International bar & beverage trade show group BCB is set to launch its first foray into the Asian market today with the first day of Bar Convent Singapore (BCB Singapore).

The two-day event will feature an exhibition of over 150 global brands, an extensive lineup of education sessions led by over 40 renowned international bartenders and industry experts, networking opportunities and a wide array of tasting masterclasses.

While there will be both onsite and offsite guest shifts, the highlight of the show will be the “Homegrown Heroes” events, where bar teams from various Asian countries, including ReCraft from the Philippines, Hybrid from Vietnam, Penrose from Malaysia, and Lost in Thaislation from Thailand, partnering in a series of exclusive guest shifts with their nation’s counterparts currently honing their craft in Singapore.

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Pranisa Treechanasin

This collaboration with compatriot bartenders from Atlas Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, Kafu Utu, Origin Bar and 67 Pall Mall will showcase a fusion of talents and experiences that exemplify the boundaryless potential the region’s bar scene offers.

“BCB Singapore is the first event of its kind dedicated to Asia’s bar and beverage industry, promising to deliver a curated schedule of educational sessions and networking opportunities, a rich array of leading and emerging craft brands, and a whole wealth of knowledge and expert insights, all within one single venue,” said Henry Stonham, Senior Project Manager of BCB Singapore.

Highlights on Monday, 6 November

• [11:00] – [19:00] – Exhibition Hall – Discover over 150 global spirits brands from 18 countries and regions, from the USA to Nicaragua, Italy, France, Netherlands, Slovenia, UK, Japan, India, Philippines, and Vietnam, within one exhibition hall.
• [12:00] – [12:45] / [15:30] – [18:00] – BCB Homegrown Heroes Bar – BCB Homegrown Heroes guest shifts featuring the pairing of Lost in Thaislation from Thailand with Pranisa Treechanasin of Origin Bar and Hybrid from Vietnam with Hieu Nguyen of 67 Pall Mall.
• [13:15] – [14:00] – Craft Workshop – Join industry legend Monica Berg, known for her work at Tayēr + Elementary in London and the Campari Academy, as she shares her expertise on opening your own bar.
• [14:30] – [15:15] – Craft Workshop – Learn how to build an international bartender career in a panel discussion hosted by WSET, joined by Brandon Grusd from Proof & Company, Sky Huo from Spirits Cave and Jason-Candid Knüsel from Healthy Hospo.
• [15:45] – [16:30] – Centre Stage – Haley Traub from Attaboy in New York and Dave Andrews from William Grant & Sons team up to discuss the art of creating exceptional cocktail experiences.

Highlights on Tuesday, 7 November

• [11:00] – [19:00] – Exhibition Hall – Explore global industry brands, including a Japan Pavilion with over 25 brands by 10 Japanese liquor producers and distributors, as well as an Emerging Brands Pavilion with up-and-coming brands worldwide.
• [12:00] – [12:45] / [15:30] – [18:00] – BCB Homegrown Heroes Bar – Homegrown Heroes continues with ReCraft from the Philippines, teaming up with Gabriel Carlos of Four Seasons Hotel Singapore and Yoma Rivera of Kafe Utu. Penrose from Malaysia will also collaborate with Sylvia Chong of the iconic Atlas Bar.
• [13:15] – 1400 – Centre Stage – Delve into ‘Sustainability in the Bar’ through the unique lenses of three industry icons, Alex Francis of Little Red Door, Ronnaporn Kanivichaporn of Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar and #FindTheLockerRoom, and Vijay Mudaliar of Analogue and Native.
• [14:30] – [15:15] – Centre Stage – Insights into the booming business of bars in India by Priyanka Blah from The Dram Attic, Aditi Dugar from Masque and Urban Gourmet India and Yash Bhanage from Bombay Canteen and Hunger Inc.
• [15:45] – [16:30] – Centre Stage – Peter Chua from Night Hawk, which clinched the inaugural Best Bar Design award at World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, and Matthew Shang the visionary designer behind acclaimed establishments like ATLAS, Manhattan and Barood, will guide you through the process of designing a bar that is both visually arresting, and efficient to operate.

In addition to the onsite activities, BCB Singapore offers all attendees a dynamic range of experiences across the city, including a tour of the Brass Lion distillery and over ten official guest shifts and parties celebrating the start of countless future industry gatherings and possibilities.

