Renee K | Jun 21, 2018

Don’t waste your time or money! Extremely poor quality music, not entertaining or lively, and definitely not worth the wait in a long line and being charged (a non-refundable) $20/person. We went with a group of friends/family upon some high recommendations online on several tourist/local guide sites. We were excited, as we were really looking for some authentic/traditional New Orleans music and the appeal of seeing a show in such an old building definitely sounded like we’d get a taste of what The Quarter is about. Such a historical building, and the beauty of the history is absolutely demolished by the atrocious performance we witnessed. After waiting in line outside for nearly an hour to go in, we walk in to a very dimly lit, oven of a room with a small stage area and minimal wood plank bench seating. Mostly standing room only space, we get crammed in like sardines to a room that isn’t ventilated and has a large floor fan blowing hot air around for the only relief from the summer heat. Sweltering, we wait for the show to begin, being strictly instructed that no photos or videos can be taken of the performance. Seemed like an odd request, been to many concerts and musical shows and the request is generally no flash photography, not absolutely no photos of the show. But okay, we think it must be a really great show for it to be so limited and in such a hot box with such a long wait... The lights go out so the show can start, and the band, if you could call them that, grab their instruments and begin to play. I honestly wish I had something good to say about them, but there was nothing remotely good. I’ve seen junior high bands that sounded better and more cohesive than the “group” we witnessed. The lackluster performance was only enhanced by the complete lack of energy and enthusiasm that all the players had. Not a single performer looked like they wanted to be there, and the music reflected that. The sound wasn’t bright, cheery, energetic, swanky or anything remotely pleasant. It was the absolutely most depressing music I’ve ever heard. The guy playing the snare drum stared absentmindedly at a wall, tapping his drumstick on the snare almost as if he was annoyed at being there. The trombone player sounded as if he’d never even played a trombone before! He basically just kept sliding the outer slide tube back and forth, with no real direction or melody of any sort. He rarely ever stopped the tube at a set point, and it honestly sounded like someone who just picked the instrument up and was trying to play for the first time ever. I could pick apart every single player that was there but it’s all the same. Everything was off-beat, out of tune and sounded like the group had never played together before that night and they all acted like they didn’t care and didn’t want to be there. If someone told me they grabbed random people off the street and put them in front of an instrument to play as a group, I’d truly believe it. After leaving the show and perusing The Quarter, we saw several street performers/groups that had the enthusiasm, energy, and talent we were expecting. We even found another venue that had an actual band that played at the level expected of a professional show. How this place has great and even average reviews is completely beyond me. Even the people in our group that know absolutely nothing about music felt the same way I do.

Thomas Kirk | Jun 22, 2018

Such a blissful 45 minutes of jazz. I highly recommend buying the tickets in advance on the website to get a front row seat on the bench. We enjoyed the first night so much we bought tickets for the next night as well. The two shows we're so different but both at the same exceptional level you'd expect. Don't leave NOLA without a visit to Preservation Hall. My #1 recommended stop in New Orleans.

Benjamin Wilson | Jun 17, 2018

The Jazz I've ever heard in my life! A real intimate experience with true legends. $20 entry for an hour set. No bar or loo but you can bring in your own alcohol or drinks. They ask no photos during the performance but it is well worth it for the distraction free atmosphere. An ABSOLUTE must see when in NOLA. Real professionals having a great time

Charley Carlin | Apr 13, 2018

An absolute must do when in New Orleans is to hear jazz at preservation hall. First Get your tickets early - days or weeks early to get a seat, lest you will be standing for the performance. - And yes it is worth it even if you have to stand. This place is the ultimate classic historical jazz venue in new Orleans. Be sure to be ready with your requests and a 20 to drop in the hat to bring your request to the top of the list. These musicians are as good as it gets, and are the classic representation of jazz in New Orleans for over 50 years. You will be squeezed in to a room, shoulder to shoulder, it may get warm, the chairs (benches) are at a premium. It's definitely worth it. I wanted to go again immediately

Alejandro Bencomo | Jun 2, 2018

IMHO this is the #1 activity to do when visiting New Orleans. This place has so much character and the musicians are so real. So this is how it works: they have shows every evening at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10pm. You can simply wait in line outside the venue 1/2h before each show and pay 20$ for general admission or you can book tickets online for 35-50$ to guarantee your seat and skip the line. There are some seats available for the general admission crowd, but you could be standing if you were at the end of the line. The show lasts 45min. They don’t sell drinks inside but you can brings drinks from the outside. Bring cool clothes because there is no a/c inside. No 📷📹 allowed and it is better that way, so you can concentrate in listening their amazing jazz. If you want to listen a particular song they will play for you for a specific tip amount: 5$ for a traditional song, 10$ for others and 20$ for “the saints”, the unofficial anthem of New Orleans.