At this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards—held in Hong Kong and sponsored by Perrier—the top cocktail destinations around the world were unveiled, and the U.S. made a respectable showing. New York’s Superbueno led the American pack at number 12, joined by Sip & Guzzle (39), Double Chicken Please (41) and Overstory (46). But only one U.S. bar outside of NYC cracked the top 50: Jewel of the South in New Orleans, landing at number 44.
Tucked inside an 1835 Creole cottage in the French Quarter, Jewel of the South is a New Orleans gem. Since opening in 2019, it’s been a cathedral to cocktail craftsmanship—a place where history, hospitality and high spirits converge under one cozy roof.
At the helm is managing partner and bartender Chris Hannah, a name that carries serious weight in cocktail circles. Before opening Jewel, Hannah spent years perfecting classics at Arnaud’s French 75, cementing his reputation as one of America’s great cocktail artists. His encyclopedic knowledge of New Orleans’ drinking history informs the bar’s menu, but he’s not content to simply pour the past. Instead, Hannah treats cocktail heritage like a living thing—tuning, tweaking and reimagining it with a curator’s precision.
The bar’s name itself nods to a long-lost 1850s saloon, where Joseph Santini created the Brandy Crusta. At Jewel, Hannah resurrects it in gleaming form: cognac, curaçao, maraschino, bitters and an iconic sugar-rimmed glass. Order it first. Then stay for a Sazerac reworked with rye, Madeira and aniseed liqueur—or his crisp, champagne-kissed French 75.
Beyond the drinks, Jewel of the South charms with seasonal, Southern dishes, warm service and a romantic, unpretentious setting. In a city that’s no stranger to indulgence, Jewel of the South is both elegant and soulful. It's no wonder it made this list yet again.
Find the full list of the World's 50 Best Bars here.