Candlelight Lounge

Last spring, wifey and I were lucky enough to spend a week in New Orleans. One of the most memorable nights of our trip was spent on a Wednesday at the Candlelight Lounge. I'd like to share our story.My friend Gil B comes to NOLA multiple times a year and has a strong connection with the Crescent City. This was on his short-list of places he recommended to experience something off the beaten path. We arrived by Uber at 10:30 for a 10 o'clock show, thinking we were late, but this place runs on New Orleans time--the lights were all up in this funky little cinder-block building, and there were only a handful of folks sitting at the bar and along the walls. We saw a table in the corner with pots covered in foil sitting on a hot plate, and a paper sign: "Don't Touch Call Gladys"At Gil's recommendation, we took advantage of their bottle service and requested a half-pint bottle of Seagrams gin at the bar. It is served with a luke-warm bottle of soda (we went for ginger ale), and a big red plastic bowl of ice and limes. It was perfect and refreshing on this warm night. We found a tiny table near the front and settled in. The next big group to walk in the door was a group of senior Japanese tourists, which all sat on the same side of a big long table. They seemed out of place, sitting all on one side of a big long table. Half the men in the group promptly fell asleep. Not the first time that night, we wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into.Gladys, it turns out, is the lively hostess for the night. She came by to make sure we felt welcome, and told us about the red beans and rice in case we were hungry. Slowly the musicians and additional guests streamed in, and after another half hour or so, the band started to warm up and get ready for the show.We were shocked and gleefully surprised, when one of the Japanese businessmen walks up to the stage with a trumpet case. He introduced himself to the band and asked if he could sit in, they were maybe more surprised than we were, but proceed to pull up a chair for him. When the brass band finally starts up, the tables are full, and a few folks are dancing, and the music is excellent. Wifey and I were thrilled to see that the older tourist was a genius on trumpet, kept up with the band perfectly, and rocked the house. The smile in his eyes as he was playing beamed through the room, he was clearly in his happy place, and he even stood up for a solo in the second song.For the third song, the band paused so Gladys could make an announcement: "In case y'all don't know, this is the third song, which means everybody dances. I'm on my feet all night, so I get to sit down, and the rest of all y'all get up. Everybody dances for the 3rd song." And so we did. And it was great.We danced for the song after that, and a few more as well. The band was on fire, and the whole room was feeling the music.I am sure that not every Wednesday night is as amazing as what we witnessed last April, but I'll sure as heck be back here if I'm every lucky enough to be in the Crescent City again.

The Candlelight Lounge is not one of those places you will necessarily find on Yelp, Tripadvisor, nor top 10 lists from newspapers and magazines but ask any local, and you will be sure to hear amazing tihngs about this place. I asked about a half dozen locals what to do, see, experience in New Orleans and the common answer among all was to check out the Candlelight Lounge on a Wednesday night. Wednesdays belong to the Treme Brass Band (as seen on the HBO show Treme). It is not a glamorous establishment nor is it located in the touristy zones of Bourbon Street but rather several blocks on in Treme. The cover here is $10 and that includes a free beans and rice bowl (try it, it is good - just be sure to add hot sauce). The drinks are cheap and well if you tip Gladys the server she will give you a surprise. This is not one of those places where you can expect to sit all night long. Gladys will hunt you down and grab you and everyone at your table to get up and dance in front of the band all night long. The vibe and the energy is contagious. You will dance all night long, meet plenty of people from the tables next to you and have a memorable night in New Orleans. This is the local hidden gem of New Orleans, don't ruin it. FYI, Treme Bass Band plays at midnight at DBA on Tuesdays in case you cannot make it here on Wednesdays.

