Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-04
The global bar scene is buzzing with new openings and award recognitions, highlighted by the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards and upcoming cocktail festivals in Buenos Aires. While some historic venues face closure, new concepts focusing on sustainability and local ingredients are gaining traction in major cities like London, Tokyo, and Chicago.
Cocktails and Bar Culture: 50 Best and Beyond — 2026-09-04
Top developments
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2026 Celebrate Edinburgh Winners
On September 3, 2026, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards recognized top venues in Edinburgh and Lothian, with Deanston’s Whisky Guru winning Best Irish Bar. The event highlights the resilience of Scotland’s hospitality sector amidst broader UK industry challenges.
BS AS Cocktail Week Kicks Off in Buenos Aires
The Cámara Argentina de Bares de Coctelería (CABARCO) is set to launch BS AS Cocktail Week on September 6, 2026, at the Parque de Innovación. The festival features eight invited bars, live DJ sets, and a cocktail competition under the theme “New generations, new mixology.”
New York and Chicago Guide Updates for September
Time Out released updated guides for the best bars in New York City and Chicago for September 2026. The NYC list highlights two natural wine bars, including one with an 18-year history, while Chicago’s rankings feature a mix of Prohibition-era dives and modern cocktail lounges.
Tokyo’s STAND_BnA Adds Top Bartender’s Signature Drinks
In Japan, top bartender Sorato Nomura curated new signature cocktails for STAND_BnA, joining the menu this week. This collaboration reflects the growing trend of featuring high-profile bartenders in mainstream hospitality spaces in Tokyo.
Local view
In Argentina, local media outlets like El Destape and Buenos Bares are heavily promoting the imminent start of BS AS Cocktail Week. The coverage emphasizes the event’s role in revitalizing the local cocktail scene by bringing together established venues and emerging talent in a public park setting, signaling a strong post-pandemic recovery for Argentine nightlife.
Context & numbers
The US bar and nightclub industry continues to show growth, with revenue reaching $38.6 billion in 2026, reflecting a CAGR of 2.8% over the past five years. This stability is driven by affluent customers maintaining socialization habits, even as non-alcoholic volumes continue to forecast a +9% CAGR through 2026.
On the radar
- September 6: BS AS Cocktail Week begins in Buenos Aires.
- Ongoing: Eater Chicago reports 12 new restaurant and bar openings settling into the city in September 2026, including several cocktail-focused venues.
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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