The Possessed Jukebox Is Nearly As Famous As The Burgers At Earnestine & Hazel’s, Tennessee’s Most Haunted Bar
Tennessee is known for its honkytonks and jukeboxes, but there’s none quite like the haunted jukebox at Earnestine & Hazel’s bar in Memphis, Tennessee. Housed in an iconic building in downtown Memphis, this is a local hangout and tourist destination that quite deserves all the hype. If you’re from Tennessee and you haven’t been, it’s a true test of local merit. Come and visit, indulge in a nationally-lauded burger, and see if the ghost of Earnestine & Hazel’s plays you a song.
Earnestine & Hazel's has made itself known as one of the best dive bars in Memphis and even prides itself as one of the best in the country. It's a claim that goes largely undisputed.
Why, you ask? Because it's made up of some of the most passionate folks around, both behind the counter and enjoying their drinks at the bar. Earnestine & Hazel's has been featured in 9 movies since its opening, has been heralded by publications like Esquire, and is home to one of the most haunted items in America. A haunted jukebox.
Earnestine & Hazel's claims that it's a ghost that drives their jukebox, not a mix of mechanical parts. Somehow, this ghost can tap into the atmosphere of the bar, playing the exact right song when it's needed. Call it coincidence, but when the ghost plays the right song for you? You'll be a believer in the supernatural, too.
The bar itself opened in 1992 and has quickly become a Memphis staple. Highly affordable, bursting with music and boasting the nationally known "Soul Burger," Earnestine & Hazel's has earned its place in Tennessee history for its simple presentation and decadent "Soul Sauce."
The building that Earnestine & Hazel's is housed in was once utilized as a pharmacy, at least until the 1930s. The name, "Earnestine & Hazel's" actually hearkens back to the once-owners, Earnestine and Hazel, who operated a cafe in the space.
It became a tradition for famed folks playing the nearby Club Paradise tom come by after their shows, which means Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Sam Cook all made their way over to the cafe.
The history is deep and the legend is true. Earnestine & Hazel's is a real Tennessee legend, with a whole creepy story to boot. You can visit for yourself from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Monday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
