This is a cool spot that I never knew was in the city until I was invited to a private event. When you walk in, it feels like you are walking right into the 80s or 90s or at least that seems when the last update was. You surely get a nostalgic feeling. The thing I notice is that they are very inclusive. They have several nights including karaoke, comedy, drag shows, and various event nights throughout the week. The owner is super sweet and inviting. She made sure to go around and speak to everyone that was there. During my visit, I did order food. I had the chess club sandwich. It is served on white bread and is filled with salami, bacon, gouda, lettuce pickle and onions. It was ok. It took forever for it to come out. People who had arrived way after us received their food quicker than we did. I had to go to the bar several times to ask about our food. I found out that the bartender was also the cook, so that semi explains the delay. I had a salad along with my sandwich. It was ok. I couldn't eat it all because the dressing was not good. I do want to state that it is a cool place to dive into if you are looking for something to do throughout the week. I not sure if the food is meant to be the central focus, but they so have vegan options in addition to a full craft and alcoholic beverage menu. read more

Lamplighter Lounge - a sandwich and salad on a plate - Dive Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

The Lamplighter Lounge in Memphis, Tennessee has that old-school bar vibe and ambiance down pat and I mean that in an extremely positive way. Yes, it does feel a bit dated, but that is not a bad thing. The staff is overall friendly and the drinks are cold. Bars have a long history of being a spot to gather in both good times and bad. It is a place where we cam escape the stress of our day and enjoy a drink. Memphis, Tennessee is fortunate to have this bar. read more

Lamplighter Lounge is a solid dive bar that has been part of the Memphis community. The decor is very interesting and hipster but the vibes did not appeal to me particularly. Secondly, there is a very distinct coconut oil smell (which was well-known beforehand) that really makes the experience less enjoyable. Service was professional. The drinks were solid. We ordered the vegan mac n cheese and the cauliflower wings. The cauliflower wings had robust flavor and the honey sriracha was a great sauce. The mac n cheese was quite good. Overall, if you are okay with the smell and strange vibes, Lamplighter has solid vegan options and might be worth checking out! read more

Lamplighter Lounge - a man standing in a living room - Dive Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Went tonight for the Wednesday night comedy show. Lots of fun, great entertainment, definitely for mature audiences. Had a couple of beers and iced tea (real good). Nice venue for a small show, nice intimate, friendly atmosphere. Truly a fine dive. Will return. read more

It was weirdly quite on a Saturday night. No ambiance. We did not stay long enough for food. The whole vibe was off and even at the bar no one asked if we wanted anything. read more

It's a nice place! Drinks were reasonably priced, staff were friendly. Ordered one of their vegan burgers and it was delicious, but the person I came with never got their order. Well decorated and had some local music playing. Overall it was a good time, but not for the person I came with. Apparently a grease stain got on the order ticket and they lost it and instead of asking us what we'd ordered, they just didn't make it. It was getting pretty busy and there was only one person behind the bar that we could see though, so it's ok. Everyone has off nights! read more

A midtown institution! I have been going there for well over 20 years and I have always known it as an open and accepting place and one of the very few public spaces I have been able to really be myself. I have never had a bad experience there.. something I can't say for any other place in this city! Great musical acts! great food! read more

I absolutely love this place. I have for years. Lamp is the hidden gem you look for when visiting new cities. I love seeing this place grow and thrive. read more

I loved going to this place when I was in college in the late 80's/early 90's. When I am in town I still like to stop in. Not a lot has changed and that is a good thing! read more

My name is Jolynna. And I am a dive bar junkie. I don't know exactly why this is, but there is just something amazingly cool about walking into a room where nobody cares what you do or what you're wearing. They are just glad to see ya. I can walk in to the lamplighter after a long run in the park for a cold beer, still in my running clothes and feel perfectly at home. It's just that kind of place. They patrons are interesting and from all walks of life, but that is one of the things I love about it. It's beer only - and it's cheap. PBR is the beverage of choice for most. So what are you waiting for? Grab a cold one, a corner table or a bar stool and drop a few dimes in the jukebox. Fun times. read more

Lamplighter Lounge - the outside of the building - Dive Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

