Mahogany Jazz Hall

One of the best places I've been in NOLA. Beautiful music, full house on a Tuesday night - standing room only. Get there 7:30 for a seat. The band came and mingled on their breaks. Would go again and again.

2nd trip to New Orleans, we found this gem on the 1st trip and have been here 3 times this trip and absolutely love it. Vince the bartender is our favorite. He is knowledgeable about the music scene and recommended a great venu for Funk! Waites is also fabulous actually they are all wonderful. Never had a bad experience. The bands are full of energy the whole vibe of the place is exactly what you would want from a jazz club in New Orleans!

We sat at the bar with a birds eye view of the stage and never went thirsty. Garland was our mixologist and kept them coming all night. The menu shows $5 for the band per set but the hostess just passed the donation bucket around for the bands.

Went to this jazz bar twice in the same week. Just overall a great time. No tickets or entrance but you do need to buy at least one round of drinks. It does fill up and space is tight from about 8pm but if you’re willing to stand around while you wait for people to leave you could get a table. The band makes it all worth it! 10/10

Given the current situation in New Orleans I thought its people and places deserve some positivity. Mahogany Jazz Hall was incredible. Visited last week and you really feel the essence of the city and its people there. The sounds of Jazz bounce off of every wall. The band was excellent and engaging. But the true star for us and who made our night was our bartender/mixologist Garland. His recommendations/actual cocktails were top tier, our glasses were never dry and his vibes were immaculate. The staff did an excellent job of directing traffic so there was never obstructed views of the band. Highly recommend this place and will definitely go back my next time in New Orleans. Prayers with you all.

It seems Absinthe is their specialty and the bartenders are very knowledgeable of it. The absinthe education and experience was worth the visit. You can tell that the bartenders here take their Craft seriously as everything was carefully performed with pride. I pay attention to that stuff and it made me happy to see. The cocktails were great and tasty. The live local musicians were incredible - tip them. The walls are full of local art mostly of local musicians past and present. The whole vibe made me imagine as if we had gone back 100 years. If you’re looking for a truly great NOLA experience, this place is it.

This is a very stylish jazz hall in the French quarter! We really enjoyed the music and the atmosphere! The singer had a great voice, and was very fun!! The downside for us was the service. Unfortunately the staff seemed bored, and seemed kind of disinterested in serving us. The drinks were good, but small for the price we felt. Still overall it was a nice stop on our walk because of the music, but we probably wouldn’t choose to go back given all of the other great options that the area has to offer.

A helluva way to end our trip to NOLA! This place is pure magic, with a cozy, candlelit vibe! The music was absolutely phenomenal: rich, soulful, and full of that New Orleans heart you can’t fake. Our server (whose name, sadly, vanished somewhere between cocktails) was warm, welcoming, and an absolute delight. She introduced us to absinthe like it was a rite of passage—and it was delicious. Smooth, mysterious, and perfect for the setting. It's a tight, snug little space, but the energy is friendly and intimate. You’re shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers who feel like old friends by the end of the set. If they added a few small plates or sweet bites to nibble on, it’d be the cherry on top of an already stellar experience. Can’t wait to come back and soak in more of that sound, sip more absinthe, and relive the magic.

Mahogany Jazz Hall is décor goals!! Exactly what I want my house to look like. My friends and I came here for a night cap at the end of a long travel day to NOLA. Miraculously we found seats in the back of the bar. So cramped when the live jazz music is going. I enjoyed their Death in the Afternoon (absinthe & bubbles) and Vieux Carré drinks. The cocktails are about $17 each, which checks out for a speakeasy. Would love to get here earlier next time to grab seats in the front room, but we had a great time overall!

