Cooper Young District - Memphis Guide
Cooper-Young is such a vibrant neighborhood in Memphis and I always have such a great time when I go out here.
This is an area I have consistently had fun throughout college and my younger 20s years, and even now knocking on 30’s door.
Where to Eat
Alchemy consistently wins best happy hour in Memphis for having half-off the majority of their bar menu. Their cocktails are always great - but their food is an unsung hero here. Be sure to get their fries. Their meatballs are also great :)
Celtic Crossing is one of the best Irish pubs in Memphis. I LOVE it here. They have great beers on tap, great traditional Irish food (I definitely recommend the shepherd’s pie and beef stew). We used to come here in College because they would bring out a dj - so an Irish pub-turned-dance-club is definitely right up my alley. They also have one of my favorite brunches in Memphis.
Yall know I love New Orleans and all of the food in the Big Easy. If you’re in Memphis and craving some good Creole/Cajun food… look no further than Parish Grocery. I love their roast beef debris and potato salad personally.
Young Ave Deli is a great late-night spot. I love their bacon cheese fries and they have a huge selection of beers here. They have a giant space, with pool tables, and often hold events here. This is a fun place to end your night.
Maciel’s Tortas and Tacos is one of Neal’s favorite Mexican joints. Their food always tastes so fresh. Be sure to try their queso fundido to start.
Soul Fish Cafe is usually my dad’s first choice when he’s in town. Good soul food surrounding fish-based meals. I haven’t had a bad meal here and have loved everything.
Aldo’s Pizza Pies is a good, stable pizza shop. They have a great rooftop and amazing pizza. I love their garlic knots (they are massive) and their barbecue pizza.
Beauty Shop is a great place for the girls and the gays and we love it. Set it an old hair salon (word on the street is that Elvis’s mom frequented this spot), Beauty Shop is so cute and is usually in the top 3 spot of brunches in Memphis.
Where to Drink
Hammer & Ale is a teeny tiny beer, bourbon, and wine stop. I haven’t been here a lot, but I do enjoy it every time I go. If you love craft beer, be sure to check this space out.
I won the Memphis city-wide Harry Potter trivia competition at Memphis Made Brewing Co. and enjoyed the beer here a lot! I love an option to have a beer flight to try a few different kinds and they do that here!
I won’t recommend the food at Cafe Ole, but if you’re looking for some STRONG drinks, this is the place for you.
I haven’t had the food at Bar DKDC, but their drinks are great. I’ve been here a few times with some girlfriends and the photobooth here is super cute :)
knifebird wine bar is a hot place in Memphis. I always have a hard time getting reservations here - which is rare in Memphis! Lots of wine options, a ton of boards to pick from, and even a build-your-own cheese and/or charcuterie board. Who doesn’t love that?!
Railgarten is a different beast. Sometimes it is full of families and kids and dogs… Other times drunk frat boys. Sometimes a mix of both! They used to have poutine and it was my favorite meal in Memphis. When they removed that from the menu, my interest in this bar swiftly declined. I am in the minority here though! Neal loves Railgarten and comes here allllll the time, especially on game days.
Where to Shop
FOX+CATVINTAGE is super cute! They have some amazing vintage pieces here, so if you’re into buying vintage - be sure to check this place out :)
Burke’s Books is small, and doesn’t have everything, but they do have an amazing selection. Neal bought a huge coffee table book on Michelangelo and he loves it.
Buff City Soap has some gorgeous scents for their artisanal hand soap, bar soap, bath bombs, laundry detergent, body oil, etc. My favorite scent is Narcissist.
Cooper-Young Gallery & Gifts is relatively new but full of super cute souvenirs and gifts. Located in a small house, it’s definitely a fun stop.
Coco & Lola’s is Memphis’s #1 lingerie stop and has some amazing pieces! They do offer online shopping, but this is a super cute shop with some great customer service.
901 Comics is a fun stop for your nerdy friend or self. They sell a ton of Funko Pops, vintage toys and figures, and some bizarre candy.
What to do
Cooper-Young Festival is every September and is always a blast. The entire street is packed with local vendors, artists, and games. Thousands of people come every year, so parking is difficult, but it’s always a great time.
Hot Yoga or Pilates at Mind/body Haus is my home! I am a pilates instructor here and love this space. Run by 2 incredible women and you can see the intentionality in the space here.
I have a group of about 10 women here in Memphis and we do different activities usually every month. Last year, we did a CY bar crawl and it was so much fun. We started at Celtic and went to Alchemy, Sweetgrass, Cafe Ole, and ended at Young Avenue Deli.
Cooper-Young Farmers Market is every Saturday morning and they have a great selection. I personally love the Sift Bakery’s macarons :)
If I missed anything, leave it in the comments below!