Bar Hacks: Tales of the Cocktail
by David