10 Things to Do on Beale St. if You're Underage

10 Things to Do on Beale St. if You're Underage

When people think of Beale Street, often they think of the booze, dancing and general debauchery that takes place on Memphis’ most famous street. Before the sun sets on the Bluff City, there’s a whole other world of food, fun and culture to take in that doesn’t have a minimum age requirement of 21.


The survival tip for underage Memphians headed to Beale is to get there before they start carding (usually around sunset on the weekends) because despite all-ages venues and events, it can be hard to get near your destination. Here are 10 places to go, eat and party if you're not 21: 1. Hard Rock Cafe (315 Beale St.) The Memphis location of the national chain offers lunch and dinner and serves as a live music venue. Memphians of all ages can eat seven days a week and occasionally, the Hard Rock's stage will host an all-ages show. 2. B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill (143 Beale Street) Open for lunch, dinner, shopping and late-night partying, BB Kings doesn’t start carding until later in the evening. For live music, stop by on Sundays between lunch and dinner. Their complete list of live shows is here. 3. Silky O’Sullivans (183 Beale Street) Silky’s is so underage friendly, they offer a kids’ menu. They’ve got a huge outdoor patio and the occasional live show during the early evening. Silky’s menu offers a unique blend of barbecue, Irish cuisine and Cajun dishes. They do become 21 and up at night. 4. Blues City Cafe (138 Beale Street) Blues City Cafe is open to hungry folks of all ages, and their menu features southern favorites like barbecue ribs, southern fried catfish, broiled steak and atypical treats like homemade tamales. They’ve got a kids’ menu and nightly live music. 5. Memphis Music (149 Beale Street) Open seven days a week, this blues-heavy record store offers a collection of CDs, cassettes, videos, DVDs, gifts and apparel in genres ranging from blues and gospel to classic rock and jazz. 6. Tater Red’s Lucky Mojo's (153 Beale Street) Instantly get a little cooler by stopping into Tater Red’s for all of your voodoo and Mardi Gras needs. They also have a pretty impressive collection of music memorabilia. They’re late risers, opening at noon daily. 7. Blues City General Store (144 Beale Street) Blues City General Store, Memphis, Tenn. Blues City General Store is full of kitschy memorabilia and souvenirs ranging from Elvis to Betty Boop and I Love Lucy. Need an Elvis souvenir to take home? They have you covered. They’re open seven days a week from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. 8. FedExForum (191 Beale Street) The home of both the Tigers and the Grizzlies, the biggest arena in Memphis also hosts concerts and special events. Bonus: they have their own parking garages. 9. Beale Sweets Sugar Shack  If you have any kind of sweet tooth, this vintage-style candy shop has you covered. Their speciality is house-made fudge in more than a dozen flavors, plus old-fashioned candy barrels offering every kind of sugary treat. 10. Ernest Withers Collection & Museum The prolific Memphis photographer who documented the Civil Rights movement and more, visitors of all ages can experience the world-changing work of Ernest Withers at the family-run museum on Beale Street. Some subject matter may be inappropriate for young children.

Comments Make Us Happy

6
Leave a Comment
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Rebecca
Great information. Thanks!
January 27, 2012 1:01pm
JENNY
What is the legal age to get onto Beale Street, once the street is blocked.  I noticed they start carding after a certain time at night, but the afternoons anyone can walk up and down the street.  I have a 19 year old, and don't know if she will be able to get onto Beale Street after 9pm
August 25, 2014 3:36pm
John
Same question as above .. we are going to Memphis with our 20 year old son who is a jazz music performer.  Will he have difficulty getting into any of the establishments to listen to the music at night/day?
February 26, 2015 4:23pm
Holly Whitfield

John, Most bars are 21 and up in the evenings. You'll need to check with individual ones to be sure.

February 26, 2015 4:52pm
Kelly Swieca
We are planning to travel to Memphis in Jubd or July 2015. We have two 11 year olds who we want to hear as much live blues as possible on Beale street. What's the best way to do this? 
March 5, 2015 12:34am
Donna
Here on a Monday night....my 18 year old was able to go into Blues Cafe and Jerry Lee Lewis after 7 pm and we Stayed until 11:30 without a problem. Maybe because it's a Monday
August 18, 2015 12:33am