A Global Celebration of the Bar Industry: BCB

BCB (Bar Convent Berlin) is the world’s largest trade fair for the bar and beverage industry, attracting bar owners, bartenders, distributors, and manufacturers from nearly 90 countries each year to Berlin. Participants gather to network, learn about the latest product innovations and trends, and attend professional seminars. As BCB’s influence has expanded, it has successfully launched in Brooklyn, São Paulo, and Singapore, and plans to debut in London in 2025, forming a truly global network.

2024 BCB Berlin Highlights

Scale and Attendance

The 2024 BCB Berlin show attracted 15,114 participants from 87 countries, with over 500 exhibitors and partners, cementing its reputation as the “Bartenders’ Christmas” — an industry-defining event where attendees connect and discover the latest trends.

Business Networking and Matchmaking System

A dedicated on-site and online “Matchmaking Lounge” was set up, facilitating meetings and communication between exhibitors and attendees in advance, resulting in 1,566 successful matches over the course of three days.

Educational Program

This year’s educational program was the largest in BCB history, featuring seven educational areas with a variety of workshops, masterclasses, and tasting sessions. Hands-on sessions proved especially popular, such as those led by drinks photographer Jordan Hughes, which attracted full audiences.

Industry Trends: Agave Spirits and Low-ABV Drinks

The show featured around 100 tequila and mezcal brands, along with a dedicated “Low & No” bar showcasing innovative low- and non-alcoholic drinks, reflecting the growing demand in these emerging markets.

Plant-Based Drinks

The trend of plant-based (primarily plant-derived) ingredients was prominent, with displays of various plant protein substitutes that allow cocktails to maintain a smooth texture without animal-derived ingredients.

Growing Interest in Wine at Bars

For the first time, BCB featured a dedicated wine workshop area, hosted by Kalk & Kegel and Johannes Schellhorn, underscoring the bar industry’s strong demand for wine, particularly natural wines.

Creative Whiskey Mixology

The BCB Whiskey Embassy highlighted creative whiskey-based cocktails, with the OurWhisky Foundation organizing a variety of whiskey-related activities that generated great interest.

Women in the Bar Industry

Discussions covered issues of prejudice and inequality faced by women in the whiskey and bar industries, with Maren Meyer, Chair of the German Bartenders’ Union, calling for industry cooperation to address these issues.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The success of this year’s show has heightened anticipation for 2025. Next year’s BCB Berlin will take place from October 6-8, continuing its mission to drive innovation in the bar and beverage industry.

2024 BCB Berlin SIP Studio Highlights

The Return of the SIP Studio

Sponsored by Pernod Ricard, the SIP (Share Inspire Pioneer) Studio was one of the core educational spaces at the event, offering a range of sessions focused on future industry trends. Topics this year included “Future Flavors,” “Mindful Drinking,” and “Emerging Trends.” Located at Hall 20, Booth A05, the SIP Studio attracted numerous attendees.

Key Sessions and Discussions

Future Flavors:

Held on Monday, October 14, this session, titled “The Next Sip: Future Flavors in a Changing World,” was led by Luke Whearty, Daphne Hor, and Jeremy Roque, exploring how new ingredients and innovations are reshaping bar culture.
Evolution of Drinks: On Tuesday, October 15, the session “Genealogy of a Drink: From Smell to Extraction to Presentation,” led by Alexandra Mettetal, Hadrien Moudoulaud, and Remy Savage, traced the evolution of drink-making techniques.

Re-imagined 90s:

Also on Tuesday, “The Rise of Re-imagined 90s Trends” discussed the impact of retro trends in the industry, led by Dre Masso, Matt Whiley, and Ben Reed.
Experiencing Future Menus
A team of top German bartenders designed a bar menu concept for the year 2050, available to visitors at the SIP booth on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, a team of Kempinski Hotel bartenders showcased a new menu inspired by this future concept.

SIP Talks on the Brand Stage

The SIP Brand Stage featured three insightful talks: “Elevating Your Bar: Mastering Hospitality” by Sean Finter, “Strategies for a Greener Drinks Industry” by Matt Whiley and others, and “Future Scenarios for 2050” hosted by Daphné Hor, exploring how climate change will affect social life.

BCB International Events: Brooklyn, São Paulo, and Singapore

1. BCB Brooklyn (USA)

• Location: Brooklyn, New York
• Focus on the Americas: Targeting the American market, BCB Brooklyn showcases the latest trends and innovations in the bar industry.
• Diverse Brands: Brings together renowned brands from North and South America, featuring spirits, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Educational Courses: Offers seminars and workshops on bartending techniques, industry trends, and marketing strategies.
• Networking Opportunities: Provides a platform for bar owners, bartenders, distributors, and manufacturers to connect and grow their networks.

2. BCB São Paulo (Brazil)

• Location: São Paulo, Brazil
• Focus on South America: BCB São Paulo promotes growth in South America’s bar and beverage industry.
• Innovation Showcases: Features new spirits, bar equipment, and drink recipes to meet market demand.
• Cultural Events: Highlights Brazil’s vibrant culture through music performances and art exhibits.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Encourages green practices and sustainable development in the industry.

3. BCB Singapore

• Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore
• Expansion into Asia-Pacific: BCB Singapore brings together the bar and beverage community in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Global Brands: With over 150 brands on display, the event highlights the latest products and technology.
• Comprehensive Educational Program: Offers 35 sessions covering innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
• Cultural Experiences: Combines Singapore’s multiculturalism with culinary and drink tasting events.

The 2025 BCB London Debut

1. Time and Location
BCB London will be held from June 30 to July 1, 2025, at Tobacco Dock in London.

2. Tobacco Dock: New Venue for BCB London

Located in East London, Tobacco Dock, a Grade I historic building, provides a unique industrial charm for BCB London and is easily accessible from central London.

3. Jack Sotti Appointed Brand Ambassador

Prominent bartender Jack Sotti was appointed as the brand ambassador for BCB London, contributing his extensive industry connections and creative vision. Sotti expressed his enthusiasm for the role, noting that “the bar and beverage scene in the UK and Ireland is thriving and deserves a professional trade show of this caliber.”

4. High Expectations and Future Prospects

The industry’s anticipation for BCB London is evident. In the coming months, more exhibitors, partners, and event highlights will be announced. The London show is expected to expand BCB’s international influence and offer a dedicated platform for professionals in the UK and Irish bar industry. With successful events hosted worldwide, BCB has become the annual must-attend event for bar and beverage professionals, driving growth and innovation in the industry.

This expanded BCB network continues to create invaluable opportunities for bar and beverage professionals worldwide. Each event – whether in Berlin, Brooklyn, São Paulo, Singapore, or the upcoming debut in London – brings unique offerings tailored to the local market while fostering a global connection among industry leaders. From innovative product showcases and interactive workshops to targeted networking platforms, BCB events serve as vital forums for the latest insights, trends, and practices shaping the future of the bar and beverage world.

BCB's Impact and Future Vision

BCB’s continuous expansion reflects the organization’s commitment to connecting the bar community on a global scale, offering industry-specific insights and creating spaces where innovation thrives. With sustainability, inclusivity, and emerging trends at the forefront, BCB events are set to redefine the industry for years to come. The 2025 London debut will mark another milestone, bringing even greater diversity, knowledge, and opportunities to professionals in the UK and beyond.

As the global bar and beverage industry grows more interconnected, BCB remains a cornerstone of education, innovation, and community, shaping a thriving, sustainable future for all.

Credit: https://www.barconvent.com/