Listen up: Memphis isn’t playing around when the sun goes down. This city invented the blues and perfected BBQ, and both taste better after dark. The neon lights of Beale Street flash while guitar riffs and the smell of smoking meat fill the air.
I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Memphis at night, from blues clubs where legends still jam to BBQ joints that’ll ruin your diet in the best way possible. Sure, everyone knows about Elvis and Graceland, but real Memphis magic happens when locals show you their city after sunset!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this guided brewery tour in Memphis! They take you to three local craft breweries with VIP behind-the-scenes access, plus you get generous tastings at each stop. Transportation between breweries is included, so you can fully enjoy the extensive beer sampling. This brewery tour is absolutely a must-do on a Memphis itinerary in my opinion.
Best Things to Do in Memphis at Night (Updated 2025)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Memphis in the nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in this Tennessee gem after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Memphis at night!
1. Catch live blues at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street
B.B. King’s Blues Club is honestly the first place you need to hit on Beale Street. I’ve been here multiple times, and it’s way more legit than some of the other tourist traps on the strip. The live music happens every single night, and while you’ll pay a $10-20 cover charge (depending on the night), it’s actually worth it for the caliber of musicians they book.
The ribs here are legitimately falling-off-the-bone good – I’m talking competition-level BBQ. You can sit upstairs or downstairs, but I’d recommend snagging a spot near the stage if you want the full experience. The house band rotates, but they consistently book solid blues, soul, and rock acts. Just know that bands do take breaks (usually about 30 minutes), so don’t expect non-stop music all night.
The place opens daily at 11am and stays busy until midnight. Pro tip: if you’re eating dinner, you still pay the cover charge, which some people find annoying. But just remember: this is Beale Street…you’re paying for the atmosphere and live music, not just the food.
2. Take a moonlight riverboat cruise on the Mississippi
Memphis Riverboats runs dinner cruises that are actually pretty awesome for a tourist activity. The signature moonlight cruise happens Thursday through Sunday nights at 7:30pm and lasts about two hours. You’ll get pulled pork BBQ, live blues music, and views of the Memphis skyline lit up at night.
I was skeptical at first, but watching the city lights reflect on the Mississippi River while a live band plays behind you is genuinely cool. The Island Queen is their main boat, and it’s got that classic paddlewheeler vibe. Dinner cruise tickets run $35-50 for adults depending on the season, with kids’ tickets around $35-47.
They also do 90-minute sightseeing cruises if you just want the river experience without the dinner. These usually leave at 2:30pm (sometimes 11am in summer) and cost about $25 for adults. You can book online or buy walk-up tickets, but I’d recommend booking ahead for weekend dinner cruises since they do sell out.
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3. Stargaze and bike at Shelby Farms Park
Shelby Farms Park is massive – we’re talking 4,500 acres, which is five times bigger than Central Park. After dark, this place becomes pretty magical for stargazing since you can actually escape the city lights. The park technically closes at sunset, but they host special “Park After Dark” events throughout the year that let you experience it at night.
During the day, I love bringing my bike here to ride the Greenline. It’s a 10-mile paved trail that connects all the way to Midtown Memphis. The Hyde Lake trail is perfect for an evening walk before sunset, and you can rent kayaks or paddleboards during warmer months.
The coolest thing? There’s actually a buffalo herd that roams the grounds. You can usually spot them near Hyde Lake if you enter from Walnut Grove Road. It’s completely free to enter and explore most of the park, though activities like horseback riding and the treetop adventure course cost extra.
4. Explore restaurants and live music in Overton Square
Overton Square has completely transformed in recent years, and it’s become one of my favorite spots to spend an evening in Memphis. The whole area buzzes with energy after sunset, especially on weekends. You’ve got everything from upscale restaurants to casual spots, plus live music spilling out of venues.
The dining scene here is diverse – you can grab craft cocktails and elevated Southern food, or hit up more casual spots for beer and burgers. Lafayette’s Music Room is right here and books solid live acts Thursday through Sunday. Most restaurants stay open until 10pm or later on weekends.
I like starting with dinner somewhere in the square, then bar-hopping between the different venues. There’s usually some kind of live music happening, whether it’s jazz, rock, or acoustic sets. The Overton Square Parking Garage makes it easy to park once and walk everywhere. It’s got that perfect mix of locals and visitors, so it never feels too touristy.
5. Walk the riverfront at Mud Island River Park
Mud Island River Park offers some of the best skyline views in Memphis, especially at night when downtown is lit up across the water. The Riverwalk is this cool scale model of the entire Mississippi River that you can actually walk along – it’s pretty trippy to see how the river flows from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
The amphitheater here hosts concerts during warmer months, so check their schedule if you’re visiting in spring or summer. Even when there’s no show, the park is perfect for a peaceful evening walk. You can see the Memphis skyline reflected in the water, and it’s way less crowded than Beale Street.
The park is free to access, and there’s plenty of parking. I usually combine this with dinner downtown since it’s just a short walk across the bridge. It’s especially beautiful during sunset – the whole city glows golden hour, and you can get some incredible photos of the downtown skyline.
6. Tour Graceland after dark
Graceland offers special after-hours tours that are way cooler than the regular daytime experience. These private mansion tours happen at 5pm after the regular crowds have left, and you get the whole place basically to yourself with a private guide.
