d.b.a. 

d.b.a. opened on Frenchmen Street in 1994, part of the wave of venues that transformed the Faubourg Marigny strip into New Orleans' premier live music district. From the beginning it distinguished itself through a commitment to quality — good sound, serious booking, and the kind of knowledgeable audience that Frenchmen Street attracts.

The bar's layout — long, narrow, with the stage at the back — creates an immersive experience where the music surrounds you. Its extensive selection of draft beers and whiskeys has made it as celebrated for its drinks program as for its music, and the combination has created a room that feels both relaxed and focused.

John Boutté has held a regular residency at d.b.a. for years, and his Thursday night shows have become one of the city's essential live music experiences. The venue also books top jazz, blues, and brass band acts regularly, with a calendar that consistently rewards attendance.

d.b.a. is one of the venues that defines what Frenchmen Street is — a real music neighborhood where locals and visitors mix, where the music starts late and goes later, and where on any given night you might hear something you'll remember for years.