Eatertainment

Philadelphia skyline at sunset
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Starting a Business? Consider These States

Want to Open a Business in 2023? Consider These States

by David Klemt

Philadelphia skyline at sunset

If you’re considering opening a restaurant, bar, nightclub, eatertainment venue, or hotel in 2023, you should consider these states.

As it turns out, according to Forbes, one state is the home to a major KRG Hospitality market: Philadelphia.

Per Forbes Advisor, Pennsylvania is among the top five states for starting a new business next year. In fact, the Keystone State ranks number four.

To make their list, Forbes analyzed all 50 states through the lens of five categories:

  • Business costs
  • Business climate
  • Economy
  • Financial accessibility
  • Workforce

Within those categories, Forbes examined 18 metrics. The result, as already stated, is that just three states rank ahead of Pennsylvania for this Forbes list.

Top 25 States to Start a Business in 2023

Below you’ll find how the top half of the list shakes out. Indiana, Colorado, and North Dakota claim the top positions. A low cost of living and “a business-friendly climate” put Indiana in the number-one spot.

One interesting reason that Pennsylvania ranks so highly comes down to funding for entrepreneurs. Per Forbes, “total small business loan funding in Pennsylvania is double that of the national average.”

  1. Washington
  2. West Virginia
  3. Rhode Island
  4. Idaho
  5. Utah
  6. Wisconsin
  7. South Carolina
  8. Virginia
  9. Hawaii
  10. Mississippi
  11. Missouri
  12. New Hampshire
  13. Massachusetts
  14. California
  15. Connecticut
  16. Delaware
  17. Ohio
  18. Illinois
  19. Montana
  20. North Carolina
  21. South Dakota
  22. Pennsylvania
  23. North Dakota
  24. Colorado
  25. Indiana

However, the list above is interesting for another reason: the recent addition of consultant Kim Richardson to the KRG Hospitality team. Not only is Kim representing our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, office, she’s our rep for the Northeastern region of the United States.

That means she’s serving Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Or, put another way, Kim is representing KRG in six states on the list above. (Pennsylvania is in bold above, while the other Northeastern states on the list she’s representing are in italics).

Proceed with Caution

Now, a word of reason and caution. Just because someone tells you that a particular state or city is the best place for your business doesn’t mean success will follow automatically.

It really doesn’t matter how great the idea for your concept happens to be—long-term success in this industry takes hard work. And that work starts with the planning phase.

So, no, you can’t just throw a dart at the Northeastern states or a map of one of the states on this list and open your restaurant, bar, or hotel there. Site selection involves more than contacting a commercial real estate agent, viewing a few locations, and signing a lease.

There’s a long list of tasks that you must complete in the planning stage before you ever open your doors. An in-depth feasibility study, a KRG Hospitality specialty, identifies the best location for a specific concept. In actuality, the feasibility study includes several smaller tasks that must be completed.

Again, this is simply to determine the best place for a particular concept. There are many other tasks you must complete, each of which KRG is here to help you accomplish.

So, while this list is interesting, there’s much more for your consideration.

The Bottom 10

Since I know you’re curious, below you’ll find the ten states that represent the tail end of the Forbes list:

  1. New York
  2. New Mexico
  3. Vermont
  4. Michigan
  5. Oregon
  6. Florida
  7. Nevada
  8. Kentucky
  9. Oklahoma
  10. Kansas

Now, another word of caution. These states rounding out the list of 50 doesn’t mean they’re “the worst” for starting a business.

In fact, we’ve had great success in Florida, as one example. So, take this list with a grain of salt: there’s much more to consider for a hospitality concept to give it the best odds of success in any market.

Image: Dan Mall on Unsplash

The Bean a.k.a. Cloud Gate in Chicago
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Is Your Business in a Top Time Out City?

Is Your Business in a Top Time Out City?

by David Klemt

The Bean aka Cloud Gate in Chicago

Hot off the presses, Time Out is now revealing the results of their Time Out Index 2022, an annual list identifying the world’s top cities.

The global publication, founded in the late 1960s, surveyed 20,000 “city dwellers.” Time Out focuses on cities’ restaurant, bar, nightlife, entertainment, and art scenes.

For 2020 and 2021, Time Out put emphasis on the pandemic and how cities maintained resiliency and kept communities together. In 2022, priority is given to flourishing nightlife, dining, and drinking, along with culture.

