Its always a pleasure to enter this great establishment on Frenchman Street, as they not only have phenomenal musical acts here on the regular, they also have a great beer selection in addition to a solid spirits selection. They also usually have a giant cooler of ice water so thirsty patrons can keep themselves hydrated without waiting in line for a water. The last time we were there a friendly rastafarian trapeze artist was serving complimentary tastes of fresh soursop while riding a tricycle on a wire strung across the stage. His name was Paul and he told us lots of stories about his time in the Cranbrook Flower Forest in Jamaica. He does a sick reggae/ska dj set there once or twice a month and gives out free Jamaican beef patties, as well as veggie patties. read more

Great place for live music and drinks. It's a small place but you will have a good time.

Stopped at this bar for a drink before our dinner reservation down the street. Very lively place. Two rooms with one having the live music and dance floor. The band playing was awesome mainly with a lot of jive music. Didn't get the name of the band but it was awesome that the girl singer was actually "tapping" while singing. Looks like they have some regulars that can show you how to "swing". I wasn't brave enough when asked as I normally like to "lead". Great place to drop by for a drink and some music! read more

Fantastic club on Frenchmen st. that rotates amazing acts that you'll want to buy all their stuff and take them home with you...Tin Men w/ Washboard Chaz...Tuba Skinny...cold drinks and too many good times to remember. Steps away from the French Quarter, just take Decanter past the old Mint and you're on Frenchmen. Food and music Go Off every day and especially at night! D. B. A. is a prime example of the best there is. Enjoy Yall read more

Tuba Skinny was playing on the Saturday night I stopped in and the music was fantastic. There's jazz and swing dancing up front by the stage, onlookers a little behind them. Friendly crowd! read more

The band that was playing was great! There were no tables, just a couple benches and bar stools and there was a cover fee FOR NO SEATING (???) not a fan. Bartenders were kind of rude too. Would like to see the band playing at a different bar! read more

Twas the night before Halloween, when all through the Quarter Not a creature was sober, not even Trace Porter. The women of Frenchmen, as if dressed on a dare, Had hopes that Old Spice Guy soon would be bare. The students of Tulane all charged to their plastic, Their pursuit of law degrees were kind of bombastic. Some girl with her friends, I don't quite know who, Had all gotten back from a night at Voodoo. When out on Frenchmen there arose such a clatter, I sprang to review, tripping over Mad Hatter. Away to d.b.a. dressed as The Flash, I stood in their line and threw Bouncer some cash. (The moonshine on the menu you must give a go, At least try the great bourbons or you really blow) When, what to my wandering eyes did I ball, But a girl with three boobs, from Total Recall. She spoke not a word, but went straight to her dancing, I filled up my beer cup, and pondered a drunk fling. Sadly she told me to please just get out of her way, And went back out to Rue Frenchmen, plum left d.b.a. I pray to this day, this bar never close ever, Go away, no way, for some other endeavor. And now I proclaim, for Prop 19 I alight, "Happy Halloween y'all, and to y'all a good-night!" read more

How to win my heart over in a few easy steps: 1. Have a rad bourbon selection. In fact, have a great overall spirits selection that's interesting, reasonably priced, and laid out so as not to be confusing. 2. Bring the good live music. 3. Have friendly, fairly casual staff. 4. Be non-smoking. D.B.A has these things, combined with a fairly unpretentious atmosphere. The minimal door-cover keeps it from being completely crushed full of people who simply want free music. And the non-smoking policy? A... wait for it... yes, I'm about to say it. A breath of fresh air in a city otherwise smoked out. Louisiana must be one of the last states to allow smoking in bars. Ugh. We stopped in here for the Colin Lake show. Well, okay, we stopped in here because every other bar on this street was super smoky and crushed full of people. Drawn in by the fresh air, good spirit list and elbow room, we were happy to pay $10 to catch what ended up being a surprisingly talented slide-guitar musician. Can't recommend this place enough for solid entertainment, good booze, and a large beer selection. read more

