The Best Jazz Clubs in New Orleans

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so you know its going to have a host of popular clubs
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so you know it's going to have a host of popular clubs | © Peek Creative Collective / Alamy
Kate Harrington

It’s certainly no secret that jazz originated in New Orleans. In this list we round up of some of the best jazz clubs this culturally rich Louisiana city has to offer fans of the treasured genre.

You can now book and travel to New Orleans with Culture Trip for the chance to experience the best of New Orleans’ jazz scene and other cultural highlights.

1. The Spotted Cat Music Club

Bar, Cocktails

At The Spotted Cat, a jazz club on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, musicians play for an audience. Note tip jar by stage.. Image shot 2015. Exact date unknown.
© Spencer Grant / Alamy
The Spotted Cat is known for hosting unbelievably talented bands. It’s a limited venue, with a small standing crowd area – and an even smaller stage. However, the petite size makes each event intimate. It’s casual, the drinks are affordable, and it offers authentic New Orleans jazz music.

2. Fritzel's European Jazz Pub

Bar, Beer

Trumpet Player Charlie Fardella, Fritzels European Jazz Pub, Bourbon Street, French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
© Martin Thomas Photography / Alamy

Fritzel’s is set in a historic club going back to the late 19th century, making it the oldest jazz club in New Orleans. Thanks to Fritzel’s New Orleans Jazz Band weekly, there’s a constant live band presence.

4. The Jazz Playhouse

Bar, Beer

The Jazz Playhouse_b48b5d3d
Courtesy of Royal Sonesta New Orleans / Expedia

This is a more upscale club that serves craft cocktails in a pretty sexy setting. There are vintage couches, mood lighting, and a stage with curtains. The live talent is always of the highest stature, and the bartenders are hospitable. The Jazz Playhouse is the pricier, more luxurious way to experience New Orleans jazz.

5. Sweet Lorraine's

Bar, Beer

Sweet Lorraines Jazz Club, New Orelans
© Dani Machlis / Alamy

Sweet Lorraine’s is a hole-in-the-wall club that serves New Orleans jazz and creole fare. It’s a small room, with a stage at one end, tables in the middle, and a bar at the other end. Sweet Lorraine’s is the jazz spot for New Orleans food and entertaining talent.

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