Tag: Railgarten

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We Recommend We Saw You

Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck

CREDIT: Jessica Tyler

Jessica Tyler

Steven Hamblin, a member of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck.

With Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck, laid-off bartenders are now yard-tenders. Or handymen and women who do all types of chores around the house. Same goes for out-of-work cooks, servers, and other restaurant men and women who work for Party Memphis businesses.

Taylor Berger, operating partner of Two Broke Bartenders LLC, is also operating partner of Party Memphis, the group that owns Railgarten, Loflin Yard, Rec Room, Bounty on Broad, and Highland Axe & Rec.

“I started Two Broke Bartenders to respond to the demand from our restaurant customers who are now stuck at home but still need essential services and products — errands, yard work, handyman services, etc.” Berger says. “Using the assets we already had — vehicles and a bunch of awesome staff with no restaurant work but lots of skills — I just connected the customers and our staff through our website: twobrokebartenders.com.

“So far, it’s all people who have worked at our restaurants. Some cooks and back of house and also some bartenders and front of house.”

Two Broke Bartenders workers wear masks. Customers are emailed an invoice so they don’t have to have any physical contact with the workers. Groceries are left on the porch. Before they leave, workers wave goodbye to customers.

As bar manager at Railgarten, Steven Hamblin, 35, usually is “making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be.” And, he says, “There’s some times when I get thrown behind the bar to help with the rush.”

But, lately, instead of wielding a cocktail shaker, Hamblin has been wielding a weed-trimmer. Since the temporary layoff, he’s outdoors instead of indoors.

“I’ve cut the yard, weed-eated before,” Hamblin says. “But I haven’t done a lot because I’ve mostly been in an apartment.”

He liked the idea of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck. “I thought it was a good way to keep the money coming in. I was planning on laying low and drawing unemployment and applying for jobs, looking for jobs while I was out of work at Railgarten.”

As for yard work, Hamblin says, “I actually haven’t cut any yards yet. I’ve done some pressure washing. We have taken down a play swing set, a jungle gym, and hauled that off. We hauled off some trash people didn’t want in their yards.”

And, he says, “I’ve gone on beer runs. I’ve gone to the pet store for dog bones. Grocery shopping.”

He’s also gotten adept at using a chainsaw. “We were using a chainsaw the last couple of days and the chain came off the track.” Hamblin watched a co-worker get the chain fixed. The next time it broke, he got it on. “I got it on there quicker than either one of them.

“The more you do something, the better you get at it. I’m not afraid of doing something I’ve never done before. New life circumstances. It makes me think I want to do some of this stuff on my own, if nothing else, just in the yard. It empowers you a little bit.”

Jessica McGill, 35, a bartender at Railgarten and at Bounty on Broad, says, “They have put me mostly on yard-work ‘cause I have my own equipment. I’ve got mowers, chainsaw, pressure washers, all the landscaping equipment for yard-work just ‘cause it’s always been something I enjoy and I always keep up with it at home. It really is a kind of therapy.

“With the circumstances of COVID being timed with the changing of the seasons, this is the time of year folks would be getting out to do that first few major days of yard work after a long winter of downed leaves and dead stuff. There’s a lot of work to do.”

McGill brings her own truck. “I have an SUV so I’ve been able to load all my equipment in that. Strap the wheelbarrow to the roof. Kind of a one-woman yard show.” So far, she’s been working “every single day there hasn’t been a big rain in the forecast.”

And, she says, “What’s really struck me the most about this new endeavor is the community. My mom has this saying — it’s not original to her — but, ‘We all belong to each other.’ As soon as I get to a client’s house I thank them for the opportunity. And each one has responded in the same way. They want to help. It really feels like Memphians are rallying in lots of different ways. In a service industry you can have really rough shifts. You get a guest who can never be pleased. This feels like the opposite of that. It just feels like really loving support. They want to see us thrive during this time of uncertainty.

