Would probably give it 3.5, but I knocked it up to 4 because I had so much fun. We went uptown on a Sunday, something I wouldn't generally recommend because most places are closed. BUT Tipitina's was the highlight of the uptown trip, as they had a band and dancing set up (apparently the norm for a sunday here) At first we felt really out of place, as did the other 4-5 people that were under 30 in the building. But the regulars did a great job at getting us up and dancing, spending the time to teach us and make us feel welcome in their bar. Had a great time
Review Source:The House that Fess built -- his bronze bust greets you -- is a New Orleans icon, and rightly so. International acts and local legends; crisp but not-too-bright acoustics; a cozy, standing-room-only setup that encourage folks to get up close and fonky. It's telling when performers of all genres all sound good, warm, in a place -- this is one such venue. (I don't recall indie gods Dinosaur Jr. and hardcore punkers Off! ever sounding so face-shreddingly clear.) Drinks are reasonable, especially for a music hall of this caliber. The namesake foundation supports the community too via its educational and outreach efforts, so those Tip's souvenirs do more than show off hitting one of the coolest joints in the country.
Review Source:I have come several times, and enjoyed myself every time. Â The music is loud and fun, the drinks are strong, the staff is great. Â This is a good place to come and enjoy yourself. Â The restrooms are typical music venue restrooms....be careful of the occasional pool of water and don't set your purse on the floor due to the cockroaches. Â But it is a great time.
Review Source:Tipitina's is just the kind of place you want to hear your favorite band(s): Â quaint, intimate & the acoustics are excellent. Â Unfortunately, what significantly diminished my experience (&, ultimately, this rating) is the serious lack of organization there. Â
I found out the hard way that will-call opens at the same time that the doors are scheduled to open, instead of hours beforehand, the way literally every other venue I have visited does. Â Because of this, make sure you have your ticket(s) in hand, or you will be made to wait in the will-call line, then be lined up behind those with tickets, even if you arrived hours before anyone else did (I'm short & like to be in the front for shows).
There was also the frustration of having to chase down apathetic/uninformed/rude staff members  who wound up having either no information or the wrong information about where will-call would be & when we could pick up tickets (trust me, this matters when they leave you out in the pouring rain for hours).  Everything ran late & everything was reactionary at best.  Not my best concert going experience.
From now on, I will only purchase tickets to a show at Tipitina's if there is time to have them mailed to me in advance or if a friend in NOLA can pick up the ticket the day before a show. Â Otherwise, as lovely as the venue is, my money would be better spent elsewhere.
WTF is up with clearing the house at midnight during Jazz Fesf? Â Not cool. Two hours to set up for the late show? FN ridiculous.
And the bad attitude of the staff only served to further erode DECADES of good times I've had in that venerable hall.
No encore by Dr. John was insult to injury. Next time I'm in N'awlins I'll be spending my entertainment dollars elsewhere.
Dr John tonite, the right place & right time.
I've been to this venue many times over the years and tonight was a true highlight with
Dr John on stage. At 72 the dude still has the chops.
Tips is a singular Big Easy music venue, even more so durig JazzFest weekend.
This show was GA @ $40 bucks a throw and doors @ 7p. Opening was California Honey Drippers. Beers are a bit pricey @ $5 bucks per...but they are always cold.
Tip's is a fantastic little venue. Small, two levels. Several easy to get to bars both upstairs and down. Standing room only, so it can get a bit packed.... But everyone is there to have a good time so there are seldom problems.
I've seen some great bands here and was lucky enough to be in town for the "Bring back the Houseman" Benefit.
Can't think of a better small venue in NOLA.
Excellent standing-room only venue with two floors. Bartenders are friendly and mix up some yummy mixed-drinks at reasonable prices! Acoustics were great and view of stage is good no matter where you stand. Photo booths available on both floors to capture your fun times. Bought a Tip's t-shirt before heading back to Los Angeles.
Review Source:Tip's is a legendary institution (and if you need a quick lesson why, just look at all the old posters they have hanging up. My jaw fell open when I saw a poster showing Fela Kuti had once played here...!) in New Orleans. I've been to tons of different shows here - the weekly Cajun fais do do, funk and brass band shows, and even a Gillian Welch concert.
