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Where can you find live music in New Orleans?

Writer: Guide Michelle
Guide Michelle
Sep 3
3 min read

Updated: Sep 28

  • Local Insider Knowledge: A local is sharing recommendations to help travelers bypass overwhelming tourist options and find authentic music spots.

  • Spontaneous & Accessible: Most recommended venues do not require advance tickets, making it easy to drop in.

  • Flexible Planning: Travelers can either check venue calendars and social media ahead of time or simply show up for a good time.


It shouldn't be difficult to find live music in this music city, but it helps if a local tells you where to look. So, I'm here to help! When I travel, options can be overwhelming and the best spots are often not what gets advertised to tourists. Here is my guide to some of the best live music venues in the city - check their calendars and social media to find out who is playing while you're in town, or just risk a good time & show up- very few require tickets in advance! Join me for a French Quarter Cocktail Tour before heading out to see live music for the night!


You can also check the WWOZ Livewire for a reliable daily music calendar.


  • Frenchmen St. Beginning at Esplanade Ave. on the edge of the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street's live music venues inhabit 3 short blocks & live bands play 7 days a week. Until recently, it was a well-kept secret for music lovers to the city. Post-Covid, however, the street received a lot of social media attention and has become a mini-Bourbon Street, unfortunate for the bands who have to compete with the DJs, shot girls and late night fried chicken and daiquiri shop that cater to the Bourbon Street crowd. So I recommend going earlier than 10pm and try a weeknight; just bop in & out to see what is playing- there's usually no cover & most spots have 2-3 bands a night. The best spots for live music on the short strip are:

    • The Maison: sit & watch dixieland jazz, swing dancing, food, FREE drag shows upstairs

    • Bamboula's: sit & watch dixieland jazz, funk, blues & occasionally zydeco

    • Three Muses: dinner & a show- sit & watch jazz & dixieland jazz

    • Snug Harbor: like 3 Muses, sit & watch jazz & food

    • Blue Nile: dancing- brass bands, funk, large dance floor, good cocktails

    • Cafe Negril: dancing- reggae, funk, cover bands, lively jazz, dance floor

    • Spotted Cat: tiny crowded & famous bar for sit & watch jazz & dixieland

    • DBA: dancing or watching- dixieland, brass bands, swing & dance floor

  • Bywater/Marigny/St Claude Ave. This has become "the new Frenchmen" for the locals- if you're looking to see music beyond the traditional New Orleans dixieland jazz, this is your realm. I've also included venues just off St Claude Ave - all of these are in the vicinity. You can find everything from line dancing to punk shows, from dark wave to live jazz burlesque so check the links:

    • Cafe Istanbul: a venue for live shows, check the calendar to see when there's events

    • No Dice

    • Saturn Bar

    • Siberia

    • The Crypt

    • Poor Boys everything from DJs to death metal to dance parties

    • The Domino

    • Allways Lounge: any night of the week you can find up to 4 live shows- drag, burlesque, swing dancing & live music

    • Bar Redux: a "pop in and see what's going on" dive bar, small stage in the back hosts burlesque, movies, comedy & more

    • The Original Nitecap: a burlesque bar, everything from line dancing to live music burlesque

    • Bacchanal Wine Bar: casual outdoor wine garden with live music every night of the week

    • Bud Rips: occasional DJs & dance nights

    • Okay Bar

    • BJs: some of the BEST shows I've seen in New Orleans are here- seek out Washboard Chaz & Little Freddie King performances for iconic blues


Are you a musician or culture bearer/creative in New Orleans? The mission of the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation is to support cultural industries and culture bearers of the City of New Orleans through partnerships, grants, and programs to advance sustainable tourism. Learn about their funding grants here!

 
 
 

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