This neighborhood place was a shocking great time! It wasn't fancy nor huge, but the vibe was easy pure soul and rich blues. The band was on fire! First the waitresses were serving hand patted burgers, golden hot catfish, and fries. Next- they'd hit the dance floor! Then, I was dancing too! It's a byob and I didn't even know that. The food was so good, I've been since for a late night hot meal rather than a drive through. I had so much fun that I came back with my party and celebrated my birthday. It was a blast! Big Don, Chloe, and the house band shut it down! With BYOB the price was right and everyone was into it.
Elisa M.
If you are looking for good authentic music away from the tourist traps and crowds of downtown, then head on down this way because this little hole in the wall has a lot to offer. As folks visiting, we were welcomed with open arms and we had a blast! I know I saw lots of folks with their own bottles however we were able to purchase some cold beers from the venue. As for food, there is a convenience store next door that folks said the chicken is pretty good (I didn't try, just repeating what I was told). However the music is what I came for and it was worth the experience.
Rey R.
Walked into this juke with my wife because Beale Street was sort of a let down. We were greeted and treated like family. Miss Joyce, Miss Chloe, Miss Nikki, everyone just welcomed us right in. We were told to bring in our own bottle from liquor store next door or simply buy their beer. The band is not just music, it was a real performance with Miss Nikki doing her thing. Just all around amazing. We didn't want to leave but were headed to Clarksdale the next morning. We were sad to go, sorry Miss Nikki. Los Angeles has nothing like this...it will be a sad day if this juke joint disappears. This is the real deal. Surpassed our expectations in every possible way.
Scuba M.
Raw music experience that surpassed anything we heard on Beale St. This is not a fancy place but it is clean, friendly, with cold beers and a kitchen with good basic food to line your tummy for your booze intake. They serve only beers but it is BYOB and we saw everyone with their own bottles of rum, vodka, and Hennesy. Since we were only drinking beers, not sure if you have to bring your own mixers. But enough about that. THE MUSIC WAS UNREAL and I DANCED MY ASS OFF from the first song to the last. The left handed blonde female guitarist was UNREAL!!! We were BLOWN away by her skills! She SLAYED. Would repeat this bar before repeating Beale St.
Marcia D.
If you love good music, this is the place for you. It's off the beaten path of Beale Street, so you won't find people who are there to get drunk and just talk over the music. All the musicians were first rate (and two were even sublime) and we loved the friendly vibe.
Gina F.
This is the place for authentic Memphis -- a real blues bar with real people, locals and visitors from all over. It's the Black and blues experience I was hoping for.I was warned about the neighborhood but no sweat, no hassles. The staff and patrons were quite welcoming to little Caucasian me. The band and female blues diva were fantastic fun. Even the burger was really good.
Karr W.
I was in Memphis last night and decided to try this place out as it was close to where I was staying. The band was absolutely incredible and the people were very nice. Emmanuel the owner was very nice. I had an issue with the server and my food order and he made sure that I was happy. He even followed me to my car to make sure I left happy. I had to leave this review because you don't find service like this often. I'll definitely be back next time .
Lindy W.
An authentic neighborhood blues bar far from Beale Street but with twice the heart & soul. Drinks are beer only accompanied by a limited food menu, but served up with a friendly southern welcome. Get out and see what "real" Memphis has to offer!
C. H.
This place is amazing. Good music, good people, faaaaaar away from the Disney sheen of Beale Street. BYOB!!! If I am ever in/or around Memphis, I will always make this a destination. If Beale St. is your thing, Wild Bill's is obviously not for you. Too authentic. Too Memphis. Too Black. Too Incredible. Fin
Jennifer J.
One of Memphis' BEST hidden gems!! Loved this place! I went with a guy I was dating at the time and we could have danced ALL night long!! The band was phenomenal and the food was good home cooked, southern comfort food. I will definitely be back!!
