The Jazz Playhouse
The Jazz Playhouse
4.5
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Friday
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Sunday
6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
About
It's Playtime. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans proudly presents The Jazz Playhouse. The best jazz club in New Orleans showcases the city's greatest Jazz talent and serves your favorite cocktails and appetizers in a luxurious venue on the lobby level of the hotel. . Admission to The Jazz Playhouse is offered to walk-in's on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Jazz playhouse does require a one drink minimum, per person per set for all shows. Guests must be at least 21 years old to enjoy the show.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: French Quarter
A small and teeming network of laissez-faire living lounged out on the balmy banks of the Mighty Mississippi, the French Quarter has long been a port of call for folks in search of a good time and a great story. Perpetually inebriated Bourbon Street runs across its midriff like a strand of cheap ribbon tied around an otherwise rather pretty and impressively well-kept vintage dress. Throughout the rest of the Quarter, brightly colored Victorian homes and businesses, famously done up with wrought-iron features, provide a distinct and immediately recognizable backdrop for all varieties of fun. At any given moment in this historic riverside setting, some of America’s finest meals are being cooked, most potent cocktails are being mixed, and most engaging music is being performed.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
553 reviews
Excellent
376
Very good
129
Average
26
Poor
10
Terrible
12
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NYTraveler516123
3 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited on a night that the hotel said was the best weekday night. The set that we heard was awful. The act was geared to pleasing tourists and barely resembled jazz—we were reminded more of a bad bar mitzvah reception, with chintzy selections bizarre “audience participation.” The music itself was average, at best.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear NYTraveler51623,
So disappointed to learn that you visited us on what sounds to have been an off night in terms of performance. We strive to feature a wide-range of local artists throughout the week who represent more classic, iconic jazz as well as the contemporary and upbeat end of the spectrum, but regardless I do apologize that the recommended performance wasn't to your taste. I hope that you will pay us another visit next time you're in the area, and perhaps experience a Sun, Mon, or Tues night performance..you won't regret it! I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to express your sentiments and will certainly take your feedback to heart. We hope to have an opportunity to make a better impression upon you at some point in the future. Please enjoy your weekend, and take care.
Thank you!
Written January 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelcommando
big blue ball99 contributions
May 2023
This was by far the nicest venue which I visited on Bourbon Street. It’s not far from Canal Street/Business District. The club is elegant. The wait staff is proficient, professional and prompt. I really enjoyed my interactions with the door staff. I visited multiple times and was seated quite up front for the first show. The Jazz Playhouse has some great drinks but watch out for that Hurricane! It will really get you if you’re not careful. The food menu is small. This was the first place which I visited after arrival. The experience was a very nice introduction to New Orleans. I did not witness any insufferable behavior; people enjoyed the shows and respected the musicians. This is a real music hall, not a restaurant with a stage. The entertainment is not completely jazz oriented every night. You might catch a funk band, a jazz band, a fusion band, etc. The venue also hosts a burlesque show. Just check before you go. Visiting twice, I didn’t find a reservation to be necessary on either night. However, just in case there’s a large party (bachelorette, birthday, etc.,) making one wouldn’t hurt.
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally C
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Friends
Complete waste of money. Changed event fee ($65) and then were asked several times to tip musicians. Then pressured into buying expensive drinks. Not much music played…lots of breaks and chatter by music group.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mauricio Mussi
6 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Good venue, however the night show was very weak. The band played 3 songs and the rest was just nonsense. Little jazz. The guy was making noise with the instrument and just wanted to pass the "bag". I recommend seeing who will be playing so you don't waste your time with noise that isn't jazz.
Written January 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
15 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Wasted an hour and a half. The band was simply killing time. In the nearly 2 hours we were there we sat through 1 real jazz piece where Sam, on trombone, was excellent, but the rest of the time was waisted on a rap song, a band break, 2 introductions of the band members, dialogue about how long everyone was married, birthdays and general time kill. Mid-priced drinks ($15-16) that would be ok if there was entertainment. Though Sam’s trombone was very good, it was conspicuous he was saving his lips 90% of the time.
Written March 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick O
Mount Holly, NC1,143 contributions
Jun 2023
We stopped in for a couple of sets during a recent trip to New Orleans. Classy place with great music! Drinks were served in a non invasive way that was not pushy and did not interfere with the music. Be sure to get there early so you have a great spot. We came in deep into a set and our first seats did not have a great view. During the break people left and we were able to move to seats with a great view. Very comfortable atmosphere and reasonable prices made for a wonderful evening.