“A friend of mine always says what’s different from Memphis and other cities is the people. There’s this fierce loyalty. I have really felt that. This kind of ride-or-die thought pattern. People are just fiercely supporting each of us this way. Being a part of Two Broke Bartenders and a Truck has made me so proud to be a Memphian. A transplant, not by birth, but, definitely, by heart.”


See the “Two Broke Bartenders” video by Mark Edgar Stuart. The video was filmed and edited by Bella Golightly.

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Coronavirus: Want to Help Local Restaurants? Try Buying ‘Dining Bonds’ or Gift Cards

CREDIT: Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District

Railgarten/Facebook

Remember the good, old days of social closeness-ning?

If you are looking for ways to help support Memphis restaurants and bars and all of the folks here who make your going-out dreams come true, consider buying a gift card.

This notion is taking hold in other parts of the country as the restaurant industry braces for the full impact of social distancing that will leave tables and barstools empty for who knows how long.

As we reported yesterday, Railgarten will be selling deeply discounted gift cards at the bar and online beginning today at 2 p.m. For example, $100 will get you a $200 Railgarten gift card right at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., you can get a $200 card for $125. Card prices increase every hour. Every in-person purchase will get you a free roll of toilet paper.
Dining Bonds Initiative

The biggest coordinated push across the country so far is the Dining Bond Initiative over at www.supportrestaurants.com. There, restaurants ranging from Long Island’s upscale Preston House & Hotel to the fun, kitschy Bigfoot Lodge in Los Angeles (and even the Sysco Corp.) have signed up to sell Dining Bonds.

”A Dining Bond works like a savings bond, where you can purchase a ‘bond’ at a value rate to be redeemed for face value (for example, a $100 bond for $75) at a future date,” according to the Dining Bond website. “For restaurants, many of whom are small businesses and are in serious risk of shutting their doors permanently due to this crisis, the bonds can bring in much needed revenue.

”And for us, the public, they’re a chance to show love and support, ensuring the future of some of their favorite restaurants, not to mention the many people who may be forced out of work.”

Visit the organization’s website to find out more about Dining Bonds and how to get started with the program.

Eater.com

Eater, the online newsmagazine, published a list of several different such pushes happening across the country. It mentions the Dining Bond Initiative but also the Grubhub Community Relief Fund, the Southern Smoke Foundation (to aid those affected by the cancellation of SXSW), Giving Kitchen in Georgia, and more.

Over in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C., organizers there are asking locals to buy “Restaurant Bonds —similar to ’war bonds’ during WWI and II.” The organizers explained the gift cards can “act as a micro-loan to restaurants to provide much-needed immediate cash.” Also, these can be purchased online so customers can show support without having to leave home. Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District

“There has never been a more important time to support our neighborhood’s culinary scene,” reads a news release from the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District. “Restaurants are emptying out and small business owners are seeing up to an 80 percent drop-off in customers.

“Restaurants already work off razor-thin profit margins, but the COVID-19 pandemic is a test like no other. We have heard that restaurants in Adams Morgan and across D.C. are scrambling to cover expenses and to make payroll with no idea what new changes tomorrow will bring.

For now, the best thing our friends and neighbors in the community can do to help is to order takeout or buy gift cards to ensure at least some income during this difficult time.

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Restaurants Shift to Delivery, Curbside Pickup in Coronavirus Wake

CREDIT: Railgarten/Facebook

Railgarten/Facebook

Remember the good, old days of social closeness-ning?

Coronavirus (and the social distancing that has come with it) has put huge strains on local restaurants but many in Memphis are fighting back with curbside service, food delivery, and some help from the city.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said Monday “we strongly encourage you to continue to-go orders and support our local restaurants and their staffs.”

“To help with this, we have decided to provide on-street parking relief exclusively for food delivery vehicles at various restaurant locations Downtown and Midtown where parking meters are installed,” Strickland said in a coronavirus update Monday. “Until further notice, we are relaxing enforcement at metered parking spaces, allowing on-street parking at no charge in front of restaurants. Please note that all restricted parking areas will remain in effect during this time to ensure public safety.”

Chef Kelly English said on Instagram post Monday he’d close the dining rooms of Restaurant Iris, Second Line, and Fino’s from the Hill.

