New Orleans and jazz go together like beignets and powdered sugar. You can’t visit the Crescent City without feeling music in your bones. It pours out of open doors, trickles through courtyards, and grabs you by the heart. Whether you’re into smooth sax solos or rowdy brass bands, there’s a place for you here. Here’s a list of jazz clubs in New Orleans that locals love, tourists discover, and music never leaves.
1. Preservation Hall
📍726 St. Peter Street, French Quarter
Walking into Preservation Hall feels like stepping back in time. No neon lights, no fancy stage setup. Just four walls, a few benches, and music that hits you straight in the soul. It’s tucked away in the French Quarter and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. But inside? Pure magic.
Founded in 1961, this place isn’t about bells and whistles. It’s about tradition. The musicians play without mics or speakers, which makes every note feel raw and real. You’re sitting just feet from the band, watching fingers fly over trumpet valves and piano keys.
2. The Spotted Cat Music Club
📍623 Frenchmen Street, Faubourg Marigny
Over on Frenchmen Street, The Spotted Cat Music Club has that unmistakable “only-in-New-Orleans” vibe. It’s small, loud, and packed almost every night. But once the band kicks off, nobody minds bumping elbows.
This place doesn’t put on airs. There’s no cover charge most nights, and the musicians? They don’t mess around. From swing to blues to gypsy jazz, every performance feels spontaneous in the best way.
If you want something that feels homegrown and electric, this is your spot.
3. Snug Harbor
📍626 Frenchmen Street, Faubourg Marigny
Snug Harbor sits just down the street from The Spotted Cat, but it’s a different kind of jazz club. Think quieter, more refined. The space is cozy, with warm lighting and a stage that feels almost like someone’s living room.
Musicians love playing here, probably because it feels like people really listen. No one’s yelling drink orders over the saxophone solo. You can sit, order some gumbo, and really soak it all in.
They’ve hosted some jazz legends, but even on a random Tuesday, the talent is top-notch. If you want great music and great food under one roof, Snug Harbor delivers.
4. Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta
📍300 Bourbon Street, French Quarter
If you like your jazz with a dash of elegance, the Jazz Playhouse inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel might be your jam. It’s got the plush chairs, the moody lighting, and bartenders who actually know how to make a proper Old Fashioned.
The setting is relaxed, but the music is serious. Local pros and guest performers rotate through, and they always bring their A-game. Whether it’s a soulful vocalist or a tight instrumental group, the performances feel polished without being stiff.
Bonus: It’s right in the French Quarter, so you can wander in after dinner and ease into your night with something smooth.
5. Fritzel’s European Jazz Club
📍733 Bourbon Street, French Quarter
Fritzel’s feels like an old-world pub met a New Orleans brass band and decided to stay put. It’s right on Bourbon Street, but don’t let that scare you off. This isn’t the part of Bourbon with blinking daiquiri signs and cover bands.
Inside, it’s narrow and cozy. Brick walls, vintage decor, and a piano that’s seen a few decades. The bands play old-school traditional jazz, the kind that makes your foot tap before you even notice.
Fritzel’s has been around for ages, and it shows in the best way. The musicians are always tight, the vibe is relaxed, and it’s one of the few spots on Bourbon where you’ll hear more clarinet than karaoke.
6. Maple Leaf Bar
📍8316 Oak Street, Uptown
The Maple Leaf is a little off the tourist path in Uptown, but that’s part of its charm. It’s gritty, packed, and the music doesn’t usually start until late, but it’s worth the wait.
This isn’t a “sit quietly and sip wine” kind of venue. It’s more “dance until you forget what time it is.” Jazz isn’t the only thing on the calendar. They mix in funk, blues, and jam bands. But there’s always soul in the music.
Some of New Orleans’ best-known musicians have played here, and you never know who’ll show up on a random night. If you’re looking for an unfiltered, all-in kind of experience, Maple Leaf hits the mark.
7. Dos Jefes Cigar Bar
📍5535 Tchoupitoulas Street, Uptown
Imagine a laid-back lounge where the smell of cigars hangs in the air, the lights are low, and a live jazz band plays just feet away. That’s Dos Jefes. It’s part cigar bar, part music venue, and all about atmosphere.
The drinks are strong, the crowd is mellow, and the music leans more on the smooth side. Think sultry saxophones and mellow guitar riffs. It’s the kind of place where conversations drift between songs and no one’s in a rush.
You don’t have to smoke a cigar to enjoy it, but if that’s your thing, they’ve got a solid humidor. Either way, it’s a chill spot that feels like a hidden gem.
8. Tipitina’s
📍501 Napoleon Avenue, Uptown
Tipitina’s is more than just a music venue. It’s a New Orleans institution. Opened in 1977 and named after a song by Professor Longhair (a local legend), it’s got history dripping from the walls.
It’s not strictly a jazz club. You’ll hear funk, blues, rock, and more. But jazz always has a home here. The energy is wild, especially when the place is packed. Think sweaty dancing, horns blaring, and everyone singing along to the last chorus.
The building itself has character. Posters, photos, and years of stories hang in every corner. If you want to feel the heartbeat of New Orleans music, Tipitina’s is it.
9. Davenport Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton
📍921 Canal Street, Central Business District
Named after local jazz musician Jeremy Davenport, this lounge brings a touch of class to the jazz scene. Located inside the Ritz-Carlton, it’s plush, polished, and very easy on the ears.
The music is smooth, the drinks are fancy, and the vibe is perfect for a relaxed evening. It’s a great place to escape the French Quarter chaos without missing out on great live music.
Jeremy himself plays here regularly, and he knows how to charm a room. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, you’re welcome to pull up a chair and stay a while.
10. Bacchanal Wine
📍600 Poland Avenue, Bywater
Bacchanal feels like someone threw a dinner party in their backyard and invited the best jazz band they knew. It’s tucked away in the Bywater neighborhood and looks unassuming from the street. But walk through the gate, and it opens up into a dreamy courtyard strung with lights and filled with tables, wine bottles, and music.
Pick a bottle of wine from the shop inside, grab some cheese or small plates, and head out back. The band sets up on a small patio, and the music just flows. It’s not flashy, but that’s the point.
This place is casual, charming, and completely New Orleans. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path with serious local flavor, Bacchanal’s the one.
Final Note
Jazz in New Orleans is about soul. You’ll find it in dive bars and hotel lounges, in grand old halls and tiny backyards. Each club has its own personality, and every night brings something a little different.
So if you’re heading to New Orleans, make time for music. Show up with an open heart, a loose schedule, and maybe a drink in hand. Let the music lead. It always knows the way.
