Nightlife in New Orleans: Explore the Best Spots Throughout the City
Imagine stepping onto the streets of the French Quarter, city lights refracting from cobblestone, the air scented by scratch-made seafood pastas and po-boys. Trickling from door frames are the sounds of jazz, blues and karaoke, each intercepted by joyful second line parades and lively buskers. Welcome to New Orleans nightlife.
Find More Things to Do in New Orleans
Explore New Orleans’ Nightlife
Live Music in New Orleans
Bourbon Street: Hidden Gems
Explore Frenchmen Street
Late Night Bites
Live Music in New Orleans
There’s nothing simpler than finding live music in New Orleans — the city is built on it, after all. Start with Preservation Hall, a Big Easy staple with nightly concerts that highlight traditional New Orleans jazz. Or head to Tipitina’s, a neighborhood juke joint open since the ‘70s, to really boogie down. For a dose of folk art and soul food alongside music, check out Kermit’s Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge. Prefer the independent music scene? Swing by Toulouse Theatre, where you can grab a cocktail at a crimson-soaked bar before the show.
Preservation Hall
Bourbon Street: Hidden Gems
Any guide could tell you about Bourbon Street’s vivacious attitude, found in corner bars and karaoke lounges. If you’re interested in finding this iconic street’s undercurrent, make it your last stop. You’ll have a better chance of hitting the area at peak liveliness, especially if you swing by places like Desire Oyster Bar & Restaurant for a drink first. Check out Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, a historic pub, before catching a show at European jazz club Fritzel’s. End the night belting your best tunes at the Cat’s Meow.
Desire Oyster Bar
Jazz musicians in New Orleans
Explore Frenchmen Street
Located away from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans proper, Frenchmen Street has long offered locals a musical reprieve. Here, you’ll find everything from blues and jazz to reggae and hip hop, and trust us — it will be wonderful. Don’t miss historic bars like Snug Harbor, The Spotted Cat, d.b.a and Blue Nile, where many jazz icons got their start. Want a midnight snack? Grab a loaded crawfish dog or vegan banger from Dat Dog. Be sure to stop by the magical Frenchmen Street Art Bazaar, too.
Find live music along Frenchmen Street.
Late Night Bites
After an evening of singing and dancing, a late night snack is in order. Grab a mile-high burger from Port of Call in the French Quarter, or a crispy fish and shrimp po-boy from Melba’s in Gentilly. Love comfort food? Grab Louisiana-style hot chicken at The Will & the Way in the French Quarter; tacos stuffed with Korean-spiced flank steak at Bayou Beer Garden in Mid-City; or a heaping plate of lo mein at Hoshun in Uptown.
Grab a late night cocktail at The Will & the Way.
Dat Dog makes a tasty late night snack.
