He called it Jefferson in the Rear. Truly and interesting place, and the barthender was so kind!More. Whilethe bones are being analyzed, the crews will continue to carefully rebuild and restore the bar to its former ragged glory. The 70s were a bad time in general for Downtown Memphis. Any cocktails? The team seeks to help a former bartender confront both the light and dark forces haunting the mysterious music hall.Jack Osbourne and Katrina Weidman investigate a Memphis, Tennessee, blues bar with a sordid past. Clearly they have never heard what happens when you speak ill of the dead. With the positive changes that were starting to happen, a brothel wasnt something a visiting tourist wanted to see (well most visiting tourists that is) or needed to see. According to the building owner, Russell George's death is being investigated as a possible suicide, likely caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ill post a picture from a class project where we did a photo shoot there. In the aftermath of what is sure to be the next chapter of the establishment's storied history, Chittom is now faced with renewed online criticism overthe renovations that spurred the discovery of the bones. At that point, the area became able to support businesses. That same year, Nate began working for Earnestine and Hazels future owner, Russell George, at Murphys in Midtown. They also moved the cooktop so that their world-famous Soul Burgers can be enjoyed while the front bar is closed. And there you have the story of Earnestine and Hazels. The team seeks to help a former bartender confront both the light and dark forces haunting the mysterious music hall. The team seeks to help a former bartender confront both the light and dark forces haunting the mysterious music hall. I used to drink a lot, Nate emphasizes. I can account for that. Is Earnestine & Hazel's Bar & Grill currently offering delivery or takeout? I couldn't believe the price for a double burger with golden flakes chips. We want to preserve this 100-year-old building and make it last 100 more years," said Chittom. (WMC-TV) - There are rumblings that a Memphis dive bar known around the world has an uncertain future after its owner was found dead inside last month. A new episode of #PortalsToHell "Ernestine and Hazel's" drops on @discoveryplus and is on @travelchannel TONIGHT at 10/9c. Copyright 2013 WMC-TV. Among the stops: Earnestine and Hazel's bar, where customers . Right as we were finishing this episode, the Daily Memphian announced that E&H has a buyer! MEMPHIS, Tenn. Earnestine and Hazel's owner announced the iconic bar is for sale. Theyvegot the magic sauce figured out. But dont just talk to me and dont buy no beer!. Lots of stories, never sure how true they all are but check out theupstairs rooms and ask someone for a history lesson about honky tonk woman.More, My husband and I recently visited Memphis and this was definitely one of my favorite spots. He said they had a few dates prior to him marrying his wife. Apparently Pantaze were the Walgreens of its day. @fomoloop, Our site uses cookies. They recently even found bones in the walls. She wrote a letter expressing her feelings. Hazel passed away in 1995 and Earnestine in 1998. Not a chain. Over the years, he played in numerous club bands, even at the aforementioned Club Handy. He was 15 and running an illegal bar, what do you expect it to be called? More a bar than restaurant, ;limited menu , perhaps just a sausage on a bun. Earnestine & Hazel's Bar & Grill has 4.5 stars. Sometimes people get out of hand. Sadly, the church burned down some time in the early 1900s. Everybody comes out here [to the bar], and you gotta treat everybody right. I had two orders in one setting, at 1am, as this was the closest place to get a meal, from out hotel. When not immortalizing the movements of ballerinas, circus performers and mermaids, he spends his time finding candid moments involving delectable cuisines and the people that create them. See the rooms upstairs to verify your history lesson. Jayne Ellen White has worked in the Memphis tourism industry for 11 years. But its not just for anyone to have. Numerous acts such as locals Bobby Blue Bland, BB King, Howlin Wolf, and Muddy Waters played there, as well as big named acts Ike & Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, & Sam Cook. During one investigation, the interviewer and Brownlee were sitting at the bar, just as it opened, the jukebox wasnt on yet, and they were talking about what a rough night it was the night before. The music was awesome. Burgers are old-fashioned. In 1976 Nate started a job with Budweiser (and worked there for 34 years). Great bar that was all decked out for Halloween! Host to more productions than I care to count, the hallowed halls of this old blues joint have 'spirit'. Over the years, there have been countless paranormal investigations and ghost tours that have happened at E&H. the cook ch one through with 2 more boxes of frozen m.j eat. But lets rewind. It is reported that 13 people have died in the building. Earnestine & Hazel's Bar & Grill Popular Dishes, Keith G. said: Almost did not come to this location due to