Disco at historic best couldn't be prouder of Paula's RAIFORD'S. Smoke, lights, dance floor drums, dance floor and dranks gallore

This is a very special place, they play old school disco music and Michael Jackson is on heavy rotation. I discovered this place shortly after I moved here and it's a great place to dance the night away. The decor is a throwback to disco with the lighted floors, lights and smoke everywhere. They have a drum set and dancing pole just in case you feel like showing off your talents. I'm happy to see that it's still going. Service is always friendly and fast make sure you have cash. If you have visitors in town or just a night out on the town, be sure to check this place out for some fun. read more

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I swung by around 10pm which was still pretty early so entry was free and there were only a few people there. The staff was really nice. The music was a mix of old school and new school. I left a little after 1am and the ppl were still coming in. I could see this being one of my usual spots when visiting Memphis. read more

Paula & Raiford's Disco - Dance Clubs Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Went on a Friday night after our uber driver recommended it as a popular spot for young people & it was packed inside. Both the cover ($20) and the bar were cash only which is very inconvenient. They have an atm there, but it seemed like most people weren't able to get it to work. The demographic seemed like mostly college students/early 20s people. The music and atmosphere was great, but the high cover would prevent me from coming here regularly read more

What a magical place!! We had a blaaaast!!! Cash only but they have atms inside. Bathroom was clean and maintained. Music was epic. We had an epic time dancing the night away!! read more

Imagine a cruise ship filled with elder millennial Disney adults who peaked in high school and this is what you get. Very disturbing 2012 vibe. The cover wasn't worth it, they should be paying people to even go here. To add to the fun, my friend and I witnessed a someone putting their finger in their friend's/boyfriend's actual b-hole through his jeans at the bar and sniffing it. They were getting off on us seeing it. I wish this was satire. From the extremely dated playlist to the severely lacking diversity in age and ambiance, to the PDA off the charts, this was nightmare fuel. read more

(I gotta reach a certain amount of characters) but Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too expensive. Left right after seeing the cover

Manage your expectations but definitely go and let your hair down and groove and grind... it takes you back in time. Best on Saturday nights... best for bachelorettes, bachelor or birthday celebrations. Good times!! Paula is awesome read more

I was expecting a $20 cover for a fun Saturday night but a $30 cover for a dance floor that had basically no inhabitants outside of my group is what I got. Yall gotta do better. read more

I expected a 20 dollar cash cover but it was 30. That's fine on an event weekend but is way too high for a normal cover.

Wow!!! Loved the place!! Came here with friends to celebrate a birthday. Take in to consideration that this place is cash only. I did read the previous reviews about it. I do think $30 is too pricey to cover entrance, but it guarantees a certain crowd. Making it more safely to have fun. The music was good. Decorated very festive. The drinks were good too! The only down for me is that smoking is allowed inside. A big no for me!! I'm not a smoker, and I hate how my clothes and hair smelled after! So visit at your own risk! read more

I never want to go to Raifords, but once I'm inside I don't want to leave. Cover charge is high. Like $20-$40. But it keeps it to folks who won't be assholes. Bring cash. Also you can buy 40z here. Dance floor is always full of fun. read more

I had a great time here at Paula & Raiford's Disco. The vibes are super cool! The staff is super cool and cooperative. The drinks are super enjoyable and affordable. read more

A unique atmosphere in downtown Memphis. High security and cover prices keep trouble away. Inside is cash only and patrons aren't allowed a free cup of water. read more

We're in town for a wedding and the bride insisted we all go out to Raiford's after and OMG ARE WE GLAD WE DID!!!!! Literally got to live out our Studio 54 dreams. We paid extra at the door to skip the line and it was worth it. Definitely took forever to get drinks at the bar, but the 40oz lasted the night. The music was exactly what you expect from a disco. The crowd was fun and the vibes were unmatched. I'd go back every night if I had $50 to spare on cover. read more

Place looks like an episode of "Bar Rescue"...before its rescued The staff was incredibly rude for absolutely no reason. Felt like you were talking to customer service people that were trained to be angry and defensive right off the bat Also they charge a $20 cover charge that I'm sure they pocket. I refuse to ever give them that money again just based on principle alone read more

So I never thought the sketchy-ist place I would visit in Memphis would be inside a bar. The place is like a bad 80s acid trip. I've been hearing about Raifords since I moved to Memphis, but I just don't get it. - $15 cover - bar is cash only (they have an ATM) - $8 40 oz beers - $1 bathroom (bathroom attendant yelled at me to get money for her from a friend after I said I was out of cash (which I was)) As a disclaimer, I'm not someone who likes to get wasted and dance to Prince on a stripper pole. If you are, then this is the place for you. read more