Additionally, Time Out gives weight to a city’s sustainability, safety, walkability, and affordability. To learn more about how Time Out analyzes data, click here.

Compelling Rankings

Below, you’ll find Time Out’s ranking of the best 53 cities in the world for 2022. I’ve broken the list into sections: 53 to 11, and ten to number one.

Interestingly, the 20,000 survey respondents note the dining, drinking, and nightlife of the top five cities. In fact, the nightlife scene of number three is “the world’s best.”

And city number two? Survey takers think it’s the most fun—”funnest,” according to Time Out—in the world.

Now, I know our audience is largely American and Canadian, so I’ll get to how both rank. Six cities—the usual suspects, basically—in the US are on the list. Only one American city is in the top ten, and it’s likely not the one you think. As for Canada, one city claims the 27 spot, another is number nine.

You’ll find the Canadian and American cities in bold below. Champing at the bit to see the results? Scroll down!

Time Out Cities 53 to 11

  1. Doha, Qatar
  2. Hong Kong
  3. Bangkok, Thailand
  4. Istanbul, Turkey
  5. Johannesburg, South Africa
  6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  7. Auckland, New Zealand
  8. Sydney, Australia
  9. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  10. Singapore
  11. Accra, Ghana
  12. Los Angeles, California, USA
  13. Rome, Italy
  14. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  15. Barcelona, Spain
  16. Miami, Florida, USA
  17. São Paulo, Brazil
  18. Dublin, Ireland
  19. Athens, Greece
  20. Manila, Philippines
  21. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  22. Paris, France
  23. Tel Aviv, Israel
  24. Mexico City, Mexico
  25. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  26. Lisbon, Portugal
  27. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  28. Delhi, India
  29. San Francisco, California, USA
  30. Tokyo, Japan
  31. Stockholm, Sweden
  32. Birmingham, England
  33. Buenos Aires, Argentina
  34. New York, New York, USA
  35. Lyon, France
  36. Porto, Portugal
  37. London, England
  38. Taipei, Taiwan
  39. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  40. Mumbai, India
  41. Manchester, England
  42. Madrid, Spain
  43. Cape Town, South Africa

The Top Ten Time Out Cities

  1. Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. Montréal, Québec, Canada
  3. Berlin, Germany
  4. Marrakech, Morocco
  5. Prague, Czech Republic
  6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  7. Glasgow, Scotland
  8. Medellín, Colombia
  9. Chicago, Illinois, USA
  10. Edinburgh, Scotland

Congratulations to the top 53 cities in the world! We expect big things from their dining, drinking, and nightlife moving forward.

Image: Christopher Alvarenga on Unsplash

Two women playing cornhole
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Eatertainment Poised to Come Roaring Back

Eatertainment Poised to Come Roaring Back

by David Klemt

Two women playing cornhole

People are eager to return bars and restaurants, and that focus is beneficial to the growth of one hospitality category in particular: Eatertainment.

As the name suggests, an “eatertainment” venue operates as both an entertainment space and restaurant.

Those who have been to such a concept know the key elements that define eatertainment. A robust F&B program; an array of bar games and other entertainment; room enough to play games and attract groups, but so large it draws massive crowds; and an interest in extending guest stays rather than constantly turning and burning.

Pre-pandemic, the eatertainment category was heating up, steadily growing in popularity. As recently as 2019, SevenRooms and YouGov partnered to study these concepts. When your category draws the attention of data-focused platforms and research firms, you know it’s a winner.

So, what did SevenRooms and their research partner conclude? That eatertainment venues are the new nightclub.

Eatertainment Muscles in on Nightlife

Per the SevenRooms report from 2019, nightlife preferences in the United States were shifting away from traditional nightclubs. This switch was, according to SevenRooms, partially driven by three factors:

  • Nightclubs draw large crowds;
  • they play very loud music; and
  • such venues embrace exclusivity.

Now, that isn’t to say that the nightclub is dead. Particularly in destination cities like Las Vegas and Miami, nightclubs are a major draw.

However, as people reach their thirties or seek out more casual spaces, eatertainment becomes increasingly attractive. For the most part, people can leave work and go straight to an eatertainment concept to meet up with friends. They’ll be able to carve out a space, grab a bite and a drink, and socialize while engaging with an array of entertainment options.

