Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-11
The global bar industry faces a stark dichotomy this week: iconic venues like Employees Only in West Hollywood and a major UK restaurant chain close their doors, citing economic pressures, while new openings like Death & Co. in Seattle signal continued expansion in key markets. Meanwhile, competition heats up with the Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series announcing global winners and Australia’s Bartender of the Year entries closing ahead of Sydney Bar Week.
Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-11
Top developments
Employees Only Closes West Hollywood Location
Employees Only, the renowned New York transplant that established itself in West Hollywood, has announced its permanent closure. The owner cited a "death by a thousand cuts," pointing to city labor rules, inflation, vandalism, and shifting nightlife habits as contributing factors. This closure highlights the increasing operational fragility of high-concept cocktail bars in major US metropolitan areas despite their brand strength.
Death & Co. Opens First Seattle Bar
Pioneer Square in Seattle has welcomed Death & Co., the award-winning New York cocktail bar, which officially opened its first West Coast location on September 4, 2026. The opening represents a significant expansion for the brand into the Pacific Northwest, bringing its signature craft cocktail program to a new market eager for high-end hospitality experiences.
Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series Announces Global Winners
The Jameson Irish Whiskey Black Barrel Bartender Series has revealed its three global champions for 2026: Eray Hakan Evcil, Lewis Kay, and PJ Renaud. These winners were selected from bartenders worldwide who competed by creating cocktails using Jameson Black Barrel, showcasing the brand's ongoing commitment to supporting professional mixologists and innovation in cocktail development.
UK Restaurant Chain Closes All Remaining Sites
A major UK restaurant chain permanently closed its final 106 UK locations on September 10, 2026, ending a 52-year presence in the market. While not exclusively a bar chain, this mass closure reflects broader challenges in the hospitality sector, including rising costs and changing consumer behaviors, which also impact standalone bars and cocktail venues across the region.
Local view
Australia: Entries for the Australian Bartender of the Year 2026 competition remain open until September 15, coinciding with Sydney Bar Week. The event, hosted at Razz Room, continues to be a critical platform for recognizing local talent and fostering community within the Australian bar scene.
Japan: Suntory is hosting "SUNTORY THE FINALIST BAR Produced by THE BARTENDER AWARD," allowing patrons to taste and vote on creations by eight finalists ahead of the main award ceremony. This initiative engages consumers directly in the selection process, highlighting Japan's strong culture of public participation in bartending competitions.
Buenos Aires: Forbes Argentina reports on Buenos Aires Cocktail Week (Sept 6–12), featuring over 200 bars, guest bartenders from Mexico, Italy, Brazil, and South Africa, and masterclasses. The event underscores Latin America's growing influence in global cocktail trends and cross-border collaboration.
Context & numbers
The US bars and clubs industry has seen steady but modest growth, with revenue reaching $38.6 billion in 2026, representing a CAGR of 2.8% over the past five years. However, economic pressures remain acute, as evidenced by recent closures. Consumer behavior is also shifting, with 40% of Americans aged 35–44 drinking at least half of their restaurant visits, suggesting a move toward more frequent but potentially smaller or lower-cost orders. The global cocktail bar market was valued at an estimated USD 2.9 billion in 2026, indicating a niche but resilient segment within the broader hospitality landscape.
On the radar
- Sydney Bar Week (Sept 15): Keep an eye on the Australian Bartender of the Year results announced during this event.
- Wine Star Awards Nominees: Wine Enthusiast recently released its 27th Annual nominees, which often highlight influential figures in the spirits and bar world.
- Paris Mixology Trends: A Paris hotel bar is launching a Baudelaire-inspired cocktail menu, reflecting a trend toward literary and thematic storytelling in high-end mixology.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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