Last weekend was the first time my family and I had ever visited NOLA. On our bucket list was getting able to see the infamous Jazz Bars on Bourbon street. So being able to do my research on Yelp and search for great spots to drop by, I discovered Mahogany Hall and decided to pay a visit. On Saturday night, Bourbon Street was bustling with flocks of people. After making our way throughout several crowds, we were able to find our passage to Mahogany Hall. Inside was a dimly light old style venue surrounding a small stage. There is multiple seating throughout: a bar, some individual tables, and a large comforter set in the back. Initially, due to the whole venue being packed at its first set of performances, we were unable to find seating that allowed us to view the performances. (Of note, we did manage to snag a seat after for the next performance.) Nonetheless, we were still welcomed to the hums and symphony of jazz music. Throughout the room, the awe and wonder from the audience was palpable and contagious; you could see the crowd internalize the soulful harmony of song and music as the band continued to play. Listening to the keys of the piano, the beats from the drums, and the croning of the saxophone base, I could understand why people from far and wide traveled to see Jazz at the heart of its birthplace. My family and I sat there for the next two performances, transported to the world of Jazz. To compensate the performers, all the venue asks for is a drink purchase per set and a kind donation to support these musicians. The drinks are your standard run of the mill refreshments but the ability to hear this world class performance in such an intimate setting, I believe it is more than worth the price. In fact, this experience was timeless and I will remember it as one of my most fondest memories I had while visiting NOLA. A must see if you come visit!

I really like this spot. Just around the corner from the Marriott on Canal, you don't have to hit the streets of crazy town (aka Bourbon street) to get some great music and drinks. The bartenders are great but they are busy! Waits was my favorite bartender. If you are wanting to try absinthe, this is the place. They make an amazing sazerac and I liked the sparkling wine with absinthe. I can't remember what it was called. The band is a bunch of "educators" doing this thing and is awesome. I would like the bass to be louder. The seating is tough especially on a Saturday night. But that's what's great about it. I met country singer songwriter Travis Denning and his band while hanging out here.

When I finally made it to Big Easy for a quick girls' getaway with my adult daughter this past weekend, one of the things we were hoping to do was to go to a cool live jazz or blues bar where it's not like a club where they are blasting the speakers up to the highest level. It'd have to be a place where we sit in our chairs fully immersing ourselves by the quality music played by some pure talents New Orleans can boast. Having this in our mind, it had to be a place away from the over-the-top Burbon Street. Upon researching it thoroughly, we found Mahogany Jazz Hall. Based on the ratings left by many others who had the same thinking as ours, this place looked solid. We are so glad that we picked this place. The interior is, of course, nothing but vintage-style. Amid cool, dark feel, framed artworks of jazz legends such as Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and others are present on walls. This is not a huge place which I liked. It's a place where you can enjoy very intimate moments by admiring tunes played by unknown and yet talented musicians. The place mainly offers cocktails and absinth. They do have some non-alcoholic drinks which both my daughter and I were able to enjoy. On the menu, it explains the rule. Each person must order a drink and give a donation of $5 to the band. You can call that a "cover charge" and yet, that is not much to ask; we absolutely didn't mind it. As a matter of fact, we thought that was a reasonable ask. On the night of Saturday, Feb 1st, Gerald French Trio hit the stage at 7pm. We instantaneously became fans of this band. As we truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the kind of quality music we can enjoy with very low costs, we returned the very next day to see the 6pm act. We were able to enjoy a solo pianist named Joe Kennedy. He is a talented pianist and yet he is quite the singer as well. We remained until the next act came on stage. To our surprise, we got to see Mr. Gerald French again along with the same pianist from the last night's trio band (Paul is his first name, I think.) It had a different bass player but the main performer in the band was this extremely talented trumpeter, Roderick Paulin (hopefully I got this name right.) He was absolutely amazing. I don't know if I am describing it right but to me, it was like the sweet nostalgic trumpet sound by Fats Navarro with a little modern-time twist. This is the kind of jazz I truly enjoy and adore when I listen to it as a background music. It hit the spot. Big Easy is only a 2-hour flight away from where I reside (in the Mile High City.) Since it's hard to find this kind of quality jazz place in Denver, I might return to New Orleans just to be at this jazz hall. Maybe in a few to several months??

I had so much fun here. My husband and I visited twice. The first time it was during the afternoon and it was mostly empty so we sat at the bar. The drinks and the service were both excellent on both visits. The second time we went we sat in the area in front of the band and it was during a very busy evening (there was a line at the entrance waiting for seats to open up). The bands are so talented and very entertaining. They do not have a cover fee to enter but bring some cash to donate to the band. The drinks are pricey but worth it for the entertainment and the great location.

LOVED this place so much we went three times! It fills up FAST so if you want a seat get there early. They require you order a drink if you stay. The Gerald French band was so so amazing. Great jazz and musicianship. The servers were friendly and so inviting! Prices are kinda spendy but that's jazz man ;) the best part about this place? No cover.

