Graceland
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Sun Studio
The Gibson Beale Street Showcase
- No trip to Memphis is complete without paying respects to the King at his palace. Graceland offers a dedicated event staff and several unique venue options. The largest venue is the Ticket Pavilion, which can be transformed into a banquet room with a capacity for 250; 300 for cocktail receptions. The most popular choice is the Automobile Museum, filled with Elvis’ cars and boasting a nearly full-size movie screen (max. cap. 150, seated; 200, cocktail). The Chrome Grill restaurant (max. cap. 110, seated) is styled after the Automobile Museum, and Rockabillys restaurant (max. cap. 65, seated) is a ’50s-style diner. Graceland can also do progressive-style events for up to 1,200 that rotate groups between the mansion tours and food stations. www.elvis.com
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- The list of monumental artists who started their careers here is jaw-dropping: Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Luther Ingram, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MG’s, Johnnie Taylor, and Rufus and Carla Thomas, to name a few. Groups can experience the magic of “Soulsville USA” in venues such as its legendary Studio A (max. cap. 100). Groups of up to 450 people can rent the entire museum ($500 minimum, which includes 67 guests; additional guests are $7.50 per person). The space, of course, comes with an amazing built-in collection of memorabilia, and guests can even have dinner beside Isaac Hayes’ spinning, restored, 1972 “Superfly” Cadillac El Dorado. www.soulsvilleusa.com
Sun Studio
- Another Memphis music institution, Sun Studio launched the career of rock ’n’ roll legends Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Although it only rents out its facilities to groups on rare occasions, the studio will slot out recording time for a reasonable $75 per hour for all comers. The standard tour ticket price is $9.50 per person, and is available seven days a week from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. No reservations are necessary. www.sunstudio.com
The Gibson Beale Street Showcase
- Any place that promises to let your group “party like a rock star” has got to be tempting. The famed guitar maker claims it offers the largest rooftop venue in Memphis, and can even provide customized live entertainment and themed special event decorations. www.gibsonmemphis.com