The sophomore edition of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship has revealed the three finalists chosen through several rounds of judging by industry experts from over 600 applicants.

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Parisian neighbourhood bar and cocktail pub, The Cambridge Public House, will host ‘The Cambridge Global Series’, in celebration of the Rugby World Cup this October. 

London Cocktail Week has unveiled the Bartender Knowledge Exchange programme to help educate both local and international bartenders as part of a series of new initiatives in 2023 aimed at supporting the hospitality industry.

Transcend is the latest menu headed up by Panda & Sons founder Iain McPherson. The Scotsman was named Bar Innovator of the Year at the Class Bar Awards earlier this year and this very menu was shortlisted at Tales of the Cocktail for Bar Menu of the Year. 

Bar Daskal, the London-based Spanish wine and cocktail bar from the team behind Barrafina, and restaurant booking platform Resy have announced the first Bar Daskal Maestros, a new series bringing guests masterclasses from maestros in the industry.

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London will partner with cocktail bar Himkok for a takeover experience on Wednesday 6 September from 7-10pm.

For most bartenders, coming up with a new bar technique would be a lifetime achievement – something to tell the grandkids about. But for Iain McPherson of Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons, it’s a regular occurrence. 

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is partnering with Appleton Estate Rum for an exclusive cocktail menu this month.

Simone Caporale’s Sips, named No.3 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, and Boadas Bar are heading to the Donovan Bar in Mayfair, London, for a two-night takeover sponsored by Amaro Santoni this September.

The Clumsies and Line co-founder explains to Oli Dodd the thinking behind a bar venture that emphasises sustainability, focusing on community, collaborations and the circular economy of ingredients.

Venice Cocktail Week returns with its third edition this year, held in the Serenissima from 23-29 October.

Ergo at The Dubai Edition is travelling to Mahé in the Seychelles this August, the island home of Takamaka Rum, for a month-long residency at ‘The Rum Shack’. 

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is partnering with Nutmeg & Clove of Singapore, for a one-night only takeover with exclusive cocktails on 30 July from 6pm to 10pm.

The Clumsies is an icon of the European cocktail scene. Since Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis opened the bar in 2014, it has been the birthplace of a number of legendary cocktails, such as the Greek salad-inspired Mediterranean Gimlet and the electric blue Aegean Negroni. 

Nico de Soto, ranked 23 in Drinks International’s Bar World 100 list in 2023, will open a new bar in London’s Soho this October.

Everleaf, the non-alcoholic aperitif, has announced Alessandro Todini as the winner of its nationwide competition, following a public vote during the 2023 Imbibe live show.

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced Daniel Seehuusen of Hotel Skansen, in Sweden as the global winner of its Unexpected Cartron Tour.

Alex Lawrence Milia has been promoted to managing director of Mr Lyan group and is now co-owner of the company’s venues.

The House of Suntory is partnering with 100 of the UK’s bars to mark its 100th anniversary, as part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to the on-trade and hospitality sector.

The Art of Shaking (TAOS), the independent global platform created by Luca Missaglia and Simone Caporale, is launching its second season this July. 

20 Berkeley, the new British produce-led restaurant and bar in Mayfair, London, has launched its Nipperkin Bar. 

London Agave bar Hacha, is bringing back its nationwide competition to find Britain’s best Tequila and Mezcal Cocktails, with the grand finale taking place on 18 September.

The cliché entry into bartending is during the university years, where a part time job to support a student loan snowballs into a career. But for some, hospitality is in their blood. Michael Hajiyianni, general manager of veteran Copenhagen bar Ruby, falls into the latter category.

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair has unveiled a new menu, Evoke, ahead of its launch on 17 July, Drinks International takes a look at some of the menu’s stand out serves.

Peru-based cocktail bar, Sastreria Martinez, has announced the launch of its brand new menu titled Collection 2023.

Chairman’s Reserve Rum of Saint Lucia has announced the 10 UK finalists of ‘The Chairman’s Spice Lab’, a program designed to showcase the abilities and understanding of the spiced rum category by bartenders around the world.

Oriole bar, formerly of Smithfield Market, London, has announced it will be having its last night at the mezzanine, Albie, at The Hoxton, Southwark on Saturday 1 July. 

Hong Kong bar legend and co-founder of The Pontiac Beckaly Franks has been named the Altos Bartender’s Bartender in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

Working at Double Chicken Please has given Tako Chang a new take on hospitality. The marketing specialist and now front-of-house boss talks to Oli Dodd.

Double Chicken Please is really two bars. In the front, a casual space slinging quick-to-serve cocktails on tap and in the back a high-concept drinks list inspired by food.

Belfast’s Merchant Hotel has launched a new cocktail list, Volume V of The Cocktail Book, featuring a selection of 20 cocktails.

This June, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is supporting the LGBTQIA+ community by adding a voluntary £1 on every bill for charity ‘Just Like Us’ when a Scandal Symbol cocktail is ordered from its new menu ‘10’. 

The newest menu from its original location in Soho, Postcards from Swift aims to transport guests to their favourite places around the world.

To mark the 15th anniversary of the Connaught Bar, the team led by Agstinoo Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia, is launching a new, self-produced content series celebrating their hospitality legacy and its main drive, guests.

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Artesian Bar, located at The Langham London, is launching a new menu titled ‘Ingredients of the Future’. 

Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge, the global bartending competition which aims to celebrate art-inspired aperitivo cocktails, has announced Fabrizio Candino, from Sartoria Cocktail Bar, Italy, as the global winner.

SubAstor cocktail bar in Sao Paulo is bringing back The Mission: SubAstor Experience, a three day guest takeover in the city and trip to discover some of the best produce the country has to offer.

The Savoy’s American Bar has announced a brand-new cocktail menu created by head bartender, Chelsie Bailey and her team. 

Cocktail bar Oriole, currently a resident at the mezzanine ‘Albie’ at The Hoxton, Southwark, London, is hosting Mexico City’s Baltra Bar, currently No. 32 in The World’s 50 Best Bars, on Wednesday 31 May and Thursday 1 June for a two-night takeover. 

Takamaka Rum of the Seychelles, is bringing a taste of its island home to Cocktail Spirits, Paris, on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June with Swedish guest Tjoget.

The sustainability goals of one Parisian bar’s team as it reduces its carbon footprint and helps others to do the same.

Norwegian cocktail bar Himkok, will be hosting ten international cocktail bars for two nights of takeovers in celebration of Himkok’s eight year anniversary and the 2023 Norse Bar Show, on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June.

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced the UK winner of its Cartron Unexpected Cocktail Competition, Keoghán Taylor of Kiki Lounge. 

Barro Negro, the Athens-based tequila and mezcal bar, is marking Paloma Day by launching an inaugural week-long celebration. 

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that Baccarat Bar, located on the lower ground floor of Harrods, is launching its first new menu since opening its doors in July 2020. 

The Pinnacle Guide has published its framework for rewarding excellence in the best bars in the world.

Chairman’s Reserve Rum has announced the return of its competition: The Chairman’s Spice Lab.

Rayo was opened in Mexico City in January 2022 by two ex-pats wanting to champion Mexican ingredients, a little over a year later and the bar placed number 17 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and was named Best New Opening. Drinks International caught up with its founders, Tito Pin-Perez and Álvaro García.

At The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, Juliana put its native Ecuador on the cocktail map by becoming only the second bar to win the Best Cocktail Menu Award for Diverso, a menu that champions the produce and people of its country. 

­Theo Quinn and Tom Godfrey, alumni of some of the world’s best bars, have ventured out to create their own bar and concept, FOCO in Barcelona, Spain.