Finding music in New Orleans should be as easy as zipping your fly. But if you're looking for something in particular, here's a guide to get there — as for how to pry yourself away once you've made it inside, you're on your own.
AllWays Lounge
2240 St. Claude Ave., 218-5778; www.marignytheatre.org
What: The Marigny Theatre lobby bar hosts its own venue with burlesque freakshows and booty poppin' bounce DJs.
Next up: Naked karaoke, grunge worshippers Lovey Dovies, psychedelic noiseman Justin Yeldham
Circle Bar
1032 St. Charles Ave., 588-2616
What: This tiny, Tim Burton-esque converted town house teeters on the edge of Lee Circle with a Jason Songe-curated nightly lineup and bands bathing in the glow of a K&B clock hanging from the ceiling.
Next up: Obscure up-and-comers (Lower Dens, The Pork Dukes) and local faces (Sun Hotel, Big Rock Candy Mountain)
Hi-Ho Lounge
2239 St. Claude Ave., 945-4446
What: Across from AllWays is this pizza-slinging bar doubling as the neighborhood watering hole and music venue.
Next up: Bluegrass jams and red beans and rice on Mondays, and the Stooges Brass Band plays every Thursday night. Look for metal thundergods, indie rock and the occasional hip-hop showdown.
House of Blues/The Parish
225 Decatur St., 310-4999; www.hob.com
What: Two floors give the corporate venue some breathing room for touring alternative acts.
Next up: Dude rock (Deftones, O.A.R.), indie rock (Yeasayer, Matt & Kim, Devendra Banhart, Deerhunter) and tween rock (Anberlin)
Howlin' Wolf/The Den
907 S. Peters St., 522-9653; www.howlin-wolf.com
What: Whether hosting local brass and burlesque or comedy and rock 'n' roll, anything under this warehouse roof feels like a home-style after party.
Next up: Headliners (Built to Spill, Citizen Cope) and weekly brass band parties — look for Hot 8 Brass Band every Friday in The Den
Maple Leaf Bar
8316 Oak St., 866-9359; www.mapleleafbar.com
What: Cheap drinks in a sweat factory — the Oak Street institution hosts some of the best local music in town.
Next up: Rebirth Brass Band holds court every Tuesday night till it's tired. Same goes for Johnny Vidacovich's trio on Thursdays.
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse St., 569-8361; www.oneeyedjacks.net
What: The Twin Peaks-inspired, brothel-like French Quarter centerpiece books the finest schedule of indie-rock acts and alternative programming, with bonus bars in the front and back.
Next up: Rock's top brass (The Vaselines, David Bazan) and new recruits (Twin Sister, Autolux, Portugal the Man)
Preservation Hall
726 St. Peter St., 522-2841; www.preservationhall.com
What: Fresh from a tour with My Morning Jacket and the release of the killer Preservation, the house band carries the flame of traditional New Orleans jazz with style. This standing room-only, no-amplifiers-required refuge is the necessary detour off Bourbon Street. (Heads up: Closed Wednesdays.)
Next up: Real-deal traditional New Orleans jazz and brass — and the occasional celebrity guest
Republic
828 S. Peters St., 528-8282; www.republicnola.com
What: The nightclub for the under-30 set shares roles as both the velvet-roped, bottle service affair and a hipster haven.
Next up: The goods (Hold Steady, Stars, King Rey, G-Eazy) and the gimmicks (Matisyahu, Throwback Fridays)
Saturn Bar
3067 St. Claude Ave, 949-7532
What: This 9th Ward bizarro hunting lodge-looking bar is show promoter Matt Russell's standby for metal, thrash and punk rock bands. DJs Kristen Zoller and Matt Uhlman also host a monthly Mod Dance Party, which celebrates its 10th year this month.
Next up: Austin, Texas garage rock outfits Strange Boys and Harlem make separate trips; local metal gurus Haarp and Mountain of Wizard shake the foundations.
Tipitina's
501 Napoleon Ave., 895-8477; www.tipitinas.com
What: The two-tiered joint named after the Professor Longhair track adds fresh acts to a reliably funky local presence.
Next up: New Orleans label Park The Van showcases Giant Cloud and Native America, and twee Scot folkies Frightened Rabbit play Fess' place.
Vaughan's Lounge
800 Lesseps St., 947-5562
What: Step a few blocks past Saturn Bar for Kermit Ruffins' Bywater palace, where the Crescent City's horn-toting hero performs every Thursday.
Next up: Kermit's barbecue — extra smoke.
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 827-5858; www.zeitgeisttheater.wordpress.com
What: Punk rock and experimental jazz squeeze in a weekly lineup of independent and art house films at this Central City movie house.
Next up: Recent headliners included Lightning Bolt and Harvey Milk — look for the wild (Bong Kong, Screaming Females) and the weird (Helen Gillet).
Road Trip:
Baton Rouge's Spanish Moon (1109 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, 225-383-6666; www.thespanishmoon.com) attracts Red Stick's college crowd and a solid lineup of touring acts. Upcoming gigs include Neon Indian, School of Seven Bells, Born Ruffians and Colour Revolt.
Extra Credit:
Snake through the doors of Frenchmen Street's venues for a so-good-it-must- be-illegal onslaught of music and imbibing — The Maison (508 Frenchmen St., 371-5543; www.maisonfrenchmen.com), Blue Nile (532 Frenchmen St., 948-2583; www.bluenilelive.com), Apple Barrel (609 Frenchmen St., 949-9399), d.b.a. (618 Frenchmen St., 942-3731; www.drinkgoodstuff.com), and Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro (626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696; www.snugjazz.com) should hold you over.
