We were hesitant because there were only a few people sitting at the bar when we walked in. It…read moreturned out that was the band, which meant it was just the two of us girls, so we decided we'd just have a drink and see what happens. It was 2 p.m. afterall, so not a lot of people were out in general. Turns out the band was great! Then people started trickling in and there was a good crowd enjoying the music with us. We had a great time, chatted with other patrons and a few of the band members. Good drinks, prices are on the higher end at ~$15, but still affordable. I had a Pimm's cup which was refreshing, they are served in souvenir to go cups that are really cute. Glad we decided to stay! A great time was had.

Before I start, this is my review based on my experience. I've noticed some people complain about…read morethe music, paying the cover charge, seating or the size of the venue. I'm not here to argue any of those points. I will say this: expecting live musicians to perform for free until you decide whether they're worth paying is ridiculous. The cover is usually only $5...$10 max. If that's a dealbreaker, this probably isn't your place. Stay home and stream Spotify. Now... I have some friends in town, and whenever that happens, a Monday night trip to the Spotted Cat is basically mandatory. I've been coming here for years and years. Yes, it's super touristy now, but it still gives me the warm fuzzies every time I walk through those doors. So I'm presenting the "compliment sandwich" review. Never heard of it? You start with a compliment, slip in some constructive-ish criticism, then end with another compliment. Supposedly people receive feedback better that way. Let's see. First, the music. Outstanding. Chris Christy wasn't what I thought I wanted to hear until I actually heard him. I felt completely transported. Man, can that guy play the guitar. It felt kinda like gypsy music. Then came the Frenchmen Street Allstars. The last time I saw them, they had a different lead singer and, honestly, they kind of felt like a completely different band, aside from the phenomenal drummer. This version did not disappoint. It was a great mix of jazz and New Orleans standards. Both bands were great! **Now a note to management.** Great music isn't enough. The bar should be every bit as memorable as the stage. Forgive me, I didn't get the bartenders' names, so I have to describe them by physical traits. The first bartender, the guy with the mountain of curly hair, was friendly enough and made decent drinks. Later, another bartender with a short haircut took over and made the best drinks of the night. Then there was the bartender with the black and hot pink hair. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. She rarely smiled, her demeanor felt unwelcoming, and it almost came across as hostile. On top of that, the drinks she made were so weak I genuinely wondered if there was any alcohol in them. Seriously. They were that bad. Here's my philosophy: if you're going to be grumpy, aloof, or have some other off-putting trait, you'd better make a mean drink. Years and years ago there was a bartender named Curtis who wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows, but that man could make a cocktail. I didn't need him to smile because the drink did all the talking. If the drink is mostly soda, though, friendliness becomes a lot more important. Unfriendly and bad bartending is a double whammy. She must be somebody's child or partner because I can't think of any other reason to employ a bad bartender. I hate to belabor the point, but the drinks aren't cheap. Cheap and bad I can take. For another comparison, there's another bartender there, I'm pretty sure her name is Chris. She's been there for years. She's all business. Maybe a little surly. Who am I kidding? A lot surly. But she's a character. More importantly, she makes a great drink. That's the kind of personality that somehow fits the Spotted Cat perfectly. Now let me end with the final piece of "bread" on my compliment sandwich. The doorman deserves his own review. That gravelly-voiced "Welcome to the Spotted Cat!" is part of the experience. Then he absolutely hammers that stamp onto your wrist. Somehow you don't even mind because you know what's waiting on the other side: incredible music, a fun room, and one of the best nights you can have on Frenchmen Street. Just don't let the bartender with the pink and black hair make your drink.

This is a historic spot. It's small inside- not fancy- it's real. No big lights, no big speakers,…read moreno mixers or autotune. Think- sitting in the living room. Old church style benches. Get your tickets early. The musicians were great- music was great. I loved it.

I was lucky enough to have visited Preservation Hall twenty eight years ago so I knew I had to come…read moreback since we'd be on vacation in New Orleans the first week of May. We made our reservations two weeks prior to our visit, since I believe that's the earliest you are able to. We were in line not long before they opened the doors. We had purchased front row seats and that was a wonderful treat! Being in that intimate setting to see and hear the incredible music performed is such a magical experience. I am thrilled I was able to share it with my fiancé who loved every minute of it!

