Memphis: Taking Care of Business

Downtown Memphis viewed from the ghetto part of town

Memphis was, in a word, delicious.

From tasting the finest ribs rubbed together, or slow-cooked, on this planet, to the live local bands on Beale Street, to the King himself, to watching the Hawks go back-to-back, Memphis was delicious in every sense of the word.

We got into Memphis a few days out from the GF such that we could sort out a possible venue to watch it at. From a little Facebook research, some of the local Australians living in Memphis had suggested ‘The Fox & Hound’ as a possibility. Our thoughts were to head down there, have a few casual beers and feel the place out.

Turns out Tuesday was ‘Pint Night’, so at $2.50 a pint we tipped a few back, and then tipped a few more, and confirmed that we would be back on Friday to make a menace of ourselves.

World Famous Beale Street

Given Tuesday’s festivities, Wednesday was a late start but by all means was it a late finish. We checked out the ‘World Famous’ Beale Street during the afternoon and liked it so much we came back again that night. We bar-hopped for most of the night, catching a few live acts at each venue and divulging in the local delicacy known as a ‘Diver Bucket’ from Silky O’Sullivan’s. Not really sure how to describe this one – it’s either a masterpiece or something that shouldn’t be allowed for human consumption.

Local Blues Band in a typical ‘Dive’ Bar on Beale Street – Home of the Blues 

No one is really sure what exactly it contains (even the bar tenders) as each one is different and it seems to depend on what beer taps your bar tender is standing in front of when ordered, and what spirits are close at hand. The only thing they all seem to have in common is ice, a shite ton of straws and grenadine. I’ll let you decide whether this sounds like a good concoction or not. (A little hint: it was delicious).

Silky O’Sullivan’s Diver Bucket

Thursday would appear to follow a similar pattern to Wednesday except for the fact that we had pre-booked the 10am platinum tour at Graceland. Somehow we managed to take care of our own business, and make the trip without incident, unless you call waiting at Maccas for a good 10 minutes for 6 hash browns an incident.

Feeling chipper at the entrance to Graceland!

First stop was Graceland itself, the Kings overindulgent mansion (for the ‘50s) and private property. The tour itself is self-guided through the aid of an iPad and what a delight that proved to be. Given the demographic for the tour is 60+, you can imagine some of the startled looks and unknowingly funny questions garnered.

Given your tour guide was an iPad with a play-pause button was also a massively advantageous outcome for one of our travelling party. With the tour not missing a beat upon the numerous bathroom pit stops to continue their patented role of the porcelain bus driver, post nights out. I’ll let you guess who this particular member is.

Taking Care of Business!

Pre-buying platinum tour tickets allows you access to a few other exhibits within the complex, none of which are overly amazing but still worth a look if you are still able to stand. His very own car museum is impressive to anyone with a hint of automobile love, but the carpark also offered salvation to our resident bus driver, who despite their profession, isn’t that into cars. I’m sure they aren’t the first to have curled up in a ball on the lawn of Graceland to nurse a hangover, but I’m sure it’s been a while since the last.

But you know, just taking care of business!

We rounded Thursday night off with a well-earned visit to ‘Pig on Beale’ voted best ribs, sauces, chicken, pulled pork, pretty much anything else they could print on a trophy, in Memphis for the last however many years. Despite my doubts, we waddled out of there in agreement with each and every one of those trophies!

Pig on Beale!

Friday was game day, but it also happened to be a memorable day even before bounce down. Nic and I landed jobs in Whistler through some very helpful friends with connections, which has set us up for the coming winter. We also squeezed in a cheeky Sun Studio tour, a flyby visit to the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (the assassination scene of Martin Luther King Jr.), a game of NFL with some local kids in the park and a romantic sunset for two (me and Al) over the Mississippi enjoyed with a couple of quiet froths. Business as usual!

Sun Studio

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

From there, I don’t think anything else was quiet. A couple of other Aussies met us at the Fox and Hound and there were about 4 screens already playing the pre-game festivities when we walked in – apparently we made an OK impression on the Tuesday! Throw in the fact that our waitress was giving us ‘Tall Boys’ for the price of pints and we were on! Don’t know whether this was for the benefit of other pub goers or ours, but they even moved us into one of the private function rooms and cranked up the volume for the second half, which was very much appreciated by all.

Just the Hawks ‘Taking Care of Business’ but in a more ruthless display than I could have imagined. Can’t say I have enjoyed a game as much as that one, and don’t think I will for a long time again!

Saturday did not exist!

Sunday was back to being an honorary American, or tourist, as you will. We checked out the famous ‘March of the Peabody Ducks’ through the lobby of the 5-star Peabody Hotel – very much an over-the-top American gimmick but good, harmless fun nonetheless. Big Al and I then enjoyed some Sunday Football at, where else but, Hooters before Nic collected us and took us out to ‘Central BBQ’ where we tasted the rival ribs in town. Debate still wages in the car as to which of the rib joints is the best, so I would suggest if you are ever in Memphis, treat yourself and try both!

March of the Peabody Ducks

We capped Memphis off with the Gibson Guitar Factory tour, which left us all ashamed of our lack of talents in that area, but then again, probably saved us a grand or two over the years by not needing any of their equipment. You can thank us for that later Bazil & Maus, and Bullit & Christine!

Gibson Guitar Factory

Memphis was definitely a place that delivered, but what more could you expect from the home of the King, where ‘Taking Care of Business’ was his business and no one else’s!

Sunset over the Mississippi