Menu of the month: Sub Astor
For 15 years Sub Astor has been a leading speakeasy in Brazil’s São Paulo.
Velvet Bar launches icon-inspired menu
Velvet By Salvatore Calabrese, set in the Corinthia London, has announced the launch of its new menu ‘The Quote Book’, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.
Schmuck announce New York residency ahead of launch
Schmuck has announced an eight-week residency at the Back Bar at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi kicking off on 8 February, ahead of the bar’s launch later this year.
Alquímico forced to close by Cartagena mayor’s office
Alquímico, in Cartagena, Colombia, has been forced to close following accusations of non-compliance with fire regulations from the District Mayor’s Office, the bar denies any wrongdoing.
No. 3 Gin opens Unrivalled Classics competition entries
No.3 London Dry Gin has opened entries for its newly renamed 2024 global cocktail competition, Unrivalled Classics.
Yann Bouvignies to leave Scarfes Bar
Yann Bouvignies is to leave Scarfes at Rosewood London to undertake a new role as director of bars at Rosewood Amsterdam.
Viajante87 launches takeover series
Viajante87, the London bar from Pietro Collina and Veronica Di Pietrantonio, has announced the launch of The Culture Exchange, a takeover series that will bring some of Latin America’s best bars and restaurants to West London.
Maura Milia to leave Connaught Bar
Maura Milia, bar manager of Connaught Bar, will leave her role this March to pursue a new project overseas, after a decade at the Mayfair hotel.
Menu of the month: Sastrería Martinez
Diego Macedo and his team at Sastrería Martinez have created a menu which incorporates the lesser-known and indigenous ingredients of Peru.
The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge returns
The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge is returning for its sixth edition, inviting global bartenders to create an original aperitivo cocktail inspired by art, using Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto.
Three Sheets to open second London site
East London bar, Three Sheets, has announced the launch of a second site opening its doors in London’s Soho district in March 2024.
Handshake Speakeasy team to open bar in Amsterdam
The team behind Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy has announced the launch of a new bar in Amsterdam.
Galaxy Bar Dubai introduces new menu
Dubai’s Galaxy Bar has unveiled a new menu alongside the launch of a mobile app and new interiors.
Bar Llama comes to Madrid
Natasha Bermúdez, bar director of New York’s Llama group, has launched a new venue in Madrid, Bar Llama.
Ajabu Cocktail and Spirits Festival to debut in South Africa
Africa's first bi-annual international cocktail and spirits festival, Ajabu, is set to debut in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2024.
Menu of the month: The American Bar at Gleneagles Hotel
In October, The American Bar at Gleneagles Hotel won the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award at The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony in Singapore for its Book of Berries menu.
Trailer Happiness: embassy for rum
Trailer Happiness has been a stalwart of the London bar fixture for 20 years now. Owner Sly Augustin tells Oli Dodd how he grew its success.
Himkok announces aquavit collaboration with Linie
Oslo-based bar and distillery, Himkok, has partnered with Norwegian aquavit Linie to launch its limited edition Himkok Linie.
River Wood: playing in the big league
River Wood, head of mixology & Century Bar manager at The Gleneagles Hotel, had anything but a traditional start in hospitality.
Baccarat Bar launches menu inspired by photography
Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Baccarat Bar of Harrods, London, has launched the third edition of its cocktail menu, titled ‘Through the Creative Lens’.
Bar Antoine launches at Four Seasons London
Pavyllon London, the recently opened Mayfair restaurant by chef Yannick Alléno has introduced Bar Antoine, at the Four Seasons Hotel London, Park Lane.
The reinvention of Italian bar culture
Two bartenders are on a mission to create a modern version of the 1950s Italian bar with Cinquanta – Spirito Italiano. Oli Dodd hears why.
Tayēr + Elementary launches pop-up exhibition
London cocktail bar Tayēr + Elementary has launched a new platform, Tayēr Studios.
Notting Hill bar, Viajante87 has announced a new menu, the first full cocktail list under the leadership of bar director Pietro Collina and brand manager Veronica Di Pietrantonio.
The Pinnacle Guide opens applications
The Pinnacle Guide has opened applications for a new recognition system for the best bars in the world, aiming to be a driving force towards a more inclusive drinks industry.
Menu of the month: Sips
Drinks at the newly-crowned World's Best Bar aren’t meant to be fussy. There is all the creativity, theatre and deft technique that you’d expect from co-owners Simone Caporale and Marc Álvarez, but minus the pretence.
Everleaf launches anniversary pop-up
Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitif is launching its ‘Everleaf Home’, a pop-up at The Hide Bar, London, to celebrate its fifth birthday this November.