Considering we were staying at the Marriott on Canal Street a couple of weeks ago while attending a conference, it made sense to stop at the Mahogany Jazz Hall -- it was right across the street on Chartres. This cozy spot comprised two small sitting areas -- one was the main area with table and narrow side table seating (narrow enough to where you could only place a cocktail) that faced the stage, and the other where the bar and lounge area was located but you could see the stage and hear the music that played from the local band playing jazz. Sipping on cocktails such as the C'est la vie Paris, Vieux Carre, and the Corpse Reviver #2, we enjoyed our time as we listened to the band playing, surrounded by portraits of famed artists like Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday on pale green and white brick walls. We even got to enjoy a little burlesque show after midnight with the band playing behind that as well. I will return to his spot when we are in New Orleans again. That's for sure!

One night in New Orleans our waiter at Palace cafe suggested we check this place out, as it was their favorite jazz club in town. My friend and I were SO glad we followed this recommendation! We sat for parts of two sets (different musicians) and thoroughly enjoyed some great quality music in the midst of a laid-back, cozy, enjoyable space. The drinks were quality and well crafted, and the service was friendly and consistent throughout the night. If you only have time for one jazz club while in New Orleans, I suggest heading here!

Another great jazz blues venue off a nondescript side street. This venue was about a 5-minute walk from our hotel right off Canal St. There is a long shotgun bar but all the action is by the stage. There are tables and stadium bench seating. You will get to know your neighbors as the stage area is "cozy". Music is king here but do check out their craft cocktail menu. Since we were within walking distance of our hotel I was on the Absinthe train this evening. WEven though they were quite busy service was great! Pro tip: Arrive with a full belly as there are no food options and there is usually a one or two-drink minimum instead of a cover charge. Don't be a cheapskate tip the band y' all

Fun place at the entrance to the French Quarter. There's no cover charge so be generous with band. They have lots of different local artists and the music was good. There's no food service so eat before you get there. The drinks are weak so drink before you get there. They do require you to buy a drink. Order something very basic. Great music and friendly people!

My husband and I really wanted to check out a live jazz performance. Found this place on Yelp, that was just a few blocks from our hotel. This was the perfect answer to what we were looking for - grabbing a drink before dinner, while enjoying some live jazz! Check out the website before you go. It gives you times of the performers, which can vary from 3pm, 7pm, and 9:30pm - different bands playing at different times. We originally showed up at 6:15 pm, which you can do to scope out a great front row seat, but the band won't start until the scheduled time. So my husband and I decided to stop by a little later, showed up at 7pm exactly, and luckily scored the last 2 seats in the house! It's a little showroom, where the seats are arranged facing the stage. The musicians face you, talk to you, and perform in front of you, rather than people having side conversations. The seats around the stage are probably around 30 ish, so it's a really nice, intimate setting where you can feel connected with the band. The band we saw was ____, which included a pianist, bassist, and drummer/singer. We LOVED their performance!!!!! There is a 1 drink minimum per person, which wasn't bad at all. The drinks themselves were pretty decent too, didn't feel like a waste of money at all. There is also a suggested donation of $5 for the band as tip too, which is a very small fee for such an amazing performance. Wish we could have stayed longer! Highly recommended if you're wanting to see a live performance in your time in NOLA!

Perfect when you're in town for a conference and you don't want to walk to far from the hotels. The bands are great, the bartenders are friendly, and although the place is always overly crowded, leaning against the wall just makes you know you're in a cool spot. I went twice this trip, after stumbling on it a couple of trips ago. Met other tourists there and had good conversations. My drink of choice was an Old Fashioned, and they did not disappoint!

Wow, what a cool jazz club! Came to see the bands and drink mocktails and it was so much fun! Don't miss the Mondays nights...The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. They get the place hopping!

Great music. This place is chill but busy. Come for the jazz. $20+ cocktails, absinthe specialty. Very busy with patrons but the music makes it memorable.

What a great find! If you're in the area and can't get tickets to Preservation Hall or just want a drink with some live music this is the place. If you're able to check out the lineup before you go, a good time to stop in is right at the end of the first act, as seating is very limited. I'm so impressed at how swiftly the staff can maneuver around with drinks!