There's only one place in Memphis where you can dance on a light-up dance floor while an octagenarian in sequins spins your favorite classic hits. While I had been to Old Raiford's (aka, Raiford's Hollywood Disco on Vance) before it closed, I had never been to the new club that Raiford opened with his daughter Paula on Second St. And because I loved Old Raiford's in all of it's cash-only, brightly lit, 40oz. glory, I was a little apprehensive about this new space. What if they had decided to do away with the office furniture, poles and light up dance floor and get disappointingly classy? As soon as I walked in, my fears were eased. When you walk up to Paula and Raiford's, there's a red carpet and a velvet rope (making it possibly the only club in Memphis with a rope line). There's also a pair of chrome-plated bicycles chained up outside. When I was there on Friday night around 10 p.m., there was no line outside. There wasn't even a line at the little window just inside the door where you show your ID and pay your cover (usually $10). That's because I was early - way early. It was just me and a handful employees hanging out, watching the Lakers game. Even though I was all alone, the place was set to maximum party - the music was turned up loud, the fog machine was going full blast, and Mr. Raiford, the club's octagenarian DJ, was still going through costume changes like it was a packed house. Even though Paula and Raiford's Disco is much larger than the old space on Vance, it's nice to see that some things haven't changed. Every available surface is covered in red and white rope lights, streamers or red balloons. There are still hand prints on the walls and the signage is still kind of hilarious. I was happy to see that they also kept their seating the same - white vinyl booths, reflective silver tables and high-backed rolling office chairs, exactly like the ones in your work's conference room. Also, not only does Paula and Raiford's have a pole, the new location has enough room for several of them. Anyone is allowed to dance on them (or, as the case was when I was there, run and leap onto them and slide down fireman-style), just know that they're not responsible for your pole-related injuries. The music was a mix of old Memphis (Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" and "Jailhouse Rock"), current top-40 songs (that "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night" song), group dances (the Cupid Shuffle was played at least twice) and 1970s classics like "Let's Get It On" and "Purple Rain". I'm pretty much convinced that Prince is Mr. Raiford's spirit animal. Everyone was friendly (other than the armed dance floor bouncer, who really doesn't like it when you leab over the railing to take a sip of your beer) and the boys weren't shy about asking the girls to dance. When I decided to head home around 1:45 a.m., people were still streaming inside. I'll definitely be back though, sooner rather than later. Paula and Raiford's Disco is open every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. If you're planning to be unable to drive, they offer limo service to and from the club. Cover is usually $10 though I've heard that sometimes, it's $15 or $20, so bring at least $20 in cash with you. Drinks start at $5 for shots and $6 for beers, cash only. There's an ATM inside, but the fees are high. read more

Paula & Raiford's Disco - Paula and Raiford's Disco, Memphis, Tenn. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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One-of-a-kind late night experience. Cover charge has crept up to $30 on Saturday nights so plan to bringing plenty of cash. Bar now serves mixed drinks and liquor in addition to the notorious 40 oz beers. Staff runs a tight ship to keep everyone safe -- so expect to see several bouncers mingling through the crowd and enforcing the rules. Definitely wear earplugs if you want to be able to hear anything after leaving the club. read more

Raifords is my absolute favorite place to get down and boogie. The $15 cover can sometimes seem absurd, but Paula has a great thing going on. They are only open 2 days a week (Friday and Saturday)...genius on her part. The set up is like nothing I can describe. It's like you go into a whole other world when you step inside! Balloons and ribbons hang from the ceiling. Strobe lights light up the dance floor. I also can't get enough of MJ...she plays him a lot so hopefully you like him as well! My only drawback is the bathroom. Every Time I go I feel like I am begged for money by the bathroom attendant. I understand this is a business but I don't really have money to give someone who just stands there and maybe hands me a towel. Another reservation is losing items. I lost a cell phone there around halloween and they weren't exactly helpful. I get that, but I really haven't been since just because they didn't seem to want to lift a finger to locate it. However I still give it four stars. I think this is a huge staple for Memphis and Paula is such a sweetheart. This place is an absolute when friends come in town. read more

Paula & Raiford's Disco - Dance Clubs Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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The music was great!!!! The crowd was young The decor was cute. I only stayed for a few minutes.

