The Savoy names 14th American Bar head bartender

Angelo Sparvoli has been named the 14th head bartender of the American Bar at The Savoy and will start his new role on March 25th.

Nomad London to host Mexico City’s Rayo

Side Hustle, the Latin American influenced bar at Nomad London has announced it will be hosting acclaimed Mexican bar Rayo for one night on Tuesday 19 March.

Finding yourself in the desert

Hamish Smith is invited on a trip to Dubai that turns out to be bartender retreat in the UAE desert. The terrain wasn't the only changing landscape, he says.

Stauning launches global cocktail competition

Danish whisky Stauning has launched the ‘Stauning Drinks Kollektive’, a global cocktail competition which aims to shine a light on bartenders from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, US and Australia.

Ticket registration for the Class Bar Awards goes live

UK-based bartenders can now register for tickets for the Class Bar Awards 2024, the annual celebration of the UK bar industry by Drinks International's sister publication. 

Menu of the month: Arq by Sidecar

Sidecar’s Arq – The Essence is the fourth iteration of its annual cocktail menu, which holds two key elements of the bar programme, sustainability and seasonality, at its core. 

Minakshi Singh: breaking boundaries

A true pioneer of bartending in India, Minakshi Singh tells Sorrel Moseley-Williams how she managed to make her passion her career - in the face of all the odds.

Campari launches vermouth advocacy programme

Campari Group has launched the Vermouth Society, a new global bartender engagement programme designed around Vermouth Del Professore and 1757 Vermouth di Torino.

Himkok pair wins The Live Naked Bar Swap for Nordics

Carl Henriksson and Sebastian Sandvik of Oslo bar Himkok won the Nordics leg of The Live Naked Bar Swap in Copenhagen on Monday 19 February.

Double Dutch's Female Bartending Scholarship returns for 2024

Double Dutch, producers of mixers and tonics, has launched its Female Bartending Scholarship Programme for the fourth consecutive year, as part of its commitment to foster upcoming female talent in the hospitality industry.

Peru’s Hidden Bar introduces Modern & Classics menu

Hidden Bar in Lima, Peru has introduced a new menu in collaboration with Aaron Diaz, founder of Carnaval Bar, blending kitchen ingredients in cocktail preparation.

Fabio La Pietra: stirring the melting pot

On a mission to share Brazil’s biodiversity, Fabio La Pietra at Sub Astor bar is concentrating on a menu that does that.

Menu of the month: Sub Astor

For 15 years Sub Astor has been a leading speakeasy in Brazil’s São Paulo. 

The Art of Shaking launches TAOS Day Palermo

Bartender education platform, The Art of Shaking (TAOS), has announced it will host an exclusive day of learning in the city of Palermo, Sicily, on 26 February 2024. 

Danico bar introduces new menu

Paris-based bar Danico, recently ranked no. 51 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list 2023, has launched its third cocktail menu, ‘Japan’.

Industry names to lead Schweppes brand ambassador programme

Schweppes has announced the launch of its European-wide brand ambassador programme.

Little Red Door figureheads leave positions

Ex-bar director Alex Francis and former head bartender Barney O’Kane have announced their departure from the Parisian bar.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Bar Llama comes to Madrid

Natasha Bermúdez, bar director of New York’s Llama group, has launched a new venue in Madrid, Bar Llama.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’. 

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.

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.

Tayēr + Elementary launches pop-up exhibition

London cocktail bar Tayēr + Elementary has launched a new platform, Tayēr Studios.

Pietro Collina and Veronica Di Pietrantonio's Viajante87 launches full menu

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne’s London Cocktail Week 2023 highlights

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.