Very cool hole in the wall joint that features the Treme Brass Band on Wednesday nights in the famous Treme neighborhood...just a stones throw away from the French Quarter.To see this awesome band it was a $10 cover which is not bad to see/hear some bad ass jazz. There isn't an ATM here so you will need to bring cash for the cover but the bar accepts debit/credit cards. There is a woman tucked in the corner behind the door that you would miss if you don't look to your right when you walk in. Don't worry, you will not get away with not paying the cover as there is an awesome woman by the name of Gladys that will make sure you turn around and pay...lol. Gladys is very nice and makes sure the crowd is engaged while the band is playing. When I say engaged I mean not just sitting there...she wants everyone getting up shaking their ass while the band is grooving. She has no problem pulling you outta that seat and saying get yo ass up and dance (in a nice way of course). She pretty much takes everyone's drink orders in addition to making sure the place is rocking. At one point she had everyone out of their seat dancing to the band's grooves.One of the best things about this place is they serve complimentary homemade red beans. I have to say these were the best I've ever had! They give you a small bowl which includes ham hocks. I've never had a ham hock in my life until I came here and I actually liked it. My greedy ass had two bowls as it definitely helps soak the alcohol. This is definitely a place to check out if you are into jazz and having a good time while listening to it.

Genuine - from the heart and soul - music, food, people.The real deal in New Orleans.Why pay overpriced tourist fees in the French Quarter when the real thing is in Treme!

One of the most amazing experiences of my adult life was had at Candlelight Lounge, on an otherwise ordinary Wednesday night, dancing and singing with Lionel Batiste and the Treme Brass Band.The night prior, I had gone with some NOLA natives to the Maple Leaf Bar to see The Rebirth Brass band, the group made famous by the HBO show, "Treme." While fun, the crowd was mostly college-aged, drunk, and obnoxious. Obviously I'm no expert, but there didn't seem to be much real New Orleans spirit in that room. It just felt like a good second line band playing at a rowdy college bar. The next night, my last in New Orleans, I decided to check Candlelight, which I was told was legendary, and would serve up a more 'authentic NOLA' experience. I didn't really know what that meant, and probably still don't. What I do know is that my night @ Candlelight was filled with more love and spirit than I had experienced in a long time. The crowd was diverse - 18 yr olds to 98 yr olds, hipster transplants to NOLA legends. The band played for what had to have been 4 hrs, with breaks in between for eating, chatting and drinking with the audience. Lionel Batiste (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Batiste), who comes every Wed to play with the band and dance with the ladies, entertained the crowd the entire night - sashaying around, looking dapper, being awesome. I'll never forget the moment I shared with him, dancing hand in hand, he, for some reason, w/ a child's parasol, which he was twirling in the air so casually - like a cooler, subtler Fred Astaire.If you have one night in NOLA - go here. If you have two nights, go here twice. I don't know if the other weekdays are as lively - but Wed is a sure bet. Dance with Lionel.

4 and a half years since my review, and as the city has gone through an incredible amount of change in those years, but still remains the same, the same goes for the Candlelight .Still sweaty, still great music, more musical nights, such as the added music on Sundays (anyone visiting should always be using the WWOZ.com music calendar). Treme brass band, no longer has the beloved Uncle Lionel, as he sadly passed last year, but the energy is just as high, and Ive still never known anyone to have anything less than a great time going to see music there. No longer free, it hasn't been in years, but what is...and still very much worth it

Maybe the best thing we did our week in NOLA was going to Candlelight Lounge on a Wednesday night. Crazy, crazy good music with the Treme Brass Band. Red beans and rice with hunks of roasted meat in it. Wendell Pierce (who plays trombonist Antoine Batiste on HBO's Treme) was standing at the bar studying the band and even shooting a little footage on his iPhone.A note about safety in the neighbourhood. IT'S JUST FINE. When our cabdriver dropped us off, he said, "Don't walk home from here!" As with other warnings about safety in black neighbourhoods, this comment was clearly motivated by racism and media-induced fear. We walked all the way to the Quarter that night, and felt no fear. The Treme is a sweet residential neighbourhood with real hospitality to it.

I had one of those magical New Orleans moments here during Jazz Fest. There were almost as many brass instruments in the room as there were people. Free white beans were being served and cheap drinks were flowing.The best part was that an informal group of brass musicians took to the stage to play one big song/instrument battle. Each set of players would take a turn to show off their skills on the particular instrument. It was a free form showcase of unbelievable talent. The whole place was dancing without a care in the world.

Service was fun. History and "feel" of the place are awesome. Music was wonderful - cuz I love brass.

I loved the place and the people I've met there . I also loved the food and the music , and the fact that it was in the Tremendous in a street that is not turistic at all ..I put 4 stars only because it's just not for everyone .. you've got to be ready to be dancing in a simple and sweaty environment .. I loved it . And the owners are great people !!