What an amazing establishment. Wow. The music was truly transcendent. The inside looks like a Christmas trailer park in the most amazing way. There is a haze in the air that is reminiscent of the inside of a sad one-bedroom apartment where a neglectful foster mother falls asleep smoking a cigarette. The bar only sells 40's which is on brand. Lastly, the air conditioning is second to none. I'm telling you I was dancing like there was no tomorrow to Ms. Donna Summer's "Last Dance" in a wool sweater and a jean jacket and still felt fully ventilated. It was a cool 64° for the entirety of my experience due to the floor dryers tacked to the ceiling to provide air. All in all a wonderful experience, and I will be returning. read more

Worst business ever. They promote family fun and they're everything but that. They're cash only and none of the atms work. When you try to ask for help with the atms? You're accused of being broke and talked down to. So disrespectful. I do not recommend this business. read more

It really is an interesting place. Caught in a massive downpour, I ran here for cover and quickly made some friends. Definitely a welcome break from the utter ratchet shit show that is Beale Street. Cash only bar but their ATMs seem to have issues so come prepared or leave sober. The 80's music is a little weird but it's mostly danceable and with the occasional modern artist Bruno Mars that everyone massively prefers. The crowd is decidedly more yuppy and also caters to post wedding reception attendees. Groups of suit clad men with matching lapel flowers and women in fancy dresses dancing in heels. Hey, I'll take this over Beale Street any day. read more

Friends parents paid to reserve the second floor and have open bar privileges.. so a lot of money.. they put us in the smallest VIP corner on the first floor and then tried to say we didnt pay enough to get the unlimited beer. After finally getting the beer situation sorted out, they still made us stay in the tiny corner. We ended up making friends with people in the top VIP area and joined them, and the bouncers kicked us out even though the other people were telling them we were allowed in there. I've never experienced this level of service here and I dont think I'll be coming back. Our friends parents paid a significant amount of money for a birthday bash and we were shoved in a corner. Not great Raifords read more

I have been a regular attendee of Paula and Raiford's for awhile and last night was just astounding. I am appalled by the lack of professionalism from the "security guards". The female security guard kicked out my sister for TALKING TO ME! After she kicked her out, the female security guard proceeded to talk to the other guard next to her and called my sister stupid in front of her. Raifords is a fun bar that I dearly love but their security guards simply need to be trained more thoroughly and treat kindly to their WELL PAYING CUSTOMERS PAYING $15/$20 to even GET IN! I mean wow! The respect is just very LOW! read more

10/10 wouldn't recommend. Bartenders are some of the most disrespectful people I have ever met. Drinks are over priced. If you have a choice, never enter this establishment! read more

So fun! Cash only establishment with total disco vibes. If you're looking for a true 70s experience, this is the place. Dancing, drinks, and a dj await! read more

They charged us a $10 cover to stand in line and then a $20 cover once we got to the door. Which is not normal. Bartenders were very slow and they were rude. Not going back. read more

I can't believe this place isn't reviewed already... This is the NEW Raiford's... NEW as in IMPROVED, not lacking in ANYTHING the other Raiford's had (this place even features Raiford as the DJ, as he's permanently relocated from the other spot as far as I can tell...) (And it's a GREAT improvement location-wise). Personally, I've spent most of my drinking days in New England, so returning home to a place as Unique and Ridiculously Funny/Fun as Raiford has made this place to be is all the more enjoyable: To ANYone visiting Memphis: I don't care what walk of life you are in, you won't have seen anything if you haven't seen Raiford light this place up on a weekend! Fog, music you can't help but dance your ass off to, poles and drums--whatever your whim, you can find it at Raiford's. Lounge back in comfy chairs and do some of the most interesting people-watching on this side of the Mississippi, or get out there on the glowing dancefloor and shake off the workweek without any repercussions. At Raiford's, there's No Discrimination. Dress in your own style, leave your inhibitions at the door, and meet some awesome people while you're at it!! read more

Literally the most fun place I've ever been. It's a little annoying that it's cash only but not a big deal. All the colorful lights create such a cool atmosphere and make it bright enough that you can see well which made my friends and me feel really safe. Every staff member I talked to was so nice too! 100000/10 recommend! Thank y'all for keeping this place going!! read more

If you are trying to decide if you want to go to Raifords you should ask yourself a few questions: Do I like Michael Jackson? Do I like Prince? Do I like fog machines? Am I willing to dance for hours? Am I ridiculous! The place is a little dance nook owned by a former Memphis pimp (no joke) that has an affinity for all things 80s. It's an odd place to be in since literally it's BYOB and only 40ozs and overpriced soda cans are sold. But really, why wouldn't you want to end your Friday or Saturday dancing to two of the greatest pop/r&B artists ever? There is even a drum set on the dance floor. There is no such thing as a bad night at Raifords! read more

I was not sure what to expect from this place, but was pleasantly surprised by the vibe here. Lighting here was perfect (not too dark, not too bright). We went on Saturday night and found a fun mix of people (wide span of ages, races, tourists, locals) and a great mix of music (old school classics and fun current day) that was easy to dance to. Based upon other reviews I was worried about the bathrooms, but found them to be clean enough (no bodily fluids on the seat or the floor). They sell a limited amount of alcohol (liquor) and beer (40s) and are cash only. They have an atm. I can not comment on price as I did not buy the drinks. I understand keeping actual drinks off the dance floor but they could relax about getting after people for leaning over (off of) the dance floor and sipping on a beverage that a friend is tending to. "Security" seems comprised of some out-of-shape gentleman with guns which was a bit unsettling. I'll be back ! read more

