Downtown Memphis Cocktail Bars You'll Fall in Love With
There’s nothing that gets me through a long work week quite like the prospect of going to a good cocktail bar with my girls, having a drink, and taking in all the glorious moments and potential memories that come with it.
There’s nothing that gets me through a long work week quite like the prospect of going to a good cocktail bar with my girls, having a drink, and taking in all the glorious moments and potential memories that come with it.
The cocktail bar is a time to get dressed up. It’s a time to let loose. It’s a time to be in the center of your city and enjoy yourself and your community with a wonderful ambiance, good playlist and the people who make it all feel special.
Here are some cocktail bars downtown that simply aren’t to be missed:
Felicia Suzanne’s - While known as a dinner spot, I might be so bold as to say the cocktails and décor are even better than the plates. The beautifully adorned space by Collect + Curate feels timeless, transporting you somewhere else entirely while simultaneously keeping you anchored in the moment because there’s no where else you’d rather be.
Cocktail not to be missed: Negroni Blanco
Some other great dinner spots of note that have bars that could stand on their own while you’re downtown: The Lobbyist, Catherine & Mary’s, and the lounge section of Amelia Gene’s makes me feel like I’m about to sip on a Jack Daniels with Frank Sinatra.
Bar Limina - If I could write a love letter to a bar, it would be this one. This bar has a way of connecting people that I would liken to pure magic. “Limina” means threshold, the edge between what was and what’s coming next, and this place embodies that perfectly. Between their skillfully curated craft cocktails and the energy of the people in the room, you can’t help but feel excited for whatever comes after you walk through their doors. Also, it’s the best-smelling bar in the city. If that sort of thing matters to you. (It does to me.)
Cocktail not to be missed: Fig Old Fashioned
Old Dominick - One thing about me is that I LOVE a tour. And Old Dominick Distillery delivers one of the best in their beautiful space right in heart of downtown Memphis. It’s the perfect mix of history, craftsmanship, and charm. After your tour, you can head up to their rooftop for a drink with a view, or you can stay put in their bar that offers up carefully-crafted cocktails to suit everyone's taste in an elevated yet relaxed atmosphere. And can I just say… the chairs in there are COMFY.
BarWare - This is where the night winds down in the best way. Where you meet up with friends you didn’t start the evening with but want to end it alongside. It’s relaxed, familiar, and full of that easy Memphis charm. With a lovely patio, inviting indoor seating, and cocktails that never miss, it’s a true local favorite.
Bar Hustle at Arrive - What is it about a boutique hotel bar that excites me so? I’m not too sure, but chances are, if there’s something going on downtown and we’re looking for a place to grab a drink beforehand, I’m most likely suggesting Bar Hustle. Not only are the drinks fantastic, but the whole vibe is just comforting. The space invites you to stay a while instead of trying to turn over tables on a busy Friday night.
Belle Tavern - Belle Tavern is a beautiful, tucked-away bourbon bar serving top-notch cocktails and elevated pub bites in a calm, inviting setting. With an air of exclusivity (thanks to its hidden location, not pretension), it’s the perfect little gem to enjoy with friends, especially during their stellar cocktail hour. And their bartender, Harold, couldn’t be sweeter. We all know a drink just tastes better when your bartender is the bee’s knees.
Eight & Sands at Grand Central Station - If anyone is coming to visit Memphis, this is where I’ll take them first. In its essence, it embodies what Memphis was, what it is, and what we know it always will be. Grab a cocktail, slip into the listening room, and be the main character you were BORN to be. There are also DJs that play there frequently, so make sure you check their schedule and see who’s playing before you go!
The Dame at Hotel Pontotoc - The newest fab bar on the scene is The Dame. As part of the new Hotel Pontotoc, this is a place to go where secrets and history both linger within the walls. Drenched in the charm of the art deco era, you can lounge on one of the velvet corner sofas in the lowlight and know you’re right where you’re meant to be. Go in with a feathered boa or jeans, either way you’ll fit right in.
Beck & Call & Hyatt Centric - Would it even be a cocktail bar list without a rooftop? Beck & Call overlooks the river, offering the best view in town and cocktails worth savoring slowly. Memphis weather stays warm just long enough to make fall drinks outdoors feel like a luxury Fall drinks out on the river? I’m in!
Peabody Hotel Lobby - I had to include it! I’m sorry, I just had to. Some of my favorite cocktail moments with a friend have unfolded in between the velvety walls of the Peabody. It’s a little more upscale than where you might typically go on a Friday night, but sometimes that’s exactly what you’re looking for. If you go for a lunchtime cocktail, there’s also a chance you’ll get to see the ducks. And anytime I can drink on a martini and watch adorable hotel ducks, I’ll take it. Life’s for living, anyhow.
Bar at JEM - I love Memphis oh so dearly, but sometimes it’s nice to feel like you’ve been transported somewhere else. Jem does just that. It’s like a staycation of sorts. There’s something about this place that makes me feel like I’m in London (A friend of mine who lives in London replied to my story I posted while I was there and said, “I thought this was London!”). They’re a restaurant too so you can grab some yummy bites while sipping on your cocktail in a big, open, beautiful space!
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