House of Blues, New Orleans

the new orleans house of blues is one of several restaurants and entertainment venues located around the country. the new orleans house of blues is combination restaurant and nightclub that has a interesting "creole", "voodoo" decor. on sundays the house of blues is famous for it's gospel brunch. for information on concert tickets, times, and scheduled acts see the attached web site.

Dress Code: casual.

My friends and I had the opportunity to get tickets to see Henry Rollins at the House of Blues in New Orleans while we were there for a few days. The show was great, and the venue itself nothing short of amazing. There were two floors in the music hall, we watched the show from the upper level. There are bars on both levels, so there was no need to leave your level for a drink and no real bad places to stand to watch the show. For a chain establishment, this HOB felt unique and much like New Orleans, right down to the Voodoo Garden, which was very cool.

House of Blues is a corporation with multiple locations. It is a poorly run business with NO customer service. I booked LOS LONELY BOYS Tickets on the internet for House of Blues New Orleans. Both House of Blues (HOB) and Ticketmaster websites are unorganized. It took way too long to process the order. OK, no big deal, but the website said to arrive at 7 pm for the show. I called House of Blues 6 times, had to try every option on the automated phone system and still couldn't find out when the show actually started. No one will answer the phone. (It's a corporation). Had to stand in line freezing for 45 mins waiting for security to FRISK AND SCAN (like the airport) everyone and Security ain't friendly. You're treated like cattle. Then had to STAND UP FROM 7PM until 9:30 or so (2.5 hours) when the show started so House of Blues could sell more drinks. They pack the people in and unless you get a limited number of good spots - YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING. You can watch the show on an overhead monitor. (Live Music?) Drinks are pricey, the bartenders aren't friendly, (remember, it's a corporation) but the above isn't what really chapped my ass. What did really chap my ass is the sound. This venue has to have the worst accoustics I've ever heard. Los Lonely Boys is a killer band. Hispanic Blues band. Think Carlos Santana crossed with a good blues player and harmony too. Average audience age would be 35-45. The music was so loud I had to put napkins in my ears. I saw several people putting their fingers in their ears. That was last night and my ears are still ringing.
If you're going to New Orleans SKIP the House of Blues, buy the album, listen to it on your hi-fi at home, walk the streets and dig the GREAT FREE MUSIC in the small bars, drop tips in the jar and RELAX.

Dress Code: None

Went here a few years ago for Mardi Gras. Saw the Neville Brothers play - was a great experince. Standing room only. Main floor is wide open with wood floor. Was able to be right next to the stage. There is a balcony. Met Drew Carey at house of blue - he was king of mardi gras that year. Initially he was in the balcony - and threw us his beads. Then later moved down to the floor and hung out with us next to the stage. Overall a great place to see good live music. You never know what will happen in the Big Easy!

Dress Code: Casual

While I still prefer Tipitina's mostly because of its local history and because of so many great memories, I have to give a nod to the House of Blues which has become a popular venue for local and guest musicians alike.

It's a fun place for a Sunday Gospel Brunch (although I still prefer the older, non-chain institutions like Arnaud's, Bennan's or Commander's).

While New Orleans is known for jazz & blues & zydeco music, the majority of French Quarter bars feature top 40 / dance cover bands. Which goes along with alcohol quite well - also in abundance. The House of Blues offers national acts you might not have the opportunity to see in your home city & is a nice break from the sightseeing & Bourbon St. crawling. The night we visited HOB, Gavin DeGraw was playing in the Parish to a packed room. We opted for the Psychedelic Furs (photo) & the Alarm in the main hall, because how often is that ever going to happen!?! Great time - cheap drinks (in relation to everywhere else) - great food - excellent venue!

Don't go to maison de bourbon unless you're up for some classical jazz and ten dollar pina coladas which you have pay with cash. House of blues has blues rock, happy hour you buy two beers get one free.

Dress Code: Its a rocker's place baby, anything goes.

Well, it's been another great night of music in New Orleans, Jazzfest is winding down this weekend and the city's bars and clubs are filled with local, regional, national and international talent.

Earlier this week, I had introduced several friends of mine to a band called "Gomez" from the UK. Surprisingly enough, one of those friends spotted "Gomez" as one of the bands playing at the House of Blues this weekend. Naturally, we got tickets, drank lots of gin-n-tonics before, during and after the show. "Gomez" sounded great and the NOLA House of Blues was cooler than I had anticipated.

Dress Code: Like Kurt Cobain said, "come as you are..."

There are always great up and coming artists playing at the HOB. Its a wonderful and intimate venue. I have seen Ice T (he was like a used up pimp) to Evan Dando to Limp Bizkit to Mathew Sweet to The Jesus and the Mary Chain to Kitty here.
Out of all the venues that I have been to across the US, I think that HOB in NOLA is the best one.

Well, as the name implies, this is a great place to listen to some blues music. They also have a restaurant and on Sunday mornings, they feature a Gospel Brunch with uplifting gospel music and a southern style brunch.

Dress Code: Come as you are.