DOWNTOWN. Located in the heart of Memphis's nightlife scene (the corner of Third and Beale), Alfred's is one of those places that you need to stop in if you plan on telling people you visited Memphis. A great place to catch awesome live rock and blues, this downtown institution boasts an excellent selection of beers and great bar fare ­ you'll not want to pass on the wings. The outdoor patio area offers a great place to catch a breath of fresh air if it's not too crowded, which is rare.

DOWNTOWN. One of Memphis's most famous nightspots, B.B.'s is one of those rare places ­ the type of place you must visit if you spend any time in the city at all. Featuring an amazing repertoire of blues musicians on a nightly basis, great food and, of course, cold beer, the bar is a popular destination for tourists. However, when word gets around that the man himself is in town (with Lucille), locals know exactly where to head. If it's your first visit, make sure you stop by the souvenir shop on the way out.

DOWNTOWN. Located next to a huge tourist draw like B. B. King's, Black Diamond enjoys a certain degree of anonymity ­ a fact that makes it all the more appealing. This cozy bar is where the locals head when they are looking for a night on the town and some great blues music. In fact, don't be surprised if you see somebody famous gracing the stage ­ names like Bob Margolin, Isaac Hayes and Matt Murphy have been known to wow the crowd with a song or two. The kitchen cooks up some of Beale Street's best bar food too.

DOWNTOWN. What more could you ask? Blues City Cafe is located in the heart of Memphis's nightlife scene and offers the right ingredients for a perfect evening ­ great live blues and terrific food. While some may dispute their claim to the title of "Best Meal on Beale," Blues City does in fact serve a wide range of tasty, down-home delicacies like barbecued ribs, chicken, steaks and fried catfish. If the rustic interior looks familiar, that's because you saw it in the film adaptation of John Grisham's "The Firm." Wristbands are available for $10 and include admission to all Beale Street clubs.

DOWNTOWN. An eclectic establishment dedicated to sustaining the musical and cultural heartbeat of the South, this popular hangout is a mix of museum, nightclub and coffee shop. You can browse photographic, film and document exhibits, or you can sit and listen to a live musical group while sipping on a latte. In the cafe, beer is served, and a pub menu is available on the weekends. Weekend live musical acts really make this worth a visit.