For years, people have flocked to Memphis’s South Main Arts District to visit The Arcade Restaurant, one of Elvis’s favorite diners, and the Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and now the National Civil Rights Museum. Recently, an influx of fun, quirky businesses has bolstered the area’s historic assets. Here are the spots to see before you swivel your hips onto bluesy Beale Street.
Slider Inn Downtown
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“The Jameson Slushie is a must-try Memphis experience—right up there with barbecue, Elvis, and Beale Street,” marketing director Eric Bourgeois says of the signature drink at the Slider Inn, a Midtown favorite that opened a South Main location in 2019. Other menu highlights include sliders such as the Hangover Helper, a chorizo-beef blend with fried egg and avocado. “It helps!” Bourgeois assures.
Urevbu Contemporary
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Showcasing artists from Africa and the African diaspora, this gallery has its finger on the city’s creative pulse. Owner Sheila Urevbu left a corporate career, she says, with the goal of shining a spotlight on “the work of artists who’ve been historically disadvantaged or overlooked.” The experience here is often immersive, incorporating food and music specific to the exhibited artist’s culture.
Central Station Hotel Memphis
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Set in a still-operating, century-old train station, this historic 123-room hotel has helped drive South Main’s revitalization since it gave the all-aboard call in 2019. Music is woven throughout the property, from the guest rooms, which feature curated playlists that emphasize the Memphis sound, to the buzzy Eight & Sand lobby bar, where DJs choose from the 10,000 records that line the walls.
Primas Bakery + Boutique
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These two shops under one roof—an artisan bakery and boutique store—make for a “unique space where you can have your cake and shop too,” according to bakery owner Rachel Mullen, who creates such delights as macaron ice cream sandwiches with seasonally inspired, housemade ice cream. Mullen’s cousin Angelique Sloan owns the retail store, which sells Latin-inspired prints, homewares, jewelry, and more.
Longshot Shuffleboard Bar
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Nestled in the basement of the funky Arrive Memphis hotel, Longshot is a hit with locals and visitors alike. “If you’re looking for a low-key dinner with a side of shuffleboard, midweek is a perfect time to pop in,” says chef David Todd, who puts a global spin on gastropub cuisine with dishes such as tuna poke nachos, coconut curry cauliflower, and sticky Moroccan short ribs.
Odds Atelier
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“We wanted to create an interactive venue that embodies the spirit and authenticity of streetwear culture,” says Matthew Roumain, cofounder of this hip new retail store. The shop boasts rare finds from brands such as Effortles, created by precocious University of Memphis basketball star Lester Quinones, and the hotly anticipated Odds Atelier house label is set to drop its first collection later this year.
