Cure’s Neal Bodenheimer and Jewel of the South’s Chris Hannah, join Franz-Arthur MacElhone, and the legendary Harry’s Bar team for a once-in-a-lifetime French 75 cocktail celebration honoring the deep cultural connection between Paris and New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS — Harry’s Bar, Cure, Jewel of the South and Maison Ferrand announce a singular celebration uniting two of the world’s great cocktail cities: Paris and New Orleans. On the eve of the first-ever NFL regular-season game in France, where the New Orleans Saints will face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France, two of New Orleans’ world-renowned bartenders will join the Harry’s Bar team for an afternoon in Paris celebrating the cocktail both cities proudly call their own: the French 75.
For one afternoon only on Saturday, October 24, Harry’s New York Bar, a Paris cocktail institution since 1911, will symbolically become Harry’s New Orleans Bar, opening its doors to a Crescent City guest shift that recognizes the deep and enduring French connection between New Orleans and Paris.
Joining Neal Bodenheimer and Chris Hannah behind the bar will be Liz Kelley of Cure and Shaun Williams of Jewel of the South, alongside Franz-Arthur MacElhone and the Harry’s team. Named for the French 75mm field gun of World War I, the drink has been a Harry’s signature since the 1920s and is still the bar’s best-seller. It crossed the Atlantic and found a second home in New Orleans, where Arnaud’s French 75 Bar serves a cognac version. Championed for years by Chris Hannah at Arnaud’s, the French 75 remains a defining cocktail of the Crescent City.
Guests will have the opportunity to taste both, with Harry’s serving the classic gin version made with Citadelle Gin, while the visiting New Orleans team serve their cognac version made with Ferrand Cognac.
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (12:00–17:00)
Where: Harry’s “New Orleans” Bar, 5 rue Daunou, 75002 Paris
Admission: Open to the public
Onsite and Advance Interviews are Available With:
- Alice Glenn, Executive Vice President, New Orleans & Company
- Neal Bodenhiemer, Founder, CureCo
- Chris Hannah, Head Bartender and Partner, Jewel of the South
- Franz-Arthur MacElhone, Harry’s Bar
- Alexandre Gabriel, Owner & Master Blender, Maison Ferrand (Ferrand Cognac & Citadelle Gin)
Neal Bodenheimer is the founder of Cure, a standardsetting bar in New Orleans, which currently ranks #21 on the 50 Best Bars North America list and earned the 2026 Highest Climber Award. He is also a Co-Owner and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Cure achieved Excellent status from the Pinnacle Guide in 2024 and in 2025 was named the “best bar in the U.S.” by Food & Wine Magazine as part of their annual Global Tastemakers package. The bar was also recognized with the 2018 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program.
Chris Hannah is Head Bartender and Partner at Jewel of the South, which was named The Best Bar in South USA 2026, ranks #6 on North America’s 50 Best Bars; #64 on the extended World’s 50 Best Bars list for 2026; and earned the 2024 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar. Named U.S. Bartender of the Year at the 2022 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, Hannah previously led the bar program at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, which won the 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program.
Franz-Arthur MacElhone is the fourth-generation custodian of Harry’s New York Bar, which his great-grandfather Harry MacElhone bought in 1923.Harry’s received the 2022 Timeless International Award at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards, recognizing its enduring contribution to cocktail culture.
About Harry’s New York Bar: Opened on Thanksgiving Day 1911 at 5 rue Daunou, Harry’s New York Bar began as “The New York Bar,” fitted with a wooden bar shipped over from Manhattan. Scottish bartender Harry MacElhone bought it in 1923, put his name above the door, and turned it into a home away from home for Hemingway, Fitzgerald and generations of Americans in Paris. The Bloody Mary, Sidecar, White Lady, and French 75 all trace their legends to its bar. More than a century on, Harry’s is still run by the MacElhone family, now led by fourth-generation custodian Franz-Arthur MacElhone.
About Maison Ferrand: Maison Ferrand is an independent, family-owned spirits producer led by Owner & Master Blender Alexandre Gabriel. Home to Ferrand Cognac, Citadelle Gin, and Planteray Rum, the house brings together French craftsmanship, a passion for flavor and a deep connection to cocktail culture. Through its spirits and collaborations with bartenders around the world, Maison Ferrand celebrates the traditions and creativity that connect great drinks, places and people. Learn more at maisonferrand.com and citadellegin.com.