DBA In New Orleans…read moreon April 24, 2026, the first Friday of the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. It had been a busy day at the fairgrounds, shuttling between the Blues tent (featuring Al "Lil Fats" Jackson) and the Gospel tent (featuring LB Landry Gospel Choir and St. Mary's Academy Gospel Choir) for most of the day. Lorde began her performance around 5:30 p.m., by which time I knew I'd had enough sunshine for the day. Taking the Express Shuttle bus back to my hotel, I made plans to stop by DBA for a drink and a listen. This is a modest venue - a traditional stage at the back, maybe a dozen tables - no food, just a well-stocked and diverse menu of beverages priced for the going market . . . not cheap, but not over the top expensive; and very tasty. The musicians were just setting up when I arrived around 6:30 p.m. on a Friday. There was one hi-top table for two left when I got there, so I claimed it and went looking for the bartender. The band fired up, and away we went. No cover, acoustics were great, the audience vibe was enthusiastic, and you get a sense that this is what New Orleans brass band jazz is all about. Time well spent!

Trivia: Two of the owners, Cheryl and Brad also manage what establishment located across the…read morestreet? Wine on tap. An interesting concept! Takes some time for the carbonation to escape. It is also cold, which was weird for me in a red blend. Friendly and attentive staff and the jazz was excellent. The seating situation is a little weird. Plan on standing if you come to hear jazz.

Three Muses After…read morehalf a day soaking in the sunshine, jazz, blues, and gospel at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival I headed back to Canal Street to chill for a minute before looking for dinner and music on the festival's first Thursday. I'm aging out of late night shows, so I took a pass on seeing Kings of Leon, Raye, Stephen Marley, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Cowboy Mouth. Instead, I headed toward Frenchmen Street, and the Three Muses. The musicians from Bad Penny Pleasuremakers were setting up as I arrived around 6 p.m. By the time my drinks arrived the band was in full swing mode. Mills at the bar took my order - beef bulgogi ($16), a bottle of PBR ($5), and a Maker's Mark neat ($10) did the job. I paid at the bar and took the number letting the server know where to deliver the meal. The band kicked in, and I was transported to heaven. This is a small, open space where the band can dominate without being intrusive. I took my time with my meal, soaking up the generous vibe the band was sharing with the 20 or 30 of us in the hall. I should note a local resource that might get unsung: 99.7 wwoz tracks the music of New Orleans year round, and does a great job alerting us to venues and performances at places like Three Muses.

we had a less than stellar time here. tbf, we had come in with a different expectation because the…read morelast time we had visited was YEARS ago and remembered it being so fun and delicious; come to find this bar has become a lot more folksy and a lot less restauranty. we came on a friday night around dinner time and it was practically empty. their menu only had 6-10 items on it. it was all kind of korean fusiony. the food did taste really good, but the portions were small. i thought their signature cocktail was also only okay. there were two people working behind the bar and maybe 3 tables in the whole restaurant with a band playing. i heard the table behind us say something like "huh, i guess we have to go order at the bar" because no one ever checked on them (nor us) so we ordered at the bar too. there are a lot of little fees listed on their menu. 3$/pp goes to the band. gratuity included. but then the singer of the band came around with a tip bucket and kind of got into our faces about tipping the band. while we were eating dinner. my friend threw in a $20 for the table, and then the singer continued to solicit us individually for more tips. it was SO tacky. we were still hungry but decided to just leave instead of ordering more. we just wanted to get out of there.

THIS IS A MUST SEE/DO THING IN NEW ORLEANS!! We were recommended to go here from some friends. It…read morewas our favorite thing we did in Nee Orleans. It feels like culture. The music is fantastic! There's a vibe to the musicians where they feel that they all know one another. We saw two different groups perform. The cocktails were delicious and craft! Really really loved! Wish we could come here every weekend! For others trying to understand how it all works, you don't have to purchase tickets to go. You can't make reservations. You just show up and grab a seat. It's a tiny little space but truly amazing. GO!

