The Mad Earl

Great wings and a fun happy hour!

The bartenders here are what make the place awesome to me. They guys here are pretty awesome guys! If you’re hungry… And they are serving food, they have a really awesome Grilled Cheese sandwich… With MFk’n bacon! … Also they have PBR here on tap for $ 2 … I know … Mind boggling.
Great hole in the wall… Great place to bring some of your guy friends to get drunk and play pool (check the dungeon downstairs)… Not a place for really hot chicks… So bring your own.

I only drink once or twice a year, but I have been here with my daughter. I do not remember why I was here, as I typically never set foot in a bar, but I do remember thinking that the downstairs was different and fun. There are games and activities instead of just drinking, which I appreciate. This is not a place for my demographic but I can see why my daughter loves it so much.

As the reigning duchess of this place, I felt like it was time to update my review since it has been over a year and a half since my original review. Ah, the duties of royalty…
And since I’m totally obsessed with their new chicken wing sauces, I thought I would do a little breakdown and give you the 4−1−1 on what you are missing util you go and check our their delectable, juicy, succulent wings and thighs.
The Zambodian: These wings are sweet! Don’t worry if you can’t take the heat because I am a total wuss and loved every minute of it. And is that Captain Crunch?! Why yes, yes it is. Unexpected yet brilliant.
Womp: Holy moly, my FAVORiTE! I’m in LOVE! I would bathe in this stuff… ok maybe not, it is kinda hot…
Mumbo: Definitely for those who like the sweet sauces, swoon
FUJ: Holy **** my mouth was on fire! No seriously, I was panting.
Carolina Gold: I was literally licking the chicken for he sauce. I could drink this stuff out of the bottle. They should package it and sell it everywhere because there is an infinite amount of stuff I could put this on…
Stage Kitten: Meow! It definitely made me purrrrrr.
Bottom line: They have stepped up their food game and it is so much more than just an awesome dive bar with great drinks at an awesome price.

Did lunch and had The Mad Earl with my personal spin of American cheese (don’t like provolone) and curly fries. This sandwich was VERY GOOD. The place is a little divey, but I guess that is part of it’s charm.
I did not explore the lower levels and gather that the nightlife here much more interesting! Staff was friendly and very attentive. I would recommend. Sadly, the three blocks that it took to get here resulted in three people begging for money! Yuk ! Two instances, they followed me and that was a bit unsettling. Definitely worth checking out but I would travel in a pack after dark. Hahah

This is my least favorite place in Memphis, and I hate that I feel that way. What is strange is that my dislike for it has very little to do with the food.
I have been to The Mad Earl 3 times in my life, and I am calling it out on a 3 pitch strikeout. The first 2 times I visited, my friends and I had grabbed a table, and wanted to order some beer and some food.
The first time, we managed to get a server to come to our table after at least 10 minutes, ordered our beer and asked for menus, and then waited another 10 minutes for our beer and menus to arrive. All of us finished our beers at a slow pace, and waited another 15 minutes until the server came back to take our order, which at this point we were to frustrated with the service to order any food, so we asked for our check. Needless to say, that took another 15 – 20 minutes to arrive, and we left The Mad Earl disappointed and hungry. Mind you, there were maybe 10 – 15 people total in the place, so it’s not like overcrowding could be used an excuse for the poor service.
After convincing myself that maybe we just had a worst-​case experience, we came back a few months later to try the same thing, food + beer. This time was even worse. We sat at a table right next to the bar, went up to the bar to order our beers and ask for some menus, and then sat down with our beer. Once again, the service took maybe 20 minutes to get around to our table, and we left without getting food.
The last and final strike of the strikeout was on April 26, when we decided to grab some food before heading to the Grizzlies game. Figuring that most people would be trying to get food on Beale and Main St following the chicken wing fest and brewfest, we decided the Mad Earl should be the only place without a large crowd, and we were correct. We sat at the bar this time, making us impossible to ignore. Finally, it seemed like we were going to get some service that would make us not want to Zach-​Randolph-​punch somebody. We got our beer immediately, and were able to put in an order of food for the first time in 3 tries! Andddd… that’s about as good as it got. All that was ordered was a buffalo chicken quesadilla and some fries. After about 15 minutes, our bartender (who was actually quite good and seemed to give half-​of-​a-​damn) thought it was strange that we hadn’t received our food yet, and went to check on it. Unfortunately, the cook «hadn’t seen the ticket» and hadn’t even started to make it. This is sad, because I don’t believe anyone else in the bar had food or had ordered food since we were there. Finally, after about 30 minutes of placing our order the food came out and I got to see if somehow the food could be good enough to salvage this nightmare of an establishment. Nope, it can’t.
The quesadilla wasn’t half bad, but I can’t say it was better than any other restaurant on main street where I wouldn’t have to wait an hour to be served. I’m glad I was able to finally try the food, so I could put the final nail in The Mad Earl’s coffin. Plus, if you walk in there, you will immediately smell like you take ashtray baths.
I «hate» The Mad Earl. Hate is a word I use maybe twice a month, at best. I would rather eat at the downtown Denny’s than The Mad Earl. The downstairs part does sound cool, but I will never know. If you can get good service there, more power to you.