This is certainly the best live music bar in New Orleans I absolutely make it a must to travel here I was recently in there and we spent the night having a bartender named Jon He had glasses and a awesome sense of humor we had had plans to meet up with other friends at the carousel bar but I texted my friend and told them that we definitely did not want to leave this place and we made my friends come and meet us here My friends later in the night we're so happy that we planted ourselves here for the rest of the evening The music was great the service was great it was clean and it was such genuine fun for a night out with friends we had great pictures taken and we definitely danced around and left the entire night we were very close to our hotel So we didn't care. Thank you Jon for giving us the lowdown on all the good places to eat We were able to get to some of the places that you recommended! read more

d.b.a will always have a special place in my heart. I came here with my wife and some friends for her birthday to see john boutte perform with his band. The performance was awesome. Also, the crowd was the most respectful, engaged group of people I've ever been around who've had a non-insignificant amount to drink. Everyone was totally focused on creating an atmosphere for a great performance, going so far as to shush people who we're getting too loud. The venue is standing room only for the most part, with maybe a dozen or so bar stools situated on the side of the bar that has the stage. I would put max capacity for a show at around one hundred, making it very intimate. I don't know if this is typically how people behave in d.b.a, but I noticed that everyone spaced themselves out pretty well, making it incredibly comfortable for such a packed environment. The bar itself is very extensive, with one of the best beer selections I've found, rivaled only by monk's cafe in Philadelphia. I remember North America and Europe being represented in the beer selection pretty well, and the cocktails are also very good. I had my first dark and stormy here, which was good but probably could have used better rum than sailor jerry. Expect to pay a cover. Also expect d.b.a to bring in acts that are worth the money. The boutte performance we saw was our first excursion into the New Orleans music seen, and man have I been missing out. He started with some of his lesser known songs, brought his niece on as a guest vocalist, and then wrapped up with a moving cover of Hallelujah and a rendition of Treme. It was spiritual, almost a type of baptism into a culture that needs to be experienced, not explained. Many of my friends and colleagues balk at my stated intention of retiring in New Orleans, and it's experiences like this that just reinforce that position. It is going to take a twelve oxen team to get me away from d.b.a and New Orleans. read more

Not often would I conflate NYC & NOLA... but here, it works. I never would have imagined something like dba could work so well in New Orleans, much less in the Marigny, but true to form, New Orleans managed to put its own spin on the New York standout. Whether you're into beer, music of people watching, a night out at dba is time well spent. If you decide to come here and you're not coming to enjoy a show, see if you can stake out the fishbowl out front. Not only is it prime real estate that will allow you to observe everyone inside and outside the bar, it's just big enough for you and 3 of your friends. This way you get to have a night out but not have to deal with anyone else. Well, that is until you decide to get a drink. The bar is crazy busy but moves surprisingly fast given its size, selection and the amount of people clamoring for a drink. Don't be one of those people. Approach the bar with a knowing confidence. How do you do that when the choices are all over the place? Use your time in the fishbowl to angle your vision to spy the board. That way, you won't be one of those people who look confused when the bartender gives you attention. This is a busy bar; don't waste anyone's time. If you're a fan of brown liquor and/or beer, I think you'll be quite pleased with the drink selection. Yes, it's overwhelming but when it comes to booze is that ever, really, a bad thing? There's an abundance of live music at dba (duh; you expect this). So, whether you came to see a specific artist or the lure of good tunes drew you in, you'll find something to strike your fancy. The band who played during my visit was quite skilled. Between it and the crowd, I had a hard time figuring out whether I was in New Orleans, the Lower East Side or Silverlake. That's pretty rare in these parts -- and not a bad thing. Now, I don't know if I'd have the same impression had I been crammed into the teeming humanity of the main room, but in the fishbowl, with drink in hand and side-eyes a'plenty for all who darkened the door or walked down Frenchmen, you might not find a better way to spend a chilly Thursday night in New Orleans. read more

d.b.a. is my favorite live music venue in New Orleans. It's a small, intimate venue, with wood paneled walls, carefully placed mirrors, and a few well-chosen Herman Leonard photographs. The stage is on the left side of the club, with the bar in the middle, dividing the two sides. d.b.a. features the best in New Orleans music (all genres), with some great regional artists thrown in. d.b.a. has several early shows each week- Sunday shows begin at 6, weeknights begin at 7, and Saturday's show begins at 8. Most of d.b.a.'s late shows begin at 10 during the week, 11 on weekends. Not only is d.b.a. a great music venue, it is also a great bar. d.b.a. has one of the best beer & liquor selections in town, with approximately 20 beers on tap (and tons more by the bottle), a wide variety of premium liquors, and a decent wine list as well. Despite the live music, the best thing about d.b.a. may be the people watching, both inside and outside the bar. d.b.a. attracts a very diverse crowd, a good mix of locals and tourists. Grab a seat in one of the window booths and watch the people on Frenchmen Street. Watching the free show put on by New Orleans is about as good as it gets. read more

