New Orleans is known for its music, but first-time visitors may not know where to hear the city’s traditional jazz. Preservation Hall is a small live music venue at 726 Saint Peter Street in the French Quarter. Since 1961, it has welcomed guests who want to hear local musicians perform up close. A visit offers a chance to enjoy a sound deeply tied to the city’s history. When planning your stay at a hotel in New Orleans, leave time for an evening here.
How Preservation Hall Began
Before it became a music venue, the building housed an art gallery run by Larry Borenstein. During the 1950s, he invited local musicians to play there, and their sessions began drawing listeners. Allan and Sandra Jaffe discovered the gallery while visiting New Orleans and later helped make it a lasting home for traditional New Orleans jazz. The Hall gave older players a place to perform when their music had fewer stages. It also welcomed mixed bands and audiences during segregation. Today, that jazz history lives on through musicians who share the style with new generations.
What Makes the Music Special?
Preservation Hall presents acoustic jazz performances in a small setting where the music is the main focus. You do not need to know song names or understand music theory to enjoy a show. Listen for the way the players share a tune, answer one another, and add their own touches as they play. Different groups appear on the schedule, so the musicians you hear depend on your date. These New Orleans musicians keep the tradition alive through live performances, making the Hall a place to hear history rather than simply read about it.
How to Buy Tickets
Buy your Preservation Hall tickets through the official website before your visit. The venue requires online reservations and does not accept cash at the door. For current prices, select your date and performance before setting your budget. The standard policy makes tickets non-refundable and non-transferable, so check your plans carefully before paying. If your travel dates are not listed yet, check again later; schedules are usually posted about two weeks before the coming month. Keep your ticket confirmation easy to find when you arrive.
Show Times and How Long to Stay
Each ticket covers one 45-minute performance, which makes a show easy to fit into a sightseeing day. The calendar currently lists evening options such as 5:00, 6:15, 7:30, and 8:45 p.m., with afternoon shows on some weekends. Times and performers can change, so use the live performance calendar when choosing your visit. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early; doors open about 20 minutes before the show. Leave space between your dinner plans and arrival so you can enjoy the music without rushing.
Rules, Family Visits, and Accessibility
The Hall is an all-ages music venue, so children can attend. Photos, videos, and audio recordings are not allowed during performances. Outside food and drinks are also restricted. Staff can provide a mobility ramp, and accessible restrooms are next door at Le Spectacle. Earplugs and noise-reducing headphones are available. If someone in your group needs extra support, ask ahead so you can plan the visit around their needs.
Getting to Preservation Hall
Use 726 Saint Peter Street as your destination when planning your route. Parking in the French Quarter is limited, and the Hall suggests walking, taking a taxi or rideshare, or using public transportation. Choose the option that suits your group, the weather, and your other plans that day. Plaza Suite Resort is in the Warehouse District, so allow travel time to reach the venue. Our French Quarter guide can help you become familiar with the neighborhood before setting out.
What to Explore Before the Show
Make your concert part of a wider French Quarter visit. Start around Jackson Square, admire St. Louis Cathedral, or browse the shops and galleries along Royal Street. These stops give you a look at the neighborhood’s art, buildings, and daily life before you settle in for music. Choose a few places rather than packing too much into one afternoon. Our guide to things to do in New Orleans offers more ideas for your trip. Check each attraction’s hours separately, especially if you plan to go inside before an evening performance.
Make Plaza Suite Resort Your New Orleans Hotel
An evening at Preservation Hall adds live music and local history to your trip. After exploring the Quarter, return to Plaza Suite Resort for space to relax and plan your next day. Our suites offer equipped kitchens, comfortable living areas, and a Warehouse District location near downtown attractions. Whether music is your main reason for visiting or one part of your plans, our resort in New Orleans provides a convenient base. Contact us to check suite availability and start planning your stay.