Heading To Nashville / Memphis mid April - need advice about clubs etc

[Kelly robinson]

Hi TB members
Wasn't sure where to put this topic so if it belongs elsewhere let me know . At any rate - I am road tripping down to Clarksdale for the mid April Juke Joint Festival . Will be stopping for a night in Nashville down and back [ likely a Monday stay on the way back and a Wed on the way down ] and am wondering what clubs anyone can recommend checking out . Also looking for suggestions about places for good food , lodging or touristing etc . All suggestions appreciated - thanks very much , Kelly

 

[roller]

Memphis -- get yourself some barbecue at The Rendezvous (downtown) or at any of the Corky's locations (they're all over the city). Try the dry rub ribs, a Memphis specialty. Huey's (also with multiple locations) has the best burgers in Memphis! While you're in town, take the tours of Sun Studios (it's a quick one, less than an hour) and Stax Records (a little longer).

Nashville -- buy tickets in advance for a night at The Bluebird Cafe. It's simply the coolest music-related thing to do in that town -- a revolving ensemble of three to five songwriters play unplugged and in the round at a small club just south of downtown. The songwriters (usually on acoustics) take turns telling stories about their tunes, which could be country classics they penned 50 years ago or new tunes they're trying to sell... all depends on who is performing. Nashville's got a slew of talented songwriters, that's for sure. You can make a night of it and do food and beverages... or just do beverages. Just go... it's fantastic.

Have fun! Safe travels!

 

[Kelly robinson]

Hi Low84 -
Thanks so much for the tips for both cities - I had heard of the Bluebird of course but wasn't aware advanced tickets would be needed there . I'm definitely looking forward to the ribs too for sure and getting a head's up about good spots is really a big help . Should be an interesting trip ! Kelly

 

[roller]

Hi Low84 -
Thanks so much for the tips for both cities

You're very welcome! Sounds like you'll have a great time and see lots!

The Sun Studios tour is great and as mentioned, it's short and doesn't take a whole lot of time... after all, it's just one small room! Sun is also a quick hop from world-famous Beale Street (lots going on there... kinda like Memphis' version of Bourbon Street only with more music and fewer drunks) and the legendary Peabody Hotel. The Peabody lobby bar is a great place to grab a drink and take in the atmosphere... and if you can time out your stop there to watch the ducks, I highly recommend it. Just Google it... you'll never forget it.

One other tip -- if you miss BBQ in Memphis, there's a Corky's in Nashville along with a few other respextable places cooking up some devine swine!

 

[Kelly robinson]

Thanks again Low84 -
I made it to Memphis and Clarksdale about 27 yrs ago and enjoyed Beale St for sure . Didn't get to eat much there but have gone to a couple of festivals in Clarksdale since and got some festival BBQ which I very much enjoyed . Will always remember being at the Sunflower river festival in Clarksdale in early August one year when I hung out at a particular BBQ setup run by an older black woman . Her son was doing the cooking and she was the front person you ordered from . By the third day there she knew me by sight and I happened to ask her how she was doing with all that standing around for the entire three days . She replied ' these feet are killing me but they can't be mine - because mine would never hurt me this bad ! " Truly a great expression - I laughed my a## off as you can imagine . Very much looking forward to the trip and seeing Nashville as I've missed getting there in the past . Never caught the duck parade at the Peabody but am hopeful I can pull that off this trip - again thanks very much - Kelly