Restaurants Shift to Delivery, Curbside Pickup in Coronavirus Wake

“We have made the decision to shut our dining rooms down,” he said. “We can’t wait to get them back open. We are available for delivery and take out. @finosmemphis will be at the very least available for lunch take out and @secondlinememphis will be available for dinner take out starting tomorrow.

”We are taking tonight to regroup and get a plan. To all of our team: I love you so much, and we will figure this out.”

Napa Cafe announced Monday it would offer family dinner meals for pickup including the choice of soup or salad, an entrée, and choice of one family-style side item and fresh vegetable for $40 per person.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide our guests a sense of ease by providing family dinner meals to-go including salads, soups, entrees, family-style sides, and vegetables so that they can enjoy a Napa Café meal in the comfort of their home,” said Glenda Hastings, owner Napa Café.

Railgarten said it will offer food delivery and discounted gift cards because “we want you to have everything you need before you hunker down.”

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitality businesses are being hit hard. We know that as our customers start practicing social distancing, our businesses will suffer. We know the main way consumers can continue to support us is through food delivery and buying gift cards.

“We also know that in this time of economic uncertainty, not everyone wants to purchase gift cards. That is why the Party Memphis group, including Railgarten, wants to make it an easy decision to support our team.

“On Tuesday, March 17th, which is also St. Patrick’s Day, our venues will open at 2 p.m. for those who want to grab a family meal and gift card before you settle in at home. At that time, we will begin our gift card sale.”

The sale will begin at 2 p.m. with $200 cards offered at $100. Cards increase in price every hour. Gift cards can be purchased online. Each purchase made in person, though, comes with a free roll of toilet paper.

“This is our way of thanking you for your support and to remind you that even though things can look bleak, we are going to make it through this thing together,” Railgarten said.

Let It Fly said Monday it will offer family meals (that can feed four to five people) for pickup for $39.99. Each meal comes with a gallon of tea or lemonade. Individual adult meals come with a free kid’s meal.

The Majestic Grill said Monday it will offer curbside pickup starting on Wednesday.

Restaurants Shift to Delivery, Curbside Pickup in Coronavirus Wake (2)

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News News Feature

Party Like It’s 2020: Our NYE Guide

It’s been 20 years since 1999 — and 37 years since Prince released his end-of-the-world party album 1999 in 1982 — but we’re still going to party like it’s the end of the decade. That’s right, the “new” millennium is out of its difficult teen years and almost old enough to buy itself a drink or rent a car. Hopefully we’ve all gained some wisdom, but now’s not the time for quiet reflection. It’s time to par-tay! Here’s our guide to some of Memphis’ most happening events this New Year’s Eve.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

The 61st annual bowl game is perfect for those who want to celebrate without staying out too late. Navy vs. Kansas State. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Tuesday, December 31st, 2:45 p.m.

Beale Street’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Say goodbye to 2019 amid Beale’s 188 years of history with a party with live music, dancing, fireworks, food, drinks, and a giant mirror ball. No purchase necessary to attend, but remember, Beale Street is 21+ after dark. Beale Street, Tuesday, December 31st, 5 p.m.

Lord T. & Eloise

Lord T. & Eloise’s New Year’s Eve Ball

A night of decadence, desire, and debauchery promises to descend upon revelers at the newly reopened Black Lodge, with performances by Model Zero, Glorious Abhor, Louise Page, and Memphis’ most aristocratic rappers, Lord T. & Eloise. There will also be aerial and dance performances from Poleuminati and a light show from Queen Bea Arthur. Dance, dance, dance among the DVDs! Black Lodge, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $20.

The PRVLG

New Year’s Eve at Hattiloo Theatre

Kortland Whalum, Talibah Safiya, and The PRVLG will perform, and comedian P.A. Bomani will deliver the end-of-year chuckles. Admission includes a flute of champagne and party favors, and the FunkSoul Cafe will be open, as well. Hattiloo Theatre, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve at Graceland

Party like a king — or at least where the king of rock-and-roll used to party. Experience the “wonder of New” Year’s with this dinner and dance party at Elvis’ old stomping grounds. Roby Haynes and Party Plant perform, and admission includes a buffet dinner and midnight champagne toast. The Guest House at Graceland, Tuesday, December 31st, 7 p.m. $125.

