A Local’s Guide to Live Music in New Orleans – Where to Go & What to Know

From spirited Second Line parades and booming brass bands to cozy jazz clubs and talented street performers, live music is ingrained in the heart of New Orleans. As the birthplace of jazz, NOLA’s music scene is rich with history and overflowing with local talent. 

Whether you’re visiting for a major music festival or just hoping to stumble upon a soulful set in the streets, our guide to live music in New Orleans will help you find a special experience that fits the bill.

Iconic Neighborhoods for Live Music

Sometimes the best way to discover live music in New Orleans is to simply follow your ears. One of our favorite places to do just that is Frenchmen Street. This lively stretch in the Marigny neighborhood, adjacent to the French Quarter, is the go-to spot for a night of venue-hopping. 

Start at Frenchmen and Esplanade, and take a stroll down the next three blocks. You’ll find about a dozen venues with an eclectic selection of live music every night of the week. A few local favorites include Snug Harbor, d.b.a., Marigny Brasserie, Spotted Cat Music Club, Cafe Negril, the Apple Barrel, Blue Nile, and Three Muses. Don’t be afraid to pop in wherever the music pulls you in!

Beyond Frenchmen, you’ll find great live music throughout the city. Check out the Marigny and Bywater for laid-back vibes and eclectic sounds, Treme for deep jazz roots and cultural history, or the Central Business District for swankier venues and lounges.

Favorite Local Venues for Live Music in New Orleans

Blue Nile

Address: 532 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: bluenilelive.com

One of the longest-standing music clubs on the Frenchmen strip, the Blue Nile offers live music most nights of the week. In its 1832 building, there’s a street-facing showroom as well as an upstairs venue with a spacious balcony overlooking Frenchmen Street. Here, you’ll hear funk, blues, soul, and brass shows featuring local, national, and international artists amidst ritzy blue and gold decor. Note that shows in this venue are for the 21+ crowd. 

House of Blues

Address: 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Website: houseofblues.com

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, House of Blues offers a full menu of family-style dishes and craft cocktails along with nightly live music. Each night in the restaurant and bar, they showcase local artists playing jazz, blues, rock, and today’s hottest cover songs. If it’s nice out, they move the music outside to the family- and dog-friendly Voodoo Garden, which has a full bar, stage, and outdoor dining. 

d.b.a.

Address: 618 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: dbaneworleans.com

This popular, intimate spot is known for its great drinks, including craft beers, and its eclectic lineup of live music. From brass bands to indie performers, shows have been on the stage at d.b.a for 25 years. A minority, woman-owned business, the owners of d.b.a. also run The Spotted Cat and Three Muses and play music on Frenchmen Street themselves.

Maple Leaf Bar

Address: 8316 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Website: mapleleafbar.com

An uptown staple for late-night funk and soul, Maple Leaf Bar is a classic old-school music hall. Here, there are frequent drop-ins and jam sessions as well as top-notch performances from local legends, up-and-coming talent, nationally known artists, and even Grammy Award winners. Enjoy a mix of musical talent at the Leaf.

Tipitina’s

Address: 501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Website: tipitinas.com 

A local legend with big-name acts and NOLA classics, Tipitina’s offers daily shows with standing room only. While you’ll need to purchase tickets for most shows here, they have Free Fridays every Friday in the summer. Known by locals as “Tips,” the rustic, black-and-white tiled warehouse space has been a spot for live music and dancing for almost 50 years. 

Snug Harbor

Address: 626 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: snugjazz.com 

Located in the three-block entertainment district of Frenchmen Street, Snug Harbor offers live jazz shows every night of the week. With its upscale and intimate vibe and flavorful Creole food, it’s a great spot to stop in for live music with a meal. Unlike some of the other live music clubs in the area, children 13 and up are welcome in the audience at Snug Harbor for their nightly shows at 7:30 and 9:30 PM. 

Preservation Hall

Address: 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: preservationhall.com 

Another great spot for live music in New Orleans is Preservation Hall. Right in the French Quarter just off of Bourbon Street, this intimate, acoustic venue offers live music every night. Be sure to purchase tickets on their website in advance of each 45-minute show.