Such venues also tend to be open seven days per week, from noon or early afternoon into late night. Their F&B programs, focus on entertainment, and hours of operation position them to play an important role: the third place.

Home Away from Home

As any dive or neighborhood bar operator knows, becoming a person’s third place is crucial. The third place, for those unfamiliar with the term, is the spot you go to in between the workplace and home.

So, becoming someone’s home away from home is a big deal. It’s the ultimate in consumer loyalty. Become someone’s third place and you’ll be on your way to building an army of brand advocates.

The third place is where we unwind after work. We’re friendly with the staff: they know us, know our usual orders, and know what recommendations to make.

Now, what if a regular’s third place offered not just quality F&B but also entertainment and an atmosphere that shifted with dayparts? You’d have a supercharged third place, a.k.a. an eatertainment concept.

Eatertainment will Continue to Grow

Where should people go when they decide they’re beyond their nightclub years? Feeling uncomfortable in a nightclub doesn’t mean the interest in nightlife simply disappears.

Well, they turn to eatertainment. And why do they find these concepts appealing? For several important reasons driven by shifts in consumer behavior.

One, I think we’re all tired of endless text and DM exchanges attempting to organize an outing. An eatertainment venue is a restaurant, bar, entertainment space, and nightclub in one place. No more planning to travel to a restaurant, then a bar for drinks afterward, and then a nightclub, concert, or lounge.

Two, today’s consumer is seeking out restaurants and bars that offer more inclusive, more welcoming, more personalized experiences. Again, eatertainment hits all those marks.

According to SevenRooms, there are key datapoints that indicate eatertainment will continue to grow. And while their report was published in 2019, their findings are still relevant given the past two years:

  • Around a quarter of Americans want more eatertainment venues close to them.
  • A quarter of Americans prefer a venue that combines quality food and drinks with fun activities in one space.
  • Nearly 30 percent of Americans consider food quality when deciding where to spend their time and money.
  • Close to 20 percent want a venue to offer something to do beyond drinking.

More recently, May of this year, in fact, Datassential also found that eatertainment is on the rise again. Per their data, half of consumers “are very interested in revisiting an eatertainment experience.

Takeaway

Eatertainment concepts are positioned to perform well moving forward.

Think about it: people are eager to socialize without being packed together; guests are showing interest in innovative, high-quality F&B items; people want entertainment that spans live music and DJs to cornhole (or bags, if you want to have that argument), axe throwing, and arcade games; and having access to an incredible, personalized experience in one venue is an attractive prospect.

Punch Bowl Social, Topgolf, Pinstripes, and Flight Club are among the best representatives of the category. Do you have the idea for the next big eatertainment brand? Let us know!

Image: Elevate on Unsplash

Glendalough Distillery Wild Gin Irish gin
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

8 Glendalough Cocktail Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day and Beyond

Offer your guests something different for your St. Patrick’s Day promotion with Glendalough Distillery cocktail recipes.

Without a doubt, you should have plenty of the expected Irish whiskeys on hand. However, Glendalough Distillery Double Barrel, Pot Still, Wild Gin, and Rose Gin are extraordinary Irish whiskeys and gins.

Each spirit the distillery crafts honors the art of Irish distillation, a craft that stretches back centuries. What’s more, each whiskey Glendalough crafts is single malt—there are no light-bodied blends in their lineup.

To learn more, check out episode 71 of the Bar Hacks podcast with Glendalough Distillery co-founder and national brand ambassador Donal O’Gallachoir.

by David Klemt

Glendalough Distillery Wild Gin Irish gin

8 Amazing Irish Whiskey and Gin Cocktails

Below, eight refreshing and sophisticated drink recipes made with Glendalough whiskeys and gins. Sláinte!

Glendalough Distillery Double Barrel Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The Lough Inn

This highball is made with Glendalough Double Barrel, a single-grain Irish whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Oloroso sherry casks.

  • 2 oz. Glendalough Double Barrel Single Grain Irish Whiskey
  • 1 oz. Spiced honey syrup (see note)
  • 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
  • Soda to top
  • Lemon wheel or slice to garnish
  • Mint leaf to garnish
  • 1 cup Honey for spiced honey syrup
  • 0.5 cup Water for spiced honey syrup
  • 4 Cinnamon sticks for spiced honey syrup
  • 1 pod Star anise for spiced honey syrup

Add ice to a highball glass, then add first three ingredients. Top with soda water. Garnish with lemon wheel or slice and freshly torn mint leaf.

