Although you can find live music in pretty much any bar of Bourbon Street any given day of the week (and any given time of the day!), there are a couple of great places to see local talent like the Zydepunks perform traditional and kicked-up traditional cajun, zydeco, klezmer and good old fashioned rock and roll nightly.
Kerry Irish Pub on Decatur Street in the French Quarter is a friendly neighborhood bar where you can see anything from bluegrass and country to folk and jazz depending on the night. There are a variety of beers on tap and plenty of room to stretch out in back and take in the sounds.
Tipitna's is an old school music club featuring local heavy hitters who are a fixture of the New Orleans music scene and likely to be featured at the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival. Legendary performers and new up and coming talent take the stage just about daily, and you'll feel a small part of New Orleans music history perusing the famous performers who line the sidewalk in their own personal "Walk of Fame".
Talk about a true House of Blues, the House of Blues in New Orleans is always a favorite to see a down and dirty jazz and blues ensemble on a Friday night as well as a spirited jazz brunch on Sunday morning. Its central location on Decatur Street in the French Quarter makes it the perfect anytime stop and its food, atmosphere, and Southern flair satisfies nearly all tastes.
New Orleans jazz has a home at the Preservation Hall at 726 St Peter St in the French Quarter. Doors open at 8pm, music starts about 8:30pm and the price of admission is $10 (Wed-Sun). The room may be small but it has a lot of flavor and history. The music is authentic jazz and the musicians, young and old, are talented in their own right. Go early to get a seat as there are only 3 rows of benches. You can sit on the floor in front of the stage or stand behind the benches. There is no smoking, food or drinking permitted. You can purchase bottled water between sets. The musicians will play 3 sets and appreciate tips for requests. A recent act, the New Birth Brass Brand is a great mix of musicians! Preservation Hall - you gotta do it!
For a different change of pace, you can visit City Park at sundown and take in a free dusk concert on the cool grass. Weekly, the neighborhood gathers (and turns out quite a crowd!) for quiet classical music concerts by local performers. A big favorite for families (including the pooch) to unwind from a busy day or an appetizer for a musical night on the town, the concerts are typically about 2 hours beginning around 7 and held during the summertime.
