The Palm Court (Peabody Hotel)

The Palm Court at The Peabody Memphis is the grand lobby dining space of one of the American South's most celebrated historic hotels, which has operated in various forms in downtown Memphis since 1869. The hotel is renowned across the Mid-South for its twice-daily duck march — five live mallard ducks descend from the rooftop penthouse via elevator at 11 AM, parade across a red carpet to John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March, and splash into the travertine lobby fountain before reversing the march at 5 PM. Dining in the Palm Court or reserving the hotel's Sunday brunch allows guests to experience this spectacle in combination with the hotel's legendary Southern hospitality. The Sunday champagne brunch buffet at $70 USD per person is the primary dining destination — a lavish spread of Southern Continental preparations including Tennessee country ham, carved roasts, made-to-order eggs, fresh seafood, and desserts, served with unlimited champagne. The brunch coincides directly with the 11 AM duck march, which proceeds through the lobby during service. Chez Philippe, the hotel's formal fine dining restaurant, operates Wednesday through Saturday for dinner with a French-influenced menu suited to special occasions. The hotel's location on Union Avenue places it close to Beale Street and the Gibson Guitar Factory, making the Sunday brunch a natural centrepiece for a downtown Memphis visit. Reservations for Sunday brunch are essential and should be made several weeks in advance, particularly during spring, summer, and holiday periods.