For spiced honey syrup: Add honey, water, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to pot. Bring to a boil, then stir. Strain into container.

Glendalough Distillery Pot Still single malt Irish whiskey

Pot Still Highball

Deceptively simple to build, this cocktail highlights the terroir of the land surrounding Glendalough Distillery.

  • 1.5 oz. Glendalough Pot Still
  • Soda to top
  • Grapefruit peel to garnish
  • Mint leaf to garnish (freshly torn and slapped, of course)

Prepare a highball glass with an ice shard, spear or cylinder. Pour in Glendalough Pot Still whiskey, then top with soda. Glendalough Distillery recommends a 1:2 ratio, Pot Still to soda. Garnish with mint leaf.

Glendalough Distillery Wild Gin Negroni cocktail

Glendalough Negroni

The foraged botanicals in Glendalough Wild Gin add even more complexity and depth to the classic Negroni. In fact, the flavors work so well this recipe maintains the Negroni’s crucial 1:1:1 ratio.

Prepare an Old Fashioned with ice. Add first three ingredients to glass in the above order. Add more ice if necessary. Stir, express orange peel, and place as garnish.

Glendalough Distillery Wild Gin Irish gin

Glendalough Wicklow 75

Bubbles make everything better and everyone happier.

Add all ingredients to shaker. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into Champagne flute, top with Prosecco, and garnish with lemon twist.

Glendalough Distillery Rose Gin Irish gin and cocktails

Glendalough Rose G&T

This simple classic receives a huge visual and aromatic boost from Glendalough Rose Gin.

  • 2 oz. Glendalough Rose Gin
  • Tonic to top (the higher the quality, the better)
  • Lime slice
  • Mint leaves

Add ice to glass, then add Rose Gin. Top with tonic, and garnish with lime slice and mint leaves.

Glendalough Distillery Rose Gin Fizz

Glendalough Rose Gin Fizz

One way to elevate the highball is to use a striking pink-hued Irish gin.

  • 1.5 oz. Glendalough Rose Gin
  • 0.5 oz. Elderflower liqueur
  • Raspberry & Lime sparkling water to top
  • Lime wheel to garnish

Add ice (spear, shard or cylinder for impact), Rose Gin, and liqueur to highball glass. Stir, then add sparkling water to top. Garnish with lime wheel.

 

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Glendalough Rose Collins

Boost the classic Collins with Glendalough’s striking rose-petal gin.

  • 1.5 oz. of Glendalough Rose Gin
  • 1 oz. of Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 0.5 oz. of Sugar syrup (1:1 ratio, hot water to sugar)
  • Soda to top
  • Lemon peel to garnish
  • Cherry to garnish

Combine first three ingredients in a shaker with a cup of ice. Place an ice shard, spear or cylinder to a highball glass. Shake until well chilled, then strain into glass. Top with soda, and garnish with lemon peel and cherry.

Glendalough Distillery Rose Gin Hibiscus Rose

Glendalough Hibiscus Rose

Refreshing and flavorful, the hibiscus tea syrup plays incredibly well with Glendalough Rose Gin.

  • 1.5 oz. Glendalough Rose Gin
  • 0.5 oz. Hibiscus tea syrup (see note)
  • 0.5 oz. Lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
  • Prosecco to top
  • Dehydrated lemon wheel to garnish
  • Rose petals to garnish
  • 33 oz. Water for hibiscus tea syrup
  • 16 oz. Sugar for hibiscus tea syrup

Add first three ingredients and ice to a shaker. Shake until well chilled and double strain into a coupe.  Top with Prosecco, and garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel and rose petals.

For the hibiscus tea syrup: Steep seven hibiscus tea bags in 33 ounces of water for 15 minutes. Add 16 ounces of sugar.

Images & Recipes: Glendalough Distillery

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Two people throwing axes at Dueling Axes Las Vegas inside Area15
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Bar Hacks: Dueling Axes Las Vegas

Bar Hacks: Dueling Axes Las Vegas

by David Klemt

Two people throwing axes at Dueling Axes Las Vegas inside Area15

Dueling Axes Las Vegas general manager David Peterson drops by the Bar Hacks podcast to chat about this unique venue.

Interestingly, Dueling Axes Las Vegas is located inside of another unique venue, Area15.

