Lamplighter Lounge

Nico Cagle

2024-02

My review is a bit long overdue as a longtime patron of this bar (the old carpet era & present). It’s one of the few nostalgic dives left in Midtown & the owners have put in a lot of positive changes to create a safe place for everyone & add variety to the bar. Next to Black Lodge—the Lamplighter is one of the few places you can attend a variety of events successfully. In many ways it can feel more like a cafe than a bar depending on the day & time—if you have an appreciation for dives & preserving nostalgia this is your place. It’s a local “Cheers” where it’s quite obvious many patrons know each other’s names. For me personally the Lamplighter has served as a place to wrap up work/creative projects, a place to relax after work, a meeting place for karaoke, drag/burlesque, comedy, live music, & community. Newly, the bar is providing a space for local artists to sell their work on “Market Day” something I hope to check out soon!I’ve been saved by a lot of burgers, veggie dogs, BLT’s, & baskets of fries more times than I can count! For non drinkers they have an impressive selection of coffee, tea, kombucha, & ginger beer! The staff members are usually working around the clock & care about this place a lot—like any dive there is an element of self serving in terms of seating & obtaining a menu from the bar. The building is older but constantly getting TLC from the staff & as with any bar on a weekend night staff are more than happy to address any issues (i.e. tending to replenishing paper products etc when notified).I appreciate feeling safe going here alone & having a safe place to express my art creatively. Most of the events held here feature a diverse variety & are fairly charged a cover to support local & touring acts. The Lamplighter may not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s definitely my neighborhood bar; stop by sometime & sign up for their VIP membership I can vouch for the cool perks offered monthly for just $10 for those interested!Thank you to the staff of Lamplighter for keeping this diamond in the rough alive & a place for everyone! Without you there would be a lot of lost love in the community. 💖NicoParking: Plenty of street parking

クリスティーナスミス

2024-01

I have been to the Lamp quite a few times now and I love it! I'm from Jonesboro so anytime I go to Memphis I always make sure to make a stop at the Lamplighter. Not only are their fries phenomenal, but it's also very reliably vegetarian friendly. Also their vegan cookies with hot cocoa is the best dessert you can get! The place is also such a vibe. I love the decorations and also there is always live music!!

Hannah Nelson

2023-12

They have many vegan options for food and plenty of beer. If you want liquor you'll have to bring your own for a small set up fee. Lots of entertainment pretty much daily. Drag on Mondays, songwriters Tuesdays, comedy Wednesdays, karaoke Thursdays, and bands local and touring play all the other nights. Everything is affordable and many shows are free or donation based. I think the most you'll pay for a show there is $15 if it's a big touring band or burlesque show maybe. Oh and there's a cute patio out back! Very lgbtq+BIPOC friendly environment! It's my favorite hangout spot.Vegetarian options: Some are also vegan just double check! The vegan Mac and cheese is definitely all vegan and is tasty!

Cat C

2024-02

A true hidden gem. This is one of the oldest bars in Memphis. There's a pool table, eclectic DIY atmosphere, music venue in an adjacent space, local beer and usually even cider on tap. The food is honestly better than dive bar food has any right to be. The menu isn't huge, but it's decent-sized and quite varied. The burgers and fries are above average (they use coconut oil for frying), and I quite like their sandwiches (The Chess Club is my personal favorite). They also cater to a late night vegan crowd, so you have options like cauliflower wings, vegan Mac and cheese, hummus, and other vegan options. Regular music, incredible drag shows, biweekly local markets...this place is honestly a treasure.

Tylon Monger

2024-04

First things first, it STINKS; In an ungodly manner. Some fellow patrons and I were having a conversation about being stressed from work. A man turned around and asked us were we talking about work to which we affirmed his inquiry. He then said “well if you’re working so much, why don’t you buy anything?”. Very odd conversation starter, I asked was he the owner, he said yes. This turned out to be a lie. He just works there. Mind you, I just made it in. I always buy drinks to support the open mic they do. So I asked him “what’s the situation with the soap?” because it’s stinky. He then went off on me and SLAMMED a tiny hand sanitizer to our table. I didn’t even mention how filthy the bathroom is, how disgusting the place smells, or how rude their workers are. Please go look at any reviews that are low stars and see how the owner responds. This place is terribly ran but they survive because they have loyal midtown grifters. Also, ask around about how they treat straight black men.

michael Ramsey

2024-02

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Blake McVey

2023-05

Currently the best dive in Memphis.They actually have VEGAN food and it's delicious! It's a little too greasy, but I won't be going here to get a healthy salad or steamed veggies--it's perfect for late night nosh.The pool table needs some work or they need to get rid of it to allow for more seating in the performance room.EDIT: I still love the Lamp, but they STILL need to move that pool table out of the performance space!