Peabody New Year’s Eve Party

Ring in the new year in style at the South’s grand hotel. With music by Almost Famous, Seeing Red, and DJ Epic and a VIP section that includes party favors, hors d’oeuvres, and unlimited champagne, this party will help revelers set a sophisticated tone for the new year. The Peabody, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $40-$175.

Quintron & Miss Pussycat’s New Year’s Eve

A New Year’s tradition. Hash Redactor and Aquarian Blood perform.Admission includes a free champagne toast and the balloon drop at midnight.

Hi Tone, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $20.

Dale Watson & his Lone Stars with Honky Tonk Horn Section

This honky tonkin’ hootenanny is the Hernando’s Hide-A-Way way of ringing in the new year and a new decade. With a champagne toast, black-eyed peas, and cornbread to get the year started off on the right cowboy boot. Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve with Spaceface

The Young Avenue Deli has a brand-new sound system, and there’s no better way to test it out than with a rockin’, raucous band. Ring in 2020 with Memphis’ most theatrical psychedelic party band. Champagne toast at midnight.

Young Avenue Deli, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $15.

New Year’s Eve with Star & Micey

Railgarten is Midtown’s backyard, so it’s only right that they should invite local legends Star & Micey to help sing in the new year. For those who “Can’t Wait” for 2020, don’t try to Get ‘Em Next Time — get to this party this year. Daykisser opens. Railgarten, Tuesday, December 31st, 9:30 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Lantern Hike

Celebrate the new year in nature. Ranger Gooch leads this lantern-lit, two-mile hike through the woods. S’mores and hot chocolate or hot apple cider await attendees at the end of the hike. Remember to dress for the weather, and please leave flame-lit lanterns at home. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Tuesday, December 31st, 11:30 p.m. $5.

Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve Party

Giggle water at midnight, eh old chum? Admission includes an open wine and beer bar, a midnight champagne toast, and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. 616 Marshall, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m. $75-$150.

Spectrum XL Goes to Minglewood

Ain’t no dance party like a Spectrum dance party. The storied club brings its end-of-the-year dance party to Minglewood. Bring your own sequins and glitter. Proceeds benefit Friends for Life. Minglewood Hall, Tuesday, December 31st, 9 p.m. $30-$125.

New Year’s Eve Bash at B.B. King’s

Maybe the best way to ensure you don’t get the blues in 2020 is to ring in the new year by dancing to the blues at B.B. King’s. Tickets include open wine and beer bar, midnight champagne toast, and hors d’oeuvres. B.B. King’s Blues Club, Tuesday, December 31st, 6 p.m. $25 (general admission), $100 (dinner package).

Back to the ’20s

Another early-night option, Crosstown Brewing’s New Year’s shindig includes music by Graham Winchester, dinner catered by Next Door American Eatery, and the debut of I Am Brut — a Brut IPA for those non-champagne drinkers out there. Crosstown Brewing Company, Tuesday, December 31st, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Beauty Shop New Year’s Eve

A four-course dinner with the swinging, sultry sounds of Gary Johns & His Mini Orchestra. Call 272-7111 for reservations. Beauty Shop, Tuesday, December 31st, 5 p.m.

Toast to the ’20s

Tin Roof gets the new year going with music from Chris Ferrara, Bluff City Bandits, The Common Good, DJ Stringbean, and DJ ZewMob. Champagne toast at midnight. Tin Roof, Tuesday, December 31st, 6 p.m., $30.

New Year’s Party at Gold Club

Okay, so the family-friendly holidays are over. The little turkeys and reindeer have all been put to bed before midnight, and the adults will play. It’s time to get down and dirty and let the new year come in hot and heavy. Party with a balloon drop, dance and drink specials, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Gold Club Memphis, Tuesday, December 31st, all night long.