Peterson describes the axe-throwing business he manages as upscale, approachable, and one of a kind. He describes Area15 as “an adult playground.”

So, what we have here is a one-of-a-kind venue inside a unique adult playground in America’s Playground.

Additionally, this business is leveraging one of the fastest-growing and most-popular forms of entertainment sweeping the US.

A Disclaimer

Before we get into the important details Peterson shares in episode 41 of Bar Hacks, a bit of housekeeping.

To be totally transparent, the audio is a bit muffled. It’s one of the occasional byproducts of recording via the Internet. We feel it’s worth being patient to take in all the information Peterson shares. And, of course, we thank all of you who have been patient and listened to episode 41.

However, try as we did to clean up the audio (running filters, using tools, adjusting frequencies, etc.), we understand muffled audio can be frustrating. In other words, we can’t blame anyone deciding to read about this episode instead. So, we’ve chosen to share Peterson’s insights here, on the KRG Hospitality website.

The Experience

Dueling Axes Las Vegas is one of three locations. The other two are in New Albany and Columbus, Ohio.

Per Peterson, the Las Vegas venue is 6,700 square feet. That’s huge for an axe-throwing operation.

There are 18 lanes, four of which are VIP. Guests wishing for a more intimate experience will appreciate the VIP lanes. These lanes come with their own server and axe-throwing coach.

However, VIPs aren’t the only guests who will find the venue special.

Dueling Axes Las Vegas offers everyone an upscale experience that’s comfortable and approachable: The cocktail bar inside the venue is high end, the seating in the lounge area is plush, and the lanes themselves are a notch above what most axe-throwing businesses offer.

Much like a firing range has range safety officers (RSOs), Dueling Axes employs coaches. These team members ensure everyone is being safe and, equally as importantly, having fun.

Not sticking the target can be incredibly frustrating for a guest. So, Peterson’s coaches are the lookout—and also listen—for people missing their throws. They can usually help guests correct their technique in short order, thereby ensuring they have a great experience.

That’s a crucial component of this operation. If the guests are feeling frustration rather than fun, the team has failed. According to Peterson, team training is key to Dueling Axes.

By the Numbers

If you’re reading this, you’re likely interested in starting up an axe-throwing venue. Or, perhaps you’re wondering about adding it to an existing business.

Before you run out to grab lumber and axes, there are some things you need to know.

First, this an organized sport. Therefore, Dueling Axes uses World Axe Throwing League (WATL) axes. At the Vegas location, these are 1.25 pounds.

Second, the distance to target (or boards) is the same as WATL participants throw. However, the league has made their bullseyes smaller. Peterson says there are no plans to shrink the bullseye for their everyday guests.

Third, prepare to go through a lot of boards. According to Peterson, Dueling Axes Las Vegas goes through about 20 boards a day. Replacements can be needed every three to five hours. He says his team can get boards replaced in about four minutes using drills or, in the case of bent screws, pliers.

Which brings us to the fourth point: another cost for axe-throwing venues is the axes. Sometimes, axes break. This is down to several factors, such as the grain from the manufacturing process of a particular batch; the temperatures of the market; and guests hitting the screws in the boards.

Fifth, and Peterson finds this fascinating, women “drive and dominate axe throwing.” At least, he says at the Las Vegas outpost of Dueling Axes. He estimates 60 percent of their guests are women.

Also, he says women tend to be more precise. Perhaps, as he theorizes during episode 41 of Bar Hacks, this is because he’s noticed that they listen more during the 10- to 15-minute safety and technique training portion of the experience. (The training takes place before guests begin their hour of throwing and isn’t counted against it.)

Connect with Dueling Axes Las Vegas

To learn more, be sure to check out the Dueling Axes Las Vegas website and the site for their Ohio locations.

You can also connect with them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Of course, you should definitely connect with Dueling Axes on YouTube and watch their vides for a more immersive look into what they offer.

Image: Dueling Axes Las Vegas (Facebook)

Flipping through an open book
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Books to Read this Month: May

5 Books to Read this Month: May

by David Klemt

Flipping through an open book

This month’s fun and informative book selections will help you develop next-level culinary, beverage and leadership skills.

To review last month’s book recommendations, click here.

Let’s dive in!

Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A.

Who doesn’t love Danny Trejo? His story is inspiring, his IMDB page is full of memorable characters, and he’s got fast-casual restaurants and a coffee shop. Trejo’s cookbook features 75 recipes and tons of insight into the man himself.

Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon?

Learn how to organize and execute an awesome tasting from Peggy Noe Stevens, the first female master bourbon taster in the world and founder of the Bourbon Women Association, and Susan Reigler, a prolific bourbon correspondent and author. Which Fork Do I Use with My Bourbon? includes tips, recipes and more for pulling off a great bourbon-centric event.

Zero: A New Approach to Non-Alcoholic Drinks

From the unique minds behind the ultra-creative Aviary cocktail bar comes Zero. If you’re looking to elevate your non-alcohol menu and approach to creating zero-proof drinks, this is the book for you. In addition to about 100 recipes, this book shares insights into Chef Grant Achatz’s culinary approach to cocktails, whether low-, zero- or full-proof.

Finding Fire: Cooking at its Most Elemental

Like Bar Hacks podcast guest Chef Brian Duffy said on episode 33, we’re fully in a comfort food zone. We’re also back to the fundamentals and simple techniques. When it comes to cooking, nothing is more fundamental than using fire. Chef Lennox Hastie dives deep into cooking with fire and provides 80 recipes in Finding Fire.

How to Listen with Intention

There’s a misconception among many business owners and managers that leadership is just delegating and issuing orders. Too many people forget that listening is a key element of leadership. Patrick King’s book How to Listen with Intention aims to change our mindset so we view listening as a superpower.

Image: Mikołaj on Unsplash 

Flipping through an open book
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Books to Read this Month

5 Books to Read this Month

by David Klemt

Flipping through an open book

Spring is traditionally the time when we’re meant to reinvent or otherwise better ourselves. These books can help you do just that.

Some will help you expand or enter this business, others will boost your marketing and social media, and a couple will help you refresh your drink menu.

With restrictions easing and vaccination rates in the United States growing, now’s the time to improve yourself and your business.

Prepare now for pent-up demand for in-person dining and drinking.

Food Truck Business Guide for Beginners

Looking to enter this industry with a food truck or expand your existing business with one? This book is a great place to start.

Food Truck Business Guide for Beginners is a comprehensive guide that covers:

  • common mistakes that lead to food truck failure, and exactly how to avoid them;
  • the most successful ways to secure funding;
  • how to master marketing;
  • best practices for passing health inspections;
  • tackling and mastering marketing for your business;
  • and many more topics.

The Terroir of Whiskey: A Distiller’s Journey Into the Flavor of Place

Dr. Rob Arnold is a plant biochemist and the master distiller at TX Distillery. To say he understands the science of whiskey and terroir is obvious.

What’s less obvious is the direction Dr. Arnold’s book heads into. He takes readers to distilleries in Kentucky, Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere, but he takes things further.

In The Terroir of Whiskey, Dr. Arnold shines a light on plant breeders, local farmers, and distillers bringing back “lost” grains. These same innovators are also attempting to create new grains to further develop terroir.

This book will definitely enhance your whiskey knowledge and engagement with guests.

Rad Cocktails

Yes, this book’s description states that it focuses on the home bartender.

No, that doesn’t mean bartenders, operators, and other hospitality pros can’t learn from it.

Rad Cocktails, in addition to including awesome illustrations, also embodies a growing cocktail trend: simplification. Innovative cocktails don’t have to be complicated or take ten minutes to build.

Beautiful Booze: Stylish Cocktails to Make at Home

Natalie Migliarini, also known as Beautiful Booze, has more than 95,000 followers on Instagram. Her cocktail recipes, photographs and mastery of social media help her stand out in a roiling sea of influencers.

Her first book, Beautiful Booze: Stylish Cocktails to Make at Home, also targets home bartenders…on the surface. This book, creative cocktail recipes, can help elevate anyone’s bartending skills. The beautiful photography will also help inspire anyone to take their social media shooting to the next level.

Hacking the New Normal: Hitting the Reset Button on the Hospitality Industry

Alright, this may seem self-serving. However, I wouldn’t have written the foreword for a book I didn’t believe this book would truly help people.

Millions of hospitality industry professionals’ lives were imperiled at the start of last year. We continue to innovate and adapt to overcome unprecedented challenges.

Hacking the New Normal addresses the need for an industry-wide reset and seeks to guide operators through rebuilding for the long term, and to strengthen the industry moving forward.

Image: Mikołaj on Unsplash 

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