1. Overton Square
Text by Mariah Giblin
Memphis is a town that is known for the bright lights of downtown, but over the
past two years a previous popular neighborhood in Midtown is back and
booming. Overton Square is quickly becoming the “it” place to go for a day or
night outing.
Great restaurants pack the block, giving diners many different options of cuisine
to sink their teeth into. Some of the hippest bars in town serve up signature
cocktails and their own micro brews. If entertainment is your thing, the Square
has three different spots to see movies, live theater or ballet. Along with dining
and nightlife, daytime businesses are bringing crowds to Overton Square. Yoga
studios and bike shops help foster a community that is focused on a healthy
lifestyle.

2. But just how did this get started? In 1969, Overton Square Founders &
Developers took the initiative to pass a referendum to allow establishments to
sell liquor by the drink. This was monumental to the foundation of the Square as
an entertainment hub for Midtown because it allowed for the first franchise of
T.G.I Friday’s outside of New York City. The establishment of the franchise was
such a success that in the 1970s Overton Square was home to 11 restaurants,
27 shops, and employed over 800 Memphians.
Back in the day the Square included an ice-skating rink, the original Huey’s and
other favorites like the Bombay Bicycle Club. Pub-crawls used to attract crowds
of over 40,000 people and revelers recall Christmas at Overton Square for
bringing snow and Christmas cheer to the Mid South each year. Today, Loeb
Properties is helping the Square to thrive and cultivating the landmark into a
new kind of arts and entertainment district that will continue to be a destination
for both locals and tourists.
Overton Square is home to arguably some of the best restaurants in Memphis.
These restaurants and bars offer a variety of cuisines and in all price ranges,
ensuring that everyone will be satisfied after they leave. Boscos Squared is a
time-honored treasure of the neighborhood. Recognized in Memphis as a
favorite choice for brunch, locals know that it’s also the spot for award-winning
handcrafted beers. If you are in the mood for ethnic cuisine, look no further than
Golden India for a charming atmosphere and authentic cuisine. For anyone
familiar with the Gulf Coast, Bayou Bar & Grill is the perfect destination to
get your Cajun food fix; they have all of the favorites from oysters on the half-
shell to authentic po’boys and comfort foods like gumbo and étouffe. Le
Chardonnay has an intimate atmosphere, and as the name suggests— an
excellent wine list. Bar Louie is a great place to grab drinks with friends; their
craft cocktails and upscale pub food will delight any palate. A Memphis landmark
since 1993, Memphis Pizza Café is a full-service pizzeria that uses quality
ingredients to make outstanding pies. Bari Ristorante has a a cozy vibe and
features regional Italian cuisine from Puglia. For a casual spot with an upscale
menu, Local Gastropub’s fresh homegrown ingredients are the key to the
great food—keep an eye out for their famous cocktails. At the end of your meal
head to YoLo where gelato, cupcakes and frozen yogurt are just the ticket.

3. Once your cravings have been satisfied it is time to seek out some
entertainment and Overton Square has many different options from which to
choose. Malco Studio on the Square is Midtown’s only movie theatre;
concessions include wine and beer and it is home to both the Indie Memphis and
On Location Memphis Film Festivals. Playhouse on the Square hosts
Memphis’ professional resident theatre company. The Circuit Playhouse is
another of the three theaters in the area that continues to help nurture arts in
the community. Overton Square is also now the home of a variety of public art,
including murals by global muralist Guillaume Alby, known as “Remed.” The
community is also focused on a commitment to health and fitness with Delta
Groove Yoga, a place to relax the body and mind.
Soon more restaurants, spas, shops and exercise studios will be coming soon to
Overton Square. Breakaway Running will be your destination for specialty
running items like high-performance running shoes, fitness apparel, nutrition
items and accessories. The Square will also be home to Cardio Barre a studio
specializing in high-energy barre workouts. A locally owned clothing boutique
called The Attic is coming this fall next to Bar Louie, adding to the number of
retail shops on the Square. Sekisui owner Jimmy Ishii will soon be opening
Robata Ramen & Yakitori Bar, featuring casual Japanese fare, a patio,
sushi bar, liquor bar and ramen bar. A Jackson, Mississippi favorite, Babalu
Tacos and Tapas serves a modern twist on Mexican street food and great
cocktails and is coming to the area. With so many amazing venues for food and
entertainment, the only difficult part is choosing just one!