For more information and the full program schedule, go to barconventsingapore.com

Global Rum brand Havana Club has announced the second instalment of its team competition: Havana Club Cocktail Maestros.

The contest will take bartending teams from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas on a journey through national qualifications and regional challenges. Then, they will embark on an inspirational trip to Havana to discover Cuba’s vibrant energy and the brand’s unique cultural legacy. 

“Havana Club and mixology share an entwined history,” explained Maxime Chevalier, Senior Brand Advocacy Manager at Havana Club. “It’s safe to say that the rum category and Havana Club would not be where it is today without the support and creative energy of the bartending community. 

“This competition is a chance for us to give back and provide a platform to the incredibly talented bartenders around the world. Much more than a cocktail contest, Havana Club Cocktail Maestros brings the community together through shared cultural experiences, in-depth brand education and training. 

“It’s an opportunity for us to take those at the heart of industry on a journey through Havana Club’s rich and diverse heritage and the artistry behind our exceptional rums.”

With a €10,000 prize for the winning team, the competition will reward creativity, flavour, and team spirit. Unlike the inaugural competition, contestants can now partner with someone from a different venue within the same country, fostering long-term connections across the industry. 

The top 10 teams from each country will progress to the national finals, where they’ll create a Cuban afro-Latin-inspired cocktail for a dedicated local jury. 

For the regional stage, teams will meet for a series of training sessions and challenges. They’ll learn to work together in stimulating environments, guided by regional industry mentors. Then, they’ll begin accumulating points before jetting off to Havana for the final stage of the contest in April 2026. 

The four-day finals in Cuba will allow contestants to immerse themselves in the passion of the city and its lively bar scene, as well as the craftsmanship and culture that’s captured in every bottle of Havana Club. Teams will also partake in the Great Havana Hustle challenge, testing their skills over the course of a unique bar shift, showcasing their expertise, hospitality, and teamwork abilities. 

A panel of industry icons, including world-renowned drinks figure Sandrae Lawrence and friend of the brand Simone Caporale, will decide the grand winners, pending the announcement of the last trio member. 

Competition details and dates within each territory are now available on the Havana Club website. Follow the link to enter and the chance to be crowned “Havana Club Cocktail Maestros”: https://havana-club.com/en/havana-club-cocktail-maestros/.

Modern London Whisk(e)y bar Dram is collaborating with Dublin’s Bar 1661 to celebrate Burns Night next week with a two-day takeover tour through London and Dublin.

Dram x Bar 1661 will offer guests a traditional Burns Night celebration, featuring delicious cocktails, haggis, and plenty of Drams to try.

Kicking off on Sunday 26^th, in the heart of London, Dram will play host to Bar 1661, who will, of course, bring a little National Irish Coffee Day to the event. Bar 1661 will serve their signature drink, “The Belfast Coffee”, which can be enjoyed alongside a delicious selection of drams.

The celebration will continue on Monday 27^th, with the Dram team heading to Dublin, where they will take over BAR 1661 for the evening. From 6pm onwards, guests can expect a delicious cocktail offering showcasing Dram’s signature style of uniquely delicious cocktails.

For more information, connect with the bars via @dram.ldn & @1661bar

Award-winning London bar Scarfes Bar, Rosewood, in partnership with The Lakes Distillery, will host Bar Leone from Hong Kong for an exclusive takeover on Wednesday, 29th January, from 6pm onwards.

Bringing a taste of Italian-inspired mixology to the heart of London, the night will feature co-founder and bartender Lorenzo Antinori and offer a multisensory journey complemented by Scarfes Bar’s live music and artistic setting.

Blending Scarfes Bar’s artistic ambience with Bar Leone’s signature brand and Italian-inspired cocktails, the drinks will consist of a selection of four cocktails, highlighting high-quality seasonal ingredients and low-intervention techniques. These will, of course, be accompanied by Bar Leone’s bar snacks, Smoked Olives and Mortadella Focaccia.

The first of the cocktails will be Il Cacciatore is a zesty blend of The Lakes Classic Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Mastika, Cherry Tomato and Lemon.