The stage floor level can get pretty crowded (this is a standing room only kind of place), so the upstairs part can be nice (though sometimes it's hard to get a good spot near the railing). The bathrooms on the second floor are a little neater, and there's also another bar on the top floor that didn't seem super slammed during the last show I saw here.
Tip's is one of those places that everyone should go to at least once in their lives. But the difference between Tip's and many other venues is once is not enough - true appreciation comes from repeated visits.
I havent been there since 1992, but I used to live a few blocks away on valence st. I was there 3-4 nights a week, saw the most incredible shows, literally one night after another. Back in the day, a beer mist would spill over the bottom floor, smoke filled the air, and typically I was buddies with the locals that were playing.....subdudes, radiators, all the local brass and zydeco bands, then the regional and national acts.
I remember one week where I saw Steve Morse, Johnny Winter, and Eric Johnson in consecutive nights....not out of the norm. Then there was the Nevilles, started at midnight, played til 4 am, hit maple leaf or rockin bowl til the second set and watch them go off.....hit Benny's on the way home, watch the sun coming up walking out of the bar.....sleep then off to Bluebird Cafe......those were the frikkin days. Tips is the spirit and soul of New Orleans....
Remember Tipitinas is a NON PROFIT organization (tax deduction).....which means you need to buy more drinks because its for a good cause, after all
GREAT venue to watch music and the bookings never disappoint. Â Because they don't operate as a club or bar, they won't be open until about an hour before a gig. Â You can sit around Tchoupitoulas waiting for the doors to open or you can kill time at 45 Tschoup or hang out on Magazine (plenty to do there).
Definitely one of the better quality venues in the city. Â Been here several times. Ended up going last night to see Killer mike and Gza, and it was a memorable experience.
The bartenders are sweethearts, and just the right amount of friendly. I ended up leaving my card here last night, called this morning, and they seemed used to the protocol...no problems there.
You can tell they paid specific attention to small details in this place to make the acoustics and experience here pleasurable.
Tip's is the sh!t!
Besides the fact that it's one of the only venues I can actually walk to from my house, it's also one of NOLA's venerable institutions, so how very lucky am I?
It deserves its accolades because the sound is fantastic. The drinks are reasonable, (considering they could really ream you here) and it seems like even if it's packed, there's no bad place to stand/dance/listen. I saw Firewater here a couple weeks ago and props to Tipitina's for putting them on their bill because Firewater is fucking amazing. Oh and  Zydepunks opened for them!! Perfect bill. Just perfect. Who knows, maybe I'm just slap-happy because I didn't have to trek down to One-Eyed Jacks to see them.
Something else that's pretty darn nifty and unique: the bartenders are personable here and that's pretty rare at a venue. I expected a vodka/soda slammed down in front of me with the demand of 10 dollars, no pleasantries... Quelle suprise!
I've heard their bills used to be better. OK, maybe that's true (I saw lots of stuff coming up that I have no interest in seeing. Death metal anyone? Why?) But for now, I'm giving Tipitina's 5 stars and I'm sticking to it.
Being the music snob and audiophile that I am, I'm a bit sad it took me over a year and a half to actually check this place out.
The fact that this place is pretty well known outside of New Orleans makes it special and I saw the Walkmen here last weekend. The venue is very cozy and the sound system is solid. The place is relatively clean (although dated) and there is an upstairs viewing area as well as the main stage floor with two bars on each side.
Really dig this place to see live music but unfortunately their music schedule no longer gets the top acts in town as most seem to favor House of Blues downtown (which is why I deducted a point). There is lots of street parking and the building looks legendary when you enter the venue. There is also no smoking inside which is great.
Most shows are relatively cheap here.
Overall, Great Venue, OK Music options, Solid Location, Inexpensive concert tickets and drink prices. Def worth the time to check out a solid act.
I have a love-hate relationship with Tip's. My first visit was eons ago before they even had a/c. Oh, to be young again and not give a damn about things like a/c-- which is most definitely a necessity nowadays. Of course, they DO have it now, which is all that really matters.
LOVE:
It is a great venue, with a great layout and awesome sound that brings in a wide variety of music. Many of my abosolute favorite evenings have involved rubbing Fess's head on the way in before dancing with abandon well into the wee hours of the morning. I've seen countless great acts that have moved on to much bigger, less personal venues. Jazz Fest night shows are spent in anticipation who just might show up to sit in with the band. And, of course, the nights spent Radiating and thinking it would last forever... I sure do miss those guys. Get there early and chat it up with the bar staff before it gets crazy if you're worried about having problems getting drinks. Of course, that's true anywhere. Bartenders are human, too. A smile goes a long way. A decent tipping strategy doesn't hurt either.
