Would You Try a Ghost‑Approved Burger at Midnight in Memphis, TN?

The Haunted Burger Bar Where One Juicy Soul Burger Rules All

By Jai Miranda
Best BurgersBest RestaurantsBlogFoodFun RestaurantsMemphisRestaurantsTennesseeUnique Restaurants
Name
Earnestine & Hazel's Bar & Grill
Address
531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
Hours
Open daily, Mon-Tue, 5 PM-12 AM, Wed and Sun, 11 AM-12 AM, Thur, 11 AM-1 AM, Fri-Sat, 11 AM-3 AM

Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar & Grill

A supposedly haunted bar with a jukebox that seems to read the room, Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar & Grill has earned its legend one greasy, glorious Soul Burger at a time.

Locals and travelers flock here for a late‑night bite, ghost stories, and Memphis soul music echoing through a former brothel turned dive‑bar icon.

It is the kind of place where a simple burger, cold beer, and creaky floorboards feel like a full‑on Memphis experience. 😈🍔

A Spooktacular Burger Experience That Will Leave You Craving More

Long before TikTok and food influencers, Earnestine & Hazel’s built its reputation on one thing: the legendary Soul Burger, a no‑frills masterpiece built on a bun, patty, onions, cheese, pickles, and signature “Soul Sauce.”

Reviewers rave about its straightforward formula: griddled beef, melted American cheese, and sweet sautéed onions that fuse into a messy, deeply satisfying bar burger.

Late‑night visitors talk about stumbling in after midnight for live blues, stiff drinks, and a burger that hits exactly when the night is at its rowdiest, creating a ritual that keeps people returning every Memphis trip. 🍻

The bar’s popularity also grew from its storied past: a building once tied to a pharmacy, jazz café, and later a brothel, now immortalized as a haunted landmark on lists of Memphis ghost stories.

Guests describe Earnestine & Hazel’s as an “old soul” haunt where a slightly creaky, timeworn building, strong pours, and that famous burger create a vibe that feels both a little spooky and completely welcoming.

Travel and food fans often thread it into best dive bars in Memphis and must‑try Memphis burger conversations, especially for visitors exploring the South Main Arts District on foot before ducking into this moody corner bar. 👻

If you are mapping out a Beale‑to‑Main bar crawl, pairing Earnestine & Hazel’s with iconic stops like Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum turns a simple burger run into a full Memphis night out, packed with history, music, and a little paranormal flair.

Food Highlights

  • Soul Burger (Single):
    The icon of the house, this classic griddled burger mirrors the description on the official Soul Burger page: a bun, beef patty, onions, cheese, pickles, and “Soul Sauce.”

    It is a must‑order because it is the core food item everyone talks about, praised by virtually everyone who’s taken a bite of the burger for being simple, satisfying, and exactly what you crave with a cold beer after a night of music and bar‑hopping. 🍔

Eric

  • Double Soul Burger:
    Some guests ask for a second patty on their Soul Burger, effectively turning it into a beefier, even more indulgent version while keeping the same onions, cheese, pickles, and sauce.

    Diners describe this heartier take in online reviews as ideal for soaking up a long night of drinks, and many visitors hint that going double transforms an already beloved burger into a bucket‑list Memphis bite.

Carton

  • Soul Burger with Extra Onions:
    Many regulars mentioned on customer review platforms lean into the extra sautéed onions option, turning up the sweet, lightly caramelized flavor that mingles with the melted cheese and tangy pickles.

    This tweak is popular because those onions pick up flavor from the flat‑top, giving every bite more depth and making the burger feel intentionally messy, like the best kind of bar food that drips onto your napkin.

  • Soul Burger with Chips and Beer Combo:
    A classic order pairs a Soul Burger with a simple bag of plain chips and an ice‑cold beer from the bar.

    Guests love this no‑frills “burger, chips, and booze” setup because it fits perfectly with the venue’s dive‑bar spirit, and review photos on social media show countless shots of this exact combo perched on the worn bar top. 🍺

Don

  • Late‑Night Soul Burger “Second Round”:
    Many reviewers mention finishing one burger, then ordering another as the night rolls on, especially during busy evenings with live music or packed weekends in downtown Memphis.

    This informal “round two” tradition has turned into a badge of honor for hungry night owls, a sign that the burger is good enough to restart your appetite at 1 or 2 a.m. and a must for those plotting a full Memphis nightlife adventure.

Atmosphere

Earnestine & Hazel’s is often described as the definition of a Memphis dive bar, with worn wooden floors, dim lighting, and a bar that feels like it has heard every story in town.

Guests come for the haunted lore of the place, being a former brothel, rumored spirits upstairs, and a jukebox that seems to pick eerily perfect songs that are amplified by its reputation as one of the most haunted bars in Tennessee.

Stephen

Laid‑back regulars mix with curious tourists, while live music nights, strong drinks, and the sizzle of burgers on the grill give the room a buzzing, slightly chaotic energy that lingers long after last call.

It is equal parts spooky, soulful, and irresistibly fun, the kind of bar that feels like an unpolished time capsule in the heart of downtown Memphis. 🎶

Bottom Line

Visit for a legendary Soul Burger, late‑night dive‑bar vibes, ghost stories in a historic building, music‑soaked Memphis energy, and a simple, satisfying burger experience that feels like pure downtown character on a bun.

Address:

531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

📞 (901) 523-9754
🕔 Open daily, Mon-Tue, 5 PM-12 AM, Wed and Sun, 11 AM-12 AM, Thur, 11 AM-1 AM, Fri-Sat, 11 AM-3 AM

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