New Year’s Eve on the Terrace

Ring in the new year against the stunning backdrop of the Mississippi River and the colorful Mighty Lights bridge light show. What’s more Memphis than that? Call 260-3366 for reservations. Terrace at the River Inn, Tuesday, December 31st, 4 p.m.

Y2K New Year’s Dance Party

Remember the Y2K panic of 1999? The computers couldn’t understand a new millennium. A nine becoming a zero was going to cause worldwide nuclear meltdown. Anyway, let’s relive that end-of-year mass hysteria — with drinks and dancing! Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Y2K with end-of-the-world drink specials, DJs spinning tunes, and dancing throughout the night. Rec Room, Tuesday, December 31st, 8 p.m.

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We Recommend We Saw You

901 Day, Raiford Day, Fight Night, Living Awards

8Ball & MJG with MJD (Michael Joseph Donahue) at 901 Day at Railgarten.

Taylor Berger was pleased with the 8Ball & MJG show that capped the 901 Day festivities, held September 1st at Railgarten.

“That was pure Memphis, man,” Berger says. “It was black, white, young, old, everything in between. Everybody was dancing, happy, having fun.”

A crowd of 1,000 attended the concert, says Berger, who is managing partner of PartyMemphis.com, which also owns Loflin Yard, The Rec Room, and the newly-opened Highland Axe & Rec.

Loflin Yard was buzzing on 901 Day, but so was Railgarten, where people relaxed on a pleasant but warm Sunday afternoon.

Highland Axe & Rec opened to the public at 4 p.m. on “904 Day” — September 4th.

Movie posters from famous ax murderer movies line a Highland Axe hallway. These include Friday the 13th and The Shining.

One missing was the poster from the 1964 movie, Straitjacket, which shows a crazed-looking Joan Crawford wielding an axe aloft and, presumably, shrieking. The bull’s eye she’s aiming for probably isn’t part of the concentric circles targets found at Highland Axe.

Berger says the Straitjacket poster would be perfect for his new place, but he can’t find one online.

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger at Railgarten.

MIchael Donahue

Germantown mayor Mike Palazzolo, March Gates, Mac Hopper were at Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Brent Hooks was at Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Reuben Skahill, Ryan Joseph Hopgood, and Alex Harkavy at Loflin Yard

MIchael Donahue

Railgarten

MIchael Donahue

Loflin Yard

Michael Donahue

Taylor Berger and staff get ready to greet customers before 4 p.m. opening Sept. 4th at Highland Axe & Rec.

Michael Donahue

Robert Raiford

Fans of the late Robert Raiford turned out to celebrate “Hollywood” Raiford Day, which was held August 23rd downtown at Paula and Raiford’s Disco.

Some of them even danced in the blocked-off street on a lit-up disco floor.

The city presented her father “with his own day,” says Paula Raiford. “Every 8/23 will be Robert Raiford Day. I got in contact with the city last year and asked could I get that day for him. It’s his birthday.”

Raiford would have been 77 on his last birthday.

About 200 attended the event, Paula says.

Pat Kerr Tigrett donated the dance floor for the event.

And, if you missed the party, don’t worry. “I’ll be doing this every year,” Paula says.


MIchael Donahue

Paula Raiford

MIchael Donahue

Robert ‘Hollywood’ Raiford Day

Michael Donahue

Howard Summers was the victor in his bout at Fight Night.

Fight Night isn’t your typical party with silent and live auctions, dinner, and some type of musical performance.

This party presents boxing bouts with real boxers duking it out in a ring.

This year’s event, presented by the Phoenix Club, was held August 24th at Minglewood Hall. Fight Night is a fund-raiser for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

“We had approximately 250 people and raised $13,500,” says Phoenix Club president Jack Steffner.

Michael Brennan and Will Carter were co-chairs. Carter also was one of the boxers. And he won his bout.

“We are thrilled with the results of this year’s Fight Night,” Steffner says. “And we look forward to making it bigger and better next year.