HATE:
In recent years it seems like Tip's gets more and more crowded. Maybe I'm just less tolerant now, but I stick to lower profile shows these days because I hate get squashed in at an oversold show where it often seems like the crowd is more interested in seeing and being seen than actually enjoying the music.
Bottom line: If you've never been Tip's and you love live music, then you absolutely must go at least once. And, if you've been once, you're going to end up going back again and again.
Dear Tips,
Raising the price of Abita Amber to $5 and the for real imports to $6 is just a rip off and pure greed! Â I can go to Maple Leaf and most places Uptown and on Frenchmen and get cheaper beer and watch great music. Â I simply can't afford to pay cover and then shell out $5 for a beer that I can buy for $13 a 12 pack or go to Ms. Mae's up the street and get for $2.50. Â I've been a VERY good customer for years but I'm not paying that much for a LOCAL beer! Â I might show up for a few shows but far fewer than in the past and I will be doing all my drinking at Ms. Mae's and not at Tip's during those shows. Â Maybe if I smoked weed it wouldn't matter so much but I don't and I only like my beer. Â Y'all have the freedom in our great country to charge whatever you like but the market dictates to me that you are way out of line with the value of what you're selling so I ain't buying no more.
It is completely unacceptable that it has taken me this long review this New Orleans music institution and for that I apologize.
Tipitina's is world known. Â You know that. Â The famous, the not so famous and the infamous have played here. Â If they were worth listening to, they probably played here at some point. Â I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Â The venue is huge and legendary. Â Most times it will cost you a few bucks to get in the door, but it is always worth it. Â Stories have been told here and history has been made here. If you are looking for good music, this place is a must, end of story. Â
What's one the best parts? Â It's smoke free!
Did some serious yelp research for a new years weekend NOLA trip and bought tickets to see Galactic with special guests Corey Glover, Corey Henry and Mannie Fresh. Boy am I glad I did!
It was the highlight of our trip, by far!
This location is in uptown, definitely a cab ride from the main "touristy" area, and full of locals. The music was great, the space included multiple bars and two levels so there were plenty of spaces to post up with a superb view and there was never a lineup at the bar. We were even able to get right up front with zero hassle. (There is no smoking inside and literally the entire bar stepped outside for a smoke break and stop at the food truck parked outside during the intermission). They have a good sound system and cool light show too. Everybody was being friendly, dancing and having a great time.
Several locals who we talked to around town all agreed that Tips is the best and when we mentioned that Galactic would be performing got excited and said maybe they would be there too.
Next time we are in town, I will definilty be checking their calendar for a show.
I can't disagree with any of the raves in the other reviews, save one, and for me it's a deal killer (maybe for you as well). Â Tipitina's is NOT a smoke free environment, regardless of the policy.
We went to see Galactic on a Friday night, and while the DJ got the crowd going, I was just lovin' life in this awesome venue. Â In the break before the band started, the crowd started lighting up. Â When I politely let a guy near us know that there was no smoking inside, he explained to me that "the rule only applies to cigarettes, it's a New Orleans thing". Â That certainly has not been my experience in other 'let's be totally clear' smoke-free establishments in NOLA like d.b.a., but this was most certainly a lot different crowd (about 40% Bourbon street mixed with 40% local and 20% people looking to hear good music).
I was hoping just moving away from the one group would solve the problem, but it was pretty endemic, and after just three songs my asthma kicked in so hard I had to leave the show (and drag my husband out with me). Â
BTW - the staff made no effort whatsoever to enforce the policy; I saw no sign of security even at the door (unless the 90-pound blonde chick in the pink Power Ranger outfit was actually not just wearing a costume!).
TIP'S! It is world famous, and it has a great reputation that it really does deserve. This place is always packed, always playing great music, and always fun. If you can't quite stand the crowd downstairs, you can always pop upstairs, where there is another bar, bathrooms, and usually a more relaxed crowd.
My favorite part about Tip's is their greatest institution: Free Friday's. Every Friday, they put on a free show, which is (for me) more than enough of an excuse to get up, go out, have a few drinks and have a bunch of fun.
