Frenchmen Street is one of the most important places to hear live music in New Orleans. Located just outside the French Quarter in the Marigny, this short stretch is packed with clubs where the city’s musicians perform nightly. Jazz, brass, funk, soul, and blues are all played here by local artists who live and work in New Orleans.
Venues like The Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, d.b.a., Blue Nile, and Café Negril are known for consistently booking high-quality bands. Many musicians rotate between them in a single night. Most of the groups are formed by New Orleanians. Some are well-established, others are young artists getting their start. Sets often include improvisation, and the performances are geared toward people who come to listen.
On the street outside the clubs, there’s constant movement. Brass bands set up on corners. Painters and poets display and create work in real time. It’s a shared public space with a strong focus on local music and art.
Frenchmen Street plays a key role in the musical ecosystem of New Orleans. It supports artists, connects generations of musicians, and gives locals a consistent place to perform. It’s also one of the best places for visitors to hear original New Orleans music played live.
Our tour includes Frenchmen Street as one of several stops across the city that highlight New Orleans’ music culture. Travelers also visit the French Quarter, Preservation Hall, Congo Square, Treme, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, the Garden District, and Uptown. These places help tell the story of how music developed here, from its early roots to the present day.
The itinerary also includes essential food experiences. You’ll eat muffulettas or po’boys, enjoy a Creole dinner at a historic restaurant, have a jazz brunch at Court of Two Sisters, and try beignets at Café du Monde. In the evening, you’ll see performances at places like Maple Leaf Bar or other well-known venues depending on the local schedule.
If you want to join us, you can book a spot on our next New Orleans music tour happening over Halloween week. You can also request a private version of the tour if you’re traveling with your own group.