“Fight Night is unlike any other charity function in the city. Where else can you see bankers and insurance salesmen duke it out in a boxing ring? Our goal is to provide a unique experience, which gets people excited to come out and support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. We are already booking fights for next August and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Michael Donahue

Will Carter

Michael Donahue

Fight Night

Michael Donahue

Fight Night

Michael Donahue

Living Awards recipients: George Cates, Dr. Jide Anyigbo, Dr. Philip Baker, (both representing Good Shepherd Pharmacy), Dr. Alim Khandekar, Dr. Bryan Simmons, Darrell Raber

About 400 attended this year’s Living Awards at the 37th Living Awards Benefit, which was held August 8th at The Peabody.

This year’s honorees were George Cates, Darrell Raber, Dr. Alim Khandekar, Dr. Bryan Simmons, and Good Shepherd Pharmacy.

The benefit honors individuals and organizations exemplifying the faith-based, healing mission of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare through their efforts to improve the health of their community locally and beyond.


                                     WE SAW YOU AROUND TOWN

Michael Donahue

Marie Pizano and Talbott Howard at their engagement party at Mesquite Chop House in Germantown.

Michael Donahue

Allician Holley, Ava Cox, and Clentis ‘CJ’ Jennings at Gibson’s Donuts.

Michael Donahue

Will Johnson downtown at Union and Front.

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We Recommend We Recommend

Omar Higgins’ Legacy Continues with Return of Live Up Fest

Local reggae fusion band Chinese Connection Dub Embassy (CCDE) recently lost a member and a brother, lead vocalist and bassist Omar Higgins, but his legacy continues.

The band, founded in 2010 by Omar and his brothers Joseph and David, has always been known to be philanthropically spirited, with performances benefiting organizations like Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Chinese Connection Dub Embassy

“It’s always been important to us to remain active in our community,” says Joseph, the band’s keyboardist and vocalist.

For the last six years, the reggae-rooted group has raised funds for Le Bonheur through their annual Live Up Fest, and this year is no different.

In addition to hosting a raffle benefiting the children’s hospital, this year’s Live Up Fest will feature a performance by CCDE and special surprise guests. Others taking the stage include Darius Phatmak Clayton, Johnny Love, and The Irie Lions.

“All of the artists playing have roots in reggae, but each of them have their own unique styles,” says Joseph.

Darius Phatmak Clayton (Memphis) exhibits hip-hop and spoken word styles, Johnny Love (Santa Anna, California) performs elements of Latin music, The Irie Lions (Fayetteville, Arkansas) combine jazz and funk sounds with reggae dub, and Flux (Florence, Alabama) plays experimental jam music.

“Ultimately, the goal of the festival really is just to bring people together, and, at least for a couple of hours, for everyone to forget about all the negativity in the world and have a good time,” Joseph says. “Expect good vibes, and nothing but.”

Live Up Fest, Railgarten, July 27th, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., $10.

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We Recommend We Recommend

Mid-South International Festival Comes to Railgarten

CREDIT: Mark Brown

Sarah Bishop spearheads perhaps one of the most captivating international festivals in Memphis.

Last year’s inaugural event, then called DeSoto County International Festival, took place at DeSoto Civic Center, with an attendance of 50-70. “I looked at the data from the involvement of ticketing on Eventbrite and a lot of general comments from people who attended last year, and the big consensus was that a lot of people were actually coming in from Memphis,” says Bishop. “I thought, why don’t I just bring the festival to Memphis, since that’s where most of them are coming from? To me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Mark Brown

The Mid-South International Festival brings diverse cultures to Railgarten.

Bishop, who works as the events and catering director for Railgarten and its sister companies like Carolina Watershed and Rec Room, thought Railgarten would make the perfect setting for this year’s event with its expansive indoor and outdoor areas, nice ambiance, and never-ending activities.

So, naturally, the festival was moved to Railgarten, and the name of the festival was changed to Mid-South International Festival. As the name suggests, the two-day festival celebrates diversity and culture with a spread of international vendors, performances, and activities. Several countries will be represented, including Argentina, Ireland, West Africa, and more.

