This is a bar/restaurant I visited because the client wanted to come here. The interior is old with dim lighting that's pretty far up in the ceiling. There is a little bit of natural light that comes in if you are near a window. Their menu is sort of small with some salads, sandwiches, burgers and a few plates. They have a lunch special which is a pretty good deal for only $15.95. They have some good looking eggrolls and are sort of known for their cheeseburger soup. I was in the mood for fish and they offered it 3 different ways. I tried the blackened catfish plate with steamed veggies and twice baked potato with an unsweet tea. My colleagues also all had catfish (but fried) and one of my clients had the meatloaf special. Everything was really good, but I was starving afterwards. The best item was the catfish, it was plump and juicy and well seasoned. The veggies were mushy, twice baked was decent but mainly because of the cheese layer. The hush puppies are standard ones. The fish also comes with a small cold slaw. read more

I typically just go here to pick up some food while I'm in the area. I love their catfish plate. It is flavorful but the fish is a little on the thin side. I really wish they had Louisiana hot sauce or at least a sauce with some real kick to go with it. I enjoy the side salad and the champagne dressing too. One thing that I heard is really popular is their buffalo wing eggrolls. You get three but they are actually pretty filling. I tried them and really enjoyed them. I also had their cheese sticks and they were great too! The marinara sauce includes some cheese as well so it makes it a little different in a good way. The parking is pretty limited but the place is nice and the servers are very kind. It gives the typical dive bar aesthetic (dark setting, neon lights, nice bar, etc.). I will tell you that even with the small amount of customers there, the wait time for food can be 15-20 minutes even if you are taking your food to-go. read more

I recently ordered from Blue Monkey downtown and had a really good experience. I called in my order for the Buffalo chicken egg rolls and a Coke to go. The person who answered the phone was friendly and made the process quick and simple. When I arrived, my food was ready and pickup was super easy. The Buffalo chicken egg rolls were hot, crispy, and packed with flavor. They had just the right amount of spice without being overwhelming. Everything was fresh and exactly what I was hoping for. Next time, I definitely plan to dine in and enjoy the full atmosphere. read more

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Unassuming hole in the wall bar type place. Friendly and welcoming. A good place to stop off and have a beer or two. They give you a nice frozen glass to keep that brew cold. Surprisingly, they have a pretty nice menu. We decided to have a lite snack. We had seafood bisque which was actually really good. Thick and creamy, with a touch of spice, but not too much. Has a few good croutons in there, and also served with saltine crackers. Overall really good. Also had the mozzarella sticks. They were ok, but not quite hot enough so they were not really melted enough on the inside. Served with marinara sauce that was fine, but if I ordered that again I'd ask for it to be made very hot. I'd definitely go back and try more. read more

We went by for an early supper. I have been there before and like the place. My chicken po'boy was very good as was the seafood bisque that my wife ordered. read more

Brenda is the best! Been coming here for years. The fact that the staff has been there for so long is a testament to the managemt (Becca and others). Food quality continues to be top notch. Great for Friday afternoon happy hour. read more

We didn't realize that most bars are closed until 5pm in Memphis, so we were quite happy to find the Blue Monkey! The overall appearance is that of a dive bar, but our waitress was nice! The food was good! We were just looking for a snack, so we got the Buffalo chicken egg rolls and a bottle of Prosecco. I LOVED the Buffalo egg rolls. They are definitely bar food, but I thought they were so yummy! If you're looking for a no nonsense quick bite or drink, this is an easy stop! read more

Delicious food and friendly service. Best seafood bisque ever!! I need the recipe since I'm from the west coast. read more

The Blue Monkey - Seafood chowder - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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The food is always on point. Their fried fish is very good. I mainly sit at the bar. The bartender is very attentive was supposed to be attentive and friendly. They have TVs so you can enjoy the sports events that's going on. It's just an all around great place. read more

Came in after discovering on Yelp. Our group was happy to sit outside. Plenty of local craft beers. Server and owner were both very friendly. We only had beer on our visit. read more

Decent food, great service, affordable drinks. Solid place overall imo! It's not Michelin but you already know that!! read more

Didn't have any food, but had drinks. Definitely try the Zippin Pippin and Siren. Sat outside, great environment. Staff and manager were very friendly. read more

The Blue Monkey - IPA beer. - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Great Atmosphere, very nice employees and awesome food. Had the turkey po' boy. Could not finish it. I was very much a lot of the food. So tasty though. Just the right feel to the place, too. Easy on the eye and ear. read more

