THE BIG EASY "MUSIC & GOOD TIMES" GUIDE
Few places are more synonymous with “music” than New Orleans— On any given Tuesday, you can walk down the cobblestone streets of the city’s French Quarter and hear half a dozen different tunes pouring out from the windows of balconies above, from iconic brass bands to live jazz to bluesy rock outfits. But this month, during New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (locally shortened to “JazzFest”), the saturation of music gets turned up to eleven. New Orleans natives and out-of-towners alike flock to this two-weekend affair, packed with music legends and local favorites – including some of the same bands you might hear in the Quarter – to experience the true vibrancy of the city. But the festival itself is just the beginning of the action— We’ve rounded up some of the best spots in town so you can live like a local during your stay in the Crescent City.
01. GASA GASA
A prime spot for injecting your New Orleans experience with some indie flavor, GASA GASA is located in the city’s hip Freret neighborhood amid coffee shops and comic book stores. The venue regularly offers traveling acts in cooperation with The Bowery Presents (think We Are Scientists, DIIV), as well as local gems. Be sure to stop by the venue in the daytime, too— Not only is their “happy hour(s)” menu of mimosas and bloody marys on the patio a force to be reckoned with, but you just may catch popup record store Sisters in Christ (known for its excellent collection of metal, punk and indie vinyl) before it moves to its new dedicated space.
4920 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115
02. NOLA BREWING TAPROOM
The best place to drink some local brews? How about on-site at Nola Brewing’s taproom? Sure, there are brewery tours to be had (the only one you’ll find in New Orleans, as it’s the only beer produced here since Hurricane Katrina), but we won’t judge if you’d rather just relax on their rooftop with a few pints and some McClure’s BBQ (smoked on the premises). Be sure to stop by between JazzFest weekends, however, when Nola Brewing hosts a fest of its own— Nola Crawfish Festival, replete with some of the city’s best acts to be enjoyed with beer and, of course, tons of delicious crawfish, New Orleans-style.
3001 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
03. SAINT ROCH MARKET
If you need to nurse your hangover after a long night of after-Fest parties, Saint Roch Market is the place. Swing by on Sunday for outdoor jazz and offerings from thirteen food vendors, ranging from top-notch Gulf oysters from Elysian Seafood, to spicy avocado toast from Juice Nola, to savory crepes and a distinctly southern take on Croque Monsieur from Dirty Dishes. Not one for brunching? The market will also offer a special late-night happy hour during Jazz Fest—we recommend pairing cocktails from the Mayhaw Bar with some of the aforementioned oysters.
2381 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
04. SIBERIA
While Nola is known for its jazz, there’s also a burgeoning metal scene— Owed in part to this Marigny/Bywater neighborhood venue. With a dark-luxe vibe that looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie, Siberia can be spotted from a mile off by the line of rocker twentysomethings outside its door. The venue’s best perk? A “Slavic soul food” popup in the back slings unforgettable pierogies and burgers to write home about— Certainly not bad for curing the mid-concert munchies late at night. If there’s one thing New Orleans cares about as much as music, it’s food— This much is apparent from the significantly above-average bar fare found all around town.
2227 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
05. DEFEND NEW ORLEANS
There’s no bigger cliché than leaving New Orleans with just a box of Café Du Monde beignet mix in tow (though, as clichés go, it’s a delicious one). Pick up something a little more distinctive at Defend New Orleans on Magazine Street after a day of ambling the city’s biggest shopping boulevard. Though DNO’s deeply local stock covers everything from Creole-inspired cocktail bitters to personal scents to tees repping the city’s best dive bars, we suggest keeping within the music theme and picking up one of their minimal screen-printed posters with New Orleans quotes from the likes of Bob Dylan and other sonic visionaries.
1101 First St, New Orleans, LA 70130
06. THE SAINT BAR & LOUNGE
Speaking of dive bars— No matter what Jazz Fest after-shows you find yourself at, remember one thing: all roads lead to The Saint. Locals consider this grungey spot a go-to, but don’t be fooled— You can never be sure who you’ll end up buying a drink for, from Solange Knowles to Quentin Tarantino. Stop by on Motown Monday for DJs and dancing, or hit up the back patio for a laid-back smokers’ paradise.
961 Saint Mary St, New Orleans, LA 70130
07. THREE KEYS
Inside the newly opened ACE Hotel Nola sits a venue that feels distinctly vintage (fitting for its surroundings in the old Art Deco building)— Checkerboard tile and wood-lined walls make for an intimate space that, during JazzFest weekends, will be a prime spot for catching DJ sets and live performances after a day on the festival grounds. Be sure to check out their Six of Saturns series for events ranging from local burlesque to a brunchtime talk featuring George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic… and steal away to the rooftop bar for a panoramic glimpse of the city.
600 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Words by: Emily Bihl