LaMon

2024-02

The bathrooms are in horrendous condition. You will see other reviews about the smell of the establishment which is like sour cheese and is definitely not coconut oil. They allow dogs inside which isn't a problem until the employees touch the dogs and proceed to immediately handle food and drinks. Every seat has mystery stains on it. I've never ordered food because of the smell. Dust on nearly every surface. The owner is extremely rude and disproportionately aggressive with Black people as you can tell from the owner responses to low reviews.The atmosphere is like a hoarders home and the interior is in obvious disrepair.The soap in the restrooms is watery and smells spoiled.The entire experience will make you feel unclean.I will never enter this place again.#wheresthesoap

Thom Thomas

2024-03

If there was anywhere in Memphis where someone like the Velvet Underground would get their start as the house band, it'd be The Lamplighter.There are dive bars and then there are dive bars where bohemian culture is crafted artisanally at any given moment on any given day or night - where it's difficult to parse the creative spirit all around you from the atmosphere you're breathing in, from the table in front of you.The Lamplighter isn't just where arts happen, nor just where the bodies & brains of a creative underclass come to find community and grub and craft brew; the Lamplighter itself is Art and all the messy raw material needed to spawn generations of Memphis flavored bohemianism.When I moved to Memphis in the 90s, today's Lamplighter is what I needed. Who knew I was born 20 yrs too early.Parking: Depending on the time and the night, parking can be meh - I mean, it's easy peasy for big city parking but after living in Memphis for 30 yrs, we get accustomed to pulling right up in parking close to the entrance for most things in Midtown. Whatever the case, it's worth the 2 minute walk from the car.

Chris Munson

2023-07

Decent little place, friendly staff. They have a heavy regular crowd, not meant negatively just implying if you made friends there you’d see them again. It’s an alternative crowd so when they have live music it’ll be good (a band was playing my visit)Another observation I made is they have a sober crowd so if your sober & looking for a spot this is your place, it’s more a cafe that serves alcohol then a bar which I find unique all & all check it out!Vegetarian options: They have vegan food

Tiny Sparks

2024-04

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Ted C

2022-05

Years in Memphis and never knew this placed served food along with a vegan menu perfect for late night eats after a hard workout! Did a pickup order and got the Honey Sriracha Cauliflower Wings with vegan ranch it was so good! Food was hot and fresh and although it was a pickup, I ended up eating it outside while having a cigar and it definitely made for a perfect experience. The lounge itself has an old school college rec room vibe where you can easily spend hours enjoying some good tunes or reading! This is certainly a hidden gem that I almost didn't want to share but it was just that good. The host was especially friendly and real cool. Definitely will be going back to chillax and did I mention they have a bar? 😎😎😎

Termaine Thomas

2022-05

I’m going to edit this review since it came off a bit harsh. The cauliwings, somosas and fries tasted a bit rancid like it was maybe cooked with old grease. They actually all tasted the same with a strange odor. We actually like coconut oil so I don’t that was the issue here. The veggie burger tasted fine compared to everything else we’ve ordered.

Alex Plaza

2023-11

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Konrad Hughes

2018-05

Best bar in town! I almost go nowhere else. Chuck is awesome, he keeps the riff raff out and the party going. Saw a flute quartet there last week that would have blown your mind

Jimmie Leonard Jr.

2023-06

I have been here twice the bar tender is rude but he can sing like Smokey Robinson, the female bartenders were racist towards me by asking me for my state ID just to use my debit card to buy a beer. The food I was not going to try a guest brought her dog in and the cook was rubbing the dog and handling the food (unsanitary to me). My second visit was very uncomfortable there and I will not be back.

