I’ve had several people ask me to blog my thoughts on the new cover charge on Beale Street. So, here goes.
For those of you who haven’t heard, the Downtown Memphis Commission has made some changes to the Beale Street Entertainment District that runs from Second to Fourth. The changes are that on Saturday night/Sunday morning, a $10 cover charge will be in place from midnight to 5 AM for those wanting to get on the street. The money will be used to hire 23 additional security guards to patrol the street during that time. Also, Beale Street bars have agreed to close at 3 AM Saturday night/Sunday morning, two hours earlier than their previous closing time.
The changes were made after a recent incident of violence on the street, in which a man was found beaten and robbed. No one offered to help him or called the police, but multiple people pulled out their cell phones and took photos and video of the beaten man. He also had his clothes, cell phone, and wallet stolen while people were shooting video. There have been other incidents of violence on or near the street.
Okay, here are my thoughts. I’m just going to do this free-form as stuff occurs to me.
The DMC absolutely had to be proactive as managers of the street. They had to send a message that they understood that the recent incidents of violence were completely unacceptable, and they had to show that they were taking serious action to prevent that kind of thing from happening again. So I support the $10 cover as a quick fix. I think there’s still work to be done determining a solution for the long term. However, if the DMC had not acted quickly, they would have been perceived as sweeping the problem under the rug. I commend them for their strong, swift action.
Major, major respect for the management of Club 152, Flynn’s, Alfred’s, and other bars on Beale that had been staying open until 5. They put public safety ahead of their own financial gain. They are losing thousands in revenue by closing two hours earlier on Saturday night. Thank you. (Edit: I just saw a note from 152’s manager on Facebook that they will be open until 5 Saturday.)
It does suck for my friends who work in those bars and clubs, though. They’re missing out on two hours of tip money on the busiest night of the week. Those people have to feed their kids, pay rent. I hate it that they will be personally financially affected by the new rules.
It also kind of sucks for my friends who work in the area around Beale, whose bars close at 2 or 3. Beale Street being open two hours later gave them a place to unwind after work. Now they won’t have that anymore. Just a few weeks ago I hung out on the rooftop of Alfred’s at 4:30 AM with off-duty folks from the Flying Saucer. ! wonder how they will relax when they get off work now.
I wonder if the new rules will affect Purple Haze? Technically it is within the boundaries of the entertainment district, which is why it is able to stay open until 5 AM. However, one does not have to go on Beale Street to get there. Will it still be open late?
I also wonder why Saturdays only and not Fridays too? Are Saturdays that much more busy on Beale? Won’t the thugs figure out to just start coming on Friday instead?
Cover begins at midnight? What will stop the thugs from just coming on the street at 11 PM when they don’t have to pay? Seems awfully late to start charging a cover.
This may protect people while they’re on Beale, but what happens when people walk to their cars parked south and east of Beale? What measures will ensure their safety? That part of Downtown is still pretty much the Wild, Wild West. PRO TIP: If you come to Beale it is safest to park north or west of the street.
During my first three years Downtown, I hung out on Beale Street all the time. I’d grab a Big Ass Beer with my friend Bob on Black Diamond’s patio. I’d play pool with my friends Shane and Leigh at the Tap Room. I’d go hang out on the third floor of Club 152 where my friend David the Worm was the DJ. I’d catch The Dempseys at Blues City Cafe’s Band Box. I’d get a Call-a-Cab from Wet Willie’s and sit on the concrete blocks outside Silky’s and people-watch with my friends Wendy and Daniel. I’d watch the Beale Street Flippers. I’d chat up tourists and recommend things for them to do. It was not uncommon for me to be on Beale well past midnight.
By mid-2005, though, Beale Street was pretty thugged out. I didn’t want to be there past 10 PM. I preferred to be at bars on Main or Second or Union. I reduced my weekend Beale visits to maybe once or twice a year.
The trouble with Beale on the weekends these days is that people come there to hang out. And I don’t mean hanging out like I used to do, where I bought a Big Ass Beer on the Diamond patio or bought a Call-a-Cab to drink while I sat on the concrete blocks. Many of the people who come there now don’t buy anything. They just hang out. Beale may be a public street but it’s also a business.
Here’s what I would suggest. This has been suggested by many before, and I don’t know if it would be financially feasible. Have security check IDs/check for weapons 9 PM-5 AM Friday and Saturday nights. Charge a $10 cover from 9 PM-3 AM. In return for paying cover, patrons would be handed $10 in “Beale Bucks” to spend anywhere within the entertainment district. If some of the money needs to go toward added security, give them $5 in Beale Bucks instead of $10. Restore the bars’ closing times to 5 AM.
Just my two cents’ worth, based on what I’ve seen in the 12 years I have lived Downtown. Beale Street is one of our city’s most valuable assets and we have to figure out to maximize its potential while keeping everyone safe.
I may be back with a Tuesday news post after work, so check back.
