B.B. King's Blues Club
The original B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street, offering legendary BBQ and soulful live blues music seven nights a week.
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Must-see attractions
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B.B. King's Blues Club
Highlights
Must-see attractions
The original B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street, offering legendary BBQ and soulful live blues music seven nights a week.
"Experience the heart of Memphis with soulful blues and lip-smacking BBQ that'll make you want to dance!"
Reserve in Advance
Book ahead, especially for live performance nights, as the club can get very busy.
Arrive Early for Best Seats
Secure a good view of the stage by arriving early, with two levels offering great sightlines.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Barbecue, Southern
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Legendary Memphis BBQ Ribs
Fall-off-the-bone tender and lip-smacking delicious ribs are a must-try, hailed as some of the best in Memphis.
Live Blues Music & Atmosphere
Experience soulful blues performances nightly across two vibrant levels, creating an unforgettable Memphis vibe.
Southern Comfort Food Classics
Savor classic Southern dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and fried pickles.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve in Advance
Book ahead, especially for live performance nights, as the club can get very busy.
Arrive Early for Best Seats
Secure a good view of the stage by arriving early, with two levels offering great sightlines.
Sauce Souvenirs
Buy bottles of their signature sauces to take home and share the Memphis BBQ flavor.
Embrace the Cover Charge
Be prepared for a $10 cover charge, which grants access to incredible live music performances.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve in Advance
Book ahead, especially for live performance nights, as the club can get very busy.
Arrive Early for Best Seats
Secure a good view of the stage by arriving early, with two levels offering great sightlines.
Sauce Souvenirs
Buy bottles of their signature sauces to take home and share the Memphis BBQ flavor.
Embrace the Cover Charge
Be prepared for a $10 cover charge, which grants access to incredible live music performances.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
B.B. King's Blues Club is celebrated for its authentic Memphis BBQ, particularly the fall-off-the-bone ribs, and its lively atmosphere filled with fantastic live blues music. While many rave about the food and the energetic performances, some diners have noted that certain seafood items can be inconsistent or lack standout flavor, and occasional service hiccups can occur.
"Bbq ribs were wonderful, as were the chicken wings. The Cole slaw was average, not outstanding. Baked beans were very nice with smokey flavor. My server was there when I needed him. The music was outstanding. I wanted both classic Memphis food and quality music. Food was as good as advertised, atmosphere was comfortable, friendly and fun. Prices were fair. I was not disappointed and stayed for 2 hours without feeling rushed to leave. I also bought 2 bottles of sauce to later share my taste experience with friends and family."
Marty And Her Galloping Snail
"First time visiting Memphis and I wanted to check out BB Kings based on their reviews. I ordered fried okra, side of Mac n cheese, and a combined shrimp and catfish platter. Pros: the portions are a decent size, so I was able to order one platter and share with my 12 years old. The platter only came with one piece of fish but since we had the okra as a starter and Mac n cheese as a side (upcharge) it was more than enough. The Mac n cheese was good, very creamy and flavorful. The food was also hot and the service was great. The okra was very good as well, mostly because the sauce really kicks it up a notch. I also really enjoyed the hush puppies that came with the platter. Cons: in terms of the flavor of the fish and shrimp, it was okay but not great. For me, it wasn’t stand out or unique in any type of way. Would I recommend. Yes. The restaurant does play music so it can get kind of noisy and it was kid friendly (We went earlier in the evening)."
A ChitownJ
"We were there early so it wasn't crowded. The service was great! We shared the catfish nuggets appetizer and it was delicious. Perfectly battered and fried! I ordered the Lucille drink and it was super good. If you are on Beale Street definitely go to BB King's!!!"
Gina Blaes
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
You can expect live blues music seven nights a week, with performances ranging from up-and-coming artists to legendary musicians exploring blues, soul, and classic rock & roll.
Yes, there is typically a $10 per person cover charge at the door to enjoy the live music performances.
It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially on performance nights, as the club can get very crowded.
The 'Lip Smacking Ribs' are a must-try, and other popular dishes include chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and fried pickles.