Throughout those two days, Railgarten’s two stages will house 28 performances, including musical performances, ethnic dances, yoga demonstrations, drum circles led by Memphis Drum Shop, fire performances, and more.

Food, offered by Railgarten, will include international options like Korean barbecue and skewers, as well as tofu items. Corona beer, one of the festival’s sponsors, will be available.

The other sponsor, Mempho Music Festival, will be present offering discounted presale tickets for the festival.

Fourteen vendors, each representing different countries around the world, will be selling clothing, crafts, jewelry, and more.

If all of that weren’t enough, Railgarten will also be introducing its new life-sized cornhole game played with bean bag chairs.

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Food & Drink Hungry Memphis

Changes at Railgarten

CREDIT: Railgarten, Facebook

Railgarten, Facebook

Railgarten has recently introduced a new menu and a new protocol for ordering. The changes come as the summer season rolls in.

New to the menu are gyros, skewers, tacos, and salads. Tacos include a Korean BBQ Tofu taco with spicy slaw, Pork carnitas, and something called Oxford Style chicken (???). There are also steak skewers with a Thai satay, a Tzatziki veggie and hummus gyro, and Southwest pulled-chicken gyro.

Jennifer Parsley

Korean BBQ Tofu tacos

Jennifer Parsley

Tzatziki veggie and hummus gyro

The cocktail menu and brunch menu are all-new as well.

For cocktails, we’ve got drinks under such categories as “Excuse Me, Sir. Your Tire Swing Hit My Son,” with drinks named after the Golden Girls. The Blanche is Old Dominick vodka, peach lemon, and iced tea. The I’m Not A Regular Mom. I’m a Cool Mom cocktail is white sangria with Old Dominick vodka and pineapple. (It’s under “If You’re Going to Drink I’d Rather You Do It in the House.”)

The spring brunch menu includes such classics as scrambled eggs and bacon, avocado toast, and chicken and waffles.

In addition, Railgarten has opened up its ordering system. Now, patrons can order in the diner, tiki bar, shipping container bar, the VIP bar, or the Ping Pong bar, and have their order served at their table outside. The move was made to accommodate large summer crowds. The diner remains full service.

Jennifer Parsley’s YouTube channel

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Music Music Blog

Neighborhood Texture Jam awakens for early show!

CREDIT: Don Perry

Don Perry

Neighborhood Texture Jam

Who among us can honestly say they’ve never fallen into the Borax factory of someone’s love? Neighborhood Texture Jam, veterans of the 80s and 90s Memphis scene, will address that musical question Saturday at the Railgarten. In a nod to their longtime fans, rejecting the ageism implicit in late night start times, they will play on the early side. The show will be walker- and hearing aid-friendly. Segways are optional.

Gestating around 30 years ago out of  the rich compost of the Antenna Club scene, the group has proved over the decades that this idea has legs, with reunion shows staged every few years.

The band’s emblem, a single high-platform shoe, is enigmatic, partly because it’s just a single shoe (what’s up with that?), partly because their proclivities tend more toward industrial-strength riff rock and punk. If the shoe suggests a hint of glam, it is buried in pile-driving sounds more likely appropriated from President’s Island. Indeed, rhythmic technician Greg Easterly may have pilfered his haz-mat-approved steel barrels from such a place. For every gig, he picks a new location from which to steal his instruments, the smells of the respective 55 gallon drums contributing to the unique character of every show.

Playing the Railgarten brings with it the added benefit of a good sound system, the better to hear singer Joe Lapsley’s lyrics with. The songs, exuding a canny political awareness, might range from the history lesson of “Old South” to the happy-go-lucky “Rush Limbaugh-Evil Blimp.” Expect a rollicking good time punctuated with bizarre theatrical touches.

Neighborhood Texture Jam "Live at Young Avenue Deli, Memphis, TN" from Price Harrison on Vimeo.

Neighborhood Texture Jam awakens for early show!

NTJ – Memphispalooza happens Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Railgarten, 7:30 pm.

