Find the Best Things to Do in Cooper-Young
By Sally Walker Davies
Memphis Local Expert
About Cooper-Young
Photo courtesy of Tom and Ryan
Cooper-Young — named after the main intersection of Cooper and Young in Midtown Memphis — is a mostly residential, working-class neighborhood with a collection of small businesses and plays home to some of the best-loved eateries and nightspots in the city.
The charming residential architecture of bungalows and Craftsman homes is the backdrop for a varied collection of shops, restaurants and bars includes a cat rescue, a great Irish pub and a vintage bookstore; if there ever was a melting pot in Memphis, this would be it.
See & Do
With an eclectic neighborhood vibe, it is no wonder that Cooper-Young's biggest attractions are festivals focusing on arts and music.
Gonerfest is the annual fall music festival put on by the Goner Records label. It's no surprise if you haven't heard of Goner Records, but you may know some of its bands if you are into garage band / psyche rock, like Jay Reatard and Guitar Wolf. The festival closes down the intersection, giving it a rock-focused, block-party feel.
Fall is also the time for the annual Cooper-Young Festival, a music, art and food gathering that's gone more mainstream in recent years. The festival features an eclectic mix of vendors selling records shaped into bowls, incense and hand-crafted jewelry, among other delights.
Eat
Too many restaurants, too few meals may be the issue in Cooper-Young; there are so many outstanding, locally-run eateries that the choices are almost overwhelming.
Chef Karen Carrier was one of the first to open up shop in CY - literally, locating the casual, comfortable Beauty Shop in, yes, an old beauty shop. Fries cooked in truffle oil, a grilled cheese of the day, incredible cheese plates and a funky setting have made the Beauty Shop of the local favorites.
Down the street, Ryan Trimm has opened neighboring eateries - the upscale Sweetgrass and the more casual but equally satisfying Next Door.
Head any direction, and you'll find Mexican, traditional Irish pub grub, Continental tapas and seafood.
Party
Cooper-Young may just offer the city of Memphis' best singles scene - whether straight or gay, black or white, young or old, carnivore or vegan - there's a night spot to fit any personality, and all personalities mix perfectly in any of the venues.
Alchemy is the new kid on the block, and on any given night, teems with groups of friends big and small, sharing plates and indulging in the creative mixology. Young Avenue Deli attracts a mix of serious rockers, live music lovers and college students, while Tsunami is more for those who've already found each other - its quiet bar is perfect for getting to know someone new.
Shop
While the heart of Cooper-Young is the area immediately surrounding the intersection of the two streets, the shopping in Cooper-Young extends a bit further from the heart - and is not to be missed.
Bookworms should hit Burke's Books, the vintage and new bookstore that's been around since before the turn of the last century, and House of Mews is crawling with rescue kitties - plus plenty of supplies for those who already have their own felines. Goner Records is a vintage record store, while Me & Mrs. Jones is an artist studio / painted finishes wonderland, filled with specialty paints, stencils and tools for creative types.
Follow Cooper to Central Avenue for the best antique shopping in town, choosing from Toad Hall, the enormous Palladio, and Market Central.