One of my top priorities (aside from eating everything in sight) was to see a Jazz band during my time in NOLA. So of course we set aside a night to walk up and down Frenchmen Street and we came upon d.b.a. The venue itself is nice. They separate the two big rooms with bars on each side but you can choose to either lounge (right) or jam to the band (left side). The Treme Brass Band was playing - they're very well known in NOLA. It was a $5 cover and worth every cent. d.b.a. is great... plenty of seating and space to dance to your heart's content! There's an ATM which is a big plus as well as water stations throughout the place... points for that! I should also mention that the acoustics were fantastic here. Whether you're coming for a particular band, or just stumbling upon something unexpectingly great, you're sure to have a good time. The place was packed that night and everyone, I mean EVERYONE was up dancing and having the time of their lives. What a great venue. When I come back to visit NOLA, this will be the first place I visit for sure. read more

Just downriver from the Quarter lies the densest concentration of awesome. Step away from the Quarter, cross Esplanade, and you'll be welcomed to the Marigny by the jazz riffs flying above Frenchmen Street. No plans are needed. No tickets need be purchased in advance. With the Lucky Dog you ate in the Quarter, and the beignets from Du Monde, you'll have all the energy you need to stay on Frenchmen and never turn back. I came to d.b.a. when there was a break in the set across at Spotted Cat and we did not want to stop dancing. d.b.a seemed a bit more formal than the other places on Frenchmen, meaning that there was a nominal cover, though no more than four dollars. When I heard the music I immediately plopped down that small investment in a good time. The best down payment I ever made. There are two parallel rooms, both with bars, and the larger one has the stage. I think both rooms are made out of cypress wood, which apparently gives the notes a warmth and velvet touch. I can get down with that. The libations offered, both in bottles and on tap, are extensive. And Abita, of course. Ah, Abita... There aren't too many places to sit and sip, but if you're lucky you can score a window seat for a moment of imbibing and resting, if necessary. The performers who grace this stage are amazing. From [insertplacehere] Brass Band to Stevie Wonder, d.b.a attracts esteemed musicians, and I imagine that any visit to d.b.a. would afford the chance to hear some amazing music. They will be closed for renovations for the first half of September. I wonder how they could possibly improve this temple? Can't wait to see for myself. read more

For a beer aficionado, their beer selection is a dream come true. Popped in to hear NOLA jazz crooner, John Boutte, do a gig there. Very intimate and tiny stage area - if you don't get there early, you will only hear the sounds of revelry from the bar area. The extremely magnanimous--in size and courtesy--man I stood behind kindly pushed me in front of him so I was literally standing right in front of the stage. Southern hospitality! read more

Great bar. Had so much fun went back for a second night, but unfortunately day two wasn't as memorable. Five of us set up shop here for NYE pretty early in the evening and at one point two of the group stepped outside. When they tried to come back in they were asked for a $25 cover. I talked to the manager and asked him to cut them a break - we were all buying drinks early and often, after all, and had they known they were going to be subjected to the cover later they simply wouldn't have gone outside. He more or less told us to f off. Which we did! Ended up having a fabulous time at the Spotted Cat across the street - sans cover. read more

Seriously good bar. This review may only be intelligible to those who are in the SF area, but d.b.a.'s got the beer selection of Toronado, the whiskey selection of Albembic, the decor of the Albatross in Berkeley, plus of large selection of tequilas, ports, wines, and so forth. There are live bands every night, although the later show will charge an admission, and at least when I went, the bartenders seemed to have something of an attitude and didn't move quickly-- but then again, this was right after Mardi Gras, and it wasn't like I wasn't going to take plenty of time to sip my Oban whiskey and my Warsteiner Dunkel anyway. The age group seemed all over the map, from 20-somethings to 50-somethings, and probably a few older. In addition to bar and table seating, there's window-alcove seating, excellent for watching passers-by, I'm sure. Overall, this is truly a choice bar. I absolutely will return. read more

