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Apple Barrel
The opposite of pretension. The least judgmental. Its small size will make you wonder why Coco Robicheaux isn't playing theaters. A neighborhood-oriented Frenchman Street bar that spotlights twelve bar blues. Cheap drink prices. The seats outside are good for people-watching. |
Cafe Brasil
This is a medium-sized party room that has had a resurrection since the hurricane. It is hosting blues, jazz, funk, and rock every night. The stage is nicer, and things sound better. The Frenchman Street venue is open minded. Cafe Brasil has fundraisers, flea markets, and war protests. |
Carrollton Station
Uptown bar that has late night food. Laid-back atmosphere. No security. Real. The back patio is good for a party. The bar is removed enough from the stage that the neighborhood regulars stick around during concerts. Mostly roots rock or rock. The acoustic nights on Monday are important for the community. |
Checkpoint Charlie's
If you're homeless and bothersome, don't go here. They'll throw you out. Gritty. Elemental. Great grill food at this Esplanade bar. Cool jukebox. Music seven nights a week. If you're not into the usual hard rock, go play pool or Galaga. Or wash your clothes in the back. Great place to see Suplecs or Happy Talk. Might meet an interesting character. Spend your Mardi Gras afterglow here. |
d.b.a.
This Frenchman venue has a quality line-up every month. Jazz, Funk, Blues, and a little Rock. Theatre seating, a soundman, theatre lighting, and a new, larger stage keep concerts fun and intimate. $5 cover on Friday and Saturday. New York meets New Orleans style. Only the best domestic beers and a good international selection. Tip the band. |
Donna's
The geographic, musical center of New Orleans. Every brass band and modern or traditional jazz band has passed through this N. Rampart joint. Super down-home atmosphere. Charlie's in the back cooking BBQ, red beans, and burgers. Free food comes out for the gigs. Bob French on Monday is a sure bet. |
Dos Jefes
The Tchoupitoulas bar is a good place to hear loungy, popular, and subdued jazz. Acts play on the wall underneath the TV. Do yourself a favor and ask them to turn it off before the music starts. Odds are the musicians will even sneak a peak at CNN Headline News. Normal jazz table set-up. If you don't like cigar smoke, don't bother. |
Hookah Cafe
It's hard to stand up and listen or sit down without ordering anything at this Frenchman hangout. They won't bother you if you sit on the floor in front of the band, though. They have a good line-up of jazz and soul. |
House of Blues
The best place to hear a diverse array of national and local acts. Comfortable, secure atmosphere. Always awesome sound. The wooden floor is good for pogoing. Sneak to the security entrance behind the right bar when it gets crowded. Peak between the wall and the speaker for a good look. |
Howlin' Wolf
This venue moved to 907 S. Peters after the storm. It still has the lone pool table, along with a larger dancefloor and unobstructed viewing. There's much rock here, but there's also the occasional funk or swing show. |
Le Bon Temps Roule
This bar/restaurant/venue has been hosting weekly Soul Rebels shows for a while, now. A favorite person to see play here is Anders Osborne. This gritty, no-nonsense venue can house some fun and sweaty parties when things get crowded. |
One Eyed Jacks
If you’re looking for retro style, One Eyed Jack’s is the place to be. Not the "Hey, remember the 80s" nonsense that's been floating around. We mean retro like 17th Century France, non? The lush and plush red velvet on the venue’s walls when combined with the iron rail balcony make watching a show feel like a trip to a whorehouse (but that’s a good thing). The sound is usually impeccable, and the small setting makes medium sized indie rock shows seem huge.
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Snug Harbor
This Frenchman establishment is a good place for consistent modern jazz. Snug Harbor has a pedastool for locals, and they can draw a Mose Allison. Sets at 9 and 11. The tables by the stage allow for an extra-sensory experience. Get drenched with the music. Wanna meet someone from out of town? Go here. |
The Big Top
This art space is perfect for punk shows and difficult music. It's a great hang and a comfortably intelligent place to see a show. |
The Circle Bar
Concerts are held in a living room. This lends to initmate concerts--sometimes too intimate if a fast-paced garage rock band gets a gig. You'll find rock, rockabilly, and R&B here. The staff is super nice. Lounging on the outside patio overlooking Lee Circle is priceless. The Circle Bar has the feel of a neighborhood bar, but people come from around the city just to hang out. |
The Dragon's Den
This converted whorehouse at the beginning of Esplanade is the best place to see a small show. Incense roams, Thai food disappears. The music is always select jazz, D.J., blues or electronica. The place is chill with charm and atmosphere. |
The Maple Leaf Bar
Along with Tipitina's, the penultimate place to hear funk. Also some blues, soul, brass, and jazz. The Uptown Oak St. bar has fostered local acts since the '70's. A shotgun hall with a wooden floor hosts weekly throwdowns by Rebirth and Papa Grows Funk. The back alley is good for smoking. The back bar and patio are good for between-set mingling. Professor Longhair and Everette Maddox's spirits keep a bare bones lust for life alive. The longest running poetry reading in New Orleans is every Sunday at 3 p.m. |
The Spotted Cat
Great place to see mostly traditional jazz. Very intimate. Get there early for a seat. The tourists won't bother you. They're too enthralled. If you stand outside and listen to the whole set, you're cheap. Just go inside and buy the one drink minimum. |
Tipitina's
Uptown rulers. This is the place to hear blues and funk from the bigger names in the city. They also host a homegrown night that helps upcoming local bands. They draw the occassional national rock act. Dixie AND Purple Haze. If you grew up in New Orleans and went out to see live music, this is where you most likely grew up listening to it. |
