warmth, along with complimentary wine upon arrival. Enjoy exceptional dining at Paulette’s, which features exquisite French cuisine, or casual meals at Tug’s Casual Grill.

If you prefer a more intimate yet cozy environment, opt for the gay-friendly Talbot Heirs Guesthouse (99 S. 2nd St., 901-527-9772), a mini-hotel across the street that offers spacious suites designed for comfort and style, showcasing unique and modern décor.

Other noteworthy options downtown include the trendy Westin Memphis (170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave., 901-334-5900) and the reasonably priced Hampton Inn at Beale Street (175 Peabody Pl., 901-260-4000). For a touch of history, check out the Madison Hotel (79 Madison Ave., 901-333-1200), offering delightful accommodations and a convenient location.

While Midtown offers fewer accommodations, consider the affordable Rodeway Inn (1199 Linden Ave., 901-726-4171) or the dependable Holiday Inn Memphis-Univ. of Memphis (3700 Central Ave., 901-678-8200) located to the east.

Memphis Gay Bar Guide

Memphis may not have an extensive gay bar scene, but it does feature a handful of friendly neighborhood bars, primarily in western Midtown. One standout is the elegant two-level lounge Mollie Fontaine (679 Adams Ave., 901-524-1886), situated in a stunning 19th-century mansion. This charming venue attracts a mixed crowd and hosts live piano music on many nights.

Neighborhood Gay Bars

Several smaller neighborhood gay bars exist, mainly frequented by locals, around the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Madison and Poplar. The Pumping Station (1382 Poplar Ave., 901-272-7600) serves as a gathering spot for the bear and leather-community with excellent drink specials. Dru’s Place (1474 Madison Ave., 901-275-8082) is a laid-back venue known for karaoke and live music. Finally, the dive bar P & H Cafe (1532 Madison Ave., 901-726-0906) presents a casual vibe for enjoying drinks and pub food.