The standard Elvis Experience Tour costs around $40-50 for adults, but the after-hours experience is pricier (you’ll need to call for pricing). What makes it worth it is getting to walk through Elvis’s home without crowds, asking questions, and really soaking up the atmosphere. The guide shares stories you won’t hear on the regular tour.
Regular mansion tours run until 4pm or 5pm depending on season, with the last tour starting at 4pm. I’ve done both the day and evening experiences, and the evening tour felt more intimate and special. Plus, Elvis Presley’s Memphis exhibit complex stays open later, so you can explore the car collection and costumes after your mansion tour.
7. Eat authentic Memphis BBQ at Central BBQ
Central BBQ has four locations around Memphis, but I usually hit the downtown spot on Butler Avenue since it’s walking distance from most hotels. They’re open 11am to 9pm daily, and honestly, the ribs here are some of the best in the city – which is saying something for Memphis.
Their dry-rubbed ribs are the move, though you can get them wet or half-and-half. I always get the rib combo with pulled pork and two sides for about $27. The BBQ nachos are ridiculous – pork or brisket over chips with cheese sauce and jalapeños. Fair warning: portions are huge, so come hungry.
The downtown location can get packed, especially during lunch and dinner rushes, but it’s worth the wait. I’ve tried their brisket, but I recommend sticking with what they do best – pork and ribs. The homemade chips and coleslaw are solid sides that actually complement the meat instead of just filling space.
8. Visit Sun Studio where rock ‘n’ roll was born
Sun Studio is where Elvis, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded their first hits. The guided tours happen every hour on the half-hour from 10:30am to 5:15pm (6:15pm on Friday and Saturday), and they’re $15 for adults, $10 for kids 5-11.
You can’t reserve tickets – it’s first-come, first-served, so I’d recommend stopping by early to buy tickets for a later time if you’re visiting during peak times. The tour lasts about 45 minutes, and you’ll actually stand in the exact spot where Elvis recorded “That’s All Right.”
The guides are usually local musicians themselves, and they’re passionate about the history. You’ll hear stories about Sam Phillips and how he discovered these legends, plus you can see the original equipment they used. The studio still records at night, so during the day you’re walking through actual music history. Don’t skip the record shop upstairs – they’ve got some rare finds.
9. Browse the artsy Cooper-Young neighborhood
Cooper-Young is Memphis’s bohemian district, and it really comes alive after dark. The intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue is packed with eclectic shops, art galleries, and some of the city’s best independent restaurants. It’s got this funky, artistic vibe that feels like a different world from downtown.
I love wandering through the vintage shops and galleries before grabbing dinner at one of the innovative restaurants here. The dining scene ranges from cozy cafes to upscale spots doing creative Southern cuisine. Young Avenue Deli is a local institution that’s been around forever, and they serve food until 3am on weekends.
The bars here cater to a more local crowd – think craft cocktails and local beers rather than tourist drinks. Celtic Crossing has live music most nights, and the outdoor patios fill up when the weather’s nice. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can easily spend a whole evening just walking around and discovering new spots.
10. See live music at Lafayette’s Music Room
Lafayette’s Music Room is back in Overton Square after being closed for decades, and it’s booking some seriously good acts. They’re open Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, and Sunday 11am-8pm. Cover charges apply for most shows (ticketed events are separate).
The venue holds about 350 people, so it’s intimate enough that you’re close to the action no matter where you sit. They book everything from local rock bands to touring country and blues acts. I’ve seen both national acts and local favorites here, and the sound system is dialed in perfectly.
The food is Cajun/Creole-inspired and actually pretty good – their shrimp and grits are solid. You can make reservations through Resy, but tables are first-come, first-served, so get there early if you want to sit. There are also bar spots and standing room if tables fill up.
11. Bar hop through the South Main Historic District
South Main has this cool mix of historic spots and newer bars that makes for perfect bar hopping. Earnestine & Hazel’s is the legendary spot – it used to be a brothel and now serves cold beer and their famous “Soul Burger.” The place is cash-only and has this amazing jukebox that locals feed all night.
The Arcade Restaurant is Memphis’s oldest cafe and stays open late. Their milkshakes are incredible, and the vintage diner atmosphere is legit – they haven’t changed the decor since the 1950s. It’s perfect for late-night food between bars.
The whole district has these cobblestone streets lined with art galleries and quirky shops that stay open late on weekends. You’ll often find street musicians and local artists, especially on First Friday art walks. It’s got this authentic Memphis vibe that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to be cool.
12. Try craft beer at Ghost River Brewing
Ghost River Brewing has two locations – the original on South Main Street and a newer spot on Beale Street. I prefer the original location since it’s got more character and feels less touristy. They’re open Wednesday-Thursday 5pm-9pm, Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday noon-10pm, and Sunday 11am-8pm.
They brew their beer using Memphis’s artesian wells, and their Ghost River Gold is probably their most popular. I usually get a flight to try different styles – their IPA and porter are solid. The Beale Street location has outdoor seating and giant screens for watching games, plus they added New Wing Order food inside.
The original taproom has this laid-back vibe where locals hang out, and they often host events like trivia nights and live music. You can buy growlers to take home, and they’ve got a full kitchen now too. It’s family-friendly during the day but gets more of a bar crowd at night.