As a 37 year old who wanted a bar that was a little more upscale, but still felt like New Orleans...I headed to Frenchman Street. Good choice! While walking down Frenchman Street, there are many choices, but there were people congregated outside of d.b.a. and we could hear live music pouring out from the bar. When we walked in, we were thrilled! A long bar with a chalkboard hanging about it that lists the plethora of beers, wines and liquors that they offer. I knew we were in bar heaven when I read a sign behind the bar...."We have Heineken and Amstel Light, No Bud Lite, Miller Lite, or Coors Lite! Don't even ASK!!!" There are so many other great choices anyway! The crowd was a mix of locals, college kids, and tourists. The bartenders were quick, knowledgeable and friendly. There wasn't a cover, so the drinks had a .50 cent up charge. No worries...they were still reasonable. The first band was a funk/jazz band. And, the second band that played had a Texas hill country sound and were excellent, Washboard Rodeo. If you ever get the chance to experience them, do! We stayed in d.b.a. for hours! The only reason we left was because we were old and tired...and it was a little too cold inside (honestly, I never thought that would happen in N.O. in July!) read more

Came here on both Friday and Saturday night of Jazz fest weekend. On Friday the Wolfman was playing which was an unexpected treat. And I can't remember who was playing on Saturday but I was all the way up at the front getting dizzzown. The setup is a little different, but that is part of what gives it charm. I especially love the big windowed nooks that allow for great people watching and for making crazy faces at unsuspecting passerbyers. The bathrooms are well kept and I never had to wait long to use them. I only drank abita purple haze so I'm not a good judge of the bartenders mixology skills, but there is indeed quite the selection of beer. The area that d.b.a. is in is one of my favorite in new orleans, the french marigny. When I hit NOLA I will definitely be coming back. read more

This *might* be my favorite venue on Frenchmen Street, although, I didn't go to one that I disliked. d.b.a. has a bar with a stage and dance floor on one side and a space with just a bar and some seating on the other: so there's a place to be close to the action and hear live music, and a space where you can just chat and hear the live jazz in the background. My friend and I came here on a Saturday and Sunday and on both nights the music was great and it wasn't terribly crowded (although we were here on the early side: 8:30pm). Service was a little slow, but that's a minor offense. I'll be back the next time I find myself in New Orleans. read more

This place was very cool. Our last night in Nola we hitched a uber ride to this area a little further down from French Quarter/Bourbon street. All the clubs had live jazz music, this one DBA was our first stop. They had the best bar in Nola that we had stopped at. All high quality beer, wine, liquor. The music was good, and they had plenty of places to sit also. I will come back here next time in Nola. read more

I REALLY liked this place. Our bartender from Desire's on Bourbon St. told us if we want to avoid the drunk frat boys and marines to get off Bourbon and head down to Frenchman St. specifically to go to a jazz bar called d.b.a. About 9 blocks down, walking through some beautiful neighborhoods, we emerged from Bourbon on to a new type of setting. More folks on the porch, locals, musicians, no loud drunk A&F bro's walking around, no girls stumbling in high heels with their hurricane drinks (though 5 years ago I'd have preffered that. ) We arrived dba, which is across the st from a place called "the spotted cat" also another jazz bar. The first thing we noticed walking in is that the bar has 2 sides, one with live music and people sitting to watch, the other your typical bar for chatting. Me and my gf sat and watched the live 5piece band; a clarinet, stand up bass, 2 guitars and a fiddle. The uptempo jazz was very enjoyable and classy. i sat and had several cigarettes while sipping whiskey on the rocks and everyone just talked, had a good time and paused to listen to the instrumentals when the band would have solos. I love this place, they have live jazz every day...really wish we had somethign similar in LA or Orange County. The service was good, not great, the drink list is very extensive, the atmosphere is awesome. read more

