Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn), the main commerce occasion for the bar and beverage business, returned to Trade Metropolis on June 10–11 for its seventh in-person version.
This yr’s present delivered one other standout expertise, providing attendees the prospect to discover rising traits, acquire professional insights, and join with business professionals from world wide.
This yr’s BCB Brooklyn welcomed a report 275+ exhibitors, that includes a various combine of world spirits from Italy, Japan, Austria, Peru, and extra. The present noticed a wave of product debuts, together with Nice Jones Distilling Co.’s Wheated Bourbon, new choices from antidote, and Le Mone’s Meyer Lemon Apéritif with Lavender Raspberry. Innovation took middle stage with an expanded Rising Manufacturers Pavilion, now residence to 60+ rising names. The booming no- and low-ABV class additionally had a serious presence, supported by voices like Shea Gomez, Hillary Sheinbaum, Derek Brown, and Drew Davis.
“BCB Brooklyn 2025 has as soon as once more demonstrated why this occasion is important to our business,” mentioned Jackie Williams, Occasion Vice President for BCB Brooklyn.
“The unimaginable turnout and engagement we witnessed over these two days strengthened our mission to create an important house the place beverage professionals can join, study and drive innovation ahead. Trade Metropolis proved to be the best backdrop for this gathering, accommodating our various group of exhibitors, audio system and guests who introduced such ardour and experience to each interplay. We’re thrilled with the momentum generated right here and excited to see how the connections made and insights shared will proceed to affect and elevate our business within the months forward.”
Past the present ground, BCB Brooklyn supplied a sturdy training program curated by Head of Schooling Lynnette Marrero and the training committee. The schedule included 14 Major Stage classes, plus extra programming on the Liquid Lounges and Park Road College levels. New this yr was the VIP Lounge’s Crafted Conversations collection—unique, sold-out discussions obtainable solely to VIP+ badge holders.
A significant focus at this yr’s present was the rise of the no- and low-alcohol class, with devoted programming throughout the Major Stage, VIP Lounge, and new exhibitor-only pre-show classes. Highlights included “Exploring the Neglected Practicalities of Working an N/A Beverage Program,” led by John deBary, Sam Bail, Austin Hennelly, and Laurie Howells, and “Hacking Non-Alcoholic Cocktails – Science, Programs, and Service,” that includes Seth O’Malley, Stephanie Gonnet, Nora Furst, and Anthony Caporale, which unpacked methods to replicate the feel and taste of full-proof drinks. Within the VIP Lounge, Comfortable Bar Co-Founder Carl Radke hosted a considerate dialog on aware consumption and the way forward for zero-proof experiences. Exhibitors additionally benefited from focused classes like “Past the Buzz” and “New Class, New Guidelines,” providing insights on constructing and sustaining profitable non-alcoholic manufacturers.
Psychological well being and emotional well-being had been additionally key themes on this yr’s training lineup. Jessica Pomerantz and Laura Inexperienced’s session, Work-Life Steadiness and Boundary Setting: A Psychological Perspective, offered sensible instruments for creating steadiness and setting boundaries in hospitality. The Final Nice Third Area, led by Claire Warner, Lauren Mote, and Erick Castro, explored the essential position bars play in constructing group and connection. In the meantime, Considering In a different way: Embracing Neurodiversity in Hospitality, hosted by Wealthy Manning with Sarah Berardi, Evan Hawkins, and Tony Jimenez, supplied precious perception into the strengths and challenges of neurodivergence within the business.
Over the course of two days, attendees explored rising spirits classes via classes like An Exploration into Alpine Spirits, Reclaiming the Highlight: The Way forward for Gin, and Constructing Higher Rum Communities. The Liquid Lounge levels showcased standout spirits and improvements, together with FUJI Japanese Whisky with Jota Tanaka and 4 Roses’ new Single Barrel choices led by Tucker Carper and Abby Martinie. Extra highlights included the sixteenth Annual New York Worldwide Spirits Competitors Awards, 86 Harassment—an initiative from Girls of the Vine & Spirits—and BCB Brooklyn’s first-ever Model Accelerator Pitch Competitors, the place Amaretto Adriatico took residence a prize package deal to help their model’s development.
This yr’s occasion blended high-energy leisure with significant business recognition. Within the outside courtyards, the Courtyard Bar buzzed with exercise as notable names like Ja Rule (Amber & Opal), Dolph Lundgren (Onerous Reduce Vodka), and Jack Sotti (Renais Spirits) hosted full of life pours and cocktail experiences. Actor and Brother’s Bond Bourbon co-founder Ian Somerhalder drew a crowd with private whiskey tastings. Cirque de BCB Brooklyn introduced a festive, carnival-like ambiance with balloon artists, tarot readers, and magicians, whereas Authors Alley featured 25+ acclaimed drinks writers partaking company with guide signings and conversations.
The occasion acquired excessive reward from exhibitors for its seamless group and robust business affect. Ann Louise Marquis of Campari Group remarked, “We love this occasion—it’s a magnet that brings collectively bartenders and business professionals from everywhere in the nation. It looks like an enormous reunion for us. I’ve given out 10,000 hugs and 110,000 excessive fives! We use BCB Brooklyn not solely to showcase our merchandise, but additionally to see what the remainder of the business is as much as. It’s a particular second to return collectively on this superb metropolis and have a good time the business we love.”
Attendees echoed the keenness, citing the present’s partaking programming and vibrant ambiance. Andre Sykes, a longtime business skilled from Detroit shared, “That is my second yr at BCB Brooklyn, and coming from Detroit, we get to style issues we’ve by no means gotten to style earlier than. That’s probably the most stunning issues about BCB- it doesn’t matter if the product is in your market. You get to share it with buddies that turn into household. It’s such a stupendous alternative to not solely construct group and community, but additionally to coach your palette, be on the forefront of our business and have a very good time.”
Constructing on this yr’s success, the BCB Brooklyn group is already setting the stage for an much more thrilling 2026 version, happening on June 9 and 10. Guests can stay up for recent programming, a broader exhibitor lineup and expanded alternatives for business professionals to interact and thrive.
For extra data and to remain up to date on the newest information and developments, please go to the official BCB Brooklyn web site at www.barconventbrooklyn.com and comply with alongside on social at @barconventbrooklyn.
