-------------------------------------

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 should cost about $30. The MATA bus stop is located in front of Terminal C, baggage claim level, on outer drive (3rd across); look for the MATA City Bus overhead sign.

 

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.

 

Media & 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.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and for some restaurant, hotel & guesthouse suggestions, see our gay Memphis listings pages.
 

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.

Club Spectrum (600 Marshall Ave), large 18+ LGBT dance club, hip-hop and R&B, men/women, drag shows, amateur nights.

Dru's Bar (1474 Madison Ave), gay neighborhood bar, bingo games, ice-cold beer, patio, pool tournaments, open-mic comedy, drag, karaoke and live music nights.

Mollie Fontaine Lounge (679 Adams Ave), gay-popular tapas restaurant and cocktail lounge, live jazz piano, DJ music, second floor smokers' lounge.

The Pumping Station (1382 Poplar Ave), Levi-leather and bear cruise bar, huge selection of beers, pool and darts tournaments, outdoor patio and treehouse, summer cook-outs; Backroom Lounge smoker's area and cigar nights.

CLOSED: 901 Complex (136 Webster Ave), HipHip, old school/R&B, erotic male dancers; Backstreet (2018 Court Ave), 18+ sports/video dance club, drag cabaret shows; Crossroads (1278 Jefferson Ave), neighborhood bar, games, beer busts, bingo, food, drag.

Shopping

Inz & Outz Cards and Gifts (1632 Union Ave), Memphis's only GLBT gift shop recently moved, "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.