So you find yourself in New Orleans and ovewhelmed by all the music options offered in a city rated #1 in Entertainment. The variety of music venues in New Orleans is immense and for such a small city within the United States, it is saturated with sounds from all over the world. You can find Jazz, Blues, Funk, Latin, Reggae,etc in the small pocket of the world located at 30/90 latitude/longitude line. Far away from the neon lights and cover bands of Bourbon street there are some spots that are well known to locals but may evade the knowledge of tourists in an area known as Frenchmen Street.
Most of the venues on this street offer live music 7 nights a week and is host to the city’s biggest Halloween and Mardi Gras street parties outside of Bourbon Street. Music plays year round and depending on your personal preference many different genres of music can caress your ear any day of the week. Some of the best music venues in New Orleans where locals meet, dine and dance the night away are steps away from the sounds of Bourbon Street at the Edge of the French Quarter on Frenchmen Street.
The Neighborhood known as the Marigny plays host to some of the best Music Venues in the entire City known collectively as "Frenchmen Street" This is one of the only streets in the city officially zoned for live music and as such offers a number of clubs for locals and tourist to choose from; giving the ability to listen to jazz, blues, funk, reggae and swing all within one night. The Majority of these music havens are located within the 500 and 600 blocks of the street.
The Blue Nile plays host to many of the city’s livliest, funkiest musicians in New Orleans at 532 Frenchman St. (http://www.bluenilelive.com/main.html) which boasts live music Wednesday through Sunday. The Blue Nile also has an upstairs venue known as Alley Katz and offers a huge balcony overlooking the street. The combination of these 2 music venues within 1 building allow for a variety of music on any given night ranging from Funk and jazz to celebrity DJ’s.
Across from the Blue Nile, you will find one of the street’s newest hip spots, Yuki’s at 532 Frenchmen.This local hang out incorporates Japanese style food tapas with DJ music in the evenings. This Japanese pub offers a variety of beers and Shocho as well as Japanese movies projecting on the walls. During the weekend, the venue is always overflowing with the crowd spilling out into the street dancing to world beats produced from the in-house DJ.
Down the street on the 609 Frenchmen you will find The Apple Barrel, known as Frenchman Street’s best kept secret by many locals. This tiny bar is very inviting as often times the music creeps out into the street as visitors stand in the doorway of this crowded watering hole. The venue’s tiny stage serves as the ground for some soulful Crescent city jams. If you get hungry you can always head upstairs to the intimate setting of Adolfo’s which offers a combination of classic Italian dishes and New Orleans favorites. With the blend of a music bar and a restaurant upstairs, this building at 609 Frenchman offers a full night of entertainment.
Across the Street from the Apple Barrel lies Cafe Negril at 609 Frenchmen known for its Roots,Reggae as well as one of the best open-mic nights in the city on Mondays as you dance the night away to the Bob Marley painted walls. Reggae bands can be heard here every weekend on a regular basis.
D.B.A at 618 Frenchman St. which is also open 7 nights a week (http://www.dbabars.com/dbano/) offers a variety of beers on tap and liquor from all over the world. The window booths alongside the outside wall make it a great spot to people watch those enjoying the pleasures along Frenchmen St. D.B.A offers twice the fun as most nights they offer double bills with bands starting at 6 or 7p.m. and 10p.m.
The Spotted Cat located at 623 Frenchmen St. offers folks a mixture of Jazz and Swing as well as Latin music and has gone through a change in ownership recently but still retains its allure attracting many bohemian types. This venue usually host 2 bands with one beginning around 7 p.m. and the other at 10 p.m.
Across the Street from the Spotted Cat you will find Snug Harbor at 626 Frenchmen St (http://www.snugjazz.com/site/). "Snug" ,as it referred to by locals, is the premier Jazz Club in the city offering Classic, modern and Brass band style music with shows at 8p.m. and 10 p.m. Within the walls of Snug Harbor, you will also find a separate dining room offering salads, sandwiches and New Orleans favorites such as gumbo, BBQ Shrimp and Fried Chicken. Bring the entire famiy to an evening a Snug Harbor b/c well-haved, quiet children are allowed as well.
After a full night of drinking and dancing, the appetite can be supressed by any of food trucks lined up serving anything from Tacos, to Hamburgers to Brownies. A night of music and food can be enjoyed at any one of these establishments. Frenchmen St. is the local’s choice for live music and offers an immense variety suitable for all types. Music afficionados are sure to appreciate this Entertainment street located at the Edge of the French Quarter as an alternatives to Bourbon Street.
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