Alex Harrison
For a long time, people went to Earnestine & Hazel’s for another kind of box. But now that it’s no longer a brothel, they go there for the jukebox and its selection of classic Motown, blues, jazz, and soul. It goes great with a Soul Burger.
The category “Best Pick-Up Joint” is a fount for interesting
responses. To wit: There were two votes for
No Regrets Tattoo
Emporium (second-place winner of “Best Tattoo Parlor” in Goods &
Services). “I always did well at Young Avenue Deli,” one voter
helpfully responded. 201 Poplar got a vote, as did a couple
of
places that were too disturbing (and potentially illegal) to include
here. For the voter who entered
”You tell me,” see below.
Justin Fox Burks
Minglewood Hall, 1st place: ‘Best Place To See Live Music’
Best Place to See Live Music
1. Minglewood Hall
2. Hi-Tone Café
3. Mud Island Amphitheatre
Minglewood Hall, located in the old Strings & Things building on
Madison, bounced onto the Memphis music scene with a bang. Boasting a
massive seating area, a fancy raised stage, and plenty of room for
dancing or headbangin’, Minglewood is Midtown’s largest rock venue in
decades. Since opening in February, Minglewood has hosted MGMT, Gwar,
Lucinda Williams, and Of Montreal. Expect plenty more huge acts in the
years to come.
Best Local Band
1. The Dempseys
2. The Sheriffs of Nottingham
3. Lucero
This unique local rockabilly trio is no stranger to fame. Members
Joe Fick, Brad Birkedahl, and Ron Perrone portrayed Johnny Cash’s
back-up band in the 2005 biopic Walk the Line. They even
performed for Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi when he was in
town with President George W. Bush in 2006. So it should come as no
surprise that these local faves placed number one in the Best of
Memphis poll.
Best Local Singer
1. Amy LaVere
2. Harlan T. Bobo
3. Valerie June
Amy LaVere’s trademark Southern twang, accented by the deep rumble
of her upright bass, has made her an unforgettable staple on the
Memphis music scene. She entered the Bluff City in the early ’90s as
part of the Nashville-based Gabe & Amy Show, but she quickly broke
free, establishing her own place in a scene deficient in rootsy
Americana music. These days, she’s all over the place — Craig
Brewer films, the Americana Music Conference, the Austin City Limits
Festival, and tons of local gigs in bars across the city.
Best Karaoke
1. Windjammer Restaurant & Lounge
2. Yosemite Sam’s
3. P&H Café
Despite the tragic shooting of DJ Donald Munsey last year, karaoke
lovers still tout this bar as the best place in Memphis to sing along
to their favorite tunes.
Best Hole in the Wall
1. Earnestine & Hazel’s
2. P&H Café
3. Alex’s
Downstairs, this ages-old bar offers pool, a generous dance floor,
and a jukebox loaded with the classics. Upstairs, curious customers can
explore the rooms that once played host to ladies of the night during
the building’s brothel days. Thankfully, the whole place is very dimly
lit. The sheer age of the building, doubled with years of serving
greasy burgers, gives the place a dingy vibe. Of course, isn’t that
what makes dive bars so special?
Best College Hangout
1. Newby’s
2. RP Tracks
3. Blue Monkey
Newby’s bills itself as the “college bar you never graduate from.”
Truer words have never been spoken. This roomy Highland Strip hangout
attracts an even mix of University of Memphis students, college grads,
and likely a few college dropouts. The crowds gather to hear live
music, play pool, watch the game, or down Newby’s energy cocktail: the
Rock Star.
Justin Fox Burks
Tara White, 1st place: ‘Best Bartender’
Best Bartender
1. Tara White at Celtic Crossing
2. Brian “Skinny” McCabe at Newby’s
3. Brad Pitts at Bari — tie —
Michael Luckey at Ciao Bello
Every Monday night at Celtic Crossing, beer lovers descend on the
tiny Midtown pub for $2.50 drafts. Despite the shoulder-to-shoulder
crowds, bartender Tara White manages all the drink orders on her own.
With 15 years experience in bartending, White knows what she’s doing.
Co-workers describe her as a “high-volume bartender” with a loyal
following.
