Raiford's Has Their Own Beer Now (In Honor of Robert "Hollywood" Raiford, of course)
Meet The Hollywood Hustler and The Disco Dynamite
Paula & Raiford’s Disco will release two new canned beverages for club guests—the Hollywood Hustler Pilsner and the Disco Dynamite Seltzer. They’ll be exclusively available at Raiford’s, which is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 p.m. until 3 a.m.
If you’ve ever been to Raiford’s, you’ve certainly seen Paula…she’s the life of the party. Whether she gave you the “SEXY” hand stamp upon entry, sold you a giant beer, or just hyped up the crowd, she and her daughter Keshia carry on their patriarch’s spirit. Paula’s father Robert “Hollywood” Raiford passed away from kidney failure at age on March 22, 2017—five years ago tomorrow.
“He loved Memphis and he did a lot for Memphis,” she told me. “I hear stories everyday about what he did for people, whether it was just a conversation, a happy word. That’s where the ‘No Discrimination’ slogan came from. It means everybody’s equal. No big me, little me—we’re all the same in here.”
In Honor of Robert "Hollywood" Raiford
Since his passing, Paula has wanted to create a limited edition craft beer to honor his memory—selling beer in forties was one of his signature business decisions. She partnered with Grind City Brewing, who worked with Paula to create the two drinks, one a pilsner at 4% ABV and the other a fruit-flavored seltzer at 4.5% ABV.
These two new brews will add some variety to the bar’s offerings, which still has a handful of beers, including the "forty" (technically, I think it’s a 32 ounce Bud Light) and spirits, too. It’s still all cash only.
The Raiford’s team will celebrate the release Hollywood Hustler and Disco Dynamite at a private party at the brewery on March 21, Monday night (Paula’s birthday!) and afterwards, they’ll be available for purchase only at the club.
About Raiford’s
You know it by the pink and fuchsia lights, the pulsing music (a mix of oldies and dance favorites), the smoke machine, the 90s office furniture, and the red carpet outside for the long lines that await club goers at peak hours. It's "Raiford's"!
Paula & Raiford’s Disco is an iconic Memphis nightclub, around in some form for decades now. It is a must-do for big nights, the perfect atmosphere for after-after-after parties. You’re likely to see at least one wedding group in their tuxes and gowns, people celebrating birthdays, tourists, folks in town for a conference looking to get a taste of Memphis, and people from all walks of life and all ages.
“It’s always enlightening every weekend who comes to the club,” Paula says. “I get mostly travelers, definitely Memphians but also many travelers…Something brings you to Memphis and we’re just known as one of the places you got to come touch. So that’s beautiful.”
When I stopped by to talk with Paula and get a few photos, the club lights were blinking and twirling, black lights going, dancing poles shined—and it was 4 p.m. on a Thursday. Definitely the earliest I’ve ever set foot inside and a delightfully surreal experience. I can see why Raiford's has become synonymous with Memphis. It's doing its own thing, good vibes only, and Paula and her team always bring the warmth and positivity.
“Memphis is like a hug. A lot of people don’t get hug. They can’t relax their shoulders, you know. They come in here and they let it go.”
Go There:
14 S. Second St.
Memphis, Tenn. 38103
Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 3 a.m.
21 and up only
Cash only (ATM inside)
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