This was such a quaint & classy jazz spot. Stiff but delicious drinks. There is a donation requirement and minimum drink order per set/per person. However, the music was superb! Definitely worth stopping by.

Amazing live jazz performance! All the musicians are super talented, and the ambiance is wonderful. Had an amazing old fashion too! Definitely a must-see spot if you are visiting New Orleans!

A real vibe! Intimate and reasonably priced drinks, fabulous live band. Perfect for those looking for something a little more relaxed and sexy in the French Quarter. Walked in looking for good music. Walked out with a favorite new spot! Be sure to tip the band!

What a great find on our visit to NOLA! The music was some of the best I heard while in town. The service was great and it was a highlight of our trip! They don't serve food, but the cocktails and music was amazing! Check it out!

No food served but we had Pinot Grigio, gin and tonic as our minimum drink per set + extra bills for the band donation. We had dinner earlier then walking casually as we discovered this amazing Mahogany Jazz Hall. No reservations needed. Walk ins accepted. Mix group of music and drink lovers. Share a table. Side by side with strangers. Enjoying a Thursday evening with the jazz led my trumpet and lead singer Jamil and the New Orleans Extravaganza. Located at 125 Chartres St New Orleans, LA 70130 Open 6 pm - 12 pm on weekdays and 6pm-130am every Friday and Saturday. Paintings inspired by Jazz legends, silk curtains and wooden chair. Room capacity of more than 50 music lovers. Highly recommend watching the jazz hall when in New Orleans!

Came here to see a friends dad play in the band. Very cozy place with seating near stage ( get there early) and adjacent to stage ( small area), and bar seating. There is also a nice room in the back where you can still hear the music but not see the band. Good place for a group that wants to talk and interact. We sat in the back (6 people total), had drink service by two waitresses in the back as well. I and my wife enjoyed Old Fashions and they were pretty dang good! Some people put too much bitters or over pour whiskey ( not a problem with me). But it was balanced well. The room got pretty packed as well after 1030. Apparently there is a burlesque show at midnight but we (my wife and I left before) long day. I would come back and get there early to enjoy the band more and get full experience.

My husband and I stumble upon this jazz bar which is right next to our hotel. It was definitely very busy! Hard to find seats on a Friday day night at 9:30pm. This ladies were nice enough to make room for the both of us. Everyone so friendly and nice in NOLA. These ladies even suggested we ordered these drinks! Great experience but drinks were pricey! It's nice to walk in and enjoy some music and have a drink and hop to another to enjoy a different bar!

Pros: Mahogany Jazz Hall was a very interesting experience, my visit was recent on May 31st while in town for the annual ATD Conference in New Orleans. The jazz/blues band was outstanding!! Kudos for an amazing live performance!! 5 stars!! Cons: 3 stars is for the absolute piss poor service from both waitress!! The male waiter was a tall man with dark hair who asked if I would start a tab, i forgot my Amex but had cash so I ordered 2 drinks including one for one of the conference attendee who was also a music teacher; perfect side kick to join me at Jazz Hall. When my champagne arrived the waiter intensionally splashed my champagne all over my dress. I said to him the least he could do is provide napkins for the very large spill on my lovely orange dresss. He did bring an abundance pf napkins. The band was playing its last set and many guest left during the break leaving the space very empty. The waitress (woman auburn hair) stated he could sit anywhere. We relocated to the back of the lounge. I went to the restroom and upon my return large group took over the space including my seat. I decided I would sit in the next empty seat to enjoy the bands last set. The large group talked obnoxiously loud which I thought was so disrespectful to the live performance. The band members were visually distraught but continued to play nonetheless. The male waiter who spilled my drink; walked by and i mentioned can you please ask the group to keep it down, as we were in very close proximity to the band. Main room can hold 20 people max. We were on top of each other and they were louder than the band. He said he cant say anything. Rude. The women waitress asked if we had a tab, which I stated I am paying cash amd ordered another champagne. When she passed the bands bucket to collect tips, the first man she approached pretended to put money on thr bucket ny grabbing several bills at the top, and then put it back in as if he had tipped generously. They both proceeded to laugh until they looked up and saw me staring at both in utter disbelief. I hope thiz review results in a conversation with the leadership team to learn the concept of integraty and self respect. Performance was outstanding and service was horrible!! Do better!! Dr. Tanya P

