Product Review 

Holiday Cocktails
‘Tis The Season To Be Well Fortified

Put down that Corona, toss those limes, shelve the lighter spirits and prepare to get heavy with cloves, cinnamon, mulled wines and whiskies. The holidays are upon  us, and with them a season of time-honored cocktail traditions that bring people comfort and merriment.

Good for the Soul
The Unlikely Power Duo of Blues and Soups

Some say St. Louis is a city still trying to find its singular identity.

What'll You Have?
Popping the Tops Off Beer Consumers

    Cocktail Culture isn’t the only area in which a lot of consumers expect more options and higher quality. Just as in mixed drinks, among beer consumers there are those who stick to old faithful brands, those who pick their favorites based on quality, those who pick favorites based on a balance of taste and price, and those who prefer variety.

Different Strokes
No Matter the Crowd, Good TV a Must

    For sports bar owners and operators, televisions –– and more specifically flat-screen and high-definition televisions –– are an increasingly crucial part of business. A recent article from CNET News.com reported that 17.2 million flat panels were shipped to retailers in America in 2006. This represents a 136 percent increase over 2005. 

The Fusion Venue
Designing the Lighting and Sound System for the Alleycat in Charlotte, N.C.

The waning interest in the singular clubs, restaurants, music venues and neighborhood bars has led to fusion venues. These venues combine all of the above.

Cleaning the Air
Removing the Smoke, Not the Smoker

There are any number of ways to eliminate smoke and other harmful impurities from nightclub and bar venues.

Tequila Occasions
Sauza Hornitos Re-Launch Markets Accessibility

    With target consumers inundated with more premium tequilas than ever before — including many who may be so new to the category that they’ve missed its evolution — one brand felt a re-launch was in order.

Seasonal Beers to Warm Hearts and Coffers
Brews To Battle Blustery Weather

Customers like the way winter beers typically enjoy the hearty flavor profile and higher alcohol content that helps cut the chill, while bar owners recognize a higher profit margin. It’s a festive proposition for everyone.

The Way of the World
Hilton Hotels and Tony Abou-Ganim Put Cocktail Culture Into the Mix

What began with modest objectives morphed into a world-class new cocktail program — led by the cult of personality of an expert, celebrity mixologist — that promises to fuel excitement at Hilton and Doubletree properties across the globe.

Step 3: Attracting New Customers

Here we are at the third step. If you haven’t read the first installments, you should. 

What to Do to Prevent Bartenders From Breaking the Bank

Yes, it’s a fact of life. And to be really honest with you, I don’t know a single bartender who has not either knowingly or un-knowingly stolen. This leads me to the common bartending scams you can prevent using your own two eyes and the reports on your POS system. 

The Gift That Keeps Giving
Tips for Unwrapping More Revenue With Gift Certificates

    In your nightclub, tavern or bar, gift certificates can be a great revenue producer during the entire year, but gift certificate purchases really will increase around birthdays, graduations and holidays, especially prior to Christmas. It is a great idea to feature a gift certificate sale right after Thanksgiving, for potential Christmas presents.

At Papa Lou’s, Word of Mouth Begins With a Smile

If you wanted to create the perfect bar, what better way to start than to hire a bar manager named Johnnie Walker?

The Climbing Whiskey Wave
New Arrivals Add to Dynamic Category

    Like many in the drinks business, I’m constantly asked, “What’s new, what’s hot?” Most are curious, and some, well, some just couldn’t stand the thought of being seen with yesterday’s cocktail. I usually begin my answer by telling them that it’s vital to differentiate a trend from a fad. Merriam-Webster’s defines a fad as “a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal.” Trends, on the other hand, have a modest birth and build steadily, rarely losing their converts.

Challenges and Opportunities in New York and Beyond

Mega-clubs may not be the only endangered Manhattan nightlife species in 2008. The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA), local community boards and overzealous hospitality industry legislators actively have been attacking the nightlife industry as a whole.

The State of Bottle Service