Written July 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangojohnDallas
Dallas, TX1,204 contributions
Jul 2023
Really enjoyed coming here and enjoying the Nayo Jones Experience. She is incredibly talented and we really enjoyed ourselves. Band was excellent too. The waitstaff were very friendly and provided excellent service. I cant wait to come back again.
Written July 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cornbread35
Gorham, ME232 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
My wife and I lurched tickets to see Jazz-a-holics. They were awesome. Seats were comfortable. Service attentive. Good drinks. We liked that we were able to reserve seats. The previous couple of evenings we were not able to find decent seats at different clubs.
Written November 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CWFL
Clearwater, Florida56 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
If you like jazz served with class, Irvin Mayfield’s is THE club to visit in NOLA. The Playhouse, tucked away inside the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street is attractive and accommodates a nice-sized crowd, but it’s small enough to feel intimate. The drink menu is substantial, as are the prices, but there is no cover charge. At times they have happy hour specials and offer a limited menu from the hotel’s restaurant. The clientele includes visitors and savvy locals who come to hear their favorite musicians. I noticed that table service seemed slow when it got really busy (I sat at the bar and service was excellent). My first visit was in 2013 when they were doing a 7-night benefit for NOLA charities. Irvin Mayfield rocked the house for all 7 nights so I booked the hotel again during the dates the 2014 benefit was planned. However, when I checked in I Iearned there was no benefit and that Irvin Mayfield only performed there Wednesday night – and I was flying out Wednesday morning. The club manager insisted on sharing my story with Mr. Mayfield who graciously showed up on Tuesday night and sat in with the band for a few songs. There’s more to the story, but suffice it to say that Mr. Mayfield and everyone at the club went out of their way to make me feel welcome and appreciated. If you are in NOLA and want to listen to good straight-ahead jazz, go to Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse. You won’t be disappointed.
Written September 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CamgirlCambridge
Cambridge, UK105 contributions
We visited following a meal nearby. Wow, what a place, a lovely, classy, cosy bar with excellent helpful friendly staff. To top it off there was a superb jazz singer and band. Loved it and would recommend it.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have to be 21 to enter. Would my 20year old be able to go in and drink Pepsi while we have drinks and listen to music?
Written July 14, 2019
There were younger people in the playhouse while we were there. They check ID’s to ensure you are 21.
Written August 10, 2019
How early should I arrive on Christmas night to get a seat (I do not have a rez)?
Written December 19, 2018
I don't really know about how busy this is on Christmas. Could you call and ask the concierge at the hotel, maybe. It's in the Royal Sonesta and he likely could give some advice and also make you reservations. Have FUN!
Written December 20, 2018
How many acts are there per night, and what time does the music start on a weekday?
Written October 8, 2018
Hello! We feature one performer each night of the week, with the exception of Fridays when there are 2 shows - a Jazz performance from 7:30pm-10:30pm, followed by an 11pm Burlesque performance.
Generally speaking, the shows begin around 8pm and last until midnight, with scheduled breaks throughout. Please see Royal Sonesta New Orleans' website (Jazz Playhouse) for monthly lineup of talent and other venue specific info. Thank you for your interest!
Written October 13, 2018
hpdolland
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
What is the parking situation if a guest or patron of this hotel?
Written July 30, 2018
We parked half a block away at the Hotel Mazarin. There are other lots nearby. It was no issue. $20 for about 6 hours or so. Valet also.
Written October 4, 2018
Do you have to be a guest at the Sonesta in order to come here? Or can you come just for the Playhouse?
Written December 19, 2017
You can just come. Although, you’d be better off on Frenchman St. It is a nice looking venue but the service is horrific.
Written December 19, 2017
Do we need a reservation to see the show on Friday, 12/1?
Written November 21, 2017
I highly doubt it. You unfortunately jazz is not anywhere near as popular on Bourbon as getting drunk and other music. Just get there a bit early and take your pic of seats. And give the band a good tip, they deserve it!
Written November 21, 2017
how long is the show? when does it wrap up? If reserve and can show up until 9;30 I assume it goes on for some time after that. Is that correct?
Written April 15, 2017
Thank you for your question and interest in The Jazz Playhouse. Yes, you can show up at 9:30pm if you'd like... shows start at 8pm and end at midnight every night except on Fridays where we have a 7pm – 11pm jazz show and an 11pm – 1am burlesque show. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Written June 28, 2017
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