Tess Posthumus and Joeri Salet to open new bar beneath Flying Dutchmen
Amsterdam-based bar owner, consultant and author Tess Posthumus, alongside business partner Joeri Salet, have announced the opening of Belly of the Beast, a subterranean cocktail bar launching in December.
Costa Rica wins seventh Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge
Gabriela Wong from La Esquina de Buenos Aires in Costa Rica has been crowned champion at the 2023 Licor 43 Bartenders & Baristas Challenge, after the final in Madrid this week.
Menu of the month: Himkok
Himkok is a legend of The World’s 50 Best Bars and has been a leading figure for around a decade. A few of the bar’s techniques and innovations are demonstrated in the following drinks, which include some of the spirits made on site in the bar’s own distillery.
The Dead Rabbit announces plans for third location
The Dead Rabbit has announced 2024 plans for the third location of its Irish pub in Washington DC.
Hacha introduces Cymatics menu inspired by music
London agaveria Hacha has launched its new menu, Cymatics, showcasing 12 cocktails inspired by music from some of the industry’s most notable names, past and present.
London Cocktail Week kicks off on Thursday 12 October and for 10 days offers cocktail lovers a showcase of more than 100 events across 200 of the capital’s best bars.
Silverleaf launches new menu
Silverleaf bar at Pan Pacific London has launched its new menu, Building Blocks, the first new menu launch for the bar since opening in February 2022.
Campari Academy comes to BCB
This year’s Bar Convent Berlin will see the Campari Academy have its own suite at the Grand Campari Hotel, aiming to be the hub for all things education.
Barro Negro to launch first BCB Agave Embassy
Bar Convent Berlin 2023 will see the launch of the first BCB Agave Embassy, a partnership between Athens bar Barro Negro and BCB.
Maison Villevert raises funds for Wine to Water
Maison Villevert’s La Quintinye Vermouth Royal and Nouaison Gin, have launched a global fundraising initiative across 20 countries to raise money for non-profit organisation, Wine To Water.
London Cocktail Week makes commitment to community in its 14th edition
This October, London Cocktail Week returns to the capital for its 14th year and will debut a number of initiatives dedicated to building community and supporting the industry.
Buffalo Trace Distillery announces London location
Buffalo Trace Distillery, distiller of brands including Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Sazerac Rye, has announced the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London, an American whiskey experience in Covent Garden.
Scarfes Bar partners with The Lakes Distillery
Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is partnering with The Lakes Distillery for The Whiskymaker's Editions ‘Decadence’, to commemorate its ten-year anniversary.
Artesian launches food and cocktail pairing experience
Artesian bar at The Langham, London, has launched a food and cocktail pairing experience, with dishes from chef Angelo Sato of Humble Chicken matched with cocktails by head bartender of Artesian, Giulia Cuccurullo.
Tres Monos' Charly Aguinsky on winning the Art of Hospitality Award 2023
Ahead of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 ceremony in Singapore later this month, Buenos Aires’ Tres Monos has been named the winner of the Art of Hospitality Award, selected by the 650-strong voting academy as the bar where they received the single-best hospitality experience that year.
Finalists for The Blend Scholarship announced
The sophomore edition of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship has revealed the three finalists chosen through several rounds of judging by industry experts from over 600 applicants.
The Cambridge Public House hosts international bars
Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Parisian neighbourhood bar and cocktail pub, The Cambridge Public House, will host ‘The Cambridge Global Series’, in celebration of the Rugby World Cup this October.
London Cocktail Week adds new initiatives for 2023
London Cocktail Week has unveiled the Bartender Knowledge Exchange programme to help educate both local and international bartenders as part of a series of new initiatives in 2023 aimed at supporting the hospitality industry.
Menu of the month: Transcend by Panda & Sons
Transcend is the latest menu headed up by Panda & Sons founder Iain McPherson. The Scotsman was named Bar Innovator of the Year at the Class Bar Awards earlier this year and this very menu was shortlisted at Tales of the Cocktail for Bar Menu of the Year.
Bar Daskal introduces Spanish masterclass series
Bar Daskal, the London-based Spanish wine and cocktail bar from the team behind Barrafina, and restaurant booking platform Resy have announced the first Bar Daskal Maestros, a new series bringing guests masterclasses from maestros in the industry.
Scarfes Bar hosts Oslo’s Himkok
Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London will partner with cocktail bar Himkok for a takeover experience on Wednesday 6 September from 7-10pm.
Iain McPherson: The big freezes
For most bartenders, coming up with a new bar technique would be a lifetime achievement – something to tell the grandkids about. But for Iain McPherson of Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons, it’s a regular occurrence.
Scarfes Bar partners with Appleton Estate Rum
Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is partnering with Appleton Estate Rum for an exclusive cocktail menu this month.