New Orleans Will Welcome The Cocktail Hour in October

The new project on Decatur Street will host 30 global bar residencies starting in late October 2026.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Cocktails

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of vintage cocktail jiggers and a crystal mixing glass on a dark surface, evoking a refined lounge atmosphere. — Jewel of the South will open The Cocktail Hour on Decatur Street in New Orleans this October, featuring a year-long series of global bar residencies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you visit a revolving series of international bars if they opened in your local neighborhood?

Jewel of the South will debut its new cocktail destination, The Cocktail Hour, at 1041 Decatur St. in New Orleans in late October 2026. The mezzanine lounge will feature a year-long series of 30 international bar residencies beginning October 29.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to revitalize a long-shuttered address in the French Quarter while offering residents and visitors unique access to world-class mixology talent. By rotating global bar teams, the project aims to bring new life to this specific stretch of Decatur Street.

The Cocktail Hour occupies the 1041 Decatur St. property, previously home to B.B. King's Blues Club and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. The venue features the counter-service restaurant & the Wolf alongside its 60-seat mezzanine lounge.

The players

Jewel of the South

This organization serves as the primary operator behind the launch of The Cocktail Hour.

Deke Dunne

He is the creative director overseeing the design and programming of the new venue project.

Panda & Sons

This Edinburgh-based establishment is the first international bar scheduled for a residency.

Bar Leone

A prominent Hong Kong establishment that is scheduled to participate in the residency series.

Sip & Guzzle

This New York City-based bar is one of the featured international partners in the lineup.

The details

The project, led by creative director Deke Dunne, will host a different guest bar from across the globe each week for a three-night pop-up residency. To foster local connection, visiting teams will receive customized tours of New Orleans for inspiration while operating out of the mezzanine space.

Late October 2026: The Cocktail Hour opens its doors.
October 29, 2026: The first guest bar residency begins with Panda & Sons.
Summer 2027: The year-long residency project concludes.

Culture Shift

This project reflects the growing global trend of nomadic hospitality where high-end cocktail bars trade locations to engage with new demographics. By importing international talent to New Orleans, the venue aligns with a shift toward experience-based culinary tourism.

Residents and visitors can visit the venue nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. to experience the rotating weekly pop-up menus. The residency format provides a rotating schedule, meaning guests should check the specific bar lineup before planning their visit to the French Quarter.

The takeaway

The Cocktail Hour transforms a vacant historic address into an active cultural hub for the global bar community. Locals should prepare for a changing menu and atmosphere every week as international teams arrive to share their regional specialties.