Highlights galore: This is what awaits Visitors at BCB 2022

Berlin Calling! With a total of 516 exhibitors spread across six exhibition halls, this year’s BCB will once again offer a huge range of exciting products – and the programme also promises some highlights: unique pop-up bars and exciting hotspots in the exhibition halls, a continuing education programme that leaves nothing to be desired and guest shifts that will ensure unforgettable evenings.

Summer aperitivo feeling brought to the exhibition halls

One of this year’s pop-up bars promises true holiday feelings – and the brands Schweppes, Mountains Goat Alpentonic, Nordes Gin, 9didante, Fiol Prosecco and Bodegas Suau will all be part of this mix:  because it is with their products that the bar team of the ‘14 De La Rosa’ from Barcelona will create its own recipes at an aperitivo bar. The team around Dean Shury enjoys the freedom to be completely creative. For instance, they will serve visitors a refreshing drink with beetroot and orange blossom; and what’s also special about this pop-up: it is modelled after the real trend bar in Barcelona. “We are really looking forward to being part of this special experience and can’t wait to show what our team is capable of at BCB,” says Dean Shury, owner of ‘14 De La Rosa’.

Cheers to spontaneity: Another BCB special is the bar pop-up with the bar team from Rumble in the Jungle from Athens, which will play The Bar In Front Of The Bar at BCB at short notice. The bar is sponsored by Bar Fabric from Brown Forman. So for the visitors: Keep your eyes open!

Varied education programme on seven stages

BCB will also focus on the topic of continuing education: visitors can attend lectures by international speakers and take part in instructive workshops on a total of seven stages. The line-up of speakers was curated by the new BCB Education Board consisting of Angus Winchester, Director of Education, and the two scene experts Eleni Nikoloulia and Damien Guichard.

This vouches for a varied programme: for example, the founders of ‘The Pinnacle Guide’, Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne, will talk about criteria for the objective assessment of bars. Under the heading “How to Conquer the Global Bar Industry” Danil Nevsky will share with the audience how to become successful as bartenders on a national and international level. He will provide insights into the realities of the industry and provide the basics for a long-term strategy. In addition, Jean Trinh from the Colombian bar ‘Alquímico’ will introduce visitors to his sustainable concept #fromthebartothefarm, for which he was awarded the “Altos Bartender’s Bartender” award at The World’s 50 Best Bars. In addition, many other exciting personalities from the bar scene, such as Chloé Merz and Philip Duff, will be joining the fray as speakers.

These BCB partners provide even more expertise

This year’s BCB partners ‘Parkstreet University’, ‘WSET’, the ‘DBU’ and Ruben Neideck will also be part of the education programme offering informative talks and workshops throughout the trade show. For example, visitors can demonstrate their gardening skills in the Urban Gardening Area and learn more about plants and herbs. The Hotspot’s workshop programme is curated by Berlin bartender Ruben Neideck and illustrates the potential of bars that grow their own resources and address the issue of sustainability.

Another sparkling highlight will be provided by WSET, among others. Their workshop entitled “How to Add Extra Sparkle to your Drinks List” is aimed at all visitors who love sparkling wines. More information on the BCB programme is available here.

Off into the nightlife with the BCB guest shifts

The BCB evening events with guest shifts by renowned bartenders will once again attract some night owls to the hottest bars in the German capital. All of this will be happening again in cooperation with various spirits brands: Iain McPherson from ‘Panda & Sons’ in Edinburgh will provide a fitting start on Sunday. On the eve of BCB, he will be at ‘Kink’ for a guest shift sponsored by Glenfiddich. Fine palates and friends of the upscale bar scene can also look forward to Jesse Vida from ‘Cat Bite’ in Singapore. Supported by Johnnie Walker, he will also be providing stunning drinks at ‘Kink’ on Monday evening.

High-ranking visitors from the USA: New York’s ‘Double Chicken Please’ bar meets the ‘Green Door Bar’ on Monday evening. The evening event is supported by Hendrick’s Gin. Jeffrey Morgenthaler has also travelled to Berlin to mix things up on Tuesday with the Busker Irish Whiskey brand. Berlin’s ‘Wax On’ will open its doors for the BCB guest shifts on not just one but two evenings: kicking off on Monday with ‘Super Lyan’ from Amsterdam, supported by Woodford Reserve. On Tuesday, bar goers can also expect unique drinks from the Colombian bar team of ‘Alquímico’ and the Monkey Shoulder brand.

Food pairing in a class of its own

Taste explosions are guaranteed here: at ‘Barra’ gourmets will be in for an absolute highlight among this year’s BCB guest shifts. Together with the team from the popular Parisian bar ‘Little Red Door’, they have come up with a special food pairing concept. On two days – Monday and Tuesday – hungry and thirsty visitors alike will get their money’s worth. The whole event is supported by the Fords Gin brand. The only thing to note is that both events require a reservation in advance on the ‘Barra’ website.