The Best Dive Bars in Memphis

Earnestine & Hazel's Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (281) • $

"This place is absolutely perfect. If you want tourists, evenings. I like the quiet early evening vibe, the gal behind the bar is/was super friendly, makes sure you know about the ghosts upstairs. I didn't get spooked but I don't knock it. You don't know. Maybe the guy smoking in the 12 Mellow Fellows Blues Lounge was a ghost, you don't know‍Either way, I dug the vibe upstairs. I dig the entire place:)"

Drifters

★★★★☆ 4 (316) • $$

"Food: Although this is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant their signature St. Louis ribs are to die for. The sweet sauce was perfect. The meat falls off the bone just looking at it. Heck, the bones are even edible they are done so well. For sides we tried the hush puppies, which the spicy sauce was good but the puppy was too hard. Might have been left in the fryer just a little long. The Mac n cheese was good. And this also comes with Cole slaw, also good. The waitress was super accommodating and let us split the half slab of ribs because we were having dinner in four hours.Service is great. Numerous employees helped out and asked how things were. Drinks were filled as needed. Friendly.Parking: found a free spot out on the street as mentioned in numerous reviews. We came at almost 2p so this probably helped.Can see why this place gets great ratings. They do food the delicious way and take care of their clientele. Pricing is good with half a rack of ribs and two sides at $20 in Oct 2024."

The Pond

★★★★☆ 4.4 (54) • $

"We had some time to kill before our reservations for dinner & found this local pub via a Reddit post. We were thrilled to find Buffalo Trace, a cool/casual space, and a board game that had been revamped by the team. We were super early so no live music yet, but we will def be coming back to check it out in the future. Had such a good time hanging out here! We didn't order any food, but looked like some solid options!"

Momma's

★★★★☆ 4.1 (62)

"Amazing food and service. A little small inside but really nice decor.Deviled eggs were really good, had a nice barbecue, smoky flavor to them and the chicken sandwich was top notch.Definitely one of the better restaurants we've been to in Memphis for lunch."

Dave's Dark Horse Tavern

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (70) • $$

"I've been here a good handful of times. It's a great casual dive bar, generally good music, and plenty of TV's usually with games on. I've heard a few bands play there and it's pretty good music. There's two pool tables in the back, outdoor seating/smoking area, and two dart board setups (though they can use some new darts since the plastic tips are breaking). My friends also enjoy their trivia nights. Staff are always friendly but can be very hard to wave down when it gets busy (after 7pm or during game days etc).For me, the five stars goes to the surprisingly great food. They offer free pizza on your birthday: one large pizza with one topping for every (I think) 4 people so if you're with a large group, pizzas for all! The crack dip is always a necessary appetizer. As for pizzas, I've enjoyed the Venetian and Aphrodite. My favorite is the latter. Overall a good experience each time."

Lamplighter Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.9 (44) • $

"Went tonight for the Wednesday night comedy show. Lots of fun, great entertainment, definitely for mature audiences. Had a couple of beers and iced tea (real good). Nice venue for a small show, nice intimate, friendly atmosphere.Truly a fine dive.Will return."

Elm Hill Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.8 (41) • $$

"There is a certain mystique that accompanies a good dive bar, a mystique that I have never really understood until now. I have to be fair and say that I underestimated the Elm Hill Tavern in every way possible. Shame on me. We went there more out of desperation due to the late hour and our accommodations near the airport. My expectation meter was pinged on zero but just inside the door we noticed a well respected coworker. It was like going to a small second run cinema and finding yourself seated next to Steven Spielberg. You would be like, "Damn, this must be a good little movie theater!" But while his presence was a good endorsement, it alone was not enough to fully win me over. I was still suspicious. The place has all the rough around the edges charm on can handle. Elks lodge tables with thick naugahyde table clothes, stained coin op billiards, and a skee ball machine to keep it interesting. Numerous neon beer signs make a "noble" effort to spice up the decor (that was a really bad science nerd pun you may have just missed). I expected little in terms of beer selection but found a delicious IPA on tap. Despite the late hour they were still serving a full menu. We order several items and to our surprise they were all pretty good. Crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside pretzels with an excellent duo of sauces (mustard and cheese). A yummy french bread pizza, and an extremely serviceable chix quesadilla. What also took me by surprise was how friendly everybody was. At first glance this seems like a bar where non-locals may not be welcome, but to the contrary, everyone, bartender as well as patrons, was more than accommodating. It turned out to be a great visit and I once again was reminded to never judge a book by its covers. There world is full of hidden gems that only those willing to turn over a few stones will ever find. So glad we didn't leave this stone unturned."

