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.

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. 

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.

Simone Caporale's Sips and Boadas take over the Donovan Bar with Amaro Santoni

Simone Caporale’s Sips, named No.3 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, and Boadas Bar are heading to the Donovan Bar in Mayfair, London, for a two-night takeover sponsored by Amaro Santoni this September.

Vasilis Kyritsis: collaborative bartending

The Clumsies and Line co-founder explains to Oli Dodd the thinking behind a bar venture that emphasises sustainability, focusing on community, collaborations and the circular economy of ingredients.

Venice Cocktail Week returns for third edition

Venice Cocktail Week returns with its third edition this year, held in the Serenissima from 23-29 October.

Dubai’s Ergo takes over The Rum Shack with Takamaka

Ergo at The Dubai Edition is travelling to Mahé in the Seychelles this August, the island home of Takamaka Rum, for a month-long residency at ‘The Rum Shack’. 

Scarfes Bar partners with Singapore’s Nutmeg & Clove

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is partnering with Nutmeg & Clove of Singapore, for a one-night only takeover with exclusive cocktails on 30 July from 6pm to 10pm.

Menu of the month: Happy Accidents by The Clumsies

The Clumsies is an icon of the European cocktail scene. Since Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis opened the bar in 2014, it has been the birthplace of a number of legendary cocktails, such as the Greek salad-inspired Mediterranean Gimlet and the electric blue Aegean Negroni. 

Nico de Soto to open Soho bar in October

Nico de Soto, ranked 23 in Drinks International’s Bar World 100 list in 2023, will open a new bar in London’s Soho this October.

Everleaf announces winner of nationwide spritz competition

Everleaf, the non-alcoholic aperitif, has announced Alessandro Todini as the winner of its nationwide competition, following a public vote during the 2023 Imbibe live show.

Joseph Cartron announces global winner of Unexpected Cartron Tour

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced Daniel Seehuusen of Hotel Skansen, in Sweden as the global winner of its Unexpected Cartron Tour.

Alex Lawrence Milia named MD of Mr Lyan group

Alex Lawrence Milia has been promoted to managing director of Mr Lyan group and is now co-owner of the company’s venues.

House of Suntory partners with 100 UK bars

The House of Suntory is partnering with 100 of the UK’s bars to mark its 100th anniversary, as part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to the on-trade and hospitality sector.

The Art of Shaking launches second season

The Art of Shaking (TAOS), the independent global platform created by Luca Missaglia and Simone Caporale, is launching its second season this July. 

Nipperkin Bar launches at 20 Berkeley

20 Berkeley, the new British produce-led restaurant and bar in Mayfair, London, has launched its Nipperkin Bar. 

Hacha announces Tequila & Mezcal Cocktail Competitions 2023

London Agave bar Hacha, is bringing back its nationwide competition to find Britain’s best Tequila and Mezcal Cocktails, with the grand finale taking place on 18 September.

Michael Hajiyianni: Ruby's great import

The cliché entry into bartending is during the university years, where a part time job to support a student loan snowballs into a career. But for some, hospitality is in their blood. Michael Hajiyianni, general manager of veteran Copenhagen bar Ruby, falls into the latter category.

The first look at the Donovan Bar’s new menu Evoke

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair has unveiled a new menu, Evoke, ahead of its launch on 17 July, Drinks International takes a look at some of the menu’s stand out serves.

Peru’s Sastreria Martinez launches new menu

Peru-based cocktail bar, Sastreria Martinez, has announced the launch of its brand new menu titled Collection 2023.

Chairman’s Reserve Spice Lab reveals 10 UK finalists

Chairman’s Reserve Rum of Saint Lucia has announced the 10 UK finalists of ‘The Chairman’s Spice Lab’, a program designed to showcase the abilities and understanding of the spiced rum category by bartenders around the world.

Oriole’s last hurrah at Albie at The Hoxton

Oriole bar, formerly of Smithfield Market, London, has announced it will be having its last night at the mezzanine, Albie, at The Hoxton, Southwark on Saturday 1 July. 

Beckaly Franks wins Bartenders’ Bartender Award in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023

Hong Kong bar legend and co-founder of The Pontiac Beckaly Franks has been named the Altos Bartender’s Bartender in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

Tako Chang: a role of many parts

Working at Double Chicken Please has given Tako Chang a new take on hospitality. The marketing specialist and now front-of-house boss talks to Oli Dodd.

Menu of the month: Double Chicken Please

Double Chicken Please is really two bars. In the front, a casual space slinging quick-to-serve cocktails on tap and in the back a high-concept drinks list inspired by food.

The Merchant launches new cocktail book with sustainability focus

Belfast’s Merchant Hotel has launched a new cocktail list, Volume V of The Cocktail Book, featuring a selection of 20 cocktails.

Scarfes Bar celebrates pride month with its Scandal Symbol cocktail

This June, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is supporting the LGBTQIA+ community by adding a voluntary £1 on every bill for charity ‘Just Like Us’ when a Scandal Symbol cocktail is ordered from its new menu ‘10’.