The Howlin' Wolf ★ 4.3
$$$$
Warehouse DistrictDaily varies by show.
The Howlin' Wolf on South Peters runs the Warehouse District concert hall plus The Den, a smaller back room. Capacity over 600 with a pro-grade sound system.
TipBuy main-hall tickets in advance; The Den is the walk-in option for local funk and Sunday brass nights with no cover.
BMC Balcony Music Club ★ 4.2
$$$$
French QuarterMon-Fri 16:00-02:00, Sat-Sun 14:00-02:00.
BMC at the corner of Decatur and Esplanade is the upstairs balcony jazz room that runs live music every night, half a block from the Frenchmen Street strip.
TipTwo sets most nights, no cover. Climb to the wraparound balcony for the breeze and the second-line view down Esplanade.
The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret ★ 4.4
$$$$
Marigny / St ClaudeDaily 18:00-02:00.
The AllWays Lounge on St Claude books burlesque, drag, comedy, theatre and queer cabaret in a Marigny shotgun room that holds about 80 and runs free Sunday.
TipCover usually $10 to $15 at the door; Sunday 20:00 swing-dance lessons are free with no cover. Calendar updates weekly on the venue site.
Hot Tin ★ 4.5
$$$$
$18 cocktails, 21+, walk-inGarden DistrictMon-Thu 14:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 14:00-02:00, Sun 14:00-00:00.
Hot Tin atop the Pontchartrain Hotel is the 14th-floor 1940s-artist-themed cocktail room with a 270-degree view of Downtown and the Mississippi.
Tip21+ only, no reservations. Sunday to Thursday closes at midnight; Friday and Saturday push to 02:00. Cocktails around $18.
Above the Grid ★ 4.2
$$$$
$18 cocktails, pool day pass extraCentral Business DistrictMon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 11:00-22:00.
Above the Grid atop the NOPSI Hotel pairs an open-air pool deck with cocktail service, weekend live music and a clear sightline of the CBD skyline.
TipDay pool access via ResortPass; bar service runs into the evening with DJs on weekends. The pool closes earlier than the bar.
The Pool Club ★ 4.1
$$$$
$18 cocktails, day pass for pool accessCentral Business DistrictMon-Wed 10:00-22:00, Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-00:00, Sun 10:00-22:00.
The Pool Club on the 13th floor of Virgin Hotels New Orleans pairs a wraparound pool deck with cabana seating, resident DJs and a skyline view across the CBD.
TipBar open later than the pool on Thursday to Saturday. Day pool access for non-guests via the hotel's day-pass option.