When most people imagine "dive bars" I don't know if this is exactly the place they'd picture, but being from shitty ole NYC, growing up on St Marks Place, this is exactly what I pictured. From the wood wall paneling, mismatched chairs, assortment of low lit lamps, PBR signs and posters covering so much of the walls, shelves behind the bar full of random knickknacks to the cloud of cigarette smoke that engulfs you upon walking in, it just screams "you're now entering your older brothers friends ex boyfriends punk uncles garage" and honestly, I love it. My husband and I came here a few years ago for the first time and back then they only accepted cash (they now also take cards) and it didn't leave the best taste in my mouth, but I feel like I was just a little closed off to the idea of entering a dingy basement-esque bar because we were new to Memphis and I wasn't sure if I was gonna get robbed or not at that moment (because let's be real, there's like a 9 out of 10 chance of being robbed in Memphis). I'm glad we went back because we had a blast last night. There was a live band that we really enjoyed and the atmosphere was a lot better than the time before. People were very nice. There is a man who helps out here for what I'm assuming is a plate of food and maybe a warm place to stay for a bit and maybe a couple of bucks who is an absolute angel. He gave our group his table and went to sit at the bar, also made sure that we knew if we needed anything to let him know so he could fetch the bartender Michaela for us. Very very sweet sentiment. I would have given this place 5 stars just because of the comfort of everything, but y'all, THAT BATHROOM. HELP! read more

The day I come back home to Memphis and find the doors of this place shuttered will be the day I break down and cry. Yeah, this is a "real" dive with colorful regulars, but hipsters don't survive for long in this place. Seems like Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" is always playing on the juke, but I know the place as ground zero for the blossoming rockabilly scene in the mid-90s. Alas, those days are gone, but Miss Anne, Shirley, and cheap PBR seem to still be here. Edit 10/28/10 Got word that Miss Shirley passed away today. Stomach cancer. God bless her and God bless the Lamplighter. read more

Some fellow patrons and I were having a conversation about being stressed from work. A man turned around and asked us were we talking about work to which we affirmed his inquiry. He then said "well if you're working so much, why don't you buy anything?". Mind you, I just made it in. I always buy drinks to support the open mic they do. So I asked him "what's the situation with the soap?" because it's stinky. He then went off on me and SLAMMED a tiny hand sanitizer to our table. I didn't even mention how filthy the bathroom is, how disgusting the place smells, or how rude their workers are. Please go look at any reviews that are low stars and see how the owner responds. This place is terribly ran but they survive because they have loyal midtown grifters and a depressing base of people who are desperate to perform somewhere. It doesn't matter if that somewhere is riddled with disease. If you can look at their restroom and still be willing to buy a burger, may God be with you. read more

Looking through the reviews, I at first felt this was pointless To leave one myself.. so many reviews called this is a dive bar. I don't know, I'm from New York, and this is certainly no dive bar. It's actually very eclectic and a cute little hang. It's not supposed to be a fancy bar. It has collectibles everywhere, vintage, jukebox, etc. It's definitely not a dirty dive bar though. Go to the lower East side of Manhattan, and you'll find a real dive bar. The issue I have here, is the smell, and the fact that every single thing you order, tastes the same because of the coconut oil. I truly appreciate the use of the coconut oil in the food, and I love the menu especially because I am a vegan, but the smell is overpowering and so is the flavor. I don't think I can do it anymore. A beer there, maybe? but I can barely sit inside because of the overwhelming smell of the coconut oil. When everything you eat tastes the same, there's a problem. I would highly suggest the bar does a full scrub and clean out, air the place out for a few days, and then consider using a variety of oils. The smell and the flavor is just too much. read more

This is why you should always carry cash. Because you don't want to get the skull-searing look I've seen Shirley dish up on rare occasion when curious urban explorers attempt to shove a credit/debit/atm card in her face and start a "tab" off with some "shots". I've always feel half: "I ought to huck this cup of chili in their eyes..." And half: "I'll just grab your hand and gently help you put that card away, there, dear. Scare up some pocket change and have a PBR. No, really. It's okay, it won't bite. It's just 153 calories and you look starved. Let's get a burger in ya, ok? Why the rush to drunktown, darlin'? We're all just happy plants here that need to be watered with a little lager every night." Miss you Lamplighter. read more

