For years, the north side of Lake Ponchartrain has been known for breezy Sunday afternoons spent sailing and plenty of space and quiet for folks who work in the Crescent City.

But what about night life?

When college kids perused neon lights and marquees for bands to see and cheap brew to quaff, the scenery was distinctly New Orleans. After all, what better place than New Orleans to catch live music than the birthplace of jazz; the bedrock of blues as well as the home base for such local...