Founded by local musician Ernie K. Doe and named for his 1961 number one hit “Mother-in-Law,” this legendary bar and patio continues its musical stewardship under trumpet legend Kermit Ruffins who regularly plays here. There’s live music most nights to accompany true New Orleans food — seriously, this is as close to a home-cooked meal as it gets — from fish plates on Fridays to red beans on Monday, crawfish boils in season, and specials like smothered leg quarters and meatloaf Lagniappe like free crawfish boils or red beans and rice is common.

Hi-Ho is an anchor of the St. Claude Avenue live music corridor, offering some kind of live performance every night of the week in a colorful, semi-chaotic space with neon lights and art-covered walls. While the food — Liberacion NOLA — is technically its own thing, the two businesses share an address, lucky for live music fans. Liberacion serves some of the best “border town” Mexican food in New Orleans, a short menu of shrimp, burritos, and quesadillas that draws a line most weekends.

A longtime favorite for St. Claude Avenue bar hopping, Siberia has returned with its eclectic music offerings, which run from heavy metal to punk to klezmer to singer-songwriter. Gritty, nice and dark, with beat-up tables and chairs, Siberia’s food menu is no longer what it once was (extensive Polish and Russian specialties) but it satisfies nonetheless, with solid New Orleans dishes at good prices.

Three Muses is a Frenchmen Street standard beloved for its Asian tapas as much as swell music offerings. There’s pork belly bao on Dong Phuong steamed buns, Ms. Moon's bulgogi rice bowl with house-made kimchi, banh mi, and a host of vegetarian options at this intimate venue. Book a table in advance to be assured of a seat. Mix in live music by acts like Gal Holiday and Bart Ramsey and you've got the perfect place to eat, drink, and catch some live music.

Another Frenchmen Street go-to for eclectic live music is Bamboula’s, where a daytime visit reveals pretty exposed brick walls, intricately tiled floors, and pressed tin ceilings. Here you can find live music all day, everyday, with popular local acts like the Jaywalkers, Johnny Walker Blues, and more. Food is solid, with a Caribbean-Creole mashup menu that also includes New Orleans staples like jambalaya and po’ boys, and on Mondays, free red beans and rice with a drink.

Bacchanal is a New Orleans gem on Poland Avenue in Bywater, a wine bar meets restaurant meets yard party with live music every day but Tuesday. Build your own cheese plate with options from the case out front — the kitchen will bring you an amazing charcuterie plate as a reward. The Mediterranean-inspired menu also includes the likes of bacon-wrapped dates — so good — along with lamb meatballs, mixed olives, and other first-rate snacks.

The Rivershack is a throw-back, like entering a portal to another era. It sits right on the levee in Jefferson Parish outside the city, so you can kind of pretend you’re in Cajun Country instead of the New Orleans suburbs. The live music lineup leans that way as well, but the real draw is the Cajun-flavored food: it serves alligator sausage, fried shrimp, oysters, and catfish; and hot sausage po’ boys, not to mention burgers, sandwiches, and homey specials.

The handsome Bombay Club bills itself as a music venue and martini bar, but the dining options shouldn’t be discounted. The menu includes curried cauliflower, shrimp and grits, and naan tacos with pork belly, fried fish, or cauliflower. There’s music, and good bar food, nightly, and a solid happy hour Wednesday through Sunday.

This Uptown haunt is a locals favorite, a juke joint-flavored spot on the other end of the spectrum as Frenchmen Street venues. Catch acts like Jason Neville Funky Soul Band and Valerie Sassyfras on weekends or visit for open mic night, trivia, and stand-up during the week. The neighborhood institution receives visits from top pop-ups like Bertie’s Intergalactic Diner and serves excellent frozens.

This swank spot in the Pontchartrain Hotel hosts fabulous jazz acts five nights a week. But there’s more. Bayou Bar also is home to terrific cocktails and enlightened bar food. Rich, dark gumbo, steak frites, and poisson en papillote are just some of the top-notch options. This spot is first-come, first-served, so keep that in mind for planning purposes.

This no-frills neighborhood bar features live music four days a week, everything from brass bands like the beloved Soul Rebels every Thursday to klezmer. Le Bon Temps Roule serves a solid menu of burgers and sandwiches including the unexpected blackened mahi sandwich, and boils crawfish five days a week while in season. Open 24 hours.