Candlelight Lounge — Local services in New Orleans

Last spring, wifey and I were lucky enough to spend a week in New Orleans. One of the most memorable nights of our trip was spent on a Wednesday at the Candlelight Lounge. I'd like to share our story.

My friend Gil B comes to NOLA multiple times a year and has a strong connection with the Crescent City. This was on his short-list of places he recommended to experience something off the beaten path. We arrived by Uber at 10:30 for a 10 o'clock show, thinking we were late, but this place runs on New Orleans time--the lights were all up in this funky little cinder-block building, and there were only a handful of folks sitting at the bar and along the walls. We saw a table in the corner with pots covered in foil sitting on a hot plate, and a paper sign: "Don't Touch Call Gladys"

At Gil's recommendation, we took advantage of their bottle service and requested a half-pint bottle of Seagrams gin at the bar. It is served with a luke-warm bottle of soda (we went for ginger ale), and a big red plastic bowl of ice and limes. It was perfect and refreshing on this warm night. We found a tiny table near the front and settled in.

The next big group to walk in the door was a group of senior Japanese tourists, which all sat on the same side of a big long table. They seemed out of place, sitting all on one side of a big long table. Half the men in the group promptly fell asleep. Not the first time that night, we wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into.

Gladys, it turns out, is the lively hostess for the night. She came by to make sure we felt welcome, and told us about the red beans and rice in case we were hungry.

Slowly the musicians and additional guests streamed in, and after another half hour or so, the band started to warm up and get ready for the show.

We were shocked and gleefully surprised, when one of the Japanese businessmen walks up to the stage with a trumpet case. He introduced himself to the band and asked if he could sit in, they were maybe more surprised than we were, but proceed to pull up a chair for him.

When the brass band finally starts up, the tables are full, and a few folks are dancing, and the music is excellent. Wifey and I were thrilled to see that the older tourist was a genius on trumpet, kept up with the band perfectly, and rocked the house. The smile in his eyes as he was playing beamed through the room, he was clearly in his happy place, and he even stood up for a solo in the second song.

For the third song, the band paused so Gladys could make an announcement: "In case y'all don't know, this is the third song, which means everybody dances. I'm on my feet all night, so I get to sit down, and the rest of all y'all get up. Everybody dances for the 3rd song." And so we did. And it was great.

We danced for the song after that, and a few more as well.

The band was on fire, and the whole room was feeling the music.

I am sure that not every Wednesday night is as amazing as what we witnessed last April, but I'll sure as heck be back here if I'm every lucky enough to be in the...

This place is in the Treme and is legit. A few years ago, i stumbled in and was serenaded by mario abney one of the best trumpet players around, and even though there were just a few people in the beginning he played his heart out to us, within the first set the place was filled - a wonderful experience. i have been back to the candlelight lounge many times since and always enjoyed myself. they have rice and beans to eat, and sell the liquor by the bottle. If you want to sit down, or dance and experience some top notch music, meet spider-and-dancing boys, speak to some locals who have created new orleans...

Man look this is the honeycomb hide out... I was really surprised!!! nice lil local bar ducked off in the treme area... newly renovated, cool ppl, think the pool table was free but dont quote me on that; too busy enjoying the $4 drink special on w/e you want and screaming who dat whenever I wasnt eating my plate and my friends plate so yeah free GOOD food too... you wont be upset even tho Drew sucked but you...