If you love blues, the $10 cover is totally worth it. The house band was playing when I went--tremendous musicians and a couple of really entertaining, talented singers rotating in who really knew how to work a crowd. The yummy wings and fries and smoky ambience were bonuses. Oh, yeah--cash only. Don't get stuck having to go to the grocery store next door!
Denita W.
Thumbs up! Or 40s if you happen to be at this place! Yes, they serve 40s. At first I was slightly disappointed by the $10 cover, plus $5 for crappy beer (because Memphis has made me a beer snob), but as the night went on, I truly fell in love with this place. I went alone and was nervous about it. I immediately made friends. I even ended up dancing, which I usually shy away from--especially if I'm alone. Everyone was so welcoming and there to have a great time. And the music? Well that's why people come here. If you want loud, rockin blues in your face in a dimly-lit, laid back atmosphere, you want to come here. Also, I was told that it's a byob kinda place. Oh, and being cash.
Jill H.
Went here on a Saturday night, had a great time. They had multiple singers that switched off through the night, and tried to get everyone in on the singing and dancing. If you're sensitive to smoke, I recommend going elsewhere. But, if you just want to kick back, listen to some great music, and hang out, give this is shot.
C D.
VERY disappointed. The band seemed like they hadn't played together before--still they were okay. And everyone was friendly enough. BUT it was slow. No one dancing, and if there were there was no space anyway. Just didn't meet my expectations. Lesson to be learned: don't believe all the hype.
Ellie O.
I'm really just repeating what the rest of the reviewers said. A shop owner jn Clarksdale recommended this spot to me as an off the grid dive bar with great blues. He was not wrong. I'm visiting so I don't know Memphis neighborhoods, but I think the area of town is a little rough, but we had no problems with anyone and grabbed an Uber from midtown. When we walked in the door, we were graciously greeted by the owner of this family run business. The bet selection wa slim but fitting...32 oz bottles of Bud, miller, etc all for $5. Cheap eats too, and those are some JUMBO wings. The house band that was playing on a Friday is some of the best blues I've ever seen, and everyone was up dancing! I would definitely go back!
This neighborhood place was a shocking great time! It wasn't fancy nor huge, but the vibe was easy pure soul and rich blues. The band was on fire! First the waitresses were serving hand patted burgers, golden hot catfish, and fries. Next- they'd hit the dance floor! Then, I was dancing too! It's a byob and I didn't even know that. The food was so good, I've been since for a late night hot meal rather than a drive through. I had so much fun that I came back with my party and celebrated my birthday. It was a blast! Big Don, Chloe, and the house band shut it down! With BYOB the price was right and everyone was into it.
If you are looking for good authentic music away from the tourist traps and crowds of downtown, then head on down this way because this little hole in the wall has a lot to offer. As folks visiting, we were welcomed with open arms and we had a blast! I know I saw lots of folks with their own bottles however we were able to purchase some cold beers from the venue. As for food, there is a convenience store next door that folks said the chicken is pretty good (I didn't try, just repeating what I was told). However the music is what I came for and it was worth the experience.
Walked into this juke with my wife because Beale Street was sort of a let down. We were greeted and treated like family. Miss Joyce, Miss Chloe, Miss Nikki, everyone just welcomed us right in. We were told to bring in our own bottle from liquor store next door or simply buy their beer. The band is not just music, it was a real performance with Miss Nikki doing her thing. Just all around amazing. We didn't want to leave but were headed to Clarksdale the next morning. We were sad to go, sorry Miss Nikki. Los Angeles has nothing like this...it will be a sad day if this juke joint disappears. This is the real deal. Surpassed our expectations in every possible way.
Raw music experience that surpassed anything we heard on Beale St. This is not a fancy place but it is clean, friendly, with cold beers and a kitchen with good basic food to line your tummy for your booze intake. They serve only beers but it is BYOB and we saw everyone with their own bottles of rum, vodka, and Hennesy. Since we were only drinking beers, not sure if you have to bring your own mixers. But enough about that. THE MUSIC WAS UNREAL and I DANCED MY ASS OFF from the first song to the last. The left handed blonde female guitarist was UNREAL!!! We were BLOWN away by her skills! She SLAYED. Would repeat this bar before repeating Beale St.