Perfect place to watch the game! Lots of TVs, smoking allowed inside, great apps (try the bacon grilled cheese, YUM) and totally fun on Thursday nights with the wheel of death spins every 30 minutes to determine the happy hour. Spoiler alert, you can get $.50 PBRs, $ 2 Mexican Beers, $ 3 well drinks and MUCH more! Gotta check it out!

Had such an amazing time at this bar! Great service, large TVs and even a huge selection of games and beers!
Had the Chicago Dog and absolutely loved it!
I would recommend this place to anyone. [over 21 that is ;) ]

It’s been five months since I’ve left Memphis and returned to D.C., but I still have fond memories of the Mad Earl.
If the Mad Earl had an unofficial tagline, it might be «The Mad Earl: Where Livers Go to Die.» But in all seriousness, the alcohol has little to do with why the place is great. Sure, the drinks are cheap/​good and the Wheel of Death provides for some quality entertainment. That’s really only a small part of it.
The food is awesome. I’m still struggling to find a place that serves something remotely close to the Mad Earl (the sandwich), an Italian hot beef on sourdough bread with provolone and Earl sauce. I have no idea what goes in the sauce (I was once told but forgot), but it provides just the right amount of kick. No place in D.C. has a sandwich that comes close. (I’ve been looking.) Do-​it-​yourself hasn’t really helped either — dumping a bunch of Sriracha on a roast beef sandwich is a recipe for epic fail (and heartburn. Lots of heartburn).
And yeah, they have games, too. The prospect of playing Cards Against Humanity is what got me in the door in the first place. (I. .. don’t know what that says about me as a person?) Not sure what they have now (it’s been a few months), but the bar probably still has several pool tables, a couple of arcade-​type sports games, a non-​regulation shuffleboard table (don’t ask, I’m convinced people just make up rules on how to play with it every time), and a sad ping pong table. I’m told the ping pong table’s been replaced, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
Blah, blah, blah. None of that is really all that important. The thing that makes the bar great is the staff. Clay, the manager, is about as nice a guy as you can meet. I was there for the Earl’s first few months, and he was super receptive to suggestions and was always looking for ways to make improvements. (If you ever see him, ask him how his Wednesday karaōke/​standup night worked out. I have no idea if he’s still running it. Also play a Lonely Island song or two on the jukebox whenever he’s around.) Mike M. and Eva were consistently awesome — same with the summer crew of Mark and Will.
This review is getting annoyingly long, so I’ll just close with this. I can probably count on one hand the number of reasons I’d ever want to go back to Memphis. It probably goes something like this, in no particular order: 1. BBQ Fest, 2. The Grizzlies are in the playoffs, 3. Musicfest on a good year, 4. The Mad Earl.

Well, this particular dive bar is what you feel a dive bar is all about. We entered and thought a little tight but hey, we can adapt. Instead this chick leads us downstairs to an entire area that could totally be perceived as separate from the business itself. The drinks are MAD cheap, the 80’s and 90’s music is MAD sick, the bartendars are MAD cute and the patrons who were there that night were MAD sexy and awesome! We played a round of pool, had this super spicy ass sandwich which made me thankful for beer and they make their own chips which complimented the sandwich and it was MAD delicious. I even gave props for how MAD beautiful the women’s stall was. Through me way off. They could do something a little better to the area walls where the ping pong table is at (at least I believe that’s what the table is). Anywho, all and all my best friend and I had a blast and we will be returning for me to break him off for another round of shots, beer, spicy sandwiches and pool. Kudos MAD Earl!!!

