Reason to Love Memphis #41: Midtown's Living Room

Reason to Love Memphis #41: Midtown's Living Room

The Lamplighter Lounge is Midtown's living room. So much so that last night, several bedheadded young men came in and ordered bottles of Pabst in their pajamas.

The Lamplighter at 12:32 by Bullyrook

It's the definition of a dive bar, meaning that drinking at the Lamplighter is like drinking in your grandma's basement. There's no liquor at the Lamplighter, only cheap beer. There's food, too - greasy burgers, legendary patty melts, the occasional vat of chili (depending on who's working that night). And don't even think about trying to pay with a credit card.

Though the legendary Miss Shirley isn't behind the counter very often (due to her health), her legacy is still all over the bar. She didn't tolerate foolishness, and once, she threw legendary photographer William Eggleston out of the bar.

The weeknight and weekend crowd is about the same - a mix of musicians, Midtowners and the middle-aged, all looking for a quiet drink. No one is a big deal (including the people that are). There is no trivia night at the Lamplighter. They'll probably never do karaoke. You can't pick up a wireless signal there. What they do have is  a pool table, a small TV with grainy reception that constantly plays sports, and the greatest jukebox in town.

This is the sort of place where every song that plays on the ancient, cranky jukebox is the perfect song. Don't expect any hipster favorites - just lots of un-ironic country standards, classic ballads and the occasional Meatloaf track.

Cat Power's video for "Lived in Bars" (which was filmed at the Lamplighter), gets it totally right, both thematically and visually:

Go There:

Lamplighter Lounge

1702 Madison Ave
Memphis, TN 38104-6401
(901) 726-1101

The Lamplighter on Urbanspoon

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Adam
I believe it was Eggleston, not Withers, that Shirley threw out of the bar (because he threw a hamburger at her). He's still not welcome there. http://nymag.com/arts/art/profiles/51806/
October 12, 2010 11:17am
kim crawford
And they have the best nothing fancy grilled cheese sandwich in town
October 12, 2010 11:29am
Alex
The patty melt is no more. I think a petition is in order.
October 14, 2010 9:47am
Memphis Projec…
[...] The creepy bunny lamp at my favorite dive bar, the Lamplighter. [...]
October 19, 2010 9:20am
10 great US fl…
[...] Third Man Records. On to Memphis, home to one of the best dive bars (cockroaches and all) ever: the Lamplighter. Graceland is all very well but Graceland Too in Holly Springs, Mississippi is where the spirit of [...]
April 29, 2013 3:07am
chuck
I will make a patty melt
June 14, 2014 12:16am
jenny c.
Great place
April 5, 2015 10:19pm
jenny c.
Although the younger guy behind the bar could use a bit of customer service skills . Not very friendly
April 5, 2015 10:22pm
10 of the best…
[…] Third Man Records. On to Memphis, home to one of the best dive bars (cockroaches and all) ever: the Lamplighter. Graceland is all very well but Graceland Too in Holly Springs, Mississippi is where the spirit of […]
October 27, 2015 1:54pm
10 of the best…
[...] Third Man Records. On to Memphis, home to one of a best dive bars (cockroaches and all) ever: the Lamplighter. Graceland is all really good though Graceland Too in Holly Springs, Mississippi is where a [...]
April 26, 2013 6:58pm
10 of the best…
[...] Third Man Records. On to Memphis, home to one of the best dive bars (cockroaches and all) ever: the Lamplighter. Graceland is all very well but Graceland Too in Holly Springs, Mississippi is where the spirit of [...]
April 26, 2013 8:10pm