Bar.07 Preview: something for everyone

The Worldwide Bar Tour

Leading mixologists and drink experts from around the world will come together for two days for the Worldwide Bar Tours.

The importance of overseas influences has never been so apparent. Cocktails have always been a global phenomenon but never before have bartenders and drink enthusiasts been able to share ideas and opinions so easily. More bartenders are travelling the world's bars, passing on their knowledge wherever they go. You no longer have to travel to Cuba for a great daiquiri or go to Mexico for a perfect Margarita.

The Bar Tours will be made up of four sessions each day, each focusing on a particular trend established overseas and linked to a UK venue that shares the same vision. The main mixologists and owners from each venue will be at our Demo BAR.07 to share their knowledge and opinions.

A truly international line-up will include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Milan, San Francisco, Havana, New York, Poland and Germany. Top venues from each location will be represented and share their unique styles all under one roof.

You will be able to learn the ancient 'rolling' technique from the oldest bar in Barcelona as well as the more modern art of molecular mixology. There will be demonstrations from Cuba's world famous Floridita le Cuna del Daiquiri and the legendary Tommy's Bar in San Francisco.

Taste Forum

Taste Forums hosted by Taste & Flavour, the UK-based network of speakers including writers, columnists, broadcasters and distillers, will highlight issues demonstrated during the Worldwide Bar Tours.

As well as an anchor host, each session will have a panel of experts, including brand managers, bartenders and authors. You will have the opportunity to try spirits from around the world and taste them with experts in their field. In addition, every morning you will have the chance to meet your heroes and get your favourite books signed at our 'Meet the Authors' section.

With a spectacular line-up and a wealth of experts Demo BAR.07 looks set to be the best yet. Never before has there been such an inspiring

gathering of experts and professionals willing to share their views and skills.

Whether you want to learn about other countries' cocktail cultures or find out more about our wonderful industry, there is something for everyone.

Theme Bartenders' Theatre

The Bartenders' Theatre, sponsored by Inspirit Brands and organised in partnership with Theme magazine, will be packed with visitors keen to witness the final round of the Theme Bartender of the Year award.

A panel will assess a variety of drinks based on taste and appearance as well as marking bartenders on their style. The winner will be announced at the Theme Awards on the evening of June 5.

Design Talks

Learn how to make the most of your business with clever design suggestions, advice on interior decoration, and first-hand stories from some of the top designers in the industry including Paul Daly, Lee Broom from Makilee and Shaun Clarkson. Topics will include:

- The next generation: the future of bar design. What will influence the bars of tomorrow? Where is interior design heading? A forum where we ask our nation's finest designers what comes next.  

- London calling. A celebration of the best the capital has to offer at the moment with input from the designers and operators behind some of the city's hippest projects. Themes include how the city's style, music and surroundings influence bar design. Paul Daly, Dominic Taylor and David Knight of DTwo Design will take part in a discussion on London as a destination and as home to some of the best bars in the world.

- What's in a name? The power of branding and its effect on design. When does a bar become a brand? The discussion will focus on corporate versus independent and how concepts can maintain a brand identity without appearing impersonal.

- Eco style: the business of sustainable design. Short presentations from designers will talk through specific projects with visual accompaniment. Participants include Helen Blake of Absolute Design and Waugh Thistleton.

Business Bar

Sponsored by Pernod Ricard​

BAR.07 will introduce a stylish and chic new feature in the form of the Business Bar - an enclosed area showcasing the latest in interior design with cutting-edge technology and efficient service. It will provide a formal yet relaxing environment in which to conduct business.

Bar Talks

Sponsored by Beam Global Spirits & Wine​

Introduced by Nigel Barden, Bar Talks will kick off with a mini conference on licensing. Speakers from the police, local authorities, government and trade bodies will give their take and allow themselves to be quizzed in discussions chaired by leading licensing law firm, Jeffrey Green Russell.

In interactive sessions when the audience can have their say - and vote - on important issues the mini-conference will debate who better upholds the licensing principles - government or the trade?

Hear from local authorities and police forces on their approaches to violent crime, and explore industry fears about government attention on the alcohol trade.

Bar Talks will also offer business insights from leading industry figures on building a successful business culture, harnessing the power of your brand and improving customer service.

An 'Audience with…' session will feature world drinks experts telling compelling stories about their relationship with the industry, brands and their heritage. Full details of the programme and speakers will be available shortly on www.barshow.co.uk.

Sputnik UKBG UK Flair Championships

Sponsored by Sputnik and the UK Bartenders Guild​

For the first time in the UK the country's top flairers will go head-to-head in this fast paced knock-out tournament combining traditional flair with freestyle performance. Contenders will be evaluated on flair technique, mixology skills, creativity and showmanship, and will battle it out in a series of duels judged by experts.

Outdoor Inspirations

New for this year to recognise the importance of making use of outdoor space with the smoking ban in England fast approaching on July 1, this stylish area will offer inspiration on how to create the al fresco environments using weatherproof furniture, outdoor plasma screens and external decorations.

The Satelliet Design Challenge

Bar is the platform for the latest ideas from UK design students given the brief to design a cocktail bar using furniture from the Satelliet range. Come and see the entries as well as the winning designs, showcased in the Design Lounge.

Game Zone

Working with Xbox and Konami, BAR has created a Game Zone complete with PES (Pro Evolution Soccer). Competitions run throughout the show and the Grand Final of the UK Bar Wars Tour takes place on Wednesday afternoon.

International Bartenders' Market

Bartenders are constantly striving to invent new drinks as well as improve on existing classics by introducing a distinctive, stylish and often unusual twist of their own. Bartenders' Market will introduce an international selection of rare spirits, unusual juices and distinctive garnishes with produce being flown in from all across the globe.

Water chestnuts, cardamom pods, calpico concentrate, herbs, syrups and edible flowers are just some of the exotic additions on offer.

All features are free of charge and available on a first come, first served basis at the show. More info at www.barshow.co.uk​