New Orleans Bars to Host Chicago Pop-Up
Two iconic New Orleans bars will host a one-night-only pop-up event in Chicago. The event highlights a trend towards ephemeral, high-status experiences that attract business executives and influencers by offering exclusive access to a unique, non-repeatable event.
- New Orleans' Jewel of the South was recently named the "Outstanding Bar" in the U.S. at the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards. The bar, situated in an 1830s Creole cottage, also received the Michter's Art of Hospitality Award, recognizing its exceptional customer service. - Jewel of the South co-owner and bartender, Chris Hannah, is a celebrated figure in the industry, having previously won a James Beard Award in 2017 for his work at Arnaud's French 75 bar. - The Sazerac Bar, located in The Roosevelt Hotel, is a historic New Orleans landmark with an elegant Art Deco design featuring chandeliers and murals by artist Paul Ninas. It was a frequent haunt of former Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long, who reportedly conducted meetings from the bar. - The bar is named for the Sazerac, considered by many to be America's first cocktail, which was created in the 1830s by a Haitian pharmacist named Antoine Amédée Peychaud as a medicinal tonic. While the drink was originally made with French cognac, it is now more commonly made with rye whiskey. - The pop-up will be hosted at Queen Mary Tavern in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Opened in 2015, the bar is known for its maritime theme, celebrating spirits like rum, gin, and sherry in a restored mid-century space. - This event is part of a larger trend of themed, temporary pop-up bars in Chicago, with recent examples including experiences inspired by "The Wizard of Oz," "Alice in Wonderland," and the music of Bad Bunny.