Yes, the restaurant is generally considered kid-friendly, especially earlier in the evening before it gets too loud with music.
Yes, you can purchase bottles of their signature sauces to take home as souvenirs or gifts.
Arrive early to secure a good spot on one of the two levels for optimal viewing during live music performances.
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This is the original BB King’s Blues Club, the place where the greatest blues musicians of all time rocked out at night and honed their craft. The club still hosts live performers seven nights a week, some up-and-coming and some legendary, that explore all genres of music. Grab a table to enjoy some authentic Memphis barbecue (don’t miss BB’s Famous Lip Smacking Ribs) while you soak up the music.
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While working as a disc jockey at a Memphis radio station, Riley B. King earned the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy.” That moniker was later shortened to “Blues Boy” and finally abbreviated to “B.B.”—the stage name that stuck with B.B. King for the rest of his life. In 1994, the bluesman opened B.B.
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If you’re after fun places to eat in Memphis for kids and parents alike – then you absolutely cannot go past the BB Kings Blue Bar. This is the best place to eat in Memphis not only for a great meal but also to hear the blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll Memphis is so famous for – AND it’s absolutely family friendly!. BB Kings is open for lunch and dinner with live music generally starting from the early afternoon.
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King’s Blues Club has remained a favorite for visitors and locals alike. With a unique blend of blues, soul, and classic rock & roll music that can only be found in Memphis, this eatery features great music and a great menu. Specialty ribs are a highlight, but the restaurant also serves some other Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, barbecue chicken, burgers, po' boys, and more.
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This spot needs to be placed on the list for one simple reason; it arguably has the best ribs in Memphis. A staple of a good Memphis BBQ is eating delicious ribs that fall right off the bone, and you could count the contenders against this famous Memphis BBQ spot on just one hand. There are many Memphis BBQ places with ribs, but there aren't many that can say they compete with B.B.
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In the ranks of Memphis's most famous nightspots, B.B.'s is one of those rare places that you must visit if you spend any time in the city at all. Featuring an amazing nightly repertoire of blues, along with great food and cold beer, the bar is a popular destination for tourists. The house band is incredible, and count us as the most pleasantly surprised of locals to say that.
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The “king” of Beale Street, B.B. King’s Blues Club (the original club that now has a dozen or so locations across the country) has legendary players on stage every night of the week — from authentic blues to soul to classic rock ‘n’ roll. They also have a menu full of delicious Southern dishes like their famous BBQ. No matter who’s on stage, the vibe of B.B.
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King opened his first of a chain of blues clubs in 1991 in a prime location on Memphis‘s Beale Street. Since then it’s become a popular place to see blues, jazz, and rock acts. Before his death, King was even known to take the stage here, alongside artists like The King Beez and The BB King’s Blues Club All-Star Band.
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📍 Address: 143 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103 ( Google Maps) 📞 Phone: (901) 524-5464 🕐 Hours: 11 am – 12 am Sun-Thurs, 11 am – 1 am Fri & Sat. This place is located at the top of Beale Street in Memphis. This is one of the best bars and restaurants in the neighborhood.
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We visited for lunch and dined on fried dill pickles, catfish po'boy, and chopped BBQ pork sandwiches. The location on Beale Street is awesome. Make sure to check for live shows you might want to see at night, or if you want to avoid large crowds, go for lunch.
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– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,180 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American, Cajun & Creole– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 143 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103-3713– Read more on Tripadvisor
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,253 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Cajun & Creole- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 143 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103-3713- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Slap an adhesive name tag on your lapel and you’ll fit right in with the tour bus crowds strolling at night along Beale Street’s block of clubs—including B. B. King’s (143 Beale St., 901/524-5464), marked by a giant neon guitar.
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B.B. King’s Blues Club is situated at the top of Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. It is the best restaurant, bar, and live music club on the Street. They are more than the Blues.
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Kings Memphis (@bbkingsmemphis) on Sep 3, 2020 at 8:05am PDT. Come for the live blues music, stay for the food. Pull apart some BBQ ribs slathered in B.B.
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