Memphis

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Music and Meals in Memphis

A March 2006 trip to Memphis by globetrots

A few choice hotels, restaurants, and music clubs in "the other music city" of Tennessee.

  • 7 reviews

Sleep Inn At Court SquareBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

This hotel isn't a dazzler, but it is one of the best values in town, with a great location on the trolley line and the pedestrian-only mall of Main Street. (If the trolley will keep you awake though, request a river side room.) It is often filled with tour groups from all over the world, with a mix of all ages. The décor won't win any design awards, and the poor sole desk clerk is always overworked. But the free breakfast is filling, there’s a morning paper, and free wireless Internet access. There are plenty of channels on the cable TV, and a shower stall big enough for two. This is close enough to all the action to walk everywhere, but far enough away that you will get a little exercise and avoid the late-night bar noise. A good deal considering the great location and $5 a day parking.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by globetrots on May 5, 2006

Sleep Inn At Court Square
40 N FRONT STREET Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901-522-9700

Madison HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

This is by far the hippest hotel in Memphis, and the whole state of Tennessee for that matter. It is also the most elegant in town, with a restaurant that's all cool elegance. It's located a few steps from the trolley line and walking distance to Beale Street, yet it seems worlds away and would not be out of place in Chicago or New York. The public areas skillfully combine the traditional and the contemporary: the turn-of-the-century bank building and lobby grand piano provide gravitas, while the colorful hip furniture and large murals of Memphis music acts lighten the atmosphere.

Guests walk on whimsical purple and yellow carpet to get to rooms that are by far the plushest in town (28 have a whirlpool tub). The bartender is usually as beautiful as the stylish cocktails. The pool is indoors, but the garden and rooftop deck offer great city views. The staff is well-trained and top-notch. If your tastes run to the trendy and modern, and you've got money to spend or are on an expense account, this is the place to go.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by globetrots on May 5, 2006

Madison Hotel
79 MADISON AVE Memphis, Tennessee 38103
1-901-3331200

Automatic Slim's Tonga ClubBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This hip and happening restaurant has been at the top of the Memphis dining scene for close to a decade, but deserves to still be there. It is dependable and surprising at the same time, dishing out inventive meals that are regular crowd-pleasers. Rotating art keeps the look fresh, but the foundation includes zebra-skin barstools and whimsical sculptured light fixtures. While the food is seriously good, it's clear the restaurant refuses to take itself too seriously. The cuisine is always a mix of cultures, with fish and vegetarian meals being a a welcome relief for non-carnivores trying to avoid the ubiquitous barbecue in the area. On any given night diners can expect unique combinations that mix Caribbean, Asian, and Southwestern influences to create surprising taste sensations. This is the clear best choice in the tourist district.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by globetrots on May 5, 2006

Automatic Slim's Tonga Club
83 South Second St Memphis, Tennessee 38103
+1 901 525 7948

Rock and Soul MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Memphis Rock & Soul Museum"

The Stax Soulsville Museum and Sun Studio are more authentic, but this is the place to go if you can only visit one museum. It provides a good, thorough overview of the city's musical heritage and has listening stations where you can hear whole songs that you choose and listen to through earphones. It runs the gamut from old gospel and blues songs all the way through Stax, Al Green, Elvis, Alex Chilton, and all the stars who have recorded at Ardent Studios.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by globetrots on May 5, 2006

Rock and Soul Museum
145 Lt. George W. Lee Ave Memphis, Tennessee 38103
+1 901 543 0800

STAX Museum of American Soul MusicBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The ride to get here takes you through a rundown part of town (and ironically past “Race Street”), but it’s worth the pilgrimage. After you arrive you get to see what can only be described as a pimp mobile: an over-the-top gold-trimmed Cadillac from Isaac Hayes, complete with fur-covered seats. Stax Records blazed out in too short of a time, but when things were hopping the label cranked out great music that was very much alive. While it was good, it was very good. The museum lovingly presents the stories of Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, Junior Wells, Otis Redding, and other legends that recorded there. Visitors get insight into how the interracial “Stax sound” evolved, with most tracks recorded live. The building is a rebuilt one, but the original control room and equipment remain, along with instruments used by Booker T and the MGs—-the house backing band. Great costumes, artifacts, and lots of gold albums are on display.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by globetrots on May 5, 2006

STAX Museum of American Soul Music
926 E. McLemore Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38106
901.942.SOUL

Sun StudioBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is a must-see stop in Memphis for anyone who cares about the history of rock and roll. It's fitting that top bands still record here at night when the place closes to the public, for standing here it's hard not to feel a whiff of greatness in the air. Any little room where Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash all made their start has to be something special, and it is. Not showy or spectacular, by any means, but a really interesting tour by a guide who is into it. And hey, you get to learn about the first song featuring a distorted guitar—by Ike Turner. Cool stuff in the gift shop too, a nice break from all the tacky Elvis stuff you see elsewhere.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by globetrots on May 7, 2006

Sun Studio
706 Union Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 521 0664

Rum Boogie CafeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is a Beale Street institution, full of tourists pretty much anytime you go, but it's the place to be. The house band is always pumping, the beer selection is good, and you can always walk around looking at the hanging signed guitars if there's a lull. You can see the band well from almost any vantage point, including the street-facing side of the bar in the adjoining room. The food is pretty good too, including some not-watered-down gumbo. Hard to go wrong here, whatever night you're in Memphis.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by globetrots on May 7, 2006

Rum Boogie Cafe
182 Beale St Memphis, Tennessee 38103
+1 901 528 0150

About the Writer

globetrots
globetrots
Nashville, Tennessee

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