Best After-Hours Club
1. Earnestine & Hazel’s
2. Blue Monkey
3. Alex’s
After a night of sipping wine and gazing at local art on the South
Main trolley tour each month, patrons cram into this downtown dive for
a cold beer and a Soul Burger. Though it’s not open any later than many
downtown bars, Earnestine & Hazel’s makes for the perfect gathering
place after a Beale Street blues show.
Best Pick-up Joint
1. Peabody Rooftop
2. Flying Saucer
3. Blue Monkey
Patrons dressed to impress, a steady flow of cocktails, and live
music to dance to set the stage for seduction at the Peabody’s rooftop
parties.
Best “Cougar” Bar
1. Spindini
2. T.J. Mulligan’s
3. Blue Monkey
Mature ladies on the prowl know they can find hot young hunks at
this South Main restaurant. Spindini boasts upscale dining and
signature cocktails. It’s the kind of place you don’t frequent unless
you’ve got some cash to plop down, making it even more conducive to
attracting young professional men. Ladies, don your best animal print
cami, order a glass of Caldora Pecorino, and reel ’em in. Roar!
Best Beer Selection
BOM 1. Flying Saucer
2. Boscos Squared
3. Young Avenue Deli
Um, duh. Of course the Flying Saucer was voted “Best Beer
Selection.” With more than 200 beers on tap, both the downtown and
Cordova locations have a huge leg over the competition. Need a pale
ale? Check. How about a lager? Got it. Sample trays of beers from
around the world? No problem. Beer and cheese pairings? Got it.
Justin Fox Burks
Peabody Lobby Bar, 1st place: ‘Best Place To Get a Martini’
Best Place To Get a Martini
1. Peabody Lobby Bar
2. Side Street Bar & Grill
3. Beauty Shop
Not only does this historic Memphis hotel serve a tasty dirty
martini, it offers some of the best downtown people-watching. Order a
‘tini and plop down in a comfy chair in the hotel lobby. You won’t even
need a friend to chat with or a newspaper to scan. Just watch the
tourists and rooftop partygoers as they amble about the hotel.
Fascinating!
Best Place To Get a Margarita
1. Molly’s La Casita
2. Happy Mexican
3. Café Ole
Molly’s La Casita is a Midtown institution when it comes to Mexican
food, so it’s only fitting their margaritas would find a place, as
well.
Best Happy Hour
1. Chili’s Grill & Bar
2. Flying Saucer
3. Boscos Squared
Okay, yes, Chili’s is a chain restaurant. But if that’s a problem,
you just need to get over it, because their happy hour is two-for-one
and it lasts all day. And you don’t even have to ask. Finish one drink,
and before you even nod at the bartender, there’s another.
Best Dance Club
1. Hollywood Disco
2. Club 152 Beale
3. Backstreet
Is it the light-up dance floor? The lone pole in the corner? The
smoke machines? All of it. It’s the Hollywood Disco
Best Place To Shoot Pool
1. Fox & Hound English Tavern
2. Young Avenue Deli
3. RP Billiards
Want a casual place to make a nice, clean break? According to
Flyer readers, the Fox & Hound English Tavern is the place
to go for eight-ball, nine-ball, and all sorts of billiards. Fox &
Hound has good grub, multiple pay-by-the-hour tables, and a full bar.
What more do you need? Just remember to call your pocket.
Best Sports Bar
1. Fox & Hound English Tavern
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. T.J. Mullligan’s
Maybe it’s because our readers consider pool a sport, or maybe it’s
because of all the televisions. Either way, the Fox & Hound is also
the “Best Sports Bar.”
Best Gay Bar
1. Backstreet
2. The Pumping Station
3. Metro
Backstreet has been our readers’ fave for years, but don’t try to go
right now. The Midtown bar was closed at the beginning of September
after a police operation uncovered gambling and the unlawful sale of
alcohol. At press time, the court date for Backstreet owner Shane Trice
had been re-scheduled, but he’s vowed that the club will reopen.
Best New Bar
1. Bardog Tavern
2. Silly Goose
3. Dru’s Place — tie —
Paula and Raiford’s Disco
Sometimes you just want to sit and stay. Bardog is a perfect place
to do just that. A new favorite downtown, Bardog is a two-story bar
with a neighborhood feel, an Italian-influenced menu, and a cute
logo.
Justin Fox Burks