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Food With Live Music Near Me
A night out for live music is the ultimate in New Orleans, especially in the wake of the eerie pandemic silence that shut down musicians in every part of the city. But everything’s better with food. At these live music venues, it’s possible to take care of both appetites at once. Fancy isn’t guaranteed, but Eater has you covered with places to hear music and get some damn good grub.
This spots on this list are primarily music venues that happen to have great food, not the other way around.
As always, this list is organized by neighborhood, not by ranking. If we missed one of your favorite spots, let us know by sending us an email.
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
1. Le Bon Temps Roulé
4801 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA
(504) 897-3448
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This no-frills neighborhood bar features live music four days a week, everything from brass bands to klezmer. Le Bon Temps Roule features authentic Mexican food made fresh by Lily Pintor Karas, every Tuesday thru Sunday from 11am to 11 pm. Oysters are on the menu Fridays for happy hour.
2. The Broadside
600 N Broad St
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 218-1008
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This super outdoor music venue adjacent to the Broad Theater was a godsend to musicians looking to work in a safe environment. Now the Broadside is part of the Nola music scene – hopefully forever. There is usually good pop-up grub, from Filipino to tacos to dim sum. Best to call ahead to see what’s up.
3. Bayou Bar
2031 St Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 323-1454
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This swank spot in the Pontchartrain Hotel hosts fab jazz trios five nights a week. But there’s more. Bayou Bar also is home to terrific cocktails and enlightened bar food. Duck poppers? Garlic fries? Wild mushroom grilled cheese? Steak frites? Yes, a thousand times yes.
4. Davenport Lounge
921 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 670-2828
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Jeremy Davenport croons jazzy standards at his eponymous lounge in the Ritz Carlton most Thursdays through Saturday evenings. You can hear the music from the fancy M Bistro (and the kids can come too) or pull up a chair close to the Davenport Lounge stage and munch on the likes of wings, fried green tomatoes, and charcuterie.
Places to Grab Great Food and Hear Good Live Music
Too often, “live music” at a restaurant means a band blasting away while you eat — taking your (and probably your server’s) attention off the meal. The flip side is that you endure mediocre bar food and watered-down drinks to see a band you like. But a few new standout spots — Oda House and Dead Rabbit, for example — manage to hit the sweet spot by offering both good live music and superlative food. Imagine that! Plus: There are a lot of other oft-forgotten restaurants that you may not realize host nightly performers, too. When it’s done right, there’s romance in a little live music — or maybe even an actual piano player. Whether you like reggae, folk, jazz, Latin, or even ukulele music, grab a date and hit one of these spots soon.
Oda House
The Cheap Eats 2013 pick has a two-person folk band, comprised of singer Mariam Bibilouri and guitarist Justin Marthews, perform on weekends. Make sure to order the khachapuri (it sounds intimidating, but it’s just hot cheesy bread), and khinkali, which are basically the Georgian version of soup dumplings.
Center Bar
Michael Lomonaco’s classy Time Warner Center small-plates spot has a piano player every Tuesday through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The three rotating musicians play jazz songs, Broadway hits, and guest requests. It’s a good move to go early in the evening for oysters, cocktails, and smooth tunes.
Malbec
Below this new Noho restaurant is Tango House, a 150-seat theater that was a cabaret in the twenties. Now Tuesday through Sundays starting at 8 p.m., it’s home to 75-minute shows that feature a four-piece band and performance by the Esquina Carlos Gardel tango show. Make sure to go upstairs and get the pretheater $38 three-course dinner.
The Dead Rabbit
It’s fitting that the Irish-American “grocery and grog” has a band play Irish music every Monday in the taproom from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. And on weekend evenings, a rag pianist plays in the parlor upstairs. It’s a great setting to feast on Scotch eggs and drink way too much whiskey.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
A different artist plays every week at the Harlem outpost. You can catch the performances (usually it’s a blues band) on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. to the early morning hours as you eat a fourth meal of pork ribs.
Antique Garage
Tucked away on Mercer Street, Antique Garage has a romantic vibe (and an awesome wine list). There’s live music every night, except for Friday and Saturday. Plus: A rotating roster of musicians means you’ll rarely catch the same band. Check out the calendar here.
Queens Kickshaw
The Underground Gourmet awarded this specialty grilled-cheese shop/gastropub three stars. It’s great for a lunchtime sandwich and espresso, but even more enjoyable in the evening, when you can order craft beer and hear live music (bluegrass, jazz, and “experimental”) on Friday evenings from 9 to 11:30 p.m. This Friday, July 12, alt-country band Homesick Hound Dogs is playing.
Amor Cubano
The upscale Latin-American restaurant in East Harlem has a Cuban band play every night of the week, except for Mondays. You can catch the performance from 7 to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 p.m. to midnight on weekends as you enjoy homemade empanadas and sweet plantains.
The Leadbelly
This place is more than a watering hole: The small but solid menu includes snapper crudo, toasted naan and warm dukkha dip, and an impressive array of oysters. There’s live music every night, alternating between a Brazilian brand, reggae singer, ukulele player, and a pianist.
Barn Joo
Right now, the Korean gastropub only has live music “occasionally,” but it’s planning on hosting concerts every Thursday through Saturday in the future. Stay tuned for details.