The Ultimate Memphis Bachelorette Party Guide

If you're having a bachelorette party in Memphis, you've made an excellent choice. The home of Elvis Presley has so much to do from world-class museums to bike paths to award-winning food. There are places to dance all night, try whiskey, indulge in fancy cocktails, and mingle with friendly strangers.

To help you plan the ultimate bachelorette party in Memphis, we turned to Haley McEntire, owner of Bluff City Bach, a company that plans bachelorette and bachelor parties for clients in Memphis. She gave advice about where to stay and what to do.

Where to Stay in Memphis

Compared to other popular Southern bachelorette party destinations like Nashville and New Orleans, Memphis has relatively inexpensive options for house rentals or hotels.

If you want your entire group to stay in a house—maybe the idea of cooking together or staying up in the living room chatting sounds ideal—look no further than Pettigrew Adventures, says McEntire. "They are all expertly designed with fun light fixtures, bold wallpaper, and the most comfortable beds around. If you book one of their nine incredible houses, I can stock the kitchen and set up decorations before you ever check-in, so as soon as you arrive in the Bluff City you are ready to go."

In the last few years, new hotels have opened up downtown in the heart of the live music and restaurant scene. Central Station Hotel, housed in a historic, working train station, has a fun lobby bar with creative cocktails and a live DJ playing records (there is also a room where you can spin your own tunes!). Down the street is Arrive Memphis, a stylish hotel with an in-house shuffleboard bar named Longshot.

For a quirky experience your group will never forget, stay in Big Cypress Lodge, a resort located inside the Bass Pro Shops (which is also located in a 32-story pyramid). There are live alligators and streams full of fish (inside!). There is also a 13-lane ocean-themed bowling alley, an archery range, and a rooftop restaurant with great views of the mighty Mississippi River.

Where to Eat in Memphis

Memphis is known for its BBQ, and if you want to have that experience look no further than The Rendezvous, an old-school establishment with checkered tablecloths and all the ribs you can eat. Central BBQ and Tops Bar-B-Q are also crowd favorites. They accommodate large groups if you call ahead of time with some notice.

But McEntire encourages her clients to look beyond BBQ. "Memphis is known for our BBQ, but aside from that we have a really incredible food scene," she shares. If you want something casual, Little Bettie is a pizza restaurant inside Wiseacre Brewery. On a beautiful day it's packed with fun people. Or pick up a po' boy at Loflin Yard where you can sit around a bonfire or play lawn games all day long.

If you want to splurge on a fancy meal with oysters and fine wine look no further than Catherine & Mary's inside Old Dominick Distillery. Bishop, a French Brasserie by local chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman, is also a fun choice for groups. For a relaxed brunch or sunset dinner, there is Coastal Fish Company, a restaurant along a picturesque lake at Shelby Farms Park.

McEntire also recommends groups not settle for one place. "If you want to try as much food as possible, you can't go wrong with a food tour," she suggests.

What to Do in Memphis

Daytime Activities in Memphis

Memphis is rich in civil rights and music history, and even if you are in a party mood it's worth checking out a few of the city's museums. Must-see places include The National Civil Rights Museum, an interactive museum all about the fight for equality, and Graceland, Elvis Presley's home.

Nature-lovers should head to Shelby Farms, the largest municipal park in the United States. You can go for a casual hike or picnic. Or you can sign up for zip-lining, horseback riding, or paddle boating.

Every bachelorette party involves a good brunch. At Beauty Shop, an American restaurant, you can snap pictures sitting in vintage high-dryer chairs. Railgarten, a 1.5-acre bar with a diner, tiki bar, absinthe bar, volleyball court, and ping pong room, is a fun place to spend the day. Many breweries also have live music during the afternoon including Grind City Brewery, one of the city's newest establishments that serves frozen beer slushies.

Nighttime Activities in Memphis

"If you are looking for a boozy bach with bar hopping and lots of dancing, we've got you covered with Beale Street," says McEntire. This historic street is located in downtown Memphis, and you can spend hours people watching and taking in the bright lights before heading into the bars for live music every night of the week.

Blind Bear is one of the city's newest speakeasy bars (you need a password to get in), and it's known for its cozy vibe and Southern food. The Mollie Fountain Lounge is located in a Victorian home and has sing-a-long piano performances and DJs. The Electric Cowboy and The Silly Goose are places you can dance like crazy as late as you want.

How to Get Around in Memphis

You used to need a car to get around Memphis, and renting one is still a good option. The airport has many options so you can land and get on your way quickly. Uber and Lyft are also readily available in Memphis.

If you are staying downtown you can walk to many venues, although check with your hotel or local guide to find out which routes are safe. At night an Uber is the way to go.

Memphis Bachelorette Party Itinerary

Day One

• Afternoon: Check in to house or hotel and pop the bubbly!
• Evening: Dinner at Hen House followed by Railgarten for live music.

Day Two

• Morning: Yoga at the Airbnb or hotel followed by brunch reservations at Beauty Shop.
• Afternoon: Old Dominick tour and tasting followed by hair and makeup at the hotel or house.
• Evening: Dinner at Catherine & Mary's followed by a night at Beale Street. Optional: Even later night disco party at Raiford's.

Day Three

• Morning: Take a downtown brunch food tour.
• Afternoon: Head home.