What can I say? This place made me so happy. You walk in and it just takes you to another world. There is some beautiful art on the wall of New Orleans legends in black and gold, a velvet curtain behind the band, the beautiful glass chandeliers you see in the antique stores. Ahhhh a great ambience. There's no cover charge but a one drink minimum which made me feel like it's a place where all are welcome to experience the music. I bellied up to the bar and asked what the bartender could make for mocktails. His name was Waits (not Wade as I originally wrote!) and he knows his stuff. I asked for something not too sweet. He surprised me with a cucumber mocktail - normally I am not a big fan of a Pimms Cup but wow this was refreshing. He said that the cucumber syrup was made fresh that day and rattled off a dozen other fresh syrups. The next mocktail I had passion fruit and lime and oh was it good. And of the course I came for the music but I mean coming in on a random Tuesday for a great cocktail and then getting to hear these bands - this is New Orleans, well really Mahogany. I caught the end of Big Joe Kennedy and man can he tickle those ivories and that voice! Then the main set was Joe Lastie's and I mean they are old school New Orleans jazz. I felt transported and grateful to be in their presence. I mean these men were unbelievable. Also it was nice to see the warmth of the Mahogany staff towards the musicians and the patrons. People come in and squeeze and kiss hellos and it's like a nicer, kinder bubble that we all should all strive to live in. Anyway this night made my vacation and brought tears to my eyes. I miss this city every time I leave. My only regret is that I had to leave - I felt compelled to switch off with my husband so he could enjoy Joe Lastie's and not miss out and come back to our son in the hotel room. The set was from 9-12 so he got a full dose of everything too. I love Frenchman's but this is a great place in the quarter - I would highly recommend it!!

The place has a very chill vibe. Just walking by and hearing the music and the crowd is very alluring. We went in for drinks, they have a variety of absinthe's which is something I've always wanted to try. Great live music and a great New Orleans experience.

Such a vibe, love jazz music and delicious hand crafted cocktails what more could a woman ask for?! The seating is cozy and plentiful for an intimate setting, I adore spots where people are enjoying being present in the moment. The bartender was not helpful with making it easy for payment. I ordered separate from my friend and when asked to pay individually she stated it has to be together. The register was not even rung up at that moment, and could have just been two separate transactions. The service due to that exchange made it seem unpleasant.

This is a great spot to pop in and check out local bands. No reservations. The service was good and it felt authentic. It's more like a dive bar atmosphere so very tight seating and crowded. Not a formal table atmosphere. Easy, since it's in the French Quarter.

Great place two doors down from the quarter house. 1 drink minimum per person to sit there.

An intimate, inviting space with live music. You have to purchase one drink per hour of sitting for a set. There are seats at the bar as well as a small seating area in front of the stage. The music was lively!

Really fantastic place for live jazz. There is a nice seating area and you can order drinks and listen to fabulous live music. Really nice place in the heart of New Orleans.

Amazing venue. World class jazz and there is great energy in the club with a very convivial atmosphere. Also, I was accidentally overcharged for my drinks and reached out to the club a week later via email (I live in Chicago). They sent the difference via PayPal. It's an incredibly honest and ethical business.

We went on a Wednesday night when it was not super busy. Mahogany Jazz Hall is not far from Bourbon Street but its vibes could not be more opposite. They have live music everyday and their website has the names of the performers every night if you want to go for a particular one. My first drink was the vieux carré ($15) which was a strong and stiff drink. My second drink was the chartres punch ($14) which was more balanced and easy to drink. Note that they have a one drink minimum per set. The vibes were immaculate; it was chill and relaxing and it felt like all our worries went away while we listened to the soothing music. Tom Fischer and Joe Kennedy (and some other folks) were the performers and they were absolutely amazing. During our visit to New Orleans this was the best jazz music we heard. Definitely come here!

I'm glad I finally got to come here! I've been told to check this place out and I did on a Saturday night. Its a medium space so it might seem cramp inside but just wait a bit and I'm sure you'll grt a seat. They have great service and the bands! The bands are great! I'm not super into jazz but I really had a great time here. And since we're seated so closely with other people I got to meet some nice cool people. The music here is just fantastic. You must stop by if you're ever around the location.

