If you wanted to reach Margaritaville on June 11th, you headed east on Madison Avenue, took a right on Cooper and another right on Trimble, and you were there.
Except it was called “Memphis Flyer’s Margarita Festival.”
Memphis Whistle, which participated in the festival for the first time this year and came in third place in audience voting, is slated to open as a restaurant in Cooper Young.
“We’re opening our own space soon,” says Jef Hicks, who, along with David Parks, owns Memphis Whistle. says, “We’re waiting for licensing and permitting.”
And, he says, they’re hoping to open “within the next few weeks.”
Memphis Whistle, which will be located at 2299 Young, will be “a restaurant that serves alcohol. This is in a little house. We’re going to make it all lounge-comfortable and relaxed.”
Asked what the interior colors will be, Hicks says, “It makes you look pretty. I used a lot of dark plum, almost like a burgundy, amber, and dusty blue.”
Memphis Whistle, which began as a drink delivery service during the pandemic, will feature a full bar. As for the food, Parks says, “We’re going to be really eclectic. We’re going to work with people we know in the business who are chefs and line cooks. Mostly chefs who were impacted by the pandemic and were displaced.”
“We’re probably leaning more towards grab-and-go and finger food, just for simplicity,” Lewis says.
They also might serve their Margarita Festival-winning margarita — the Wicked Strawberry Elixir. “This is made with fresh strawberries,” Hicks says. “And we use heirloom oranges, fresh lime, and serrano-infused agave. I would describe it as a little bit spicy, a little bit festive.”
Just like the new restaurant is going to be.
About 600 people attended this year’s Margarita Festival (tickets sold out 10 days prior to the event), which was held in Overton Square.
A total of 11 margarita sampling stations were featured along with food stations.
Agavos took top honors in the audience voting, followed by Moe’s, which came in second place; and Memphis Whistle.