Al Hirt’s group was the house band but the club hosted other bands while on tour. This location is at the end of the same block as our hotel and is no longer a music venue. It was later named Al Hirt’s Club, then Al Hirt’s Basin Street South. This location started out as the second spot for Dan’s Pier 600 located farther down the street. Sam Butera’s Witnesses became the house band.ĥ01 Bourbon – Al Hirt’s Club – was directly across St. Both Prima and Frank Federico were highlighted at the opening in 1946. He passed away while staying at the nearby Prince Conti Hotel.Ĥ41 Bourbon – 500 Club – Prima’s 500 Club was operated by trumpeter Leon Prima, the older brother of Louis Prima. It was also the site of Jack Teagarden’s last performance. Merritt Brunies, Peter Bocage and Sharkey Bonano all played here throughout those years. Sharkey Bonano’s Kings of Dixieland also played here as well as the (Assunto’s Original) Dukes of Dixieland, the Basin Street Six and Santo Pecora’s band.Ĥ26 Bourbon – Dream Room – this club started out as the Silver Slipper opened by banjoist Steve Loyacano, later named the New Silver Slipper, then the Dream Room.
The frame near the front door boasts a litany of the many performers that entered the venue. Opened in 1934 by Hyp Guinle, a boxing promoter, the club featured many bands and local musicians. Clarinetist Alphonse Picou performed often.ģ33 Bourbon – Mardi Gras Lounge – also known as Sid Davilla’s Mardi Gras Lounge, it featured Freddie Kohlman’s band and others.ģ39 Bourbon – Famous Door – it still exists as a music venue and it truly was one of the most famous of the Bourbon Street nightclubs.
Owner and equestrian Steve Valenti and his wife, Charlotte, operated the restaurant next door at 315 Bourbon, the Paddock, and were able to serve food to the patrons of the Lounge. During the week, Narvin Kimball’s Gentlemen of Jazz took to the stage. Lively piano music was a daily occurrence and Louis Armstrong played here on a trip to New Orleans in 1955.ģ09 Bourbon – Paddock Lounge – a nightclub with a horseracing theme, the band in the 1950s was Papa Celestin and then the Octave Crosby band. He liked that it was only ½ block from the El Morocco where he first played with the Phil Zito band in 1948.Ģ40 Bourbon – Old Absinthe House – still a popular bar but it had a prior jazz history. He enjoyed being in a larger facility located on the “noisier” blocks of Bourbon. 228 Bourbon – Ferrera’s Sho-Bar – Sharkey Bonano’s band took over when the bar was a jazz music venue.Ģ31 Bourbon – Pete Fountain’s French Quarter Inn – this was the second site of the Inn after Pete relocated from the 800 Bourbon spot in 1969.