Inside Bar Convent Brooklyn 2025

Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn), the leading trade event for the bar and beverage industry, returned to Industry City on June 10–11 for its seventh in-person edition.

This year’s show delivered another standout experience, offering attendees the chance to explore emerging trends, gain expert insights, and connect with industry professionals from around the world.

This year’s BCB Brooklyn welcomed a record 275+ exhibitors, featuring a diverse mix of global spirits from Italy, Japan, Austria, Peru, and more. The show saw a wave of product debuts, including Great Jones Distilling Co.’s Wheated Bourbon, new offerings from antidote, and Le Mone’s Meyer Lemon Apéritif with Lavender Raspberry. Innovation took center stage with an expanded Emerging Brands Pavilion, now home to 60+ rising names. The booming no- and low-ABV category also had a major presence, supported by voices like Shea Gomez, Hillary Sheinbaum, Derek Brown, and Drew Davis.

“BCB Brooklyn 2025 has once again demonstrated why this event is essential to our industry,” said Jackie Williams, Event Vice President for BCB Brooklyn.

“The incredible turnout and engagement we witnessed over these two days reinforced our mission to create a vital space where beverage professionals can connect, learn and drive innovation forward. Industry City proved to be the ideal backdrop for this gathering, accommodating our diverse community of exhibitors, speakers and visitors who brought such passion and expertise to every interaction. We’re thrilled with the momentum generated here and excited to see how the connections made and insights shared will continue to influence and elevate our industry in the months ahead.”

Beyond the show floor, BCB Brooklyn offered a robust education program curated by Head of Education Lynnette Marrero and the education committee. The schedule included 14 Main Stage sessions, plus additional programming at the Liquid Lounges and Park Street University stages. New this year was the VIP Lounge’s Crafted Conversations series—exclusive, sold-out discussions available only to VIP+ badge holders.

A major focus at this year’s show was the rise of the no- and low-alcohol category, with dedicated programming across the Main Stage, VIP Lounge, and new exhibitor-only pre-show sessions. Highlights included “Exploring the Overlooked Practicalities of Running an N/A Beverage Program,” led by John deBary, Sam Bail, Austin Hennelly, and Laurie Howells, and “Hacking Non-Alcoholic Cocktails – Science, Systems, and Service,” featuring Seth O’Malley, Stephanie Gonnet, Nora Furst, and Anthony Caporale, which unpacked how to replicate the texture and flavor of full-proof drinks. In the VIP Lounge, Soft Bar Co-Founder Carl Radke hosted a thoughtful conversation on mindful consumption and the future of zero-proof experiences. Exhibitors also benefited from targeted sessions like “Beyond the Buzz” and “New Category, New Rules,” offering insights on building and sustaining successful non-alcoholic brands.

Mental health and emotional well-being were also key themes in this year’s education lineup. Jessica Pomerantz and Laura Green’s session, Work-Life Balance and Boundary Setting: A Psychological Perspective, provided practical tools for creating balance and setting boundaries in hospitality. The Last Great Third Space, led by Claire Warner, Lauren Mote, and Erick Castro, explored the crucial role bars play in building community and connection. Meanwhile, Thinking Differently: Embracing Neurodiversity in Hospitality, hosted by Rich Manning with Sarah Berardi, Evan Hawkins, and Tony Jimenez, offered valuable insight into the strengths and challenges of neurodivergence in the industry.

Over the course of two days, attendees explored emerging spirits categories through sessions like An Exploration into Alpine Spirits, Reclaiming the Spotlight: The Future of Gin, and Building Better Rum Communities. The Liquid Lounge stages showcased standout spirits and innovations, including FUJI Japanese Whisky with Jota Tanaka and Four Roses’ new Single Barrel offerings led by Tucker Carper and Abby Martinie. Additional highlights included the 16th Annual New York International Spirits Competition Awards, 86 Harassment—an initiative from Women of the Vine & Spirits—and BCB Brooklyn’s first-ever Brand Accelerator Pitch Competition, where Amaretto Adriatico took home a prize package to support their brand’s growth.

This year’s event blended high-energy entertainment with meaningful industry recognition. In the outdoor courtyards, the Courtyard Bar buzzed with activity as notable names like Ja Rule (Amber & Opal), Dolph Lundgren (Hard Cut Vodka), and Jack Sotti (Renais Spirits) hosted lively pours and cocktail experiences. Actor and Brother’s Bond Bourbon co-founder Ian Somerhalder drew a crowd with personal whiskey tastings. Cirque de BCB Brooklyn brought a festive, carnival-like atmosphere with balloon artists, tarot readers, and magicians, while Authors Alley featured 25+ acclaimed drinks writers engaging guests with book signings and conversations.

The event received high praise from exhibitors for its seamless organization and strong industry impact. Ann Louise Marquis of Campari Group remarked, “We love this event—it’s a magnet that brings together bartenders and industry professionals from all over the country. It feels like a big reunion for us. I’ve given out 10,000 hugs and 110,000 high fives! We use BCB Brooklyn not only to showcase our products, but also to see what the rest of the industry is up to. It’s a special moment to come together in this amazing city and celebrate the industry we love.”

Attendees echoed the enthusiasm, citing the show’s engaging programming and vibrant atmosphere. Andre Sykes, a longtime industry professional from Detroit shared, “This is my second year at BCB Brooklyn, and coming from Detroit, we get to taste things we’ve never gotten to taste before. That’s one of the most beautiful things about BCB- it doesn’t matter if the product is in your market. You get to share it with friends that become family. It’s such a beautiful opportunity to not only build community and network, but also to train your palette, be at the forefront of our industry and have a good time.”

Building on this year’s success, the BCB Brooklyn team is already setting the stage for an even more exciting 2026 edition, taking place on June 9 and 10. Visitors can look forward to fresh programming, a broader exhibitor lineup and expanded opportunities for industry professionals to engage and thrive.

For more information and to stay updated on the latest news and developments, please visit the official BCB Brooklyn website at www.barconventbrooklyn.com and follow along on social at @barconventbrooklyn.