11/22/08

Best local jazz club in New Orleans, hands down!

by SFcityboy

I've been to New Orleans twice, and have gone to the Spotted Cat at least 5 different nights during those trips. I was looking specifically for a gritty, non-touristy, true New Orleans jazz scene, and a local told me about the Frenchman Street area in the Faubourg Marigny. Snug Harbor is impressive, but the Spotted Cat is easily the crown jewel of this gritty, Bohemian, neat little pocket of Old New Orleans. This place sells itself as you wander down from the French Quarter, with jazz spilling out of the doorway onto the streets. From it's old cracked cement floors, ceiling fans, cozy bar area, and small stage, this place has tons of character and draws you in immediately. It's exactly what you've been looking for.

The Jazz Vipers play here frequently and are a must see. They're a seven piece jazz group that brings back beautiful old swing music with a clever sax player, a very talented old trumpeter, each of whom adds crooning vocals to their sets. Chat with them over a beer between sets. They've become a fixture in the competitive local music scene, and have wowed audiences all over the country.

In the summer months, when the humidity is nearly unbearable and the place gets packed, you can stand outside with a beer and still enjoy the music.

Be sure to make time for a visit to the Cat. This place is a lot of fun, and will always be one of my first stops on return trips to the Big Easy. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

• Pros: Music, ambience, service, value, character, authenticity
• Cons: None

08/02/07

A real night out

by nate9

After dozens of trips over the years to New Orleans, the Spotted Cat is something you can rely on. Simply put, our recent night there started about the same time the band did, and although we had to wait out a few French Quarter stragglers who were quite annoying, before I knew it my girfriend and I had witnessed a truly authentic jazz set ? much looser, less polished and a litlle dirtier than what you get at Preservation Hall. We also managed to meet and and trade stories and drinks with some guys from the band and pretty much everyone else inside the place. Before we knew what happened, it was 3:30 a.m. It was my girlfriend's first-ever visit to NOLA and my umpteenth, and I felt like the place delivered both of our fondest memories of the trip. Try to meet Uncle Lionel if you go.

• Pros: Real music from people born and raised in New Orleans, strong drinks, nice people.
• Cons: None, except for the obvious lack of major parking that exists everywhere in NOLA, but who cares?

06/06/07

Consistently fantastic!

by sgfaucheux

My family lives in NOLA, so i travel back there quite a bit, and always, ALWAYS head to the Spotted Cat no matter what night of the week, no matter who's playing. The jazz is always the best AND there's usually no cover. I really can't say enough good things about the vibrant music scene in the Marigny area, but the Spotted Cat is a jewel, the kind of place that gives you the real experience of New Orleans in all her dirty and glorious splendor. I really can't wait to be back there!

• Pros: music, cheap drinks, MUSIC!!!
• Cons: sometimes crowded, sweaty.