The Spotted Cat Music Club

Address: 623 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70117

Website: spottedcatmusicclub.com 

With a tiny stage, a weathered bar, a standing-room crowd, and dive bar vibes, The Spotted Cat is a local favorite and one of the most recognizable clubs in New Orleans. A cozy, intimate setting for jazz and swing along Frenchmen Street, it has great cocktails and a lively atmosphere. No reservations or tickets required for this one, and it’s open seven days a week.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Bar 

Address: 733 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: fritzelsjazz.com

The oldest operating jazz club in New Orleans, Fritzel’s plays live jazz every day and night, including a traditional New Orleans house band, and many popular jazz and blues artists. Located right on Bourbon Street, it’s easy to pop into Fritzel’s for an afternoon solo piano performance by Richard “Piano” Scott. We highly recommend!

Can’t Miss Live Music Events in New Orleans

Wednesday at the Square

If you’re visiting New Orleans in the spring, head to Lafayette Square on Wednesday nights for a free weekly concert series. Highlighting some of NOLA’s most famous brass bands as well as jazz, rock, funk, swamp-pop, and Latin rhythms performed by well-known local artists, it’s a great way to experience the soul of New Orleans. 

Wednesday at the Square runs every Wednesday from mid-March to mid-May from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public. Proceeds from food and drink sales support Young Leadership Council’s community programs (outside food and beverages are not allowed.) Bring a chair or blanket to sit on (maybe even bring your leashed pet!) and enjoy the vibrant energy of outdoor live music.

Jazz Fest

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—aka Jazz Fest—is one of the city’s most iconic celebrations. Since 1970, it’s brought together legendary live music, Louisiana cuisine, and talented local artisans for an unforgettable cultural experience. While jazz is the heart of it all, you’ll also hear blues, gospel, rock, funk, country, and huge headliners (like Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Katy Perry, and Luke Combs) across multiple stages during two weekends of nonstop entertainment.

Jazz Fest takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd), just 10 minutes from the French Quarter. The festival usually runs from Thursday through Sunday on the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May, with daily hours from 11 AM to 7 PM. If you want the full experience, consider staying for both weekends—and maybe even the week in between! There are plenty of other spring festivals to check out, too! 

French Quarter Fest

Set in the heart of the French Quarter each spring, French Quarter Fest is one of the largest free music festivals in the South. Featuring local artists on more than 20 stages playing everything from classic jazz to brass bands and funk, plus tons of food and drink vendors, the French Quarter Festival captures the true spirit of New Orleans.

Local Second Lines 

It wouldn’t be New Orleans without second lines and brass band parades! Many people know there are parades during Mardi Gras, but don’t realize there are parades throughout the year. 

Second Lines are festive parades rooted in traditional jazz funerals. Almost every Sunday (minus the hottest summer days), New Orleans Second Lines invite spectators to enjoy live music no matter when they visit. Visit wwoz.org to find the parade schedule for your stay. 

Honestly, you’re never far from live music in NOLA – you’ll also happen upon buskers and street performers as you explore the city. Some of the best places to find street performers are Royal Street, Bourbon Street, Decatur Street, and Frenchman Street.

What to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning to catch a show at a live music venue in NOLA (and not just popping into the clubs along Frenchmen on an impromptu stroll), it’s a good idea to check websites in advance to take note of a few things. 

Tickets & Reservations: Be sure to check whether they take reservations or require you to purchase tickets in advance. Some popular venues sell out, so it’s always a good idea to check the website before heading out.

Food & Drink: Some venues offer full dinner menus and seating (like House of Blues or Snug Harbor), while others only sell drinks and are standing-room only.

Kids: Is your visit to NOLA a family trip? Some spots are all-ages early in the evening, but others are 21+ at all times. 
Tips: Want to support local musicians and keep live music in NOLA alive? Bring some cash to leave a tip or buy local music and merch. You can also follow and support local artists on social media long after your visit to NOLA.

Live Music in New Orleans

From legendary jazz clubs to open-air concerts, New Orleans is alive with music every night of the week. Whether you’re chasing the sounds of brass bands on Frenchmen Street or stumbling upon a Second Line parade, the city’s rhythm is impossible to miss.

Planning your trip around the New Orleans music scene? A well-located vacation rental puts you close to the action and gives you a comfy place to recharge after a night out. We’re here to help plan your stay in NOLA. Let the good times roll!