The Rusty Nail Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (41) • $

"Great service. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Great little dive bar. We will definitely be coming back."

Betty's Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (26) • $

"Oh Betty's, you won my heart with your Bitchen' Betty's Brew, aka Natty Light. I was so excited to think they had their own beer. It also cost $1.25 a pint. Betty's is tucked away in the Richland District. After driving by it countless times we decided to stop. What we were about to experience was almost mind-blowing. For starters we met a poor man's Dan Deacon. He was super nice, soldered his own equipment and really put his soul out there. I gave him props! Unfortunately we did not get to hear him play, but we did learn all about his process. We were also introduced to a man who didn't know the difference between a really loud ear volume and speakerphone. What commenced was truly amazing. I can't get into details but it will be a night I will never forget. To the logistics, Betty's is a little more than a room/small house and it's smokey, very very smokey. The place is filled with regulars. We happened to stop in pretty recently after the flood and they were holding a fundraiser in the corner. This truly is a neighborhood bar. Even with their small digs they hold a lot of live music. If you like quirky, dirty dive bars with a neighborhood feel then Betty's is the place for you."

Hi-Tone

★★★★☆ 3.8 (30) • $

"I love Hi-Tone relocated & Incorporated itself in the Sears Crosstown area on N. Clevland adding to the neighborhood & offering those close by a wonderful place to drink or grab a simple meal. The only thing I hate would be the parking. Not enough spots. Other then that I enjoyed myself when I came in over Christmas for the ho ho ho burlesque show. It's nice they offer a small bar area on one side for non smokers & the show area on the other side for smokers like myself. But anyways I loved how the show area was expansive for their venue size. Their stage was reasonably sized & positioned for the audience to get a good view of the show & the lighting adjusted right for the acts that perform. The sound system set up was arranged right as the quality throughout the place sounded fairly enjoyable. I haven't tried their menu selection yet. It looks like they have a reasonable selection of food to enjoy along with the entertainment to follow. I'm gonna enjoy it tomorrow when I take my friend out to tomorrow nights performance ofKeith Paluso.Be sure to like them on FB tell a friend and beInformed about the latest events.https://www.facebook.com/hitonememphis/"

Zinnie's

★★★★☆ 3.8 (14) • $

"Well, you guessed it. It is a dive bar! But this place has a lot of memories for me, so I love it.You see, all of the cool kids in college used to hang out here back in my Rhodes days. And by cool kids I mean the frat guys. Cute frat guys. 12 years later and I'm still nostalgic about this place. And when I walked in their door last night, I was pleasantly surprised to find the cute boy I'm dating standing by the bar...just like old times. Yes, it is smokey. Yes, I wouldn't use the bathroom here. But this place has character, cheap drinks and awesome patrons. Oh, and the music. Love the music."

Rockhouse Live

★★★★☆ 3.5 (16) • $$

"Rockhouse Live Midtown located inside the old Poplar Lounge offers the best in local rock entertainment. Even though I do enjoy a good rock show & great food I found Rockhouse Live Midtown to be a bit small & crowded for my taste. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the entertainment. Outside of the entertainment space Rockhouse Midtown is a awesome bar for shooting pool & all your bar favorites when it comes to their menu. I had their tater tots & I was very satisfied & will order it with my burger & wings. As far as cover charges they are average & reasonably priced for the acts they offer. The thing that is a small turn off for me is the availability of parking at this location & the parking lot its self it reminds me a lot of Wind Jammer but a little bit morr torn up. Despite the small disadvantages I love this location for karoke & a low key evening over a game of pool with friends I use to hang out with at Wind Jammer. I could overlook the small things in the future I mentioned as Rockhouse Live Midtown has the potential to be my new Wind Jammer."