This place is disgusting. But will I be back? There's a distinct possibility of it. I wanted to give it one star because it is just that crappy. I mean worst bar I've ever been in. Tiny, grotesque, doesn't serve real alcohol, and I had to drink yuengling because all they serve is that or bud light. Why does anyone go here under such horrid conditions? I'll tell you why. Because hip people go here. You know the sort. The college kids or college age kids who dropped out, all of whom shop at goodwill and deliberately buy clothes that make them look homeless and wear glasses that they don't need. You go here because that poet friend of yours goes here. You go here because you're into some hipster chick who goes here. You go here because you're trying to get in on some of that ragin' scene. But do not go here because you actually want a cold, reasonably priced beer. Or culture. Or anything you'd normally get at a bar besides the smoky interior. They will not all know your name, unless you look homeless, say "amazing" a lot, and wrote a screenplay once about how the man is keeping you down. This is the neo hippie scene, and I'm not a fan. But I can't always avoid it, and I don't hold it against my friends who enjoy it. Just, next time I'm here, you can trust I will leave my banana republic skirt and button-down at home. read more

The Lamplighter Lounge on is Midtown's living room. So much so that last night, several bedheadded young men came in and ordered bottles of Pabst in their pajamas. It's the definition of a dive bar, meaning that drinking at the Lamplighter is like drinking in your grandma's basement. There's no liquor at the Lamplighter, only cheap beer. There's food, too - greasy burgers, legendary patty melts, the occasional vat of chili (depending on who's working that night). And don't even think about trying to pay with a credit card. The weeknight and weekend crowd is about the same - a mix of musicians, Midtowners and the middle-aged, all looking for a quiet drink. No one is a big deal (including the people that are). There is no trivia night at the Lamplighter. They'll probably never do karaoke. You can't pick up a wireless signal there. What they do have is a pool table, a small TV with grainy reception that constantly plays sports, and the greatest jukebox in town. This is the sort of place where every song that plays on the ancient, cranky jukebox is the perfect song. Don't expect any hipster favorites - just lots of un-ironic country standards, classic ballads and the occasional Meatloaf track. read more

Exactly what you think a dive bar would be like. Smokey, badly lit with cheap beer and indie bands playing. It's a fun evening if you don't mind smelling like smoke or seeing the staff rudely escort a homeless man out. read more

After a fancy dinner at Iris, we kind of wanted to kick it a little dirty. I was interested in checking out at least one dive bar while in Memphis so we ended up at the Lamplighter. Yaaassss this is my kind of place. Looks totally sketch on the outside with just an old sign. We walked in and it wasn't very busy at all as it was a Thursday so the people in there kind of stopped and stared at us. Hey, just because we are dressed up from dinner doesn't mean we can't kick it. Trust me. We grabbed two stools at the end of the bar and ordered some Miller Lite. Cans. Cash $3. Immediately we were talking to a guy that walked up...who lives in London but is from the NE USA...and who happened to be the musical entertainment later in the evening. This spawned more talking to the people around us until we were getting a musical history lesson from the guy beside us. Clientele leaned younger and perhaps more hipster as the evening got later but in general it was a mishmash of folks leaning heavily to the musicians. It's small and long, with a stage area near the front door and a pool table. Some tables along the wall opposite the bar. The bathroom...oh my...there's a waiting area if the bathroom is occupied and that little hallway is COMPLETELY DARK. I suspect I should be glad it was dark. The bathroom was dark but at least had a dim light and it wasn't dirty so that was a plus. It's smoky and decorated in decor of bars past...way past...which means it is the BEST. If you are a dive fan like I am, you must stop in and check it out. I know I'll be back next time I am in Memphis. read more

Who couldn't love a bar that has the song "You Make My Pants Want to Get Up and Dance" on the jukebox? Seriously? Honestly, I'm not even sure if that's the name of the song, but it is part of the chorus, and it makes me giggle. The Lamplighter is a dive, plain and simple. But it's a fun place. PBR is the drink of choice, and you'll see alot of regulars, as well as curious first-timers walk through the doors seeking solace from the trendy bars and clubs in the rest of the city. Shirley the bartender is pretty much legend in this place, and pay attention to the other reviewers- she most definitely will kick you out for dropping the f-bomb. read more