We were looking for a place to grab a cocktail before out dinner reservation elsewhere and we…read morestopped in here. Getting here right after they opened for the evening, before the live jazz started, we were able to chat with the staff (which we love to do) and they were very engaging and chatty. I also noticed they do a proper absinth service here and they offered one of the largest Absinth menus I've ever seen, so I had to try something interesting and different and went with the Texas made Opal Absinthe. Before selecting it, I asked the young lady who was handling the bar and she gave me her description, which I have to say was spot-on to what I ended up drinking. Another drink we got was great as well, and made with fresh juices. The vibe and venue is great here... I love jazz and I would love to return sometime to listen to the live jazz while enjoying their amazing adult beverages!

The Errol's Bloody Mary sign drew me into this hole-in-the-wall jazz bar. A dark wood bar and…read morefloor, along with a small stage occupied by a four-piece jazz band, create a classic New Orleans atmosphere. The Bloody Mary lived up to the hype, and the band ripped classic jazz tunes. See the video.

Eh not my favorite place for drinks due to quality of cocktails. I had to skip my Bloody Mary as it…read moretasted horrible. Even though my cocktail was horrible, the great band made up for it. The band was providing the tunes that you want to hear on Bourbon street. As for service: getting a drink at the bar can be tough when crowded. If this place is your jam, be patient.

Loveeeed my time here! We ordered two drinks, but had to go fast!…read more Ofc! Street parking it's the quarter. The service was impeccable. Me and my friend had a wonderful conversation with the bartender, while we listened to live music.

Made a dinner reservation for here in order to have guaranteed seating. The food was not great: bar…read morefood, flaccid fries, etc. but they have a big drink menu and the band that was playing was really good! So, you're paying for the experience and not the food/wait staff. Having a guaranteed seating is nice for people with disabilities, so I hope more places offer reservations like this.

Great spot!!!! Classic Nola. Felt like we were at a family party! So happy we stopped by to hear…read moreKermit and friends

Are you kidding me? We had 10 people from Chicago. No special events or nothing. This lady said 30$…read morea piece. We went right around the corner to Bullets sports bar. Thanks Bullets!!! FOH

We were given a small snack dish upon arrival. Service was unmatched. This was a great place to…read morehang out and have a quiet drink and listen to the piano player. Would go back again in a minute. Make sure you use the front entrance of the hotel.

This is my favorite bar in New Orleans and we just love that it is in the best hotel in New Orleans…read moreas well. The drinks are superb and the service is excellent. We always enjoy the bar snacks and especially those butter olives....DIVINE! There was a man playing piano when we were there last and the music is a wonderful backdrop to begin a wonderful stay in New Orleans.

If you're into live music, Blue Nile is a solid choice. Thursdays feature Irvin Mayfield, who…read morealways brings a strong, varied performance. Fridays are for Kermit Ruffins, and those nights are pure fun. He often brings surprise guests on stage, puts his own spin on popular tunes and keeps the energy high. All aboard! The bartenders can definitely hold their own, and the music gets the whole room moving. It's the kind of place where people come to dance, vibe, and actually enjoy local talent. Seating is available for a fee and reservation, but it is mostly a standing room only venue. Think well lit stage, open floor plan with a long bar left of the stage. That said, it is a crowded spot, so it's worth staying aware of your surroundings. I haven't seen anything serious happen, but I did have an encounter with a woman who seemed to have pickpocket tendencies. Just be mindful of anyone who's a little too eager to get close or rub elbows. Overall: great music, lively crowd, strong drinks, just bring the same awareness you would to any busy live music venue.

Hit up Blue Nile on a whim with my family and had perfect timing to catch a Kermit Ruffins set…read more Unfortunately, there was a cover but it wasn't too high. I had a Mockly and the rest of my crew had mixed drinks. In total it was around $46 with a tip which is fine for four people. We had a good time and enjoyed the show. It was a crowded Friday night but I really enjoyed it.