Barbian Entertainment and Grind City Brewing Company today announced Grind City Amp, a new, outdoor music venue set to open in spring 2026 at Grind City Brewing in Uptown Memphis. Designed to bring world-class entertainment to the city while celebrating local culture, the venue aims to redefine Memphis’ live music scene.
A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in early 2025 at Grind City Brewing. 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 Grind City Brewing Company President and Founder Hopper Seely. “This venue is for Memphians and by Memphians.”
Grind City Amp is projected to have a maximum capacity of 4,500 with a general admission setup, or 3,500 seated. It will feature multiple configurations designed to accommodate a wide range of performances, events, and crowd sizes. The venue will host eight to 12 major concerts and comedy shows per season in its first years of operation, with plans to expand in the future. It will also provide space for local concerts, corporate functions, private events, and weddings.
“Music is a key piece of the city’s history and legacy,” said City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young. “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.”
The partnership between Barbian Entertainment and Grind City Brewing Company emphasizes a focus on supporting local businesses and professionals. The venue’s location will provide concertgoers with access to the brewery’s taproom and two acres of green space, offering a unique and immersive experience.
“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,” said Nick Barbian, owner of Barbian Entertainment.
Past events held on the brewery grounds and site of the future venue include Grind City Music Festival in August 2022 and April 2024, as well as Primus. The former will return in 2026 with continued support from Lawrence, KS based promoter Mammoth, Inc.
The venue will feature professional production capabilities suitable for amphitheater-level touring acts. Architect UrbanArc and general contractor Zellner Construction will lead the project, with improvements including upgraded access roads, utility upgrades, redeveloped back-of-house facilities, and an improved brewery deck. Renderings show a modern layout that prioritizes audience experience while mitigating noise to minimize its impact on nearby residential areas.
Grind City Amp is expected to attract music fans from across the region while showcasing the best of Memphis’ cultural and musical heritage. For more information, visit www.grindcityamp.com/amp.
About Grind City Brewing Company
We’re on a mission to elevate what’s expected from craft beer and the people who make it. Honoring our history and building a better tomorrow, Grind City Brewing Co. is dedicated to producing approachable, easy-drinking beer with unwavering quality. To learn more, visit grindcitybrew.com.
About Barbian Entertainment, Nick Barbian
Barbian Entertainment, the concert promoting arm of Barbian Management, was established by Nick Barbian in 2022. A 20-year music industry veteran, Barbian moved to Memphis from Austin, Texas in 2019. Following the pandemic, he stayed in Memphis to focus his efforts on expanding the live music scene in his newly adopted hometown. Since 2022, Barbian Entertainment has promoted concerts at BankPlus Amphitheater, The Cannon Center, and Minglewood Hall, in addition to launching Grind City Music Festival at Grind City Brewing Company. Past shows include Primus, Charley Crockett, Lindsey Stirling, Dwight Yoakam, Whiskey Meyers, The Red Clay Strays, The Head & The Heart, and many more.