One of the oldest bars in the city, also one of the best dive bars in town. Although 'beer joint' might more appropriate as they don't serve liquor, just cheap beers and good greasy burgers. Open late, well-lit and a haven for a mix of midtown barflies. The juke box is well stocked and slightly possessed, seems to spontaneously play selections of its own choosing. Wednesday nights are interesting because of 'goth-night' at the bar next door, (Full Moon Club) the usual crown becomes...more interesting. DO watch your p & q's as Shirley (the owner) suffers no fools or foul language. read more

Just like drinking in your uncle's basement. But with a jukebox. And other beautiful people. And more beard hairs left behind. Don't you dare try to steal anything from this place. (cash only) read more

This use to be my I look like hell/ I just got off work/ I'm kind of blue and just want to drink alone in a dark dive kind of place. I may have come alone many a night, but usually made a friend sitting at the bar. It's a cash only dive, dimly lit and cozy, and they have a 6 ft. tall framed picture of VAMPIRELLA on the wall. You cannot beat that. The week night crowd is polar opposite from the weekend crowd. read more

Anyone who loves dive bars will understand that walking into Lamplighter is like walking into heaven. So unassuming and not trying to be anything, LL is the coziest little bar/living room/dive/kitchen Memphis has to offer. When I walked into this place, I stumbled into the most perfectly lit, dive bar I have ever been to in my life. Shirley, the bartender, wore the exact same green tank top she is pictured in in the framed portrait of her behind the bar. As mentioned, this bar was in a Cat Power video but somehow the video hardly captures the true feeling of the bar. Lamplighter achieves what other dive/hipster bars wish they could be and will never be. If you are ever in Memphis, do yourself a favor and go to this place. read more

Really divey and very country. There was a trucker on every stool. The great thing about the place: the old jukebox (it's not like those jukebox's in LA that play Kings of Leon. They had Dolly Parton and The Beegees) also, they had pool tables and that's where we spent the majority of the night. On the bad side, it's nothing special considering that it's far off from downtown Memphis. read more

Haven't been to the Lamplighter for almost 20 years. It didn't change, it's still a wonderful place to hang out and drink PBR. Recommended. read more

Lamplighter Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Needs some serious TLC . Beer only. Takes grunge to a whole new level. No beer on tap! Only like 4 domestic types sold! They don't even sell locally made memphis beers!! And someone please ! For the love of god clean the dam bathrooms!!!!!! And the bartender looked like he was on something or just not very friendly! Get a more lively bar man there ! Or sell the place ! The owner apparently is like 80! And hardly there ! Clearly . read more

Lamplighter is so hipster that it feels like you're drinking in a strangely well-lit version of the basement of those guys in college you were just friends with because they had a pool table--and a really crappy pool table with cigarette burns and scuffs. Miss Shirley runs the joint and pretty much only serves PBR by the buckets. Cash only. Incredibly smoky. Can bring in your own booze if you buy set-ups. My two stars are for the jukebox only, which always seems to be playing the perfect song to suit my mood when I'm in Lamplighter--sentimental, a little morose, and longing to find my way back home. read more

PBR sign outside and then inside PBR only on draft so quite a PBR place and I just find PBR one of my least favorite beers unfortunately. They had a special of PBR on draft for $1.50 which is pretty awesome if I only could stomach PBR but I'm just not a hipster so I can't handle it so instead I got a High Life. The bar is a decent dive bar atmosphere other than having the lights waaaay too bright for my taste and it was just completely too easy to see everything going on inside here. Cash only which is often a pain but with drinks as cheap as they are it makes it worthwhile. Stays open later than most bars around these parts (for Memphis not NOLA) so bonus points for that. My advice to this place would be to get rid of all lighting but red Christmas lights like Snake and Jake's in NOLA and that would make it more dive proper for my taste (maybe just keep one lamp on to keep with the name of "Lamplighter" to stay legit right...). read more

