Our Mission
Best Jazz Lounges researches, ranks, and reviews jazz lounges in New Orleans, focusing on places where live sets are a regular part of the night, not a rare event. Each venue is assessed on booking quality (who plays and how often), sound and sightlines, crowd control, drink pricing, cover policies, and practical details like start times, seating, and accessibility. Reviews separate what is consistent from what varies night to night, since a strong room can still have off nights depending on the band and the mix engineer. Rankings are updated quarterly to reflect lineup changes, closures, renovations, and shifts in cover charges or reservation rules. Readers get side-by-side comparisons that make trade-offs clear, such as better acoustics and earlier sets versus cheaper drinks and later hours, or table service versus standing-room energy. The site flags common friction points like minimum spends, cash-only covers, long lines, and limited seating so expectations match reality. Some venues will rate lower for value or comfort even if the music is top-tier, and that is stated plainly. Methodology notes and the current New Orleans rankings are available for readers who want to check the scoring and decide for themselves.
Unbiased
We maintain strict editorial independence. No provider can pay to influence their ranking.
Tested
Every provider is mystery shopped to verify their customer service claims.
Verified
We check licenses, insurance, and legal standing so you don't have to.
The Ranking Factors
Verified Reviews
Credentials Check
Mystery Shopping
Pricing Transparency
Eligibility Criteria
Local Reach
Global presence, attracting international visitors
Experience
A minimum of five years in operation
Impact
Hosted at least 50 live jazz performances in the previous year