If you love good music, this is the place for you. It's off the beaten path of Beale Street, so you won't find people who are there to get drunk and just talk over the music. All the musicians were first rate (and two were even sublime) and we loved the friendly vibe.
This is the place for authentic Memphis -- a real blues bar with real people, locals and visitors from all over. It's the Black and blues experience I was hoping for.I was warned about the neighborhood but no sweat, no hassles. The staff and patrons were quite welcoming to little Caucasian me. The band and female blues diva were fantastic fun. Even the burger was really good.
I was in Memphis last night and decided to try this place out as it was close to where I was staying. The band was absolutely incredible and the people were very nice. Emmanuel the owner was very nice. I had an issue with the server and my food order and he made sure that I was happy. He even followed me to my car to make sure I left happy. I had to leave this review because you don't find service like this often. I'll definitely be back next time .
An authentic neighborhood blues bar far from Beale Street but with twice the heart & soul. Drinks are beer only accompanied by a limited food menu, but served up with a friendly southern welcome. Get out and see what "real" Memphis has to offer!
This place is amazing. Good music, good people, faaaaaar away from the Disney sheen of Beale Street. BYOB!!! If I am ever in/or around Memphis, I will always make this a destination. If Beale St. is your thing, Wild Bill's is obviously not for you. Too authentic. Too Memphis. Too Black. Too Incredible. Fin
One of Memphis' BEST hidden gems!! Loved this place! I went with a guy I was dating at the time and we could have danced ALL night long!! The band was phenomenal and the food was good home cooked, southern comfort food. I will definitely be back!!
Restaurantji Recommends
If you love blues, the $10 cover is totally worth it. The house band was playing when I went--tremendous musicians and a couple of really entertaining, talented singers rotating in who really knew how to work a crowd. The yummy wings and fries and smoky ambience were bonuses. Oh, yeah--cash only. Don't get stuck having to go to the grocery store next door!
Thumbs up! Or 40s if you happen to be at this place! Yes, they serve 40s. At first I was slightly disappointed by the $10 cover, plus $5 for crappy beer (because Memphis has made me a beer snob), but as the night went on, I truly fell in love with this place. I went alone and was nervous about it. I immediately made friends. I even ended up dancing, which I usually shy away from--especially if I'm alone. Everyone was so welcoming and there to have a great time. And the music? Well that's why people come here. If you want loud, rockin blues in your face in a dimly-lit, laid back atmosphere, you want to come here. Also, I was told that it's a byob kinda place. Oh, and being cash.
Went here on a Saturday night, had a great time. They had multiple singers that switched off through the night, and tried to get everyone in on the singing and dancing. If you're sensitive to smoke, I recommend going elsewhere. But, if you just want to kick back, listen to some great music, and hang out, give this is shot.
VERY disappointed. The band seemed like they hadn't played together before--still they were okay. And everyone was friendly enough. BUT it was slow. No one dancing, and if there were there was no space anyway. Just didn't meet my expectations. Lesson to be learned: don't believe all the hype.
I'm really just repeating what the rest of the reviewers said. A shop owner jn Clarksdale recommended this spot to me as an off the grid dive bar with great blues. He was not wrong. I'm visiting so I don't know Memphis neighborhoods, but I think the area of town is a little rough, but we had no problems with anyone and grabbed an Uber from midtown. When we walked in the door, we were graciously greeted by the owner of this family run business. The bet selection wa slim but fitting...32 oz bottles of Bud, miller, etc all for $5. Cheap eats too, and those are some JUMBO wings. The house band that was playing on a Friday is some of the best blues I've ever seen, and everyone was up dancing! I would definitely go back!