2019 Delta Magazine’s Annual Tourism Guide
It’s no secret the Mississippi Delta is credited as being the birth place of American music, and it is a magnet for music lovers from all walks of life. The Delta does not disappoint with opportunities to hear abundant live music in our network of small towns. Our 2019 Tourism Guide shares some of these local hot spots where the music is live, and the authentic sounds of the Delta can be heard. Study our Spring Festival Calendar, and if you attend one in Clarksdale, book a room at one of the many funky places you will read about. Our Delta Detours and Tourism advertising section offers up even more cool things to do in towns across the region. Then, if you want to venture a little further north, spend a weekend rediscovering Memphis! It is revitalized, refurbished and offers an incredible array of new things to do, see, eat and drink!
✓ Cleveland
Hey Joe’s
Hey Joe’s is a community favorite and has become a noted Delta venue for alternative and original music. Since 2009, Hey Joe’s has remained committed to these three day-to-day constants: qualityfood,craftbeer,andoriginal live music. Popular with young professionals, local Teach For America Transplants (who bring an eclectic vibe) and the college crowd, Hey Joe’s is known to feature artists with an indie/folksy vibe and has even helped launch several bands into popularity such as, The Weeks. Bandsfromallgenreshavetakenthe stage at this eccentric, hip establishment. Check out their huge covered patio and balcony or chill inside on Trivia night. Business hours are listed as 11 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday. Visit their website for a schedule of live music and events.
118 East Sunflower Road, Cleveland (662) 843-5425
eatheyjoes.com
Airport Grocery
Just north of the city limits of Cleveland, this local dive, reminiscent of a country store and filled with antiques, collectibles
3608 Highway 61 N, Cleveland (662) 843-4817
airportgrocery.net
The Bologna Performing Arts Center (BPAC)
One of the premier theaters in the southeast, the Bologna Performing Arts Center offers a wide array of entertainment, music
1003 West Sunflower Road, Cleveland (662) 846-4625
bolognapac.com/ticket-events/events/
GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi
The GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi is one of only two in existence. Experience the Museum’s fabulous exhibits, which have featured musical acts including, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and The Supremes or enter the Sanders Sound
800 West Sunflower Road, Cleveland (662) 441-0100
grammymuseumms.org
✓Clarksdale
Ground Zero Blues Club
Showcasing the best of today’s Delta Blues musicians, visitors to Ground Zero will find the “real deal” musicians who live in the Mississippi Delta and continue in the tradition of their musical forefathers. Although GZBC, co-owned by local attorney
387 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale (662) 621-9009
groundzerobluesclub.com
Red’s Blues Club
Described as a lounge, dance and night club, Red’s is located in Clarksdale in the original Levine’s Music Center building,
395 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale (662) 627-3166
jukejointfestival.com/venues.php
Levon’s
The dining and drinking experience at Levon’s could easily fit into the New Orleans scene. With a varied menu and impressive
232 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale (662) 302-6474
levons.net
Hopson’s Commissary
Uniquely housed in an old plantation commissary east of Clarksdale, Hopson’s is a time capsule filled with antiques and artifacts that showcases the nostalgia and history of the area. Hopson’s has been a favorite on the Delta music scene for years
Commissary Circle Road, Clarksdale (662) 624-5756
hopsonplantation.com
The Juke Joint Chapel
(Shack Up Inn)
On the premises of the legendary Shack Up Inn sits the Juke Joint Chapel. A magnet for blues and roots music fans, one will find a laid back restaurant along with authentic live entertainment. This former cotton gin is something to see. The cavernous
1 Commissary Circle, Clarksdale (662) 624-8329
shackupinn.com
✓Merigold
Crawdad’s
Live music pulls in a crowd every weekend at this popular venue. People from all over enjoy not only the entertainment but some of the best steak and seafood in the area. Crawdad`s is a regional mainstay in the iconic small town of Merigold, home of McCarty pottery. There is plenty of seating, private nooks, and a popular bar area. The recently expanded porch provides private venue space as well.
104 South Park Street, Merigold (662) 748-2441
crawdadsms.com
✓Bentonia
The Blue Front Cafe
Considered the oldest active juke joint in Mississippi, this authentic Mississippi Delta “juke joint” is where the world-famous
107 East Railroad Avenue, Bentonia (662) 763-5306
@bluefrontcafe blues • visityazoo.org
✓Indianola
The Blue Biscuit
Located right across the street from the BB King Blues Museum in Indianola, The Blue Biscuit and Blue Biscuit Bungalows are also in the middle of Indianola’s Historic District and within an hour of more than two dozen important blues and cultural sites. Try their burgers, poboys, fried green tomatoes and other casual dishes while you enjoy live music on selected nights.
501 Second Street, Indianola (662) 645-0258
thebluebiscuit.com
✓Greenville
Walnut Street Blues Bar
In 2018, Clarksdale was named the #1 music city outside of Nashville in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel. If you’re looking for a
128 S. Walnut Street, Greenville
(662) 378-2254
@walnutstreetbluesbar • highway61blues.com
2 thoughts on “Live Music Hot Spots”
Cindy,
I would like to order 5 of the annual tourist issue and 3 of the issue that features Levon Helm. Can you advise me on how to do this.
Thank You.
Best Regards,
Mr Terry Scott
Great list of sweets spots of the Mississippi Delta !
Keep up the great work ,Delta Magazine…..