Mia Robertson

2023-05

Really disappointing. I was so excited to eat here because of the extensive vegan menu but ended up feeling so uncomfortable we left before even ordering. Upon walking in, there was no one to really greet us (which is fine; I just expected a host or something). I politely asked someone who appeared to be a waitress if we just sit ourselves, and she said “um, yeah? Where else would you go?” We sat ourselves and didn’t return her unwarranted rudeness. There were no menus, and the only other 3 people in the restaurant - sitting in the bar - kept looking over at us as if it was so unusual that we’d be there. We felt genuinely uncomfortable and decided to just leave. Really disappointed to have not tried their food but after the rudeness of the waitress and the basically barren place we only felt comfortable leaving.

Laura Talley

2023-05

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Krista Wright Thayer

2021-05

We ordered dinner from here the other night, looking to stay in and try a new vegan option. The vegan burger was delicious and the vegan chocolate chip cookies were soft, chewy, warm and delectable. I wanted to double check that the cookies were definitely vegan and without me asking specifically, I was read the ingredients over the phone. I thought that was nice. Will order again!

J. Gossett

2022-05

Always a great place with beautiful people. The live music on weekends, variety shows, and trivia are not the only draws-being at the OLDEST BAR in Memphis, in a safe atmosphere and good food are good reasons too.

Joy Stewart

2023-05

I love a dive bar. But Lamplighter should at least try to clean the bathrooms, like ever. I had a ton of fun here & the staff was great but it was just a little gross even for a dive bar.

Fernie Robles

2023-05

I heard great things about this place and Ive been very excited to go. I found out my friends were holding a show there so I figured I’d go and support :) I go in and the place is so welcoming and the inside is very cool and stylish. The bar tender and I exchanged a few words and she/they was so kind and awesome! I’d say the ONLY thing keeping me from adding the fifth star on this review is the smell. I dont know what it smells like but I couldn’t be there long at all. I don’t blame the lounge for this for im a hyper sensitive person. But for someone that is used to strong smells, like incense and cigarettes… this wasn’t either, just unbreathable. I throw no shade nor hate for this beautiful company, this is just a simple fix with a few scented candles, but other than that tiny issue, i recommend y’all go see the shows they have drag!!! Sending good vibes and lots of love your way Lamplighter, thank you for keeping memphis, well memphis! <3

Jenn MEMPHIS

2023-11

Where everyone is the same. It's ok. You'll fit in. Super friendly local culture vibe. ✌️ ❤️

Uncanny Cowboy

2019-05

Good food, great staff, reasonably priced drinks. This is really a place to watch. They're trying new things all the time. There's always something going on: karaoke, local and touring bands, I even went to a Mario kart tournament here once!

Connor Scanlon

2024-04

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Paul Pachwicewicz

2019-05

Came for karaoke with some people on a Thursday night. Great atmosphere and friendly locals. The bartender I ordered from was in a poor mood but they were pretty busy that night. Still really well recommended for a good time.

Greg Butler

2020-05

Definately a hole in the wall bar. I had Blue Moon and the wife had Mich ultra we listened to live Irish folk music at 2 in the afternoon of course aside from the bartender we were the only ones there. My wife loves little hole in the wall bars. We will probably go back again. A friend of ours who is in 70s said he used to drink there back in the 60's.

Sarah Brown

2022-05

I'd call The Lamplighter a Memphis gem. A dive bar in every sense of the word and I mean that in a good way. This place has been around for as long as I can remember. I hope it stays around forever! I spent NYE there one year and it was awesome, lots of great memories associated with this place.

M S

2024-01

A truly diverse locally owned dive bar version of Bull & Finch. Doesn't get more *more* than this. You want chess? Check. Pool table? Check. Locals? Check. Out of towners? Check. Young crowd? Check. Old crowd? Check. Meaty food? Check. Vegan food? Check. Good food? Check. Delivery? Check. Good location? Check. Karaoke? Check. Local beer and cider? Check. Accepts foreign bills, currency? Check. Edm? Check. LGBTQ+ friendly? Check. Ethnically diverse? Check. Old school but new school? Check. Good free parking? Check. Decent prices? Check your check.

Melissa Yates

2022-05

Ordered a veggie burger with two hotdogs. Asked for vegan cheese on veggie burger and hotdogs, got regular cheese on veggie burger and hamburger buns instead of hotdog buns. Now, I'm allergic to all things dairy and mistakes like those are costly. Take time and pay attention to requests on orders.