Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-08
Death & Co. has officially expanded its footprint to Seattle’s Pioneer Square, while Employees Only West Hollywood announced its closure after nearly a decade. Meanwhile, Buenos Aires Cocktail Week 2026 kicked off with a focus on international guest bartenders, and Suntory launched a unique "Finalist Bar" event in Japan allowing public voting for the best new cocktails.
Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-08
Top developments
Death & Co. Opens First Seattle Location
The acclaimed New York cocktail bar Death & Co. officially opened its first Seattle location in Pioneer Square on Thursday, September 4, 2026. This expansion marks a significant entry for the brand on the West Coast, bringing its signature high-concept, precise cocktail program to the Pacific Northwest. The opening underscores the continued migration of top-tier East Coast bar concepts to emerging markets like Seattle.
Employees Only West Hollywood Closes After Eight Years
Employees Only West Hollywood is closing its doors permanently after nearly a decade of operation. The final night of service is scheduled for September 27, 2026. The closure follows the brand's earlier exit from the New York market and reflects ongoing shifts in the hospitality landscape, where even established, award-winning concepts face economic pressures.
Schofield’s Bar Expands from Manchester to London
Award-winning Manchester cocktail bar Schofield’s Bar announced it will open a new location in London this winter. The venue has secured a prime site in Covent Garden, marking a major expansion for the regional powerhouse. This move highlights the trend of successful regional UK bars expanding into the capital's competitive hospitality scene.
Local view
Buenos Aires Cocktail Week 2026 Launches with International Focus In Buenos Aires, La Nación and Forbes Argentina reported that Bs As Cocktail Week 2026 began on Sunday, September 6, with a strong emphasis on international exchange. The event, running through September 12, features over 200 participating bars and includes guest bartenders from Mexico, Italy, Brazil, and South Africa. The agenda includes free masterclasses, bartender competitions, and a closing party at Parque de la Innovación, aiming to highlight Latin American identity alongside global techniques.
Suntory’s "Finalist Bar" Public Voting Event in Japan Japanese media outlets Dtimes and PR Times covered the launch of "SUNTORY THE FINALIST BAR Produced by THE BARTENDER AWARD." Announced on September 8, 2026, this pop-up allows customers to taste cocktails created by the eight finalists of the Suntory The Bartender Award 2026 and vote for their favorites. This initiative serves as a prelude to the grand final, engaging the public directly in the selection process and showcasing emerging talent in Japan’s rigorous bartending competition circuit.
Context & numbers
US Bar Industry Revenue and Trends According to IBISWorld, the US Bars & Nightclubs industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.8% over the five years leading to 2026, reaching $38.6 billion. Despite stable demand among affluent customers, the industry faces headwinds from changing consumer habits. Data from Toast indicates that 40% of Americans aged 35-44 now drink alcohol during at least half of their restaurant visits, reflecting a nuanced approach to on-premise consumption.
Whitbread Closes 66 UK Venues In a significant consolidation move, Whitbread is closing 66 restaurants and pubs across the UK this week. The closures affect chains including Table Table, Bar + Block, and Cookhouse + Pub. This large-scale reduction highlights the financial strain on large-scale hospitality groups in the current economic climate.
On the radar
- Suntory The Bartender Award Final: Following the public voting phase of the "Finalist Bar," the final results for the Suntory The Bartender Award 2026 will be announced soon, potentially influencing future hiring trends in Japan’s high-end bar scene.
- NYC Fall Openings: Eater NY highlights several anticipated fall openings, including a giant brasserie in Midtown and a Cambodian destination in Red Hook, which may feature notable bar programs.
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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