Everybody Loves Live Music!
I decided to give you a quick overview of places you can go in New Orleans to really enjoy music. This covers a wide range – with no favorites – just a detailed, fairly long list that one can peruse fast.
The Spotted Music Club is located at 634 Frenchmen Street – just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. It offers music ranging from traditional and modern jazz, blues, funk and much more. It hosts live acts on a small stage for a standing room crowd.
The Maison is described as an upbeat club that hosts a diverse, jazz-oriented lineup. It’s a three-level restaurant, bar and music venue with private event space. You’ll find it at 508 Frenchmen Street. The Maison is open seven days a week for eats, drinks and dancing.
The Maison is a three-level restaurant, bar and music club at 508 Frenchmen Street – order Hamburger Sliders, Southern Duck, Shrimp & Grits
Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub has been a Bourbon Street mainstay since 1969. It has a very relaxed vibe with no dancing and draws a more mature crowd. The focus is completely on the music. Their house band plays great traditional New Orleans jazz. It’s the oldest jazz club in the city. You’ll find Fritzel’s at 733 Bourbon Street.
d.b.a is described as a smooth offshoot of a NYC pub. It offers craft beers and hosts an eclectic lineup of nightly live music that features local and regional acts in a smoke-free setting. Sorry, but I have to say this: the name annoys me. As far as I can figure out it means nothing: just three lowercase letters with no spaces. The club is at 618 Frenchmen Street.
The Jazz Playhouse is in the upscale jazz lounge of the Royal Sonesta Hotel. It serves originally crafted cocktails and appetizers inspired by the New Orleans jazz culture. Admission is offered to walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. Restaurant R’evolution is part of this scene and offers classic Creole and Cajun cuisine. Entrance to the Playhouse is at 300 Bourbon Street – the street entrance to the restaurant is at 777 Bienville Street.
The Jazz Playhouse is located in the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Bourbon Street -- an excellent restaurant is within steps of the club
Preservation Hall is in the French Quarter at 726 St. Peter Street. It has been going for 57 years so they must be doing something right. Each set is 45 minutes long, but you can only stay for one. It always keeps the same schedule: several shows per night, every night. There’s no air conditioning and no alcohol. But you can bring a drink in with you. Make sure you get a reservation so you can sit on a bench – not the floor. There’s no bathroom and no photos are allowed. Cell phones are a no-no.
Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro has provided the best in live jazz and great regional cooking at reasonable prices for over 30 years. Snug is at 626 Frenchmen Street in an intimate, brick-walled space that dates back to the 1800s (I’m always amazed when I read dates like this – I love it.)
House of Blues New Orleans is the rock and blues-themed chain that offers Southern dishes and live music. There is no seat to go along with your ticket. This club, at 225 Decatur Street, says that they are built for dancing and rocking out! Come for the food, stay for the music. Actually, the food sounds great: jambalaya, low country shrimp and Memphis-style baby back ribs. (I don’t think you can sit to eat. Idea: try a Hail Mary pass with the shrimp or ribs.)
Three Muses is where local jazz combos perform in a snug bar and eatery that serves small plates and house cocktails. You’ll find this club at 536 Frenchmen Street. It features hot, bluesy, no-frills melodies that once poured forth from New Orleans’ dance halls and is now played by The Shotgun Jazz band. Or, as one fan says, “I don’t like jazz, but I love this band.”
Tipitina’s is a music venue located at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas (so we don’t sound like hicks from the sticks we’ll break this down to CHOP-ah-too-lus) Street in uptown New Orleans. It opened on January 14, 1977 and was founded as a clubhouse for Professor Longhair. The Neville Brothers and other famous names have all graced the stage at this standing-room-only spot (everyone stands in this town). They play R&B, Rock and Jazz here – or as a fan says, “During the summer they have ‘Free Music Friday’ – you have to be 21 to get in and it’s lots of fun.”
Tipitina’s has been going strong for 43 years – and don’t forget: in the summer they have Free Music Friday
One-Eyed Jacks, at 615 Toulouse Street, is named after the Marlon Brando picture that he directed. Basically it’s been at the center of New Orleans’ rock music for years. It’s the French Quarter’s sole independent rock club.
The best part is that most of these local venues are only a short distance away from Rathbone Mansions!
Shaun Nelson-Henrick