This place was recommended to me by some folks in presidents isle. They said this is one of their top five places to eat. So I thought why not. So the parking was a bit full but found a spot quickly. We were able to get a seat quickly and our server got our drink orders quick. I will admit, they broke my heart With not having lemonade! How do you not have lemonade!? I got a grilled chicken club on a crescent and it was good. Didn't blow my mind but good. The fries were boring and probably won't be my go to if I go back. My coworker had a bbq bacon burger and seemed to enjoy it. He also had onion rings and let me try them. They were pretty good. My other Coworker got a crawfish bisque and loved it. Said she would go back for that alone. She also got Buffalo chicken egg rolls. Too hot for me but the others loved them. I will say, I bet it's awesome at night. It has a huge bar with lots of great selections. Overall, it's worth checking out. read more

We are downtown locals and love the food/service. However, we were "unwelcomed" when we were not allowed to bring our pet on the patio. Haven't experienced this issue with any other outdoor restaurant so we felt somewhat disappointed and surprised for this area. Especially with the Central Bark Dog Park next door. read more

Im about to start my weekend off right . Looking for a spring refresher . I just customize my own drink . It's called Strawberry Pop . Ask for Meagan and tell her I sent you . Thank me later . The ambiance is always homey here in my back yard . If you're ever in the neighborhood stop by . read more

We went for an early dinner on a Friday night. The food was great & service fantastic. Our server, Tina, was attentive and was super nice. I ordered salmon, grilled veggies and green beans. It was all surprisingly cooked perfectly and very flavorful. I'll definitely be back. read more

While visiting Memphis decided to stop by The Blue Monkey for lunch and drinks. The atmosphere was casual. The food was ok. I had the mozzarella sticks and veggie plate. My veggie plate consisted of creamed spinach, Mac and cheese, fried okra and mashed potatoes. I really enjoyed the creamed Spanish and mashed potatoes. They didn't have a drink menu to give me but the drinks I ordered were very good...very very good! It's a cool spot to grab a quick bite but I would definitely go back for the drinks. read more

my business partner and I eat there frequently. The food is really good at lunch. Last night, my wife and I went there for dinner prior to seeing a movie, and it was EXCEPTIONAL!!! I had the Philly cheesesteak, and it was the best I've had in the city of Memphis ever. She loved her Salad with grilled chicken and the mixed vegetables. We are already looking forward to going back! read more

Have always wanted to visit this place- drive by frequently and always too busy, but today we stopped!!! Love the atmosphere and "vibe" of this place! We had eaten right before we came, but I ordered a beer and we got the sausage and cheese appetizer- it was great, nice portions, and loved the presentation. The menu looks great and we will be back when I can eat more I want to hang out in here one night- you can actually smoke in the bar!!!! I know, I'm in the minority, but when I drink, I want to smoke. lol ok'ing forward to coming back here in the near future- Our service was fabulous, friendly read more

The Blue Monkey - Local brew-Wiseacre - Gotta get Up To Get Down - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I had the chicken wrap and it was delicious. Ranch was really good too and I would go back!

Great place with excellent service, delicious beers, affordable prices, and great ambience. Highly recommend for your next trip to Memphis!

We were greeted promptly and asked if we wanted nonsmoking. I didn't even know that was a thing anymore. Lol Friendly chatter about such on the way to the table. Very friendly server. And while others took off way too many stars for the time warp back to the 80's, I quite enjoyed the music. Just what we needed for one of crew that was frazzled from a visit to a haunted place around the corner who recommended here as a place to eat. WooooOoOOOOOoooooOooOOOOOoooooo We ordered cheese sticks for an appetizer. Nothing special but they were hot and gooey with shredded mozzarella on the marinara dipper as well. We were starving and polished them off pronto. We all went with prime rib or filets. All cooked to our perfect temps of Medium rare. Which isn't as easy as you may think. So many times, places utterly fail at getting that particular temp right. The crawfish bisque's croutons were rock hard though. And seemed like no amount of "soaking" in the soup would soften them up. Even at the end of the meal. The soup itself was alright. A bit too many onions but good flavor. Mashed potatoes were a bit crusty around the edges. The texture of the filet was a bit different. Definitely NOT a filet mignon. It said angus so it was decent just the same. My dining companions said their prime rib was pretty good as well. So obviously I'm finding the food decent but not fabulous and my rating is more for the atmosphere friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. Every time we needed something, they were there with a smile. Getting whatever we asked. Our waitress came back multiple times to check up on us. I don't get all the negative recent bagging on this place. Some with only a review on here and no profile. So I wouldn't credit them. Or their poor grammar. ;) Keep that time warp to the 80's OPEN!! read more