How lucky were we when we literally stumbled into the MJH after a dinner down the street on Bourbon. It was Saturday night and the place was packed. It's not very big so get there early or get very lucky (like we did). We were waved in by a server and found seats for 8 of us in the middle area near the bar. With some drinks in hand, we were able to sit back and enjoy some cool jazz. Welcome to New Orleans!

great cozy bar to listen to live music and have a good strong drink. we stumbled across it on a friday night and it was standing room only at first but as people came and left we got some good seats on the back couches. i had a couple dirty gin martinis but my friends had old fashioned and some absinthe drinks and all were good. great bands, the staff does a good job of ensuring you tip the musicians. will definitely come again when in the quarter!

Small jazz club we walked by and got to hear a band play, the Catahoulas Drinks were good and strong. Employees were friendly. Definitely would be back next time we are in town.

My two companions and I visited Mahogany Jazz Hall after searching for absinthe, and we definitely came to the right place. And then returned the next night! A beautifully decorated space, with exceptional live music it was already a win - and then we met the staff! Our service from Waits, the bartender on staff both nights, was nothing short of stellar. His friendliness and passion for the drinks he is serving made the experience wonderful. Waits gave us a knowledgeable introduction to some American absinthe we hadn't yet tried, and made some excellent suggestions - as well as some delicious mixed cocktails. We were unable to find a space at the bar later in the evening, so we ended up going early both nights. It is a place to return to again and again, and we hope to catch a burlesque show the next time we are in town. The Mahogany is a gem!

Wow this was the best night in NOLA! A gem of a place! Best jazz musicians - who incidentally hadn't played together for years and used to tour together - what a magical night! The icing on the cake was the bees knees cocktail I was looking forward to trying at a jazz bar and I got my wish! I could feel transported to the days of Billy holiday and Louie Armstrong! Oh this is what you want to see - ignore the bourbon st craziness and come here on a Tuesday night. For me it was exactly what I needed. Service was good too.

Great, intimate space to enjoy a drink and listen to music - up close. Loved that there was no cover - just buy a drink (or several).

Such a cool environment and the band playing was genuinely talented but there was limited seating and I was unable to get service at the bar. Very crowded for a Wednesday night in May. Prices for cocktails are pretty steep for simple drinks. Wish I could come back on a less busy night.

I've had the most fun here on two trips to New Orleans - the music is incredible and the service is wonderful. To me it's a must-visit, even if the drinks are just pretty good. Burlesque show is a ton of fun! And Big Joe Kennedy has always been amazing.

We had the best time with bartender Lexi! She is super knowledgeable about absinthe, great personality, and made an afternoon slide into the evening way too fast. We can't leave out the musicians- they were great. We sat in on several sets, and each was unique. Our only regret was that we found this little gem on our last night in town.

This was such an amazing find! Some people were met told us about this place and so we had to check it out ourselves. It was very typical seating for what we found in most jazz bars, where seating is tight and not the most comfortable, but hostesses are welcoming, staff is friendly, and an awesome intimate experience with the band. They did have drink service at your seats, too. We w I'll be back!

No food menu that i saw. Drinks are very expensive. A daiquiri (Small) was $21 and a can of beer $9. Piano player was very good. Music is amplified far too much for this venue. When the group played we decided to leave as it became headaches material.

So fun! It was hard to find seating when the band started, but we found plenty of room in the back and made our way to the front! Loved the music and the drinks! The bartenders were very kind and attentive. Would come again!!

Charming and quaint, this packed bar had no cover charge. Drinks were priced well, music was fantastic, and the atmosphere was so cool and smooth. This is what NOLA jazz is all about.

Very cool place, great music. Great crowd, chill ambience. Probably a little more serious New Orleans jazz than a lot of French quarter places

Great live music in a collegial, old school atmosphere. Plus, various absinthes! Kate and company run a class joint in an unexpected hole in the wall - truly the best of old school New Orleans jazz. This is our go-to for NOLA music. Stay for a set or two.... just perfect.

I loved the vibe at Mahogany Jazz Hall, I stopped by to see the band at 6pm and grabbed a seat by the bar. I tried the Corpse Reviver #2 - gin, lillet blanc, triple sec, lemon, and absinthe mist. This drink was tasty and strong! The music and crowd were very chill.