Let’s Jazz All Night | New Orleans Bar-Hopping Guide

I visited New Orleans on a weekend and just happened to catch this year’s Jazz Fest—what a lucky break! On this whole blue planet 🌍, New Orleans is the only place where you can hear jazz from every era, from the early 1900s all the way to the present day. As a total jazz fan, I basically dived headfirst into the “hometown of jazz” and spent three nights soaking up the music. Here’s a curated guide for you: 1⃣️ Preservation Hall Remember to book tickets online in advance! It’s a small venue, and each set lasts 45 minutes—so standing tickets are totally fine. Show up early to grab a good spot. The musicians have that classic, old-school vibe, and their skills are top-notch. This is traditional jazz (think Louis Armstrong 🎺)—definitely worth a listen. 2⃣️ Steamboat Natchez A riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River! Book the sunset tour—you won’t regret it. The band plays on the third deck, and there’s nothing better than listening to jazz while watching the sun dip below the river 🌇. Pure magic. 3⃣️ Fritzel‘s European Jazz Pub This is a total classic—they start live shows as early as 3 or 4 PM and keep going until late at night. Grab a drink, and you can sit and enjoy the music all evening. True to its name, it plays European-style jazz; I even heard a couple of bossa nova tracks during my visit—highly recommended 🎶! 4⃣️ Mahogany Jazz Hall Shows start in the afternoon, and after 8 PM, full bands take the stage. When I went, they played more traditional jazz, which I loved. Order a drink (their absinthe is a specialty 🥃) and you can listen as long as you like. 5⃣️ Apple Barrel Bar A dimly lit live house with only a few seats. Again, one drink lets you stay for hours. The jazz here has a modern twist—they mix in electric guitar (even though the band looks like a group of laid-back old guys 😂). 6⃣️ Spotted Cat Music Club It’s right next to the Apple Barrel Bar. There’s a $5 cover charge, and you don’t have to buy a drink to get in. The performance space is bigger—you can even dance a little (if you feel like it 💃)! 7⃣️ 21st Amendment Bar Honestly? It felt more like a rock bar to me. The jazz here was just so-so—not my favorite. 8⃣️ French Quarter Streets During my stay, the famous Instagram-worthy LaBranche House had a small band playing every day, starting around 5 PM. You’ll also spot street musicians jamming or parade bands marching through the neighborhood all the time. Just follow the music! A quick tip: Most great jazz clubs are on Frenchmen Street, not the more famous Bourbon Street (which is mostly just regular bars). Feel free to stop and listen outside a club—if you love what you hear, go right in! Every spot offers a unique experience. Finally, I noticed something: Either jazz isn’t super popular among Chinese travelers, or study-abroad students weren’t on break yet—I was often the only Asian person in the room. Jazz is such a treasure 🎁, and I hope more people fall in love with it! #NewOrleans #JazzMusic #USATravel #NewOrleansTravel #StudyInAmerica