This place was recommended by out hotel staff and it didn't disappoint. We had a quick early dinner here before catching the riverboat cruise and I really wish I had more time to sit back and enjoy the surroundings. I had the Angus salad which was Beef tenderloin, blue cheese crumbles, tomatoes and spiced walnuts on a bed of mixed greens.... I added a champagne vinaigrette as the dressing. Seriously, it was the perfect balance of crunchy, yummy, super flavorful tenderloin, fresh veggies and tangy blue cheese that side of the Mississippi i'm sure of it! This salad doesn't disappoint. read more

Came here for a quick lunch. This place it big; however, gets full pretty fast. It is a popular spot around here. 1) Food was delicious. My steak was marinated. Very nice! Came out nicely seasoned and correct temperature. 2) Side dishes were delicious as well. Creamed spinach is excellent. 3) Sweet tea was just right and cold. 4 Server was very attentive and friendly. 5) Parking por spot are not designed well and due to how people park it can be hard to back out of your spot if you have a big or long vehicle. I will return for another quick lunch again next time I'm in the area. read more

Customer service was great. I Had the grilled Chicken with spinach and an hour later I had food poisoning. My head start aching and regurgitate what I ate from there. Also gave us diarrhea. Please check the food and make sure it's cooked right. read more

It's not like the monkey before the fire but it's ok. The crowds tend be sparse without the same atmosphere but it's still an ok place to go and have a drink and a burger. I wish they would change the menu because of I'm not wrong it's been the exact same for almost 15 yrs. the food is ok, service is ok, place is ok. Be sure to get the hot wing rolls. They are a staple for me read more

The Blue Monkey - an empty street in a city - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I love the wine bottle label decoupage tabletops! I had my first Blue Monkey experience a few weeks ago during Beale Street Music Festival weekend. We were driving around during lunch time looking for a place to eat. Because many roads were detoured for BSMF, we almost were led there by each road block we encountered. That was OK because we found easy parking across the street from the Blue Monkey. It was busy when we went there, but our waitress was very attentive and she refilled my drink a lot of times. I got the Grilled Chicken Caesar salad and my boyfriend got the Portabello Mushroom Burger with fries. Overall, really good meal and drink selection. read more

The service is friendly and attentive The drinks are always full and the food is hot and fresh Surprising gem Only reasons for not 5 stars is the place still let's smoking and isn't shiny and pretty read more

Amazing bar & grill. Had the best time with my best friend for the Labor Day holiday. Will definitely return to the Blue Monkey read more

The Blue Monkey - Beach Nam Nam was the beatest fruity drink I ever had. - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

We live right down the street from the Blue Monkey, and decided to go for a late lunch on a Sunday with a neighbor. We ended up at a high-top with a group of 5 in the bar area. I was pretty shocked to see that it wasn't overly crowded at this time of day- especially with their drink prices. A couple of us had the mimosas- and at $2.50 a pop how can you beat that?! We looked up the menu online before going, hoping to get an idea of selection and pricing- but were a little let down when we got there and realized the online menu was completely different from what was offered. The food we eventually decided on was very good. I had a Cuban pork tenderloin sandwich-panini concoction with french fries, my husband had the chicken finger appetizer also with french fries and a friend had a hamburger with the mushrooms as a side option. The food was terrific- not sure how you can mess up a hamburger or chicken fingers- but my Cuban panini-esque sandwich was simply wonderful. The pork was extremely tender and well-seasoned and the condiments that sat atop my meat were just sheer genius- though the complete list fails me at the moment. Strangely enough, the highest point of our visit was my trip to the restroom...the decorating going on in here is a wine lover's dream! I think Blue Monkey has successfully created the single-most awe inspiring bathroom any of us had laid our eyes on. It's a very eclectic spin on a wine label/box wallpaper scheme. I cannot even begin to describe it- but we all had to take a trip inside the confines of those 4 walls before leaving. And might I add, any restaurant that inspires patrons to return to the table shouting "DUDE! You gotta check that bathroom out!" deserves a high-five in my book. read more

The Blue Monkey - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This is a great place for a drink and to listen to live music. It is very clean and I love the atmosphere. It does tend to get a little loud when there is a band so if you want bar conversation go on a night when there is not live music. As other reviewers have noted it is a bar so smoking is allowed. It is not as smoky as other bars that feature live music. read more

