(901) 528-9313
115 Vance Ave
Memphis,
TN
38103
35.1368
-90.0563
Neighborhoods: Downtown Medical Center, Southside
What People Are Saying About Hollywood Disco
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
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,…
04/28/09
THE place to dance
by dancerluvsdisco
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
08/18/08
Weird, wild, and wonderful
by vudu
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
01/12/08
Raiford has lost his groove
by tingo5
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
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