I went in on a Tuesday night to watch the Treme Brass Band. The first thing I noticed was the large board which listed the extensive beer and liquor selection -- I had the Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Nut Brown in the bottle. I've had it on draught and, as in every case, it tastes better that way. The band started late because of a few technical issues with the sound system but it gave me a chance to converse with my friend who had just flown in. I'm a non-smoker so good music, good alcohol, and good company in a smoke free bar is alway a plus. I'll be back. read more

I love D.B.A. When they went smoke-free, I loved them even more. Great music and drinks. On a side note. I am so sorry to hear about Ray's accident. I can only send positive vibes. I hope you are all ok. Peace. read more

If I felt any more at home here, I'd have dropped by to pick up my mail: I adored d.b.a for a variety of reasons, from the thorough and well-appointed beers list, to the split-side seating arrangements, the brimming talent on stage twanging away. This was one of those places where you could just tell that interesting things were going to happen by the conversations that were going on at the door: the gal manning the door was having a polite (if spirited) chat with a fellow who implored her to let him fire up a stogie inside. She wasn't having it, and when he attempted to debate her (she was working on a cigarette at the time), she grinned all the way through her argument. Which I'm pretty sure in the end, she won. The band this night was fine but not transcendent - a little on the singer-songwriter side) but provided an amenable tonic to the muggy climes outside, which, even in the evening, made those entering drippy. I can't wait to pop back by some evening when the temps have cooled, and Frenchmen Street is teeming: happy people, hanging their coats on the stars, and their dreams on one another. read more

If you're in town for topless bars and karaoke, don't even think about coming down to Frenchman or d.b.a. However, if you are getting sick and tired of the new "French Quarter" and miss the old days and older ways, definitely make the trek down to the Frenchman District (right off the quarter) and this bar. Fantastically relaxing dark and sexy atmosphere with loads of wood and plenty of nooks and crannies to escape to. Huge selection of beers (draft and bottled) along with loads of booze (what more would you expect for NOLA?). The atmosphere plus decent prices and great service make this the best spot on Frenchman (and arguably in the city) in my opinion. On the side of the club behind the main bar, there is another smaller bar and a music area that features great local jazz bands. So, what is it going to be - saggy boobs or serious fun and great music? You can stop by Port of Call on your way back into the Quarter as well for some incredible late night dining. Free to get in early, cover later (but well worth it for previously mentioned talent).... read more

The Blues at this joint made my trip to NO worth it. The beer selection was fantastic. The crowd was the best I had been around in all of New Orleans. Super friendly, the girls were extra chatty and down to earth. The door girls were also fantastic. If you want a good night out... hit up Frenchmen Street and make this bar a part of your night. read more

If I lived in New Orleans, this would be my place. I'd heard good things but was not familiar with the band playing. Lucky me, it was Walter Washington and I got to rock out to some amazing blues funk for a paltry $5 cover. Beyond the great music, I loved the (1) the amazing acoustics, (2) the large size and wrap-around layout, and (3) the fantastic selection of craft beer. read more

A good long walk from the madness of Bourbon arrives you at Frenchman Street. This area of New Orleans are a grouping of bars dedicated solely dedicated to live jazz. DBA is the one where we spent the most time, mostly because it wasn't as overly crowded as the other jazz bars. Hell, we were even able to secure seating at the bar which would be the godsend on our sore traveler's feet. Granted, we were waiting about 45 minutes for the next act to start, it was worth it when standing-room-only came into play. There are also church benches that lined the walls, but with the standing crowd in front of you, you'll probably just want to stand. read more

Fantastic music. Perfect dance floor. Great bourbon selection. Bartenders? Not good. I know it's a tourist zone, but guys, do you have to be so rude? Crack a smile sometimes. Show some human spirit! Even still...I gotta recommend DBA for live music on Frenchman. read more

d.b.a and the Spotted Cat really seem to be the nexus of action on Frenchman St. I feel like d.b.a. can be a little stodgy and I am not a fan of covers in general which is why they are not quite 5 stars in my book. The night that we went there was no cover so we had the .50 surcharge on the drinks. Prices and the selections are good behind the bar. As has been said dozens of times, Frenchman St. is where you want to go if you want to listen to some talented musicians and have a smaller amount of frat boys puking in the streets. read more