The Blue Monkey - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I was so sad when the downtown Blue Monkey burned down a few years ago. Luckily, they rebuilt it and it's better than ever. The bar itself is cozy- spacious, but with rich, dark wood fixtures and brick walls. I love the tabletops and bar top with the colorful coasters scattered and encased underneath. Servers are very attentive and bartenders serve up some pretty strong drinks. The menu is pretty good too- a step above regular bar food. There are some places that you know you can count on for consistency and this is one of them. I always know that I'm going to have a good time when I walk into The Blue Monkey. read more

The Blue Monkey - Bars Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Loved this place! Was invited here on Aaron trip by a friend. It was great! I ended up getting the Cuban with steamed veggies. Honestly one of the best Cuban sandwiches I've have, but what really stole my heart was the vegetables! The seasoning that was used made this the best part of the meal!! I want to return and experience more of the menu when I'm here in Memphis!! The only reason I'm knocking it down to 4 stars instead of 5 is because part of the restaurant allows smoking. You walk in through the front door, and the bar is located there. That area allows interior smoking, which threw me off, and I was afraid the rest of the place would smell like an ashtray. It did not, thank goodness! But I was still taken aback that I had to walk through a Smoky room to get to my table. read more

One of my favorite bars (for food). I must admit- I've only gotten the burger from here and when my boyfriend ordered the shrimp his stomach hurt later the night. But I've never had a bad experience with their burgers. The fries are some of the best I've ever had (my boyfriend said they're salty) and my baby is a big fan of them too. My burger meal with their 18% added gratuity comes outs to roughly $14 every time which is a bit pricey imo when I could easily get the same quality for $11-12 and a bigger size in Mississippi but for Memphis- it's one of the best! I love how close it is to where I live and the outdoor seating is great. I usually have to go with my baby to pick up the food as I'm a stay at home mom currently so I can't sit inside since you have to be 21+ so this is not a family friendly location if you have kids under 21. I've tried their alcoholic drinks once and they're not great nor are they bad- but the bar is usually packed so others enjoy them greatly. Staff has always been nice to me and I enjoy calling in my order once (or when I'm lazy, twice) a week. I wish they had some type of reward cards for loyal customers since I do eat here so often and it adds up. read more

Had a bad experience with the downtown Blue Monkey resturant,one worker said to another worker after this black lady put in her order that she was glad the black ppl r eating outside,why would you say that? and blacks give you business too,so I will not come back and will let others know the what happen there,it's sad some ppl could be so ignorant. read more

LINE DRIVE SINGLE BOUNCES FAIR! I didn't want it to end!! We ordered food to go today for our office from this place and it was very good. I've heard good things about it, but I haven't had the food in a long time (once previously). Today I had the grilled chicken wrap which was out of this world good! The chicken was well-cooked and had great seasoning, and the ranch dressing complemented the savory chicken with a cool, creamy flavor. It was hot and delicious. For a side I ordered the sauteed vegetables, and they were good as well. read more

I love this place because I feel the family love there. From the people who sit u to the bar tenders, cooks, waiters, and the management. The customers r wonderful also. When I walk in everyone know u. I feel so damn comfortable when I'm there read more

BUFFALO ROLLS, HOME MADE RANCH, QUALITY DRINKS! You can't go wrong, I've talked to a few other people that's been here and they loved it. I would definitely recommend. read more

Apparently, there is a disparity after reading the reviews of the Overton Sq vs the Front St dtwn premises. (Disclosure, I have not been to the midtown location). As a local living near Blue Monkey Front St, I cannot believe the decline. They HAD the most precious staff; waiters, servers and bartenders. So kind, informative and patient. Food is good and reasonably priced. Menu hasn't been updated in the last 7 yrs I have moved here, but good comfort food. Does offer a wide selection. Surprisingly, smoking is allowed. And u will reek. Workers sit at the end of the bar and smoke during their breaks!? A very high turnover staff. The current female bartender (brunette Caucasian) and evening bartender (blonde pony tail) r snarky. Approx a yr or so ago, I was picking up a takeout order. Early evening. A woman , whom the staff confirmed, was the wife of one of the owners. She was sobbing and we were told that she was allegedly confronted by a carjacker in their parking lot. Police squad cars came. To the best of r neighbors knowledge, and we could b unaware, it was not reported in the news. I asked the nice gentlemen working the desk if we would walk me to my car in the lot. He happily obliged. Safety first. read more