the reviews but I figured, Jiten S. said: Great service here! The burger is a single or double patty, seasoning, American cheese, sauted onion, on a toasted bun with Mayo, mustard and pickle. The music was awesome. This is a place to come have fun. Its not just about selling it, its about finding the right operator. The team seeks to help a former bartender confront both the light and dark forces haunting the mysterious music hall. Then, in the 1930s, the place became a pharmacy until the owner invented a gel-type hair product that made him rich. We had a great time eating here and hearing about it's past life. Its an old soul bar with a great DJ, bar staff and cook. News. They have found that if they respect the establishment, they dont have any negative experiences. He worked with him at Murphys. And while some have been speculating about what . Even in that picture, you can see an orb. All of Memphis know that Ernestine and Hazel's is home to the best Soul Burgers in Memphis, as well as offering other meals of interest. One of my favorite places in the city. Even the bartender is there since 1992. The creation of Memphis In May started the renewal of downtown. Their juke joint was the Ghosts of Memphis, Volume II: Earnestine & Hazel's - Oddity Poddity: A Paranormal Podcast | Listen Notes The entrance is on G. E. Patterson Avenue. She said that a patron who had gone up to the black room was overcome with emotion while being in the room. They were sent out for testing but I dont know if it was ever published what kind of remains they were. Youll often hear them referred to as tonics or elixirs. He called it the Soul Burger. Nate and his wife Marilyn had three children together, only one of which is still living. From a haunted jukebox t. Another story from Brownlees interview was about a group of people trash talking the bar and making fun of ghosts. The burger is a single or double patty, seasoning, American cheese, sauted onion, on a toasted bun with Mayo, mustard and pickle. 84 E Ge Patterson Ave Memphis, TN 38103 Uber. At ten years old, George had all the right moves and Brown crowned him the winner. **. A large police presence could be seen in front Earnestine and Hazel's just before 11 a.m. Nate went on to work for Russell at Earnestine & Hazels in 1992 and has been there ever since. ", "I love Earnestine and Hazel's. On March 16, Earnestine & Hazels hosted a party to celebrate Nates 27th anniversary of working at the establishment. . When she found out the news, she was obviously devastated. Phew! In the late 1800s, it was built as a church, complete with fancy doors and a steeple. Sources are saying the body is that of the bar's owner Russell George, and a . Its best/easier to order as is. It was important to me and it was so, so important to my father.". BEST burger I've had in a looooong time! Right after that, a lady, who she had never seen before, walked in and asked if she was okay. While it was not said that the sisters condoned the upstairs activity, they certainly turned a blind eye to it. Though hes a South Carolina native, Nate has been living in Memphis since 1962. That same night, Nates son, Donnie, was murdered. I really wanted for Alan to be able to eat a soul burger, have a good drink, and listen to whatever the jukebox thinks we need to hear. Russell George Police have discovered a body at Earnestine and Hazel's bar on South Main in downtown Memphis. Second floor is awesome and creepy.More. If youre from the south, you know that coke is the generic term for any soft drink, regardless of the flavor or manufacturer. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Season 2: Episode Two: Earnestine & Hazels, https://earnestineandhazels.com/about-us/the-bar/, https://www.thrillist.com/eat/memphis/earnestine-and-hazels-memphis-burger-dive-bar, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/breaking/2019/07/18/bones-found-earnestine-and-hazels-bar-memphis/1766422001/, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/earnestine-hazels, https://www.vice.com/en/article/vvxnmb/this-is-what-its-like-to-work-at-the-most-haunted-bar-in-america, https://www.publicbooks.org/earnestine-hazels-in-memphis-a-place-known-for-its-dead/, https://www.readitforward.com/excerpt/last-call-earnestine-hazels/, https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2020/11/23/earnestine-and-hazels-for-sale-memphis/6393322002/, https://www.gosouthmain.com/tour/2017/3/21/531-south-main-earnestine-hazels, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunbeam_Mitchell, https://historic-memphis.com/memphis/hippodrome/hippodrome.html#:~:text=Club%20Paradise%20was%20opened%20by,soul%20music%20got%20its%20start, https://spinditty.com/industry/Club-Handy-On-Beale-Street-In-Memphis-Tennennee-TN, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/588e7b92b8a79b901b666cec/t/59833d43c534a5647e5afb99/1501773268903/south-main-tour-final1.pdf, http://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/drug-stores/drug-stores.html, https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/abe-plough/, https://www.ediblememphis.com/stories/nate-barnes-earnestine-and-hazels, https://www.facebook.com/523244314686217/posts/ernestine-hazels-one-of-the-top-ten-haunted-bars-i-spent-my-25th-birthday-in-nas/709814999362480/, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patent%20medicine, https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/02/20/memphis-back-beginning-memphis-may/, https://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2013/09/09/body-found-at-earnestine-and-hazels, https://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2018/09/06/restaurateur-bud-chittom-has-died, https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=gerald-mackie-chittom-bud&pid=190171250&fhid=5683, Season