I like this venue. I've been to several shows. Sometimes it can get a bit crowded, but I guess that's to be expected. They offer lots of different kinds of shows which is nice. I still haven't had a chance to make the zydeco on Sundays, but I really want to go. I've been to a couple of free shows with local bands and love that they support those guys.
Sometimes they have a food truck outside which is handy. The parking at Rouse's is convenient as well.
Tips is awesome for many reasons: you get to see famous and soon-to-be-famous musicians for an average of $10 a show. Â Their AC works. Â The sound and the people who work the sound system do a great job of highlighting and accentuating the music being performed. Â The lighting is not cheap either. Â They got a nice variety of moving and static lights. Â Went to see a show on Saturday that had the crowd rockin'. Â I honestly did not know any of the musicians or the songs being played . Â However, it was hard not to get caught up in the show because of the atmosphere and all the technical details about the lighting and the sound. Â Decor and history are very cool too. Â
I am giving 5 start but I am going to include a con: Â No place to sit downstairs. Â The other people who attended the show were sooooo into it that there is no way they needed the chairs....but I did.
One more "tip:" Â When they say they are smoke free, I think the crowd interprets that as "cigarette smoke."
Great music venue. Â Went for the first time last night and it was fantastic. Â You can feel the history emanating from the walls. Â
The actual show was wonderful. Go see a band you love and I promise you will be surrounded by like-minded people  (the best way to see a concert!).
Learning about the Tipitina's foundation made me appreciate this place even more. They do so much for the community.
The list of previous acts is simply amazing-- I can't wait to see who they book in the future.
I think it can easily be said New Orleans would not be the same without Tipitina's, and no New Orleans experience as a visitor or resident is complete without an evening here. Â I've been attending shows here since '93 when I finally ventured out of the insular campus world I lived in. Â I saw Cracker with TechnoSquid Eats Parliament. Â Since then among other shows I've seen here include Sonic Youth, midget wrestling, a couple of Eels shows, Rykodisc events, and on. Â The last show I saw was a Park The Van bill that included Giant Cloud and Brass Bed. Â Tonight I'm going to see Frightened Rabbit. Â I mean it when I say:
"God Bless Tipitina's"
Only been here once, but there was awesome FREE music on a Friday night! It's big enough to hold a ton of people but also feel like you're right there close to the band.
Only thing I didn't like was having a liquid dripped on me from the second floor. There's netting to catch the bottles/cups if anyone drops a drink but the contents go all over you.
Will definitely be there again.
Before the HoB this was the place to see live music. Â Unfortunately HoB hired away their booker but they still get some great acts. Â A great intimate setting to see any band.
As a truly bit of useless trivia, NKotB filmed the Right Stuff video here. Â I snuck my adolescent cousin to see the place during the day so she could check it out and the bartenders were totally cool, since I didn't try to buy her a drink.
THE place to see and hear music.
I can't begin to remember how many excellent performers I've seen here over the years- Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas and on and on - so many excellent memories.
The place is an institution - gets crowded and is pretty much no frills. Â I went on a first date here many moons ago and there was no AC - only big fans scattered around the place - I lost like 20 pounds that night.
You must go there if only to say you have been there once in your life - sort of like New Orleans or Disney World- go once before you pass on.
Parking on street.
For aficionados of music from the New Orleans area, the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and Napolean is a sacrosanct place. You may even catch some of the local legends here such as Dr. John, the Neville clan or The Radiators.
There is a related non-profit organization called the Tipitina's Foundation. They have done alot for the musicians and the music scene post flood in New Orleans. If you can, donate to the foundation or buy a tee shirt or something from their online store.
One of the coolest places in the Universe.
I saw a kick-ass brass band here. Â Although I was mesmerized by the flying spit (I stood front row), this is totally a place I would hang out sans music. Â It's that cool. Just because. Â But music makes it better - don't the tunes always make everything better?
I went to Tipitina's with a tugboat operator my friend Abby met on her flight in from New York, naturally.
6 beers in the car and 4jello shots later I went onto the dance floor to groove to my newest and favoritest band ever:
Papa Grows Funk
And a good time was had by all in the huge warehouse space, fantastic lineup of music, fast moving bar lines, and cool mix of people.
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