Also featured will be Bitter Yuzu Highball is a refreshing serve featuring The Lakes The One Fine Blended, Yuzu Sake, Bitter Fusetti and Soda.

Fig Leaf Negroni is a unique twist on the classic with The Lakes Classic Gin, Fig Leaf Vermouth and Campari.

Finally, Caffe’ Paradiso is a complex and rich serve, showcasing The Lakes Whiskeymaker’s Reserve No.7 with Cold Brew Coffee, Amaro, Honey, Salted Cream and Green Cardamon. 

Guests can expect an engaging experience, as Lorenzo’s flair for storytelling adds depth to the evening, creating connections through the drinks, their inspiration and the ambience of Scarfes Bar. 

For more information, go to scarfesbar.com or connect with the bar social via @scarfesbar

Award-winning Barcelona bar Paradiso has announced the return of its fourth annual Paradiso Sustainability Summit, in partnership with Ketel One.

Hosted by the bar’s founder Giacomo Giannotti, the Summit will be held on Sunday 30^th March 2025 at Barcelona’s green event space Palo Alto. The event will feature some of the biggest names in the global bar community and will be accompanied by a public cocktail festival designed to showcase the finest sustainable brands, bars and cocktails from around the world.

“I am delighted that we are once again able to bring together the drinks industry’s most innovative minds to share their expertise on sustainable practises,” explained Giannotti. “Our goal with the summit is not just to spark discussion for the global community but also to create a platform where we drive greater change for our local community.”

The Summit’s programme of seminars and events will address issues of “Social Sustainability”, exploring topics such as diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment, alongside our most significant environmental challenges.

Last year’s event saw over 1,500 attendees, featuring several venues from The World’s 50 Best Bars list, including Himkok, Tres Monos and Alquímico, amongst many others, alongside some of Barcelona’s most exciting concepts such as Creps Al Born and Dr. Stravinsky.

For more information, go to paradiso.cat or connect with the bar via @paradiso_barcelona

Japanese Shochu brand, iichiko is calling on bartenders from Los Angeles to New York City to create the best cocktail using the brand’s Saiten expression, a high-ABV shochu crafted specifically for the modern bartender.

The competition asks entrants to spotlight the spirit while also showcasing a level of creativity that further establishes iichiko Saiten, and shochu as a category, as a major contender in the cocktail industry.

“We’re thrilled to be part of iichiko Irodori as it gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the versatility of the iichiko Saiten brand,” said Tetsuro Miyazaki, General Manager of iichiko Shochu. “The team looks forward to connecting with bartenders across the country who share our passion for shochu.”

Crafted specifically for the modern bartender, Michiko Saiten is an honkaku shochu, the highest grade of shochu, offering a full-flavoured expression of shochu that is perfect for cocktails at 43% ABV. Saiten exudes rich umami notes of jasmine tea, white peach, minerals, and earth, along with citrus and a saline finish.

The competition’s finalists will be announced in March and will face off at the Grand Finale events held at some of the United States’ most celebrated bars—Thunderbolt in Los Angeles, and Bar Goto in New York. Entrants will compete for the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan, including a guest shift at a top Tokyo bar, a visit to the iichiko distillery, and a $1,500 cash prize.

Competition Guidelines and Grand Prize

• Entrant Eligibility

  • Residents of New York or Los Angeles (surrounding areas also acceptable; travel costs not included should entrants advance to the final round)

  • One entry per person

• Judging Criteria

  • All cocktails must contain a minimum of 1oz/30ml of iichiko Saiten

  • A maximum of 6 ingredients

  • All garnishes must be edible

  • Overall flavour and deliciousness

  • Creativity and originality

  • Low waste

• Submission Deadlines & Winner Announcements

  • Round One: (January 10th – January 31st, 2025): Written submission, submitted online here

  • Round Two: (February 4th – February 18th): Video submission

  • Grand Finale:

    • New York City (March 16th at Bar Goto): In-person competition

    • Los Angeles (March 18th at Thunder Bolt): In-person competition

• Prizes

  • First Place: All expenses paid trip to Japan, with a guest shift in Tokyo, visit to iichiko distillery, and $1,500 USD cash prize

  • Second Place: $800 USD cash prize

  • Third Place: $400 cash prize

For more information, go to iichiko.com and/ or follow the brand via @iichiko.shochu