Hollywood Disco

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115 Vance Ave
Memphis, TN 38103

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(901) 528-9313
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Hollywood Disco - Memphis, TN
Hollywood Disco - Memphis, TN
Reviews
( 8 )
( 5 )
( 0 )
( 0 )
( 2 )

Best

This place is wild and a must see! We had a blast. The girls behind the bar are beautiful, and the old school music is great. DJ Romeo Raiford was tearing up the dance floor an...

Worst

I agree. Raiford's is no longer a hotspot of Memphis. The scene used to be trendy and enticing, but is now just a memory of what it used to be. Pros: Was once a historic landm...

THE place to dance 4/27/2009

This place is wild and a must see! We had a blast. The girls behind the bar are beautiful, and the old school music is great. DJ Romeo Raiford was tearing up the dance floor and making sure everyone had a great time. We arrived in the limo which is a sweet deal. The chick only works on tips, and she took care of us so we didn't have to drive. We went into the VIP section where they had snacks for us on the house. I am bringing back a group this weekend. I had been there a few years back, but I love the younger DJ so much more, and the new owners really cleaned the place up. The dance floor is bigger and the VIP room is nicer. Pros: dance floor, crowd, staff, 40's, lights, limo service Cons: none more

Weird, wild, and wonderful 8/17/2008

A bartender at Earnestine & Hazel's walked us over to Raiford's because he said we had to experience it. We were charged $10 a piece at the door, but it was worth it. We walked into the strangest club we'd ever seen. The lighting is reddish and the place is filled with haze from the smoke machine. It is unbelievably loud, and all you can order at the bar are 40 oz. bottles of domestic beer. But everyone's having such a good time, and the atmosphere is so chaotic and awesome that the limited menu is just one of the quirks that make the place great. Raiford himself, an older black man in a three-piece suit and matching hat, plays DJ and will "represent" your city from the booth if you ask him nicely. You can also submit requests on paper. He played everything from Kid Rock to Naughty by Nature to the Jackson Five. There was a wedding party there, so drunk bridesmaids and groosmen dominated the scene. (This place is a must for watching people act stupid!) The wall is lined with sofas for comfortable -- though limited -- seating. However, there's not much reason to sit down at Raiford's because the dance floor is bumpin'. It is ridiculously crowded, but somehow this is part of the fun. The floor is made of lighted squares and surrounded on three sides by mirrors. There is also a stripper pole in one corner which is constantly occupied by men and women. This is a mixed crowd, and like everywhere else I visited in Memphis, everyone is there to have a good, drama-free time. An armed security guard ensures that no one gets out of hand, but based on my experience the place oozes good will. I didn't give it five stars because it was extremely crowded and loud -- but this is part of the fun. This is a must-see for your trip to Memphis. I've never experienced anything like it. Pros: Ambience, music, atmosphere, people Cons: Crowded, loud, limited drink selection, high cover charge more

Agreed 1/11/2008

I agree. Raiford's is no longer a hotspot of Memphis. The scene used to be trendy and enticing, but is now just a memory of what it used to be. Pros: Was once a historic landmark Cons: Has lot everything that made it desirable more

Raiford has lost his groove 1/11/2008

I am sad to report that Raiford has lost his magic. The once unstoppable treasure of downtown Memphis has regressed to a sad imitation of the club in it's prime. The club has mold growing on the walls and is in obvious need or a renovation. The line that once flowed from the door is gone and Raiford has decided to turn up the volume of the music to make up for the lack of what once made this club so great. Half the patrons on the dance floor were holding there ears in sheer pain, however Raiford diligently kept blasting the music in hopes of hiding the obvious disappeance of his youth. If you are in the mood for a history lesson of what was once a great club in Memphis, then go to Hollywood Raiford's, but if you are in search of a good time, just head to Beale Street. Pros: Was once a Memphis hotspot Cons: Has lost everything that made it desirable more

Best dancing anywhere in the Memphis area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 12/3/2006

We have had so many good times there. It is a blast, music is great and atmosphere is great!!!! If you like to have fun w/o any worries of who's looking go there and just let it roll!!! It is the best dance club in Memphis whether you are 21 or 51!!!! Pros: Dance, Dance & Dance!!!!! more

