Tipitina’s

Tipitina's is one of the best-known music venues in New Orleans. It opened on 14 January 1977 at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street in Uptown, at first called the 501 Club after its street number. It soon took its name from "Tipitina", a song by the pianist Professor Longhair, who played at the club until his death in 1980. The building itself dates from 1912 and had housed a gambling house, a gymnasium and a brothel before it became a music hall.

Over the decades the club has hosted many of the city's great names, and live albums have been recorded here by artists including The Neville Brothers, Dr. John and The Radiators. In December 2018 members of the band Galactic bought the venue, and they set up the Tip-It Foundation to support the music and culture of the Gulf South. The banana in the club's logo is said to be the last trace of an early juice bar on the site.

Today the club holds around 800 people and books R&B, funk, rock, jazz and other styles. Most shows take place from Wednesday to Sunday, with occasional dates early in the week. Doors usually open between 6pm and 8pm, with music starting between 7pm and 9pm, and some late-night shows start at 11pm. Every listed event is for ages 18 and up. On some Sunday afternoons the club hosts Youth Music Labs for young musicians. Check the calendar on the website and buy tickets in advance for popular acts. During Jazz Fest the club runs a series of shows called Fess Jazztival, a nod to Professor Longhair's nickname.

Tipitina's suits music fans, groups of friends and anyone who wants to see a local band in a room steeped in history. Expect it to be crowded for big names, and arrive near doors opening for a good spot near the stage.

The club is in Uptown, away from the French Quarter, so a taxi or ride-share is the simplest way there and back, especially late at night. The office is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm for enquiries.