This place was...interesting to say the least. I dig the very laid back atmosphere of it, but I felt like when I walked in, I had taken a trip back in time. My complaint is that when I went in there, they didn't take cards. I only had enough cash on me to get one drink and then leave (I'm more of a card person, not big on toting around cash). read more

The 80 year old bartender Ann is an absolute trip. It's like you're walking into her living room complete with cat statues, tons of ash trays and PBR signs for days. She's got a collection of 10,000 records and wants you to hear all of them. You can have a hamburger or just drink. It's the oldest bar in Memphis and I'm so happy I stumbled upon it! PS the beers are $1.50 on Saturdays and you can bring your own alcohol and she'll set you up with mixers for $3.50. Is this place for real?! Yes it is and you need to go there now read more

Nice little dumpy beer bar. If this bar were in Brooklyn I'd hate it because it would be hipster central. In Memphis it's legit. Quality.

This is a true dive bar. Locked in the 70s, smokey, not uncommon to see roaches walking up and down the walls. Not the best jukebox but not the worst. Good place to chill with some folks and have a pitcher or two. Beer only. read more

The perfect hole-in-the wall. My friends and I came with bottle of our own gin and split a "set up": enough plastic cups and tonic for you and your entourage....a recipe for good times on the cheap. Take care of your bartender, and she will hook you up with a paper plate of Doritos...... hell yeah! read more

Wow - looks like I will be in the minority. I have spend more than my share of time in dive bars, but this one, for some reason, did not spark my appreciation. A guy from out of town took two of us there, as he had read on the internet how this was the traditional Memphis Dive Bar. They did have cold blue ribbon and it was cheap. It had been a while since I had seen a "cussing jar" (no we did not have to feed it). Lots of regulars the night we went there, and they were amiable. Juke box was pretty good. It met my expectations for a dive bar and it was a safe enough place. I guess I should have tried a burger. read more

Great old divey midtown Memphis bar. Amazingly cheap beer with kick ass burgers, a cheap pool table and good old jukebox. Mix of friendly younger patrons and older regulars. They also filmed the Cat Power "Lived In Bars" video in there. Just watch your use of the F-word because Shirley will kick you out faster than you can finish your $1.50 PBR. read more

Classic Dive Bar! This place is just what you expect when you are looking for dive bar. When we walked in we felt kind of like we were in the basement of our grandma's house. Drink PBR, play the juke box or a game of pool and just hang out. Oh, they accept cash only (like a true dive bar would!) so make sure to bring some cash! There is a small parking lot right there so parking was not an issue. A good time was had by all of us. read more

Stopped there on my road trip from NY to Texas. If you are looking for something fancy our new this is not the place for you. But in it's own category of diver bar/ local/ simple, this one is 5 stars! Exactly what you look for if you Wang an "authentic" experience. Small bar with cheap beers (we drank pitchers of PBR all night), pool table, great jukebox (plays 45 only!) and some snacks like burger, fries or grilled cheese. Was perfect for us because we were a small group and wanted to taste some of the local flavors. The owner is super nice. If your not from around def worth a visit. read more

Crapy tiny place, only serves crapy beer even though it says there is wine here.

The diviest of all dive bars if diviest is even a word. I'm not sure that it is. But that's besides the point. This is the bar that you only see in the movies, but yet in Memphis it is the real deal. This is the bar that apparently playboy has done several shoots in, God knows why. This is the bar that you can find the occasional dog sitting on a stool looking right at home. This is the bar that you will find the old veteran war heroes and the hopeless drifter all making merry to the tunes of an old jukebox. Apparently there is a room upstairs where they used to throw the drunks who couldn't make it out. Or maybe they still use it. I'm still unclear on that. Shirley the bartender is awesome, and one gets the feeling that she has been there a long time. Like Janice T. said, take care of your bartender and you will be rewarded. Also, if you are adventurous, ask her about the secret patio. I don't know if anyone gets to go out there, but in order to get there you have to actually walk through the back kitchen behind the bar. It's almost an Alice and Wonderland experience depending on what number beer you are on for the evening. This place is a legend in my book. Cash only. read more