Raifords is a must see when in Memphis! 3/19/2006

Raifords has a cover of $10 and only takes cash-and only serves beer-but it is the best time in Memphis! Raiford plays the best music-old school-Billie Jean, etc. The party really gets going around 2am. The VIP room isn't much fun-but if you miss out on Raifords you're missing out on the best hot spot in Memphis. Pros: Music, Dancing, Atmosphere Cons: Cash Only, Smoke Machine, $10 Cover more

awesome 1/2/2006

locals say once a place to hire girls for the night, this once of a kind club is the best spot in memphis to hang out with a diverse, un-pretentious crowd. you can bring your own bottle of liquor! paula and kyle rule, you MUST tip the doorman and if you dont have a dance partner, raifords daughters will rock with you to the sounds of abba, michael jackson, al green, motown, and today's best hip hop! surreal sound, lights, and yes, looooots of smoke! and if you don't feel like dancing you can always just relax on the leather or velvet couches or simply wait your turn to play the drums.... come cash ready since they dont take plastic, but shorty can give you a lift to the atm in one of the raifords mobiles- the limo or one of the mercedes or bmw's. Pros: 40s, music, the crowd rocks Cons: long wc lines more

Saturday Night 7/10/2004

Great place to go for drinks. Keep in mind, they only serve your favorite 40's. Make a trip to the atm, it'll get you a complimentary ride in their limo as there isn't one on the premises. I'd highly recommend this place as a substitute to the heavily stampeded Beale Street. more

Visitor 3/10/2003

I'm from Toronto, Canada and I was visisting my boyfriend in Memphis this past summer. All the clubs in Tennessee could not compare to the ones in T.O. until I went to Raiford's! This place is so hype! The nite I went, Raiford was wearing a gold lame jumpsuit and platform boots - I love that he's a relic from a great decade. And the beer they serve only comes in 40's - this was the highlight of my nite. I thought it was hilarious. I'll be back again someday. Cons: bathrooms more

Ghetto-fabulous 2/5/2003

Moroccos at the door and grab yo' 40's! All ages, races, all people are one in this place. It looks like a converted Long John Silver's on the outside and its a little off the beaten Beale St. path...which can be a good thing. But...the music cycles after a couple hours...but with the flashing floor...by then your too dizzy to stay anyway! Pros: Unique experience, Equality rules., 40's 40's 40's!!! Cons: I CANT HEAR YOU!, Whats with the siren?, Smoke machine :( more

Survival of Raiford's 1/28/2003

Everybody was kung fu fighting That floor was flashin' like lightning. This boy I danced with was frightning My exit was excellent timing!!!!!! Raiford's was fun and adverterous. In a bad neighborhood, but well worth the bullets that we dodged to get there. I would suggest you be out of yo damn mind to go. Pros: diversity, no discrimination, lots of cold 40s Cons: bad service, too crowded, terrible neighborhood more

Raiford's Has Cadalliac Stlye 12/22/2002

This place is Literally pimping. From the row of cadalliacs parked outside,the lighted dance floor, leather couches, and hundreds of chandaliers. This late night afterhours club is always smoking. Raiford keeps the music following and the Fourties following. This is definite check it out place. Pros: atmosphere, Serve 40 once beers, late night Cons: only serve beer more

pimpaliciuous 11/6/2002

raifords is a great place to shake your groove thang and meet alot of trim Pros: women, women, 6-1 women/men ratio Cons: crowded more

10 7/27/2002

This is an awesome place for the weekend!!! A very popular spot in Memphis!! Be sure to say hi to Raiford and Frances!! more

"Hollywood" Raiford's Late-Night 5/15/2002

What can you say about a double-wide sized bar that serves 40s with plastic cups, blasts funk, goes nuts with the smoke machine and packs in all kinds of people? Fun. That's a start. There's no place like it. Memphis at it's best, and quite possibly its craziest. Plastic chandeliers hang on low ceilings, the dance floor is shoulder-to-shoulder and you won't be able to see the person next to you thanks to the over-active smoke machine. Raiford's. You gotta love it. Pros: nothing like it Cons: packed more
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Editorial
  • The Scene:
    A few blocks away from the touristy lure of Beale Street, and around the corner from the Lorraine Motel-turned National Civil Rights Museum, sits the incomparable spot known as Raiford's. Proprietor Robert Raiford digs recorded music of the 1960s and '70s and has been known to burn up the dance floor dancing to the Bee Gees while wearing a sequined black cape. Like him, people tend to dress up a bit for a visit to Raiford's, where there's a serviceable bar and a "$5 or $6" cover charge, depending on the whim of the owner. Raiford's is open only about 15 hours a week, starting at 10pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Food is kept to a bare minimum, with fast-food hamburgers and cheeseburgers dominating the menu. Although it's in a questionable neighborhood, a metal detector at the door helps deter troublemakers.

    Must Have Drinks:
    Jack and coke

  • 8/17/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Neighborhoods: Southside, Downtown Medical Center
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