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Food & Wine Food & Drink

From ping pong to fancy ice cream, Railgarten offers something for everyone

People always say you have to have a lot of money to enjoy New York. Not true. All you have to do is walk out of your front door. On one of my jaunts that involved little planning and a lot of wandering with my camera around Williamsburg, I stumbled upon Rough Trade Records, of London punk and post-punk fame and reported to be the largest record store in NYC.

Besides its size, what was most mystifying was the sheer beauty of the design. There were stacks of old rail cars, some of them suspended in the air, beautifully lit with proper windows installed, serving as coffee shops or an office stacked above the check-out counter. I wanted to curl up and live there. It was magical.

There are some groups in Memphis that are working to bring similar types of magical spaces to Memphis, namely It’s Fine, the management group behind Rec Room, Loflin Yard, and, most recently, Railgarten.

With Railgarten, the group offers their own take of using old rail cars as creative spaces, such as a stage, a bar, a seating area, and on and on. That’s just the beginning. Railgarten is a campus of “the largest sandbox in Memphis,” depending on whether it’s being used for volleyball or by a bunch of kids; a massive playground; quite possibly several hundred lawn chairs; a Ping-Pong bar with professional-level tables that is adults-only after 6 p.m. and can be used by league players or on a first date; a tiki bar with drinks conceived by cocktail artist Mary Oglesby, who also came up with the Jameson and coffee Slushee and the whiskey and Coke Icee for the Ping-Pong bar; as well as a traditional diner and an ice cream shop. Yes, that means boozy milkshakes, and they even have a gin-and-juice flavored ice cream.

But we’re here to talk about food.

The group brought in Aaron Gardner of Monkey Train Grazing Co. food truck fame. Gardner served time at California’s The French Laundry, New York’s Daniel as well as La Grenouille, and Hillstone Restaurant Group, which eventually brought him to Memphis to help run Houston’s.

“With the diner, I went with food I liked to eat, staples of any diner but with a twist,” Gardner says.

What he means is, he puts pork belly on a burger and puts the burger on a Hawaiian bun.

By pot roast, he means short ribs, or rather double-milk stout-braised short ribs, over three-cheese pimento mac and cheese ($18.50).

And by French dip, he means Gotta Get Up to Get Down stout-braised short ribs, gruyere cheese, sriracha fried onions, horseradish cream, served on a French baguette with their secret au jus ($14.75).

They have a veggie burger that rivals any regular burger, according to director of operations Mason Jambon, who has worked at restaurants all over the country, including Commander’s Palace.

“What we have here is finer diner food,” Jambon says. “It’s a twist on traditional diner fare, exciting but accessible. That’s what we strive for throughout the property.”

Next door to the diner they serve 16 flavors of gelato or sorbet by High Road Craft Ice Cream (“made by chefs for chefs,” according to their website), with flavors such as the above-mentioned Gin and Juice, Bananas Foster, Thai Street Coffee, and Cheesecake Brownie. They also make their own toppings and even heat up cobbler if you so choose to add to your Caramel Pecan ice cream. I am anti-exclamation point, but they have a real SnoWizard SnoBall machine from New Orleans!

As you may have heard, parts of the property were shut down by code enforcement after the opening. As reported by the Flyer‘s Toby Sells, “The next council meeting will feature an evidentiary hearing on whether or not the council should take back the permit it gave Railgarten owners back in February to operate their entertainment complex in Midtown.”

According to the council’s attorney Allan Wade, Railgarten owners did not tell council members they were going to use parts of the property, and “the hearing will likely be a public review of the facts in the case in which council members will weigh the pros and cons of revoking the permit” given in February.

The next hearing will be held May 23rd.

“We are talking to valet companies to address any parking issues, and we’ve reached out to our neighbors and are talking to them,” Jambon says. “We had no idea what we would do our first weekend open. We have a willingness to do what is necessary to be good neighbors and accommodate and make concessions to what code asks us to do.

“We want this to be a space that offers something to almost everybody. Families can walk here and bring their kids, or college kids can come and play games. We feel like there is a need for a venue like this,” Jambon says.