Memphis is getting another music and entertainment venue.
Barbian Entertainment and Grind City Brewing Company on Thursday announced plans for the Grind City Amp, “a new, outdoor music venue” set to open in spring 2026 on the grounds of Grind City Brewing in Uptown Memphis.
A news release confirming plans for the venue noted that a groundbreaking ceremony will take place this year at Grind City Brewing’s location at 76 Waterworks Ave.
Opened in fall 2020, the brewery — owned by Bill and Hopper Seely — has become one of linchpins in the ongoing redevelopment of Memphis’ Uptown area. Sitting on 4.6 acres of land, Grind City features a 10,000-square-foot brewery and taproom, a beer garden and stage for outdoor concerts, along with a sweeping view of Downtown Memphis.
Grind City’s outdoor stage has been hosting events and concerts for the past few years, including the Grind City Music Festival, performances by Primus, and Fourth of July celebrations.
The new Grind City Amp will have a 4,500 maximum capacity general admission setup, and will be able to accommodate 3,500 seated patrons. Current plans call for the venue to host eight to 12 major concerts and comedy shows during its first year of operation, with plans to expand the number of shows later. In addition the space will be available for rent by outside promoters, and use for corporate functions, private events and weddings.
This marks the second new entertainment venue announced in Memphis in the past few months. In November, Live Nation and Crosstown Concourse announced they were teaming up on a new concert venue at 431 N. Claybrook St.
According to Grind City, the venue will “feature numerous site improvements, multiple venue configurations, and scenic views of Downtown Memphis, including the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid and the Hernando de Soto Bridge. The project will fill a high-demand need for mid-sized music venues in the region.”
“Our goal is to create a space where music lovers and our community can gather to celebrate what makes Memphis special,” said Hopper Seely, Grind City Brewing Company president and founder. “This venue is for Memphians and by Memphians.”
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The venue will feature “professional production capabilities suitable for amphitheater-level touring acts.” Architecture firm UrbanArch and general contractor Zellner Construction are developing the project. Proposed improvements include upgraded access roads, utility upgrades, redeveloped back-of-house facilities and an expanded brewery deck. According to developers, early renderings of the venue show a “modern layout that prioritizes audience experience while mitigating noise to minimize its impact on nearby residential areas.”
In a statement, Memphis Mayor Paul Young noted Grind City Amp will be a welcome addition to the city’s entertainment landscape. “We have a unique opportunity to honor our past by developing more venues to sustain local musicians and attract national acts to the Mid-South in the future,” he said.
Nick Barbian, owner of Barbian Entertainment, who has helped promote Grind City’s previous events, noted that, “Grind City Amp is about building a music community and economy that boosts Memphis musicians, attracts new shows to the region, and celebrates our city’s incredible heritage while supporting the growth and future of a vibrant live music ecosystem here in Memphis.”
For more information, visit www.grindcityamp.com/amp.
