Memphis

Memphis is a city known for its music — honky-tonk, blues, soul, and rock and roll — and for the diverse culture that helped create it. This Tennessee town is full of fascinating history, mighty Mississippi River views, warm-hearted people, and amazing entertainment from historic Beale Street to Graceland, the former home of Elvis, now his shrine.

It’s no surprise that Memphis has a warm and welcoming gay community. Outflix, an international gay film festival, takes place each September at the Malco Ridgeway Four Cinema.

Getting here

Memphis International Airport is about 9 miles southeast of downtown. Taxis into town cost about $20.

Getting around

There are buses and trolleys, see MATA for information, but you’ll probably want to rent a car to get around.

What to do

Graceland (3734 Elvis Presley Blvd) is the most popular tourist attraction in Memphis. The Memphis Opera (6745 Wolf River Parkway) stages the classics, sometimes in the park.

Resources

The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center (892 South Cooper St) has plenty of info about the local scene. The Memphis Flyer is a weekly with events, listings, and reviews.
 

Bars

Most of the gay nightspots are located in midtown, parking is never a problem, and most stay open till 3am; several later with after hours.Many bars serve food. For more restaurant suggestions click our map and listings tab, top of the page.

901 Complex (136 Webster St), Hip-Hip, Old Skool, and R&B music, lively crowd of men and women, drag divas and hot men on stage.

Backstreet (2018 Court Ave), 18-plus sports, video bar; dance and cabaret club; karaoke, beer busts, amateur nights.

Club Escape (655 Marshall) daytime cafe with WiFi, food includes veggie/vegan options; evening live music, open mic, hip hop nights, gay Friday night 18+ parties.

Crossroads (1278 Jefferson, at N Claybrook), nightly entertainment specials, pool and dart tournaments, beer busts and bingo, food, talent shows, weekend drag and star-studded pageants.

Dru's Place (1474 Madison Ave), "Where Women and Sports Collide" games, ice-cold beer, patio, and live music nights.

Mollie Fontaine Lounge (679 Adams Ave) gay-popular tapas restaurant/cocktail lounge, live jazz piano, DJ music, Victorian house, sophisticated modern decor, second floor smokers' lounge.

The Pumping Station (1382 Poplar Ave), Levi-leather and bear cruise bar, huge selection of beers, pool and darts tournaments, summer cook-outs, cigar nights.

Shopping

Inz & Outz Cards and Gifts (553 South Cooper), Memphis's only GLBT gift shop, "bulging with pride" they have everything from magazine and videos to toys and jewelry.

Underground Art (2287 Young Ave) does high quality tatoos and body piercings.