Get ready to enjoy some sweet sounds with the 10 best live music venues in New Orleans
In New Orleans, the bars stay open late, the food is spicy, and the music floods the city, at any given hour, any day of the week. Whether you are walking around the French Quarter or down Frenchmen Street, you will not make it more than a few feet before the live music lures you into the next bar. Home to jazz, but also featuring rock, R&B, blues, and more, here are 10 of the best live music venues in New Orleans according to our travel expert Karen.
1. The Spotted Cat Music Club
The Spotted Cat may not look like much with its drinks poured into plastic cups, and the select number of seats inside. However, the music talent that walks into this club is some of the finest in the New Orleans jazz scene. A few of these local stars include Sophie Lee Lowry and Aurora Nealand. The lack of chairs in this club calls for swing dancing to the jazz music all night long, and ensures you the liveliest of NOLA’s music scene.
2. Preservation Hall
For undeniably the best of New Orleans’ traditional jazz music, Preservation Hall is not something to miss out on during your holiday. Opened with a mission to protect and honor the traditional jazz music of New Orleans, you cannot get any more authentic than Preservation Hall. Head to this historic music venue early for the best seats, and get ready to immerse yourself in the jazz culture of NOLA.
3. Siberia
When looking for a bar that has more than jazz music, Siberia is the one to choose. They offer music genres like local heavy metal or punk one night, and then indie or even burlesque the next night. The diversity of the music is what keeps people coming back, and the Slavic soul food like pierogi and blini make this music venue even more unique.
4. Maison Bourbon Jazz Club
Maison Bourbon is one of only two jazz clubs on the famous Bourbon street, making it an essential place to visit. This is another jazz club with the goal of preserving the traditional jazz of New Orleans. Many jazz legends did their apprenticeships at Maison Bourbon, including Harry Connick, Jr., so when you visit Maison Bourbon, you know you will hear some of the best artists.
5. Tiptina’s
Tiptina’s immerses you into the jazz culture of New Orleans like no other bar in New Orleans. It was opened by a group of music fans who wanted a place for the NOLA legend, Professor Longhair, to play at regularly during his final years. Nowadays, the sidewalks out front have a Walk of Fame featuring the NOLA music legends, past and present. Stars like Willie Nelson and Pearl Jam are a few of the talents that have taken the stage of Tiptina’s.
6. Maple Leaf Bar
The Maple Leaf Bar is another famous music venue that plays other genres than just the city’s beloved jazz. Offering up the best talent in funk, blues, and more, Maple Leaf attracts so many music fans that the crowds spill out onto the street. With local acts like Papa Grows Funk, and larger names like Bruce Springsteen to occasionally appear, the Maple Leaf is sure to give you an incredible music experience.
7. House of Blues
Although a chain venue, the House of Blues in New Orleans quickly integrated itself into the New Orleans jazz culture. The House of Blues has two main halls and the Voodoo Garden, which has free happy hour shows. This rock and blues themed venue conjures up some of the most talented artists from around the world.
8. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
An original jazz club on Frenchmen Street, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro will give you that true NOLA jazz experience. With both traditional and modern jazz music, this bistro always has music playing and people dancing. You can pay the well-worth it cover charge to get into the club to watch the live music, or you can watch from the restaurant on live TV cams.
9. Krazy Korner
For a bit of wild fun, head out to Krazy Korner and “let the good times roll”. Just steps away from the Preservation Hall, Krazy Korner offers live rock music every night, with drink prices that will make sure you do not break the bank. With covers of Journey, Van Halen, and Guns ‘n Roses, you will not be able to resist ending your night at Krazy Korner.
10. Rock ‘n Bowl
Although Rock ‘n Bowl is a bowling alley, the main reason people come to this venue is for the live music. Continuing to impress the guests with incredible music lineups, Rock n’ Bowl is famed for its rock music. This venue fills up quick, and as the night goes on the music gets louder and the dancing crowd gets larger, making it one of the most fun music venues in the city.
Want to get to there and experience the best live music venues in New Orleans for yourself? Contact us today and speak with one of travel experts!