Chains drive ‘eating-out’ market with smaller operators falling behind

Food and drinks insights company Lumina Intelligence has detailed that the ‘eating-out’ market is set to reach a value of £102.8bn this year, an increase of +1.8% year-on-year.

British bar shows in good spirits following strong attendance

Attendance figures revealed from this week’s BCB London (11-12 May) and April’s Edinburgh Bar Show (13-15 April) reveal that thousands of bar trade professionals passed through the events in the capital cities.

How cocktail creativity can navigate cost-of-living pressures

Vibrant and ever-evolving, the UK’s cocktail scene draws on a variety of influences, while being shaped by its fair share of challenges, particularly in the last few years. Mindful of this, Harpers called on a cross-section of the country’s spirits companies to weigh in on the latest cocktail trends – and the prevailing headwinds too.

Torres Brandy Zero Challenge: Bar trade sustainability plaudits

Although often underappreciated, the global hospitality industry has a significant environmental impact, with Deloitte estimating that it represented 3% of worldwide carbon emissions in 2022. To put this into perspective, this is roughly similar to the CO2 output of Japan (the world’s fifth-largest emitter), according to the International Energy Agency.

Cocktail festival to return to Brighton with 50 bars announced

Brighton Cocktail Festival has announced that it is returning for its second year of city-wide celebrations, running from 18 to 27 September.

Nick Gillett: Bitters – longstanding yet underappreciated modern cocktail star

I’m a champion of all categories, right? It’s part of the job description. But there are some that just hold a special place in my booze cabinet – especially when they’re backed up by centuries old production methods and a sterling reputation with the best and boldest bars.

Pub and bar closures hit five-year high as macroeconomic pressures bite

Drake & Morgan raises £500k for cancer charity Maggie’s

Bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan has raised £500,000 for Maggie’s cancer charity.

Hopsitality: Pursuing work-life balance

The hospitality industry is well known for its tricky work-life balance. Whether it be long, demanding shifts, unpredictable and irregular hours or excessive workloads, the trade’s reputation is that its demands often eat into employees’ personal lives, impacting their mental and physical health.

Two thirds of consumers believe pubs and bars good for local communities

New consumer research from Zonal in partnership with NIQ has revealed that 69% of consumers believe that pubs, bars and restaurants play an important role in their communities.

Nick Gillett: The spirit of 2026 – a cocktail of contradictions and thirst for value?

Looking back, 2025 was another stinker of a year for the spirits and hospitality industries; a rollercoaster ride punctuated by a bad business environment, consumers having less disposable income, and venues closing their doors at an unprecedented rate. With that out the way, it’s time to look ahead to 2026 – as we thoroughly cheer the fact that 2025 is over and done with. So, with just a dash of optimism and foresight, what will be pouring into our glasses and being enjoyed in-venue next year? I have a few ideas.

Business rates: Hospitality venues to be hit with £32k hike

Fresh analysis from trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) can reveal that over the next three years hospitality venues in England can expect to see an average increase in business rates of over £32k.

World Class: Norwegian bartender Felice Capasso crowned global winner

Norway’s Felice Capasso has won the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025 at the Toronto-hosted annual ceremony.

What should bars stock amid the low & no boom?

Walk into any pub or bar in the UK and you’re likely to find at least one decent non-alcoholic beer on offer. It’s great news for those off the booze, but with a range of innovative options now available, from kombucha to adaptogenic spirits and CBD soft drinks, bars relying on beer to satisfy the growing demand for low & no may be missing out.

Hospitality hit hard as job losses escalate

With the latest ONS labour market figures showing the number of payrolled employees in hospitality down from 2,111,898 in April to 2,100,827 in May, UK Hospitality is calling for urgent government action.

UKH: Industrial Strategy a missed opportunity to support hospitality

The government’s announcement of its new Industrial Strategy has been met with frustration from figures inside the hospitality trade. UKHospitality has noted that the sector is among the industries not included in the Strategy’s energy bill reduction plan.

Driving trends: the symbiotic relationship between brands and cocktails

If it wasn’t for the Aviation – love it or hate it – Créme de Violette may not exist. For much of this century-old classic cocktail’s existence, bartenders couldn’t get their hands on the violet-flavoured liqueur that gave the drink its distinctive colour and floral notes, and it was frequently omitted. But in the early 2000s, the craft cocktail movement brought enough demand for this near-forgotten ingredient that it reappeared; today there are more than a few to choose from. And the Aviation continues to be found on cocktail lists around the world in its original form.

A third round for The Pinnacle Guide

The Pinnacle Guide – the global recognition system for the world’s best cocktail bars – has announced the latest additions to its list, with 85 now awarded across 12 countries.

Report shows backlash against social media fuelling new bar trends

A new report from CGA by NIQ and SIP by Pernod Ricard highlights a suite of predicted trends for the bar world in the next decade, including a growth in consumers’ desire for new hospitality experiences that can act as a digital detox.

Flat February for hospitality as consumer spending tightens

Britain’s leading restaurant, pub and bar groups delivered fractional like-for-like sales growth of just 0.1% in February, signalling a challenging start to 2025 for the sector as consumers continue to remain watchful of their disposable income.