Neil's Music Room — Restaurant in Memphis

This place is very friendly towards regulars, but not very good about taking care of new customers. I received the worst service I have had in many years, flat beer, and cold food.

About a week ago, my girlfriend and I went to this bar/restaurant to listen to some live music, drink, and have dinner. We grabbed a table in the middle of the seating area and waited to be served. The wait staff ignored us and seemed to do whatever they could to avoid eye contact.

After sitting there for over 40 minutes, we got up and ran into a server on our way to the bar. She apologized and explained that she was trying to leave because her shift ended a while ago. She seemed to feel bad for us and got us drinks. We waited over 20 minutes for a pair of flat beers from the tap. I looked around and noticed most people had gotten bottles of beer. Probably because the beer from the tap there was flat.

The server apologized again for the poor service. Apparently, the woman who was supposed to be serving us had some tragedy in the family and couldn’t handle any more tables. I noticed plenty of people arrived after us who were being served just fine. She just wouldn’t serve us. The server who got our drinks decided to stay later to help her friend out and asked for our order. We ordered an appetizer, BBQ nachos.

The nachos came a half an hour later. They were room temperature around the edges, and it was lukewarm at the center. They probably sat on a table somewhere for the last 20-25 minutes. Not the kitchen’s fault. The nachos would probably have been good fresh. We ordered another round of beers (This time bottles) and ended up waiting over 20 minutes for the server to grab a pair of bottles to bring back to us.

I considered asking to have the nachos reheated, but I’d rather not have gotten back nachos with spit. I considered ordering more food, but why pay for more cold food. So, we closed out and left.

The server apologized many times for our poor service, but no effort was made to make it right. We paid full price for flat beer and cold food. And the service never improved.

I’m sure this place is great if you’re a regular. I saw the servers hugging and taking pictures with the regulars. Their tables were immediately greeted, served drinks within minutes, and were well taken care of. For us outsiders, we must not have been welcome. So, if you’re a regular, this place seems nice. If you’re not, then I recommend going...

A Masterclass in Disrespect and Discrimination – Do Better, Neil's

As a first-time visitor from out of town, I was hopeful that Neil’s Music Room on Quince and Kirby would be a welcoming space to enjoy Memphis’ famed hospitality and live music scene. What I encountered instead was a disturbing, unapologetic display of patriarchal favoritism, dismissive treatment, and racial bias that left me deeply disappointed and insulted.

After entering the venue—having paid the cover—I was told by a white female bartender that I’d be helped next. I patiently waited an additional 35 minutes as I was strategically ignored in favor of every surrounding male patron, many of whom were served multiple times before I was even acknowledged. When I respectfully inquired about the delay and treatment, I was met with hostility and ultimately dismissed by the barely-present, white-haired male manager. Rather than address my concerns, he made it abundantly clear that because I had dared to speak up, I would not be served at all. This was not just poor customer service—it was blatant, unchecked prejudice.

This manager, whose air of entitled superiority seemed to dictate the tone for the rest of the staff, made it clear that accountability has no place within these walls. Instead of correcting behavior or apologizing, he actively punished me for asserting basic dignity. His attitude radiated male supremacist energy—patronizing, exclusionary, and emboldened by the silence of ownership.

Other patrons who witnessed the exchange later shared their own stories of racist and argumentative behavior by the bar staff. This wasn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a pattern. A venue that showcases Black talent but fails to respect its Black patrons does not deserve the support of the community it claims to serve.

Neil’s may benefit from its location and long-standing name, but its message to those who don’t fit its selective mold is loud and clear: You are not welcome. If ownership does not address these behaviors publicly, they are complicit in this culture of discrimination and erasure.

Do not patronize this establishment. Let Memphis venues that truly value inclusivity and respect—not just profit from diverse audiences—earn your time and money.

Sincerely, A Very Disappointed First-Timer...

I just simply went here for my birthday to do karaoke, and that turned out to be a huge mistake. I got 3 drinks from them and I left my table open. My bill wasn't super high or anything but it is just the principle of it all. When I came to tab out, the male bartender said it didn't go through, which really made me question, but I didn't speak up and gave him back my card. Two days later I have two charges for the same price on my card. I called Sandra who apparently is the one who handles refunds and she told me, "Oh, this happened to a guy a week or so ago and the charge dropped back off. Call back if it doesn’t and we can credit you a free meal or something." Now this was really a one and done for me, the vibe was ok, but kinda drab and I had no intentions on coming back. Definitely not for food or to be credited a meal when you as a company are basically robbing me. It's been over a week now and the charge is still on my card. Then she tried to mention to me that I didn't tip that much like that depends on whether or not I receive my refund.

Neil's... I wouldn't recommend if you're not a regular. As far as I'm concerned they just took my money. A single mother of two who just loves karaoke and was going out for the first time since having her...