Two: Episode Three: Memphiss Oldest Eateries. What for? According to the building owner, Russell George's death is being investigated as a possible suicide, likely caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Earnestine and Hazel's Bar and Grill. Host to more productions than I care to count, the hallowed halls of this old blues joint have 'spirit'. Earnestine and Hazel knew it was time to retire. Here's hoping thatwhatever they're doing up front doesn't change this great old place, and that they're open for visitors (for real) soon!More. The future In the aftermath of what is sure to be the next chapter of the. Your email address will not be published. Brownlee told a particularly memorable story to the investigator and his friend. You might say, what an odd thing to be haunted or how do you know? In this business here, you cant be no way funny at all. Caitlin Chittom, the owner of Earnestine and Hazels' said the bones were sent somewhere to be identified. He didnt want a wide variety of foods or local fare, he wanted a good burger that people could enjoy after a night of dancing, drinking, and frivolity. I came in expecting a dive bar with live music and solid burgers and I left confirming all to be true. It hasnt been opened since Covid hit. The spot that is now occupied by Earnestine and Hazels at 531 South Main St was once the exact opposite of what it was to become in the future. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. We're saving the foundation of the building, but nothing cosmetic" Chittom said. Being so close to the railroad, the building began its service to humankind as a dry goods store, with a bordello on the second floor. Its a great place to stop in and get a drink and listen to the. I talk to [the customers] though. They would stroll down for some cheap soul food and good alcohol before retiring for the night to the nearby Lorraine Motel, or possibly for an hour of fun in one of the upstairs rooms. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. I didn't see any, but plenty of things happened to me after we left. Changing the subject and getting back to the topic of his work, we talked about the happiest memories that Nate has of working at E&H. From what I have read, Nate is the go to guy for all things Earnestine and Hazels. Russell George died from a self inflicted gunshot wound on September 8, 2013. Earnestine & Hazel's Bar Grill is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers: Where to Drink in Memphis This New Year's Eve, 84 E Ge Patterson Ave, Memphis, TN 38103-4410. They are protected by trademarks but their ingredients are generally not completely disclosed. The only thing on the menu is the soul burger, which was good, but don't expect anything out ofthe ordinary. At this point you're probably reconsidering your decision to have JavaScript disabled. Search. In 1976 Nate started a job with Budweiser (and worked there for 34 years). Stars Jack Osbourne really good. We do not own the rights to these photos. Ziggy Mack is an internationally published photographer about town. Georges office is now padlocked and no one goes in anymore. He said the black room was most active. He left Earnestine & Hazels to his daughter, Caitlin. Are you sure you want to delete this answer? Get the latest and best from Memphis Rap by email! It freaked them out so much they left the bar. Maybe someone who met their demise upstairs? MIM started with the Beale St. Music Festival in 1977 and over the years added additional events to eventually become what it is today. Once the acts finished their sets at Club Paradise, they would head to Earnestine & Hazels for good food, good drinks, good conversation, and good company. As we mentioned at the top of the story, Earnestine and Hazels is now up for sale. (He lost a daughter, Dorothy, in 2015.) Always good music live or on the box. This place is really different. I said, Lord have mercy., Nate has a reputation for being well-liked, and he says the secret to extreme likeability is simple: The number one thing is you got to treat everybody right. Was kindly, Annette C. said: I hate to give 4stars out on first time visits but this place, Kevin W. said: This place restored my faith in Moes. Earnestine and Hazel's - Dive Bar in Memphis See all 285 photos Earnestine and Hazel's Dive Bar and Burger Joint $ $$$ South Main Historic District, Memphis Save Share Tips 60 Photos 285 Menu 8.8/ 10 176 ratings Ranked #3 for burgers in Memphis "bring cash for the juke and order a soul burger for the love of god" (19 Tips)