These Historic Venues Are Some Of The Most Iconic Places To See Live Music In New Orleans

When traveling through the United States some of the cities may start to blend together. It sometimes feels like there are the same types of trendy bars and restaurants everywhere you go. The endless stretches of strip malls and chain stores can begin to feel mind numbingly repetitive. Many travelers enjoy the United States because it's a melting pot of different cultures, but some places may feel as though they lack any sort of unique cultural identity. New Orleans, Louisiana is not one of those places. It might just be the most fun city in all of America. 

Even if you've lived in the United States your entire life and traveled around the country extensively, New Orleans will surprise and delight you. The city is known for delicious Creole and Cajun cuisine, historic architecture, and lively festivals like Mardi Gras. The music scene is absolutely legendary. It is there, on the shores of the mighty Mississippi River amidst the colorful colonial buildings, where jazz music was born.

On any given night you wander the historic streets of the French Quarter and hear the sounds of live jazz, rock, blues, rap, and almost every other genre of music emerging from behind the doors of various bars and music venues. The annual Jazz Festival, is one of the best music festivals in the USA. It's held every spring and attracts musicians and fans from all over the world. Even if you aren't visiting during Jazz Fest you can catch epic live shows almost every night of the week. If you're in the mood to groove and celebrate New Orleans' rich musical history during trip, head straight to one of these epic music venues. 

Before Preservation Hall rose to fame as an iconic jazz venue, it was an art gallery called Associated Artists. The proprietor loved music as much as art, and so he began inviting jazz musicians to practice playing within the gallery. Some of the world's most iconic jazz legends participated in those early jam sessions. Allan Jaffe stumbled upon the gallery while visiting New Orleans after his honeymoon, and was so inspired that he and his wife decided to move to New Orleans. He and his wife eventually took over the jam sessions and the gallery moved next door.

The venue became known as Preservation Hall and it became a hub for traditional jazz music and New Orleans culture. The Jaffe's were involved in the Civil Rights movement, and refused to enforce racial segregation in their venue despite pressure from law enforcement. In 1963, he introduced the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Sadly, Allan Jaffe died of cancer in the 80's when he was only 51 years old. Preservation Hall is now operated by one of his sons.

Listening to jazz music is one of the best things to do when visiting New Orleans, and Preservation Hall is a top spot. The venue is located on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter, and you can still see live jazz performed by local legends every night of the week. Tickets usually cost $25 for standing room, or $40 if you want seats.

Toulouse Theater is another French Quarter legend. It's located on Toulouse Street, just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the ever-popular Bourbon Street — otherwise known as the biggest tourist trap in New Orleans, according to locals. The venue was constructed in the late 1960s as a single screen Walter Reade movie cinema. In 1977, it was converted into a theater for live performances. It was once a popular place to catch vaudeville shows.

The venue passed through a few different hands over the years, and has undergone a few name changes, but it's always remained independently owned. In 2021, it was renovated and reopened as the Toulouse Theater. Since then, countless world-famous musicians and performers have graced the stage. Arcade Fire, Charlie XCX, Greta Van Fleet, Portugal. The Man, Shakey Graves, and Lady Gaga are just a few of many renowned artists who have performed at the venue.

Toulouse Theater has an incredible vibe. The walls are decked out in gorgeous vintage velvet wallpaper, the bars serve up fun cocktails, and the balcony offers wonderful views. With a capacity for around 450 people, it's an intimate place to see your favorite singer or band. 

The banana in Tipitina's logo pays homage to the days when the building housed a juice bar, and its name pays homage to Professor Longhair. The iconic composer and pianist performed at the venue until he passed away in the 1980s. Tipitina is one of his most well known songs.

Before it was transformed into a venue, the building served a variety of purposes. Constructed in 1912, it was used as a gambling house, a gym, and a brothel. The music venue opened in 1977 and it has remained a popular place to see live music ever since. Galactic, a popular jam-band from New Orleans, purchased the venue in 2018. After purchasing the venue, Galactic created the Tip-it foundation which aims to promote the future of the Gulf South's music scene and honor its heritage.

Tipitina's is located uptown on the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street. Inside you'll find a funky space with black and white tiles and tons of concert posters highlighting musicians and shows from throughout the venue's history. There's room for a round a thousand people at max capacity. Depending on the day, you may be able to catch local brass bands, funk music, rock, and various other genres.

The first House of Blues establishment opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the early 1990s, and the founders aimed to celebrate diversity and the arts. That mission lives on today, with House of Blues venues are scattered all across the United States and host some of the biggest musical stars. The New Orleans location is no exception. Nestled within the French Quarter on Decatur Street, the House of Blues features a music-themed bar and restaurant where you can catch live local bands every night of the week. In the main concert hall you can watch internationally touring acts perform throughout the year. It's also one of the places where you're likely to spot a celebrity in New Orleans.  

The venue is decked out in more than 600 pieces of folk art, and has several different spaces to explore. There is a VIP club for members, and three private event space, each with its own bars, stages, and sound systems. The Music Hall has multiple stories. The entire venue can accommodate up to 1,800 people.

The original Saenger Theater was constructed in 1927 and cost $2.4 million — which is equivalent to about $34 million today. In its early days it was a popular palace to see silent films and theatrical performances. There was room for thousands of people to attend a show, and the opening was a grand affair with a vibrant parade through the streets of New Orleans.

The Saenger Theater is located in the French Quarter on Canal Street. Sadly, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the beautiful venue. It took eight years and $53 million to repair and renovate the space, but it reopened in 2013 with much of its original 1920s charm restored. The entire place is dripping with vintage touches, from the intricate exterior to the lighting and decor that are exact replicas of the originals. Today, you can catch Broadway performances, comedy shows, and live music.