Clubs and Nightlife
Uptown
Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar
5535 Tchoupitoulas (at Joseph), 891-8500
Local lounge with an outdoor patio, pool table, and mellow, live jazz.
Le Bon Temps Roule
4801 Magazine, 895-8ll7
This Uptown bar features a stage known as the House of Dues upon which is performed local blues, funk, jazz and R&B for a clientele which includes undergraduates, attorneys and music freaks who enjoy a good brew and balletomanes.
Maple Leaf
8316 Oak, 866-9359
The place to go if you're craving funky New Orleans music (brass bands, blues and funk, usually) that sometimes doesn't cease until sunrise. An Uptown institution, which was originally a chess and music club (a couple of chess tables are still on the premises), is the famed site for poetry readings and pianist James Booker's most incendiary recitals. A patio provides somewhat fresh air.
Tipitina's
501 Napoleon, 897-3943
Formerly the 501 Club, Tip's was founded by Hank Drevich and his anarchistic conspirators (also known as the Summa 2 4 U Corporation) as a clubhouse for Professor Longhair in his declining years. Tipitina's is the city's funkiest joint with music most nights and a famous Fais Do Do (usually with Bruce Daigrepont and his band) every Sunday between 5 and 9 p.m.
Columns Hotel Bar
3811 St. Charles (at Penniston), 899-9308
Site of the filming of “Pretty Baby” (starring the adolescent Brooke Shields as a child prostitute), the Columns features John Rankin on Tuesdays, Chip Wilson on Wednesdays and Fridays belong to Ricardo Crespo, generating bossa nova between 5 and 8 p.m. Hip happy hour crowds. Sip a cocktail outside or go inside to listen to jazz and samba.
French Quarter
Preservation Hall
726 St. Peter, 523-8939
Back in the days when the future of traditional New Orleans jazz seemed dim, this is the place that kept the music alive. There is no bar or climate control. The music begins nightly at 8 p.m. with a line usually forming outside a half-hour before.
Pat O'Brien's
718 St. Peter, 525-4823
If you're a tourist, you are required to visit Pat O's, order a high-velocity Hurricane and listen to the piano players. It's the law.
Praline Connection Gospel and Blues Club
907 S. Peters, 523-3973
The “blues’ part of the name is more or less defunct but the gospel brunches are still held Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Friday nights, there’s hip-hop at 11 p.m.
Palm Court Jazz Café
l204 Decatur, 525-0200
Traditional jazz café in the French Quarter with a truly monumental selection of jazz recordings available for devotees of the music that was invented in New Orleans. Restaurant opens at 7 p.m. and music commences at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with jazz brunches on the weekends from noon until 3 p.m.
The Marigny
Snug Harbor
626 Frenchmen, 949-0696
The city's premier jazz club with live music seven nights a week. Ellis Marsalis is on stage most Fridays, and Charmaine Neville sings most Mondays. A nice restaurant with great burgers and steaks is also on the premises. Two shows nightly at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Spotted Cat
623 Frenchman Street, 943-3887
This is a great little club - very little, but very cool. Always fun music by local musicians and a crowd that always feels like dancing.
Café Brasil
2100 Chartres (at Frenchmen), 949-0851
The musical home of cultural diversity- reggae, Latin, jazz, klezmer-in the Marigny. Funky club where dancing and late nights reign.
Arts/Warehouse District
Le Chat Noir
715 St. Charles (bet. Girod and Julia Sts.), 581-5812
Buy tickets in advance for very good cabaret, comedy, jazz and theater.
The Circle Bar
l032 St. Charles at Lee Circle, 588-26l6
In the shadow of General Robert E. Lee's statue, the Circle Bar is open daily from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. with a happy hour between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seedy but cool, great bluesmen and retro rock bands in a 30s speakeasy looking place that overflows on weekends.
Michaul's
840 St. Charles Ave., 522-5517
Cajun bands and dancing every night except Sunday. Free dance lessons, and the music begins at approximately 6:30 p.m. No cover for patrons of the dining room.
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