DBA - Jazz & Blues Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Do yourself a favor when you come to New Orleans.... venture outside the Quarter! When I travel, I do want to see the tourist spots--- I mean, would you go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower? Or would you go to London and not see Buckingham Palace? So when you are in New Orleans, go to Bourbon St, get a hurricane, get some beads and then head over to where the locals are at- the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street. d.b.a was a super cool spot that was a recommendation from a friend of a friend who went to school at Tulane. My friend and I decided to go over and check it out. We were lucky enough to be there on a night where a really awesome jazz/swing band was playing, complete with people swing dancing. Loved it! Unfortunately we didn't get any drinks (we had been drinking since 10 am in true Big Easy style) but the bartenders were gracious enough to give us some waters to nurse our tortured livers. Next time I will be sure to check out their awesome beer selection. read more

I always look forward to time spent on Frenchman's, normally we go to Maison, this time we decided to branch out and try somethiing new... Though the drink list is very extensive and impressive, good luck getting your hands on anything. We sat at the bar and were repeatedly ignored, while we listened to what I would consider sub par blues music from the band. We eventually managed to have a few drinks and realized much to our dismay that since we hit a magic number on the bill we were charged gratuity automatically. I will try again but with guarded expectations, everyone has off nights and I really enjoyed the decor and presence of this establishment. read more

I hate places where you have stand and listen to music. Don't get me wrong, the music was fantastic, but I felt so claustrophobic. I did sit for a while but when you sit, everyone around you is taller so it's also a very uncomfortable feeling. dba has a bunch of craft beers, if you're into that. We wanted PBR, which is too mundane for a fancy place like this to carry so we settled on some Abita Strawberry. After checking out our other options on street, I have to say that I think dba is the classiest and coolest bar on the block. read more

Great setting, a good mix of people (not exclusively young or old), and the opposite of Bourbon Street. Lots of beer selection of tap and by the bottle. And we were able to nab one of the 4-5 window seats, which is like a little cubby: no table but two benches with windows on each side, which was perfect for hearing the music but still being able to talk. Great stage on one side of the bar, with music that was fun without being overwhelming. Staff were cool without being snobby, and prices were fair. I really liked this area of town. read more

LOVED IT!! Frenchman Street at it's best. The music is consistently good. Love me some horns (and horn players). Great energy here. Good people. It is probably one of the places I will remember as a "must-go" next time I am there. OUTSTANDING! read more

Tired of the ghettoness of Bourbon street? Looking for something a tad more upscale than open bars and strip clubs? Then Frenchman street and DBA is the place for you. DBA is the flagship lounge and bar on Frenchman street. With two different rooms, you can choose to sit at a table or cozy up to the stage and hear some body moving jazz and blues. DBa has a great selection of beer and the live music is much better than what you will find on Bourbon St. Covers are $5.00 but no different than anything else down the strip. We hit 4 bars and only spent $20.00 to get in and the cheap drinks quickly made up for the cover. The best thing about DBA and Frenchman St. is unlike Bourbon, you can walk up and down the street and not have to worry about getting mugged or pick pocketed!!! read more

d.b.a. New Orleans is one of my favorite Frenchmen Street music venues and I have made it a point to catch Jon Cleary perform on Thursday nights for last several years. It has a wide selection of beers and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from, including a very good ginger ale. d.b.a. has a music stage with good acoustics and people there never talk so loudly that they drown out the performance. I enjoyed Tuba Skinny's set there this year and was glad they were able to move up in the musical world as the band was playing on Royal Street the year before. read more

Way cool! d.b.a. did have a cover the night we were there but it was only $10 and boy was it worth it. We stopped by the first night of Mardi Gras season and were brought in to a true New Orleans musical atmosphere. All of the classic songs you never know where Mardi Gras along with a bar that could keep up with the crowd. I was truly impressed that the venue didn't pack folks in; that could have just been circumstance. We were able to move around and even dance which made the live band even better. Not being packed in like a sardine can really make for a great evening! We were even lucky enough to have the Mardi Gras Indians on stage to sing and play like the badass musicians they are. Great great stop! Very glad we picked d.b.a. over another venue within walking distance that had a line out the door. read more

Randomly found this place earlier tonight and was greeted by an extremely rude bouncer and security guy. These two guys ruined the entire establishment for me and my friend and we ended up taking our business elsewhere. read more