The BEST Disco on planet Earth Seriously! If you don't like this place you have no sense of fun! Let your inhibitions go and head to Raifords! If you have a crowd and you are downtown- call ahead and they will send a limo to pick you up ( and perhaps more importantly, take you home). Go! You will love it ! read more

OMG, WTF is there not something as wonderful as this in St. Louis? Mike Talanya's is probably the most similar but lacks to stay open until 6am like Raiford's. I love Raiford's! So, this is how it goes down -- - You pay $10 cover - BYOB or buy a huge 40 oz to continue on the night. - It feels like you're stepping back in time to circa 1983. - Bathrooms are a tad nastier than I can tolerate for a public restroom. - Cash only bar with overpriced mixers and sodas. Despite the negatives, this place is actually one hell of a time! This is the party place after the party place. Think of it like this - if you just got kicked off of Beale because of the 3am curfew, and you're not done with your evening - YOU SHOULD COME HERE! It's so much fun to people watch and the ambiance of the place is crazy with the stripper pole and disco balls that are in place. They also have leather couches, hand prints on the wall, and fog machines! The works, seriously. Just come check it out when you come to Memphis! read more

Seriously a great time. I'm 21. This was my first true dance club experience. I don't go in too much for drinking, so I can't attest to the bar or anything like that, but the atmosphere of this place is incredible. Right when the door opened I noticed all the fog and mistook it for cigarette smoke. You can't imagine how relieved I was that it was a refreshing mist. Red balloons everywhere, people standing on balconies, a trap set by the classic tiled dance floor (where no drinks or smoking are allowed), and a super friendly staff complete with roving bartenders and courteous yet badass security guards. For the first twenty minutes I felt a bit awkward because I didn't have a drink in my hand and I didn't know anyone there. But then "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees started playing and all my cares flew out the window. I hit that dance floor and never looked back. Danced all night long, with and without others. I have only two issues that prevented a five-star review. Firstly, the noise is incredible in this little place. The speakers are oftentimes blaring right into your ears. While you sort of forget the noise after a bit, the effects are apparent once you exit out onto the street. I could hear nothing, and I'm a young guy. I was genuinely concerned about my auditory health. However, I'm sure that can be remedied with a pair of stylish earplugs. My second issue is that the seventies need to really ring true in the musical selections. It's all good if there are a few modern hits thrown in. Don't get me wrong: the borderline 80's music and clearly 80's Michael Jackson fit the mood. But in the entire time I was there, I had the privilege of dancing to only one Bee Gees song. And, being a really lame and flamboyant white guy, I needed a little more high-pitched awesomeness in my life. Those things aside, I'm definitely returning to this gem again in the near future. I just need to give my ears and my groove a week or so to recover. Thanks, P&R, for being my fantastic first true club experience! read more

5 stars. Hands down. One of the most joyful places on earth. Raifords is the best place to dance. Cash only, 40s and liquor. No drinks allowed on the dance floor--they're that serious about the dancing. MJ coming out of the speakers about every 5th song. The only negative is the "bathroom attendants" who want you to tip them. Usually a $10 cover on Fridays and a $20 cover on Saturdays, if I remember correctly. Its just way better than a night on Beale. read more

Disco and a 40! What's possibly better than that? I know that I will always have a memorable time at Paula and Raifords

Literally the security guard slapped my sister in the face. He also had a loaded gun with two clips. It was terrifying.

When your name is King Raiford, obviously only thing to do is to open a disco club. This also so happens to be my favorite place in the world, and I have desperately been trying to find my own personal Raiford's in NYC. How's my search? Terrible because there is no other Raiford's in the world. The pros: *Great for late night DJ dance parties where the music is dominated by Michael Jackson and Prince. *The smoggy atmosphere created by an unordinary amount of smog machines. *The drum kit that you can bang around on on the tiled dance floor. *The stripper poles through the bar. I've at least seen a pole on the dance floor and the raised platform where Raiford himself DJ's. *The beer selection of only 40's adds to the culture and ensure a great night of bad mistakes is ahead *King Raiford himself. Clad in sequined, flared jump suits, this dude is quite the character. The cons: *Recently it's become pretty loud which is why I didn't give this review 5 stars. I'm not talking normal bar loud either. After I left Raiford's my ears were ringing and pulsating, and this lasted until the following evening. I'm pretty sure in 30 years when my hearing starts to fail me, that Raiford's will be the cause. *The cover is sort of pricey at $15, but this can totally be overlooked because Raiford's is such a good time. *Cash only, but also not a big deal. There's an ATM inside. Great for: *Late night DJ dance parties *Michael Jackson enthusiasts *Drunk make outs *Bumpin' and grindin' *Bachelorette/wedding parties read more