How to Safely Experience Live Music in Memphis
October is Memphis Music Month – and we know 2020 has been anything but normal – but that doesn’t mean you can’t safely celebrate with us. All throughout October (and beyond), you’ll find venues around town taking extra safety precautions to bring you live music.
Here are a few places where you can safely rock out this month:
The Grove at GPAC
Germantown Performing Arts Center is hosting live entertainment at its all-new, state-of-the-art outdoor venue, The Grove at GPAC. With a Sunday jazz series in October and select Saturday concerts – including a performance from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra – as well as opening live music acts for other Grove events, this new outdoor space is a must for music-lovers.
With safety precautions surrounding COVID-19, GPAC is selling a limited number of tickets each night, masks are required when you are not seated and social distancing at six feet apart is required.
Railgarten
Railgarten features outdoor concerts almost every weekend. With specialty drinks and tasty menu items like the chicken & sausage jambalaya, short rib melt, catfish nuggets and more, this former railroad substation has become one of Memphis’ favorite hangouts.
Masks are required to enter and must be worn indoors at all times until seated. You can also purchase masks for $1. Social distancing measures are in place and the location offers plenty of outdoor space and seating.
Lafayette’s Restaurant and Bar
Dig in to crawdad pizza, baked crab dip and other Cajun favorites while vibing to live jams at Lafayette’s Restaurant and Bar. You can catch live music at Lafayette’s every week, Thursday – Sunday.
Lafayette’s is currently offering limited capacity due to precautions surrounding COVID-19. To ensure safety, guests can expect disposable or digital menus, contactless payment options, sealed disposable utensils and social distancing. Masks are required when not eating or drinking.
BB King’s Blues Club
Head to Beale Street and enjoy live music every night of the week at B.B. King’s Blues Club. You can check out the music lineup here. Along with excellent music, B.B. King’s offers signature drinks and delicious bites like barbecue, catfish, po boys and more, making it one of historic Beale Street’s most popular clubs.
Operating at limited capacity, B.B. King’s is also requiring guests to wear a mask when not eating or drinking and to adhere to social distancing of six feet. The club will also be using digital, disposable or sanitized menus, contactless payment options, sealed or wrapped utensils and sanitizer or wipes will be provided for customers.
In Love Memphis
East Memphis' In Love Memphis is a must-stop for visitors. With small plates, desserts and craft cocktails, you can lounge in style. (You can even reserve your own VIP section for yourself and your crew.) Catch live music on Mondays and Thursdays, and check out the In Love Memphis calendar and events list here.
Guests will be required to wear a mask when not eating or drinking and to maintain social distancing of six feet. Temperature checks will also be taken on arrival.
SugaShack
Another Beale Street must, SugaShack is hosting live music every Friday and Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Grab some delicious fare while you’re getting funky. The wings, fried catfish, pork chops and more of SugaShack’s mouth-watering grub will have you coming back for more.
Per COVID-19 safety measures, SugaShack is operating at limited capacity and all guests are required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Celtic Crossing
Railgarten isn't the only Midtown spot where you can catch great local musicians. Enjoy live music from the patio at Celtic Crossing, Sunday nights from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Celtic Crossing favorite Jeremy Stanfill will play an acoustic set each Sunday through Oct. 11.
Covid-19 safety measures are in place. All employees will be wearing masks and guests are required to wear masks until seated. The pub is also checking temperatures before guests and employees enter, tables are spaced six feet apart and guests will be using digital menus by scanning a QR code with their cell phones.
Neil’s Music Room
If you’re looking for live music in East Memphis, Neil’s Music Room is your go-to. Throughout each week, this music room features all kinds of bands and musicians from classic rock to soul. Check out Neil’s music schedule here.
Neil’s asks that all guests have masks on when entering the building. Social distancing measures are in place and capacity is limited. Larger performances may require a reservation.
Downtown Dinner + Music Series
You can also celebrate Memphis Means Music Month with the Downtown Dinner + Music Series. Each week, you're invited to grab a meal from your favorite downtown Memphis restaurant and take in live music during exclusive Memphis Means Music Month sets. These outdoor, unplugged live sets run from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. each Thursday night throughout October.
There are many more opportunities to enjoy virtual and safely distanced outdoor live music experiences throughout Memphis Means Music Month. Browse the full calendar here.
