CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Drinking places in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area: 51 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 15-person team.
- Establishments
- 51CBP 2023
- Employees
- 785mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.8U.S. 12.0
- Rank
- 138th of 740areas by count
Drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 51 establishments classified as Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (NAICS 722410) in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. They employed 785 people in mid-March and paid $19.0 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 138th out of 740 areas with published figures for drinking places.
Measured against its 1.3 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.8 drinking places per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 12.0, so Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 68.3% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 15.4 employees, compared with 10.6 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $24,266, 5.3% below the national $25,612.
| Measure | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 51 | 384 | 40,835 |
| Mid-March employees | 785 | 6,393 | 432,542 |
| Annual payroll | $19,049,000 | $233,855,000 | $11,078,437,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 15.4 | 16.6 | 10.6 |
| Payroll per employee | $24,266 | $36,580 | $25,612 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.8 | 5.3 | 12.0 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are
Of the drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR that had employees in March 2023, 26.5% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 38.7%). 59.2% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 13 | 26.5% | 38.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 16 | 32.7% | 27.4% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 14.3% | 20.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 13 | 26.5% | 11.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Bars and taverns take calls about events, private parties and hours, often when the room is too loud to hear the phone. Capturing those calls helps book parties. That holds for drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR:
- A customer calls about trivia night.
- The bar calls a vendor about a delivery.
- A customer calls about a lost item.
Texting guests
Bars text event reminders and party confirmations.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Phone system pricing for a 15-person bar
The average bar in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 15.4 employees, so a 15-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 15 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $450.00 a month and 15 on Ooma Office Pro cost $374.25. Callata comes to $299.00 a month for 15 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,812 less than RingCentral for a bar in Memphis, TN-MS-AR of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $299.00 | $3,588.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $285.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $345.00 | $4,140.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $374.25 | $4,491.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $405.00 | $4,860.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $450.00 | $5,400.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 901 has the most, with 606 of 709 exchanges (85%). A local number lets guests in Memphis, TN-MS-AR call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | 606 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 662 | 79 | Central | 1999 | 471 |
| 870 | 22 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
| 327 | 2 | Central | 2024 | 870 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What drinking places in Memphis, TN-MS-AR get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many drinking places are there in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 51 drinking places in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023. They employed 785 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 15-person bar?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 15 users cost $450.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $374.25 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $299.00.
What area code should a bar in Memphis, TN-MS-AR use?
Area code 901 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 662 and 870. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a bar?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.