The magic of Memphis lies in its rich history, vibrant culture, and community spirit. You’ll often find people going out of their way to help others — and businesses are no exception! We’ve tracked down a number of local hotels, retailers, attractions, and more who have combined their talents to create a seamless blend of hospitality and entertainment for their guests. Here are five local collaborations that add an extra touch of Memphis magic for visitors and locals alike.
Knifebird Wine Bar & Rootstock Wine Merchants + Rootstock Wine Merchants & JEM
Knifebird’s Wine School combines its hospitality with the expertise of Rootstock Wine Merchants. Hosted monthly in Knifebird’s cozy, welcoming wine bar, the classes are led by wine professionals and include a guided tasting of six delicious wines. Each class has a different theme, such as Aromatics, Aesthetics & Style in Wine Making, Rom-Com Rosés, and White Wines Worldwide.
“We provide in-house cheese and charcuterie boards and open the bar to guests afterward,” says Luc Olsen, Knifebird’s Beverage Director. “Coming up with interesting themes has been a great way to connect with guests, and people end up making friendships with neighboring tables. Casual wine drinkers and wine nerds alike get a lot out of the class. It’s been a treat to share our passion for wine with an enthusiastic audience.”
The Rootstock team appreciates the opportunity to contribute to Memphis’s reputation as a foodie destination. “We’d love to see the Memphis wine and food scene continue to become more vibrant and diverse,” says Rootstock owner and wine expert Scott Smith. “Whenever possible, we want to work with other businesses whose ideas align with ours to create events that make the city better and more livable.”
Scott found a second opportunity right next door when JEM opened for business. One of Memphis’s newest upscale restaurants, JEM offers approachable and unpretentious chef-driven cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu is complemented by a carefully curated wine list from Rootstock.
“Working with the experts at Rootstock was a no-brainer,” says chef and owner Josh Mutchnick. “As a chef, I am always seeking collaborations with passionate people. Some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people are my literal next-door neighbors! How lucky could I be?”
The Memphian, Memphis Zoo & Arrow Creative
We’ve talked about The Memphian’s partnership with MoSH to host a stargazing experience. Never one to turn away from a creative collaboration, the eclectic 106-room hotel has two cool new experiences to offer its guests.
The Roar Retreat grants guests up-close access to stunning wildlife in partnership with the Memphis Zoo. The package includes exclusive member access to the Zoo (you’ll get to feed the giraffes!), delightful on-property amenities like the Zebra Martini turndown service, house-made animal-themed pop tarts, and soothing rainforest sounds.
In a lovely touch, proceeds from an on-theme cocktail at rooftop bar Tiger & Peacock benefit your choice of the Memphis Zoo conservation efforts or Team Memphis Rescue and Support.
If you’d prefer a curated shopping experience, The Memphian and Dorothy Collier of Arrow Creative have a collab sure to check all your boxes. The boutique hotel recently launched an exclusive vintage shopping package fittingly called Treasure Hunt. On a half-day tour, visitors can explore Memphis’s eclectic and exciting vintage shopping scene with expert guide and vintage enthusiast Dorothy. Guests will visit shops like Southern Vintage Co., FOX+CATVINTAGE, and Sugar Plum Consignments.
The package includes a private driver who chauffeurs visitors to each shop before heading back to The Memphian for an antique art tour of the property, which features a collection of re-imagined vintage art pieces. The experience also includes lunch at Complicated Pilgrim and drinks at Tiger & Peacock.
WYXR 91.7 FM & Crosstown Concourse
WYXR’s The Pull-Up is a dynamic collaboration with neighboring organizations that occupy spaces in Crosstown Concourse.
“The Pull-Up events are casual, open-house-style evenings devised to invite our DJs and listeners to hang together and enjoy the other amenities on our hall, including Craig Brewer’s screening room, Memphis Listening Lab, Dragonfly Collective, and Amurica Photo studio,” explains Jared “Jay B.” Boyd, WYXR’s program manager. “We plan them roughly once a quarter, and they are pretty impromptu.”
The Pull-Up originated as an opportunity to see the community radio station’s new office when it moved from the West Atrium to the East Atrium in 2023. In the spirit of collaboration, the events became a chance for other businesses to activate their spaces in cool and fun ways to welcome their guests. The Crosstown businesses plan the events together. To find out when the next impromptu Pull-Up will be, follow WYXR on Facebook and Instagram.
While you are in Crosstown, don’t miss the WYXR Stereo Sessions, presented by MEMPHO and located in Memphis Listening Lab. This monthly series of hi-fi album listening parties explores Memphis music that fans may have missed — the often-unheard albums that have become cult favorites over time.
Local musicians share memories of them at venues across the city, and dedicated collectors search feverishly to add them to their record shelves. A celebration of Memphis music, the Stereo Sessions features full albums and artist interviews.
Central Station Hotel & South Main Sounds
In Memphis, there is no such thing as too much music! In partnership with South Main Sounds, Central Station Hotel amps up the vibes in spring and summer with its Live at The Tracks free outdoor concert series. Taking place directly adjacent to the Amtrak Memphis stop, every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the property hosts live performances from top local and national acts with a beautiful backdrop of the downtown Memphis panorama at sunset.
“Music has always been a part of the hotel, dating back to when the rail line was the main gateway into the city for touring artists and travelers alike,” says Central Station manager Troy Dixon. “The hotel is proud to continue to host live music and help carry on the legacy of Memphis as the home of rock and roll, soul, and the blues.”
Since its inception in 2015, South Main Sounds has been dedicated to uplifting local musicians and talent within the community, hosting dozens of performers from around the world.
“Alongside rising talent, we’ve also hosted established musicians like Ashley McBryde, Jim Lauderdale, and Erin Enderlin while they’ve routed through Memphis on tour,” says promoter Mark Parsell. “Every Thursday night during March through November, we feature the best local, regional, and national acts for Live at the Tracks.”
Before finding a seat for the show, concertgoers can stop at the hotel’s historic bar and lounge, Eight & Sand, for artisan cocktails, beers from local breweries, light bites, and a vinyl-listening session from their collection of over 20,000 records.
James Lee House & Sheet Cake Gallery
The James Lee House has a rich and storied past. Before it became the only bed and breakfast in Memphis, it was a private home for two families, followed by an incarnation as the James Lee Arts Academy (later to become Memphis College of Arts). How fitting, then, that the home is now a showcase of stunning original art, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Sheet Cake Gallery.
Enhancing a stay at the oh-so-comfortable home, the boutique B&B surrounds guests with works from artists with Southern connections. Sheet Cake owner Lauren Kennedy carefully selected modern artwork to fit within the house that was originally built in 1848.
“It was a different kind of jigsaw,” she says. “The choices were very intentional — I wanted to honor the house but, at the same time, offer a fresh, modern perspective. It was exciting to find the pieces that made sense in the house.”
The art installation is not only a wonderful way to showcase regional Southern art and enhance the experience of the James Lee House. Lauren adds that most visitors to Memphis are usually familiar with the blues, BBQ, and Elvis. “Our artists show that there is another layer to Memphis — something they may not be as familiar with. We want to give them a different sense of the city, a different kind of local flair,” she says.
Coming full circle, the reception to celebrate the art installation at the James Lee House featured wine and beer from Rootstock and food from Chef Josh Mutchnick of JEM. Like Memphians themselves, our city’s businesses do love to support each other. Here’s to future collaborations that unlock the magic of Memphis!
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