Jewel of the South and Deke Dunne To Launch The Cocktail Hour, A Residency Program Bringing the World's Best Bars to New Orleans
New immersive residencies will transform New Orleans into a destination for global cocktail culture, beginning October 2026
NEW ORLEANS, LA (July, 2026) — This October, award-winning New Orleans tavern Jewel of the South will debut The Cocktail Hour, an ambitious new residency program spearheaded by award-winning bartender Deke Dunne, welcoming acclaimed cocktail bars from around the world for immersive collaborations rooted in storytelling, NOLA seasonality, and hospitality.
With residencies spanning from mid-October 2026 through mid-June 2027, the program will feature acclaimed bars, including inaugural collaborators The Dead Rabbit (New York City), Panda & Sons (Edinburgh) and Brujas (Mexico City), taking over a new dedicated venue in New Orleans' historic French Quarter, to be announced in the coming weeks. The venue will exclusively feature The Cocktail Hour, with the space as a blank canvas, allowing each participating bar to transform it into an authentic extension of its own identity through design, hospitality and programming. Additional bars confirmed for residencies include the current World’s 50 Best Bars No. 1, Bar Leone (Hong Kong), and the current North America’s Best Bars No. 1 Sip & Guzzle (New York City).
Residencies offer the opportunity for guests to step inside the world's most celebrated bars without leaving New Orleans. More than a traditional guest shift, The Cocktail Hour will deliver bespoke interiors, signature cocktails, curated bites, music, and distinct storytelling defined by each visiting bar.
Created by Jewel of the South founders John Stubbs and Chris Hannah, who was recently recognized with the 50 Best Bars Roku Industry Icon Award 2026, alongside hospitality veteran Deke Dunne, The Cocktail Hour unfolds across five seasonal chapters inspired by the cultural rhythms of New Orleans. Beginning with Samhain in October and continuing through the holidays, Carnival, festival season and summer, every chapter is rooted in the city's unique cultural calendar, while celebrating the traditions and creative perspective of each visiting bar.
Each residency will feature public experiences throughout the week, where guests will enjoy a curated menu of cocktails from the visiting bar, thoughtfully paired bites, and the signature hospitality that has made each bar world-renowned.
"New Orleans has always been a city where people come together through food, drink, fellowship and storytelling. With The Cocktail Hour, we're creating a platform for the world's best bars to become part of the fabric of that tradition. New Orleans holds a uniquely prominent position in the history of refined cocktails, and there is no better location to connect with the best craft cocktail practitioners in the world and showcase their talents for our guests," said Chris Hannah, co-founder, partner and beverage director of Jewel of the South.
The Cocktail Hour also marks the next chapter for acclaimed bartender and hospitality leader Deke Dunne, who is partnering with the Jewel of the South team on this project after serving as Beverage and Creative Director of Allegory in Washington, D.C. Dunne will oversee the production and creative execution of the residency program, working alongside participating bars to bring each experience to life. Dunne is also developing his dream bar concept, which is set to open in Washington, D.C., in 2027.
"Every great bar has its own personality, and that extends far beyond what's in the glass. It's the hospitality, the music, the design, the rituals and the people that make each place memorable. The Cocktail Hour gives us the opportunity to celebrate those elements by giving every participating bar the freedom to create an experience that feels true to who they are, all within one of the world's great hospitality cities,” said Deke Dunne, The Cocktail Hour Creative and Project Lead.
Additional participating bars, venue information, and ticket details will be announced ahead of each residency.
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Jewel of the South
Jewel of the South is a modern New Orleans tavern featuring innovative, seasonal food and drink in a classic New Orleans setting, an 1830s Creole cottage in the French Quarter. Founder and Partner Chris Hannah directs Jewel’s cocktail program, seamlessly blending classic and modern into a transportive narrative, referencing the city's rich history and sourcing ingredients with intention. The culinary program is led by Chef Chris Dos Reis who has reimagined and refined classic New Orleans dishes, alongside a seasonal rotation of new dishes focused on exceptional produce and seafood. John Stubbs is the Managing Partner, and Paul Greagoff is the General Manager. Jewel of the South is recognized as one of the top bars in the world by World’s 50 Best Bars. Jewel has won the James Beard award for Outstanding Bar Program, the Best Restaurant Bar in America and Best US Bartender for Chris Hannah at Tales of the Cocktail, debuted on North America’s 50 Best Bars list at #24, before rising to #6 on the 2026 list. https://www.jewelnola.com/
About Deke Dunne, Creative and Project Lead
Deke Dunne is an award-winning bartender and hospitality professional with more than a decade of experience in the cocktail industry. Most recently, he served as Beverage and Creative Director at Allegory, the acclaimed cocktail bar hidden within Eaton DC, where he helped build one of North America's most celebrated bar programs. During his tenure, Allegory earned recognition on North America's 50 Best Bars list, was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bar, winning multiple Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, and is the only bar to win the North America’s 50 Best Bars Best Cocktail Menu twice. Prior to Allegory, Deke honed his craft at some of Washington, D.C.'s leading cocktail destinations, including The Gibson and Columbia Room, where he developed his signature approach to hospitality, storytelling and immersive cocktail experiences. Before beginning his career in hospitality, Deke spent nearly a decade working in politics, serving his home state of Wyoming.
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