This place is cool and I want to go back. The atmosphere this place presents is somewhere between an English pub and an american dive bar, but a sort of caricature of both. Way too many flags of EPL teams on the walls, way too many framed kits, and a Coldplay poster downstairs. But the music selection is definitely american 90s alt rock, or at least it was when I was there. There are also lots of TVs all over so no matter where you sit you’ll be able to watch whatever they have going on.
Next up is the happy hour. Happy hour runs a good long 4 – 10 and is different every day. I went on $ 2 well drink Wednesday and had a couple drinks. The drinks were fine, especially for the price. Other nights they have a wheel they spin to decide what the deal of the night will be for the next hour, it’s fun and I want to try it out! They also have High Cotton on tap, which is Memphis’s newest brewery, and the Extra Special Bitter (ESB) was good.
Food you ask? Try a sandwich, I recommend the Mad Earl, a warm steak sandwich with provolone and special sauce. That’s it, and it was yummy. Want some more to your sandwich? Get the Countess, which is a cold steak sandwich with the lettuce and tomato and all that jazz you may be looking for. I also tried the Cat O’ Nine Tails, and can’t recommend it. It isn’t as good as you would want it to be. But the grilled cheese sandwich does pass the test, we all love bacon right?
The reason my group made it to the mad earl was the game room. 3 pool tables at $ 1 a game, a free shuffleboard table in not so great, but no so bad, shape (that is a little different than the shuffleboard I am accustomed too, but I’ll figure it out), and a ping pong/​beer pong table! I had a go on all of them and with my cheap drinks and good sandwiches I had an awesome time! I will come back and get my ping pong on very soon. See you guys in the game room, I’m the sweaty guy wanting to play normal ping pong!

The steak sandwich and service is great!

my wife and I joined son/​daughter-​in-​law, who live around the corner, at the mad earl. We had the warm pretzels with queso and mustard as apps. Really quite excellent. I ordered the invader turkey sandwich which was excellent (not too hot, but flavorful). My wife raved about the jerk chicken sandwich (she added grilled onions and jalapenos). Our kids both are afficionados of the grown-​up grilled cheese sandwiches. Sandwiches are served with homemade chips– excellent. All in all, really quite good. I like the dark interior on a really hot sunny day in Memphis. I didn’t drink beer at lunch that day but I will be back to enjoy some brews.

After coming here for an awesome Unilocal event last month, I knew it was time to take my buddy here to check it out and show him what this place was made of. We came on a Sunday night, as that is usually the night when we go out on the town, and do damage (I don’t have to be at work until 2PM Mondays anyway, so why not?).
I was told that this place was usually open until 3AM, so our intentions were to actually spend the majority of the evening/​morning there. We arrived right around 10PM. When we walked in, we got the signature glare that we almost always get when we walk into places. We decided to sit down, and wait to get drinks. And we sat, and sat, and sat… It was about 15 minutes before we decided to head downstairs.
I showed him the basement, where all of the games are– like shuffleboard, ping pong, pool, Golden Tee, bowling, hell, there may even be darts, cannot remember. There is also a juke box. It looks like a freakin speakeasy in the basement– awesome in my opinion.
We decided to get down on some Golden Tee, and see if anyone would come down. We played 18 holes, and had enough money in to play more, so we did. Before I continue, let me warn you– if you play Golden Tee, only play 18 holes. There is a reason the game warns you that you may actually sustain injury if you play. I think we both left with our palms looking like a hammer crushed them…
As we were about to start round 2, the bartender came downstairs and told us it was last call, and apologized that he hadn’t noticed us before even though we sat there in plain view upstairs. So we got our 1 beer a piece (tried to double fist) and continued on.
As we finished the golf game, we realized we were the only people left, besides the employees (oops). So we headed out, and when we did, I saw the hours on the door, stating they closed at 11 on Sundays. If I would have read the sign before we walked in, I am sure plans would have changed. But that still doesn’t discount the fact we could have easily had 3 – 4 more beers a piece in that time frame.
I hate being the asshole to be the first one to write a 3 star review (consider it 3 and some change) of this place, but keep in mind, now that I am better educated about the hours, I can plan better. I will be back, but I gotta get them drinks in my hand, stat! I look forward to bumpin this place up– as it really is a gem!
Please note there is smoking here, if that offends you… Also, there is parking in a lot in the back, about a 150 foot walk to the front door… It is one of those automated receipt lots– make sure you pay– those people who run the lot are vicious!

great place to hang w/​friends. food is delicious. our fav is the jerk chicken sandwich and mad earl sandwich. i’m drooling just thinking about them. chips are pretty good. the drinks are ok. i like them stronger but maybe i just ordered the wrong one. there’s enough games & tv’s to keep you entertained. the only thing missing for my friends and i was music and a dance floor.

