BCB Brooklyn 2025 Sets New Standard For Bar & Beverage Industry Events

New York, NY (June 26, 2025) - Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn)—the premier trade event for the bar and beverage industry—returned to Industry City on June 10 and 11, celebrating another extraordinary year of innovation, networking and inspiration. Marking its seventh in-person gathering, the event proved to be an unparalleled platform for visitors to discover the latest trends, gain invaluable insights and forge meaningful connections within the beverage community.

The show welcomed a record number of exhibitors, with 275+ exhibiting brands offering visitors a diverse array of beverage samples, including global spirits from Italy, Japan, Austria, Peru and beyond. This year’s event also saw a surge in product offerings, with several brands unveiling new expressions—including the debut of Great Jones Distilling Co.’s Wheated Bourbon, two new bottled releases from the non-alcoholic brand antidote and Le Moné’s Meyer Lemon Apéritif with Lavender Raspberry. BCB Brooklyn amplified its focus on innovation this year, doubling the size of the Emerging Brands Pavilion to feature over 60 rising names. The show also saw a surge in no- and low-ABV exhibitors—one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories—along with influential voices like Shea Gomez (No Booze Babes), Hillary Sheinbaum, Derek Brown (co-founder of Mindful Drinking Fest), and Drew Davis helping spotlight the movement’s cultural momentum.

“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, visitors had the opportunity to explore industry trends through BCB Brooklyn's comprehensive education program. Curated by Head of Education Lynnette Marrero and the education committee, the lineup featured 14 dynamic Main Stage sessions alongside additional programming at the Liquid Lounges and Park Street University stages. New this year, the VIP Lounge hosted the Crafted Conversations series—an intimate set of discussions available exclusively to those who secured the in-demand, and later sold out, VIP+ badges.

A common theme during this year’s show was the growing no- and low-alcohol category, with sessions dedicated to this topic appearing across the Main Stage, Crafted Conversations and the all-new pre-show, exhibitor-only sessions “Exploring the Overlooked Practicalities of Running an N/A Beverage Program” led by John deBary, Sam Bail, Austin Hennelly and Laurie Howells, discussed best practices for implementing a successful non-alcoholic beverage program, while “Hacking Non-Alcoholic Cocktails - Science, Systems, and Service” from Seth O'Malley, Stephanie Gonnet, Nora Furst and Anthony Caporale, delved into the techniques behind recreating the mouthfeel, texture and flavor of cocktails without the alcohol. In the VIP Lounge, Carl Radke, Co-Founder of Soft Bar, held an intimate conversation focused on mindful consumption and the new frontier in zero-proof experiences. Moreover, exhibitors had the opportunity to explore sessions entitled “Beyond the Buzz: Best Practices for Building a Successful Non-Alcoholic Brand” and “New Category, New Rules: Legal Frameworks for the Future of Non-Alc Spirits,” teaching brands how to thrive in the evolving non-alcoholic space. 

Mental health and emotional well-being were another significant focus of this year's education sessions. Jessica Pomerantz and Laura Green’s “Work-Life Balance and Boundary Setting: A Psychological Perspective” session equipped visitors with practical tools for achieving balance and setting healthy boundaries, and “The Last Great Third Space: Why We Must Protect Our Bars,” hosted by Claire Warner, Lauren Mote and Erick Castro, took a deep dive into the vital role that bars play in fostering community and human connection. Additionally, “Thinking Differently: Embracing Neurodiversity in Hospitality,” led by Rich Manning, along with Sarah Berardi, Evan Hawkins and Tony Jimenez, offered a captivating journey into neurodivergence, including the many strengths and real challenges faced within the field.

Across both days, participants delved into emerging spirits categories, as seen in “An Exploration into Alpine Spirits and Applications in our Industry,” “Reclaiming the Spotlight: The Future of Gin in a Changing Spirits Landscape,” and “Building Better Rum Communities.” On the Liquid Lounge stages, visitors were introduced to a number of new and breakthrough spirits, including Jota Tanaka’s session on FUJI Japanese Whisky, along with Four Roses’ new Single Barrel products, led by Tucker Carper and Abby Martinie. Other standout events that took place on the Liquid Lounge stages included the 16th Annual New York International Spirits Competition Awards Ceremony, 86 Harassment—a Women of the Vine & Spirits key initiative—and BCB Brooklyn’s inaugural Brand Accelerator Pitch Competition, presented by Women of the Vine & Spirits® & Diverse Powered Brands™, where winner Amaretto Adriatico received prize package designed to support and accelerate their brand’s growth. 

This year’s show also showcased a vibrant blend of entertainment and industry recognition. In the show’s outdoor courtyards, visitors were able to congregate around the Courtyard Bar, where top brands and bar talent, like Ja Rule (rapper, entrepreneur and co-founder of Amber & Opal Honey Botanical Whiskey), Dolph Lundgren (actor, filmmaker and co-founder of Hard Cut Vodka) and Jack Sotti (Brand Advocacy Director of Renais Spirits), took over the area, delivering unforgettable pouring and cocktail experiences. Actor and co-founder of Brother’s Bond Bourbon, Ian Somerhalder, drew a crowd as he personally poured neat tastings of the brand’s signature whiskey. Cirque de BCB Brooklyn transformed the event into a carnival-style celebration—with balloon artists, tarot readers, face painting and magicians. Authors Alley served as a distinctive space where 25+ renowned industry authors highlighted their latest releases, connecting with visitors through signings and conversations that added depth to the overall event experience.

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 and follow along on social at @barconventbrooklyn.  

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