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Jewel of the South

New Orleans

• The Best Bar in South USA 2025, sponsored by Amaro Lucano

Jewel of the South is a temple to New Orleans culture and the exquisite cocktail skills of co-founder, Southern cocktail pioneer Chris Hannah. Located in a renovated 1830s Creole cottage, Jewel’s courtyard and wood-framed parlour rooms provide a true oasis within the bustling French Quarter. Throughout the cosy rooms, there are nods to NOLA’s storied history, like vintage musical fliers and portraits of Louisiana luminaries. In the Southern surroundings, you’ll find signature Southern service so good it earned the bar the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in 2024. But perhaps the greatest nod to NOLA is behind Hannah’s zinc-plated bar.

The award-winning modern classics pay tribute to local legends via Brandy Crusta and Hannah’s take on a French 75. He built his name reviving classic drinks and his vast knowledge of historic ingredients is on display, like the Sazerac that includes Rancio Sec and Madeira along with the standard whiskey and bitters. A rotation of seasonal creations, such as a Chai Cider Cobbler (house sherry blend, honeycrisp apple cider, chai cordial) round off the drinks programme. Providing a natural complement, the kitchen offers indulgences through its Wednesday night ‘Casual Caviar’ happy hour and crawfish raviolo, as well as often overlooked English dishes like the lesser-spotted Eccles cake. At Jewel, the superb drinks menu and ambience offer the opportunity to soak in the Crescent City’s past while simultaneously sipping on the future.

Retaining its title for a third year, Jewel of the South is named The Best Bar in South USA 2025, sponsored by Amaro Lucano.

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