This review is «to be continued,» ie, once I’ve been able to spend more than a few minutes here. A quick duck into the doorway, though, got me a fresh Ghost River Red and the scoop that all Memphis beers (of which we will soon have many more!) are sold cheap every Monday night. I’ll be back – on a Monday, for sure.

I guess I wasn’t aware of the definition of a dive bar… such a grungy, but amazing place. I literally felt as if I were on a pirate ship. It could have been the HUGE pirate painting on the wall or being rained on while in the basement… I unexpectedly loved it.
I came for the grand opening beer bust! $ 10 bottomless pints (of great beer), sold me… While waiting for the rest of my crew, I decided to try their food. The menu was short and to the point. Their sandwiches were good, just enough kick to them. Let me rave on their potato chips. HOLY MOLY… I don’t usually indulge in potato chips, but I couldn’t help myself here. I ate every last bit of them. So crispy and salty. yum! At the bottom of their menu it asked for your feedback on what you would like to see them offer… I say pizza. what’s better than pizza when you are drunk? They also have TVs everywhere for sport watchers!
The basement was amazing. There was a sign before you walk down the stairs that said «watch your step some stairs are broken…» Who knew you could have so many activities in one basement? Pool, shuffle board, and ping pong! I also heard they are getting a Foosball table!
I think it is an exquisite dive bar (if that makes sense.)! So now I love dive bars! Thanks Mad Earl! :)

Think of the Brass Door’s new sister bar, The Mad Earl, this way: if the Brass Door is the sister who has a 9 — 5 working in finance or law, the Mad Earl is the little sister that’s still in college.
The crew that opened the Brass Door opened the Mad Earl about a month ago in the building next door. While the Brass Door is all polished wood and early 20^th century grandeur (it was originally a bank), the Mad Earl is decidedly more down to earth, which is not at all a bad thing. The downtown core doesn’t exactly have a ton of dive bars, so it’s kind of refreshing and different.
The building is laid out very similarly to the Brass Door: long and narrow with tables and a bar upstairs and a finished basment filled with pool tables, ping pong, Golden Tee and shuffleboard.
It seems like the Mad Earl is trying to brand itself as a sports bar, and they’ve got a ton of TVs upstairs, including a giant projector screen that hangs over the front door.
They do serve food, and the menu is mostly sandwiches and pub food. I wasn’t crazy hungry, so I ordered a basket of pretzels ($ 4).
There are four pretzels in a basket, and while they’re not as big as the ones at Flying Saucer, they’re just as soft and chewy. They come with a little container of very spicy mustard.
The Mad Earl opened fairly recently, so expect some changes (like more beers on tap) as the bar comes into its own. In the meantime, go, watch the game, play some ping pong — they’ve got one of the only ping pong tables in town.

I came here for a friend’s party and it’s a cool hang out spot. They have pool, ping ping, video games and a huge screen for sports. The cinna-​waffle is great. Do you like spiced rum and ginger beer? Yes? Then try the Dark n Stormy. No? Then don’t try it. Drink what you normally drink.

I was looking for a quick lunch and saw the Mad Earl. I went in and my sandwich and kettle chips were in front me in less than 10 minutes. I ordered the Jerk, it was really tasty, not too spicy, but a little kick. I went downstairs and saw pool tables, arcade games, and ping pong. I decided, «This place would be great for a get-​together.»
I corralled my pals and we met up here early on a Friday night. We just hung out played the games. The atmosphere is very «chill.» All of my friends just loved their sandwiches. Most got The Jerk, a few tried The Earl. One of the unexpected stars of the menu is the Cinna-​Waffle. It is warm, the frosting is gooey. It is a tasty sweet that you can share because it is just SO sweet.
The Mad Earl is laid back. I like the vibe.
I’ll be back at the Mad Earl soon and frequently. Service from Clay, Nate, and Lacey was great.