Highland Strip
The Highland Strip runs along South Highland Street between Southern and Central avenues, just steps from the University of Memphis campus. For decades, Newby's anchored the strip's live-music identity. Founded in 1975 by David "Newby" Harsh, it functioned as a music venue, bar, pool hall, and restaurant about a block from campus. Over the years it expanded to include a full bar, pool room, outdoor patio, and a concert room carved out of an adjoining 1950s movie theater. Nationally touring acts played the larger concert hall while acoustic acts held down the bar side, until the hall closed in 2015 and the bar stage was upgraded to handle bigger bookings. Newby's booked across genres, from alternative rock and country to hip-hop and electronic. After decades on the strip, Newby's officially closed, announcing the news on November 13, 2025. As of that closure, the Highland Strip has no dedicated live-music venue on record.
Venues1
- Newby's539 S Highland St, Memphis
Upcoming shows0
No upcoming shows in our database for this area.