Nightlife
Nightclubs
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is located in the heart of the French Quarter,
just three blocks from the Mississippi River. The space has served many roles over the years. It was originally built as a residence in the 1750’s, and has since housed a cobbler shop, a grocery, a photo studio and an art gallery where musicians often performed. Even today the walls of the Hall feature portraits of the musicians who first filled it with their innovative style of Jazz.
Every night of every calendar day people come through Preservation Hall to hear the best in New Orleans local music. In addition, the Hall's bands have spread this musical spirit worldwide on tour over one hundred days per year. "Preservation Hall, now that's where you'll find all the greats." - Louis Armstrong
726 St. Peter St • Tel 504.522.2841 Dragon's Den
This hotspot belts out jazz, folk, reggae, and other music into the wee hours of the morning. The ambience is that of a late night coffeehouse with a middle eastern flair. The music starts late, but get there early to get a seat before the young hipsters take them all.
435 Esplanade Avenue • Tel 504.949.1750
House of Blues
Being part of a national chain of clubs, the House of Blues isn’t the most authentic New Orleans experience. On the other hand, it is able to attract well known bands and artists from a variety of genres.
It’s also clean and orderly with attentive wait service and decent eats; things one can’t always count on at many music venues. There’s also gospel brunch on Sundays where you can feed your spirit with music and your body with biscuits.
225 Decatur Street • Tel 504.529.2583 The Funky Butt
If you’re looking
for some live jazz with a side of red beans and rice, come to the Funky Butt. Jazz, Latin, R&B and other live music is played seven days a week and creole favorites from crabcakes to gumbo are served for dinner. Jazz great Wynton Marsalis has played the Funky Butt, and a variety of local and nationally known artists grace the stage nightly. The club is conveniently located just a few blocks from the French Quarter.
714 North Rampart Street • Tel 504.558.0872 Cajun Cabin
Part restaurant and part nightclub, the Cajun Cabin is a good place for those who enjoy some zydeco music with their crawfish.
Live cajun and zydeco music is played nightly and free Cajun dance lessons are given Thursday through Sunday evenings. The kitchen is open late so it’s a good French Quarter option if you get a craving for oysters around midnight.
501 Bourbon Street • Tel 504.529.4256 Snug Harbor
This jazz bistro makes an
excellent evening of creole dining followed by live music. From the outside Snug Harbor looks like a 19th century general store, but exposed timbers, red brick and artwork inside let you know you’re in an intimate jazz venue. Ellis Marsalis and Nicholas Payton regularly play here with touring artists stopping by from time to time. The dining room opens at 5 p.m. with shows starting around 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
626 Frenchmen Street • 504.949.0696 Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub
Bent on rebelling against what is seen as the tackiness of Bourbon Street, Fritzel’s is a haven for Dixieland jazz fans and artists alike. Local musician flock here and the pub’s commitment to jazz is exemplified by the international Jazz Reunion Fest that it hosts from March
through May. How often does one get to hear a Swedish jazz band? Fine German beer and other libations complement the music well.
733 Bourbon Street • Tel 504.561.0432 • http://www.fritzels.com Pat O’Briens
Pat O’Briens is either a neighborhood bar on steroids or several bars all smacked together. There is a main bar adorned with hundreds of hanging beer steins, a piano bar with two players taking requests, a restaurant bar serving food from lunch until 2:00 a.m., and a 4000 square foot patio with two bars and a gift shop and a flaming fountain.
Despite the vastness, Pat O’Brien’s can get crowded on a Friday night with tourists and locals alike.
718 St. Peter Street • Tel 504.525.4823 El Matador
This intimate venue plays host mostly to local bands from all sorts of genres.
Alternative rock, blues, punk, jazz and world all take turns at El Matador. The décor follows the name with black velvet paintings of bullfighters and bullhorns hanging on the walls.
504 Esplanade • Tel 504.569.8631 R Bar
Located in an 1890s corner storehouse, R Bar is a very straight-forward, low
key kind of place. The main attraction is the crowd which a diverse group of interesting locals. Most of the bartenders are old pros and good sources of information on local nightlife. Open until 5:00 a.m., the R Bar is a good late night hangout.
1431 Royal Street • Tel 504.948.7499 |
