It’s the town of Sun Studios, musical legends such as B.B. King and an iconic stretch of bars and clubs on Beale Street.
Memphis has long been known as the place to sing the blues, and Beale Street has long been known as the music’s de facto home.
Though the names of many of the locales have changed, Beale Street remains today what it was when it was built in the mid-19th century: a hub for activity and, later, for live music.
Beale Street is home to dozens of nightclubs and bars and a section of that street is considered a National Historic Landmark.
Nearly every bar, restaurant and club on the street features live music, and several others feature live DJs, says Alissa Clark, public relations/ communication coordinator for the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“It’s well known for a reason,” she says.
It remains a bustling district for music and after-hours celebration.
“You can just walk down the street, and there is good music everywhere,” says Clark.
During the weekend evenings, Beale Street is blocked off to automobile traffic between Second and Fourth streets. Those visiting the area enter through checkpoints to verify they are 21 years of age or older. And during the weekend
that includes New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Liberty Bowl, it will be a busy, bluesy time.
Beale Street will come alive with a party that will stretch the length of the street on
New Year’s Eve. Live music will flood many of the clubs in the area, and locations nearby will get in on the fun, too.
The Peabody Hotel will offer two New Year’s parties: the WildSide Party with rock band Saving Abel and the Scene Party with Andy Childs, DJ Cody Rogers and the John Felix Trio. Both parties take place from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Closer to game time, an indoor tailgate will take place and will feature live music.
The event will be located in the Memphis Fairgrounds Arena Building, which is adjacent to the stadium that will host the football game.
Featured is a buffet lunch and pep rally and a battle of the bands competition that will take place at about 1:45 p.m. Tickets to the pregame buffet, which will be catered by Pig & Whistle BBQ , and the battle of the bands are $30 and are available through the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-4647 or through the Liberty Bowl ticket offices.