Two of the world’s most highly regarded bars will be presenting as part of a packed programme at this year’s Boutique Bar Show in London.
The team from Little Red Door (pictured) in Paris and The Jerry Thomas Project in Rome, which both regularly feature in World’s 50 Best Bars ranking, will be sharing their knowledge of developing the ethos, drinks and customer experience that make their venues so successful.
Show founder Andrew Scutts said: “It is great to be welcoming two such fantastic bars to the show. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to pick up new ideas and we really appreciate these bars giving up their time to share their knowledge in this way.”
Boutique Bar Show takes place in London on September 22 and 23, located in a new venue with a new format and showcasing over 100 drinks brands alongside presentations and other experiences.
It will be at London Art House in Islington – a venue co-founded by a fine artist and theatre designer – which has allowed the organisers to take a “townhouse soiree approach”. Dispensing with the traditional shell scheme format, visitors will wander through six curated rooms of carefully chosen drinks companies.
Highlights of the programme will include a two-hour session on whisky by The Aroma Academy and another session where people can “meet the makers” and hear the stories behind agave spirits in conjunction with Tequila & Mezcal Fest. Bartender Julian de Feral of international consultants Gorgeous Group will draw on extensive research to present how to produce consistent and commercially viable conditioned cocktails in a high-volume bar.
The show will host two competitions. The Bepi Tosolini Digestivo Cocktail Competition will call on bartenders to create the perfect 11pm drink for a customer to enjoy after a sumptuous meal. After the first heat in Manchester, French liqueur maker Gabriel Boudier will continue its search for a new liqueur, challenging bartenders to create a new product and use it in an original cocktail. The winner will compete in a final in Dijon, with the overall champion seeing their liqueur added to the Gabriel Boudier range. Details at www.boutiquebarshow.com.
For people managing bars and teams, there will be a one-hour management development workshop with Watershed, the management school for bars and restaurants.
Exclusive brand launches are promised from exhibitors such as organic Chicago microdistillery Koval, soft drinks maker Double Dutch Drinks, Poetic License from a new distillery in the north-east, Sauvelle Vodka from France, Silent Pool Distillers on the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate in Surrey, Australian cold-brew coffee liqueur Mr Black, Ferdinand’s Saar Dry Gin from Germany, and Kyrö Distillery in Finland whose products include Napue Gin and rye whiskeys.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy craft beers courtesy of beer supplier Cave Direct and learn about using them in cocktails from the team from City of London bar Merchant House. Show organiser Andrew Scutts adds: “We have updated the show format to create a more unique exhibitor experience. We want people to go away amazed by the diversity and quality of our exhibitors and the quality of our presentations in this really intimate but unique setting.”
Registration is free for the trade at www.boutiquebarshow.com. Click here for the full schedule.
Photograph ofLittle Red Door in Paris by Mohé. www.maximeprange.wix.com/mohe
