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Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

The ambitious project will run for 30 weeks.

Food and Drink

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="1260de4e-f2df-4a20-86da-bf24980680ca" src="https://images.axios.com/9vdKyczgIWZ75joxbJCDkQsMwWM=/2026/09/23/1790192861510.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Hannah shakes up a cocktail during a Dusse event for Tales of the Cocktail in 2025. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure>The team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jewel of the South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" target="_self">Jewel of the South</a> are opening a pop-up bar in the French Quarter with theatrical, immersive production design and a rotating cast of guest bartenders, managing partner John Stubbs tells Axios New Orleans. Why it matters: It&#x27;ll be one big cultural exchange opportunity, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; cocktail culture at the center.

New restaurants arrive as Smoke & Honey says goodbye

We have two new patio dining options, too.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smoke &amp; Honey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" target="_self">Smoke &amp; Honey</a> is closing its doors this weekend.Why it matters: Its closure comes amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flurry of restaurant openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" target="_self">flurry of restaurant openings</a> and closings in New Orleans.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="3ca0926c-1ecb-4996-bd15-05ad795b739d" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in New Orleans&#x27; Uptown/Carrollton neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day

A memorial parade will begin at 5pm in the French Quarter.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="aea9160c-4a98-4f7c-9d20-780cca77c58c" data-vars-headline="How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> sends Dolly Parton off in style on Friday, which her fans know as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9-to-5 Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/17/nashville-dolly-day-9-25" data-vars-content-id="aea9160c-4a98-4f7c-9d20-780cca77c58c" data-vars-headline="How New Orleans is celebrating Dolly Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/17/nashville-dolly-day-9-25" target="_self">9-to-5 Day</a>, with a full slate of memorial events.Why it matters: The world is full of reasons to disagree with our neighbors, but respecting Dolly Parton remains universal.

Black Schoolhouse opens 7th Ward art, community space

Culture

A new community arts center is opening in the 7th Ward to teach local youths a combination of design and activism.Why it matters: The Black School&#x27;s new facility also includes space for a community kitchen and garden with plans to host neighborhood events, its founders say.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes

It's not yet clear what will happen to the museum's artifacts.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern Food and Beverage Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="687d6fd3-255c-4f7c-ab28-818915dd2d9f" data-vars-headline="Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" target="_self">Southern Food and Beverage Museum</a> has closed its doors for good.Why it matters: The institution has for more than 20 years told the story of Southern food within the broader landscape of American culture, and served as a repository for its relics and memorabilia.

Chelsea wrote a book!

I wrote a book! I&#x27;m having a party to celebrate, and you&#x27;re invited.Why it matters: Writing about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="dd0a5ca3-d795-4b9f-b2af-5c79479b9dc0" data-vars-headline="Chelsea wrote a book!" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> is how I learn about it, and I&#x27;m excited to share what I learned thinking for the past couple of years about where the city&#x27;s food scene is headed.

Frank Brigtsen's new cookbook serves up his legacy

The cookbook is available online and in his restaurant.

News

It took decades, but chef Frank Brigtsen recently put out a cookbook he feels like he&#x27;s been writing since the very beginning of his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="2e0a9ff0-7363-406d-8c54-3eac97af3f57" data-vars-headline="Frank Brigtsen&#x27;s new cookbook serves up his legacy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> career.Why it matters: &quot;It&#x27;s not just a collection of recipes; it&#x27;s my legacy,&quot; Brigtsen says. &quot;This is what I share with the world, and I finally got it done.&quot;

New Orleans weighs new Mardi Gras parade fee

The new fee would range from $5,000 to $10,000 per parade.

The New Orleans City Council is considering updating its tiered fee structure for parading Carnival krewes.Why it matters: The fee will help chip away at a gap between what the city spends on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mardi Gras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" data-vars-content-id="1797f8c1-31da-47d4-ab1b-fa12f5e477d0" data-vars-headline="New Orleans weighs new Mardi Gras parade fee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/mardi-gras" target="_self">Mardi Gras</a> and what it receives in tax revenue, Mayor Helena Moreno&#x27;s administration says.

Louisiana reopens recreational gator hunting

The state is opening its first-ever official recreational alligator hunting season.

If you&#x27;ve ever wanted to take down a prehistoric-looking swamp monster, with only a few days left to enter Louisiana&#x27;s lottery for its first-ever official recreational alligator <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hunting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/12/11/fully-dressed-goin-on-a-bear-hunt" data-vars-content-id="8ffedf55-f88f-41d1-b6d7-cdd8f9653ad0" data-vars-headline="Louisiana reopens recreational gator hunting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/12/11/fully-dressed-goin-on-a-bear-hunt" target="_self">hunting</a> season, now&#x27;s your chance.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a testament to the state&#x27;s success in rehabbing a once-endangered species.

Jon Batiste to narrate new PBS nature documentary

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jon Batiste" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/28/jon-batiste-dons-wig-and-overalls-for-jazz-fest-show" data-vars-content-id="27440e08-f2d9-44d7-8d4b-651ca9ab66d9" data-vars-headline="Jon Batiste to narrate new PBS nature documentary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/04/28/jon-batiste-dons-wig-and-overalls-for-jazz-fest-show" target="_self">Jon Batiste</a> has a new project, and this time it showcases his voice.Zoom in: The New Orleans-born musician narrates a new documentary showcasing the American South&#x27;s natural world.

Ye's New Orleans concert puts star's controversy in the spotlight

Ye performs Friday in the Caesars Superdome.

Music

Ye may not have everybody buying tickets to his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> tour stop, but he&#x27;s certainly got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="everybody talking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" data-vars-content-id="e9189e0a-394c-46be-8603-6dbf787d279f" data-vars-headline="Ye&#x27;s New Orleans concert puts star&#x27;s controversy in the spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/11/yes-tampa-stop-faces-pushback" target="_self">everybody talking</a>.Why it matters: The artist formerly known as Kanye West hasn&#x27;t performed here in 13 years, but he&#x27;ll return Friday amid questions about whether audiences will embrace him after years of controversy.

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate 

Heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ba071374-6428-4c20-95ae-4f565914ff7f" data-vars-headline="How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans&#x27; harsh climate " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; climate is constantly trying to destroy NOMA&#x27;s art, forcing conservators to fight back with wax, air-conditioning and a lot of preventive care.Why it matters: South Louisiana&#x27;s heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster, requiring more maintenance than visitors might realize.