A Street of Song

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If you're looking for the city's best live music, head to Frenchmen Street. While its entertainment district only really developed in the 1980s, the street itself has a deep, darker history. It's said to be named for five French patriots who were executed near the river end back in 1769.

Today, the atmosphere is entirely different. It's a destination for jazz and brass, where you can wander between legendary venues like The Spotted Cat, Snug Harbor, and d.b.a. The architecture here stands out from the rest of New Orleans, giving the street a distinct character as you walk from one club to the next.

It's the kind of place where the music spills out onto the sidewalk, and the only requirement for entry is a love for the sound.

Updated June 2026