Top 5 Late Night Music Venues in New Orleans

One of the many reasons to love New Orleans is that you can see live music on any day of the week, any time of year, in any neighborhood, at any hour night or day. I dare say there is not one waking moment in New Orleans when there is not live music playing somewhere in the city. Ever. The following venues are some where you are sure to find a band going strong into the wee hours, and then some.

1. Le Bon Temps – Le Bon Temps Roule is a fitting name for the Uptown bar and venue, as the good times are always rollin. One of my favorite times to go to Le Bon Temps is Thursday nights for the Soul Rebels Brass Band who always bring the party with everything from second line originals to Jackson 5 covers and everything in between.

2. Maple Leaf – I’ve always thought the perfect Tuesday night would be spent on Oak Street, first with a ragin’ Cajun dinner from Jaques-Imo’s and then walking a cool 50 ft (give or take) to the Maple Leaf Bar to hear Rebirth Brass Band, their resident Tuesday night talent. They have regular bands every other night of the week as well including the Sunday triple threat with Joe Krown, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste.

3. Howlin’ Wolf – This New Orleans music haven has survived three different locations, but its draw and spirit always stays the same. Named after the legendary New Orleans blues musician, Chester Burnett, the venue hosts traditional New Orleans artists as well as nationally touring indie and hip hop groups. Following the trend with the other venues on the list, the Howlin’ Wolf has a regular weekly brass night with none other than the Hot 8 Brass Band. The Wolf’s adjacent sister bar is The Den, a smaller but equally fun venue with a full bar menu available till at least midnight on weekdays and at least 2 am on weekends!

4. Tipitina’s – Tip’s in the Garden District is a very memorable place to see a band from the large space to the stellar acoustics, whether it be a New Orleans music veteran like Bruce Daigrepont who plays every Sunday night or a big, touring band like Drive By Truckers playing this Saturday and Sunday. You can’t miss it – it’s the big building on the corner of Tchoupitoulas with a Dixie Beer sign hanging from its second story.

5. Blue Nile – How could we leave out Frenchmen Street in the list of late-night venues? Blue Nile has double the stages, thus double the music and in turn double the fun. On a nightly basis bands like Washboard Chaz and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes play and house DJs spin a full range of dance music.

What’s your favorite venue to hear live music late-night in New Orleans? Let us know in the comments!

 

Tagged as: Frenchmen Street, howlin' wolf, le bon temps new orleans, Maple Leaf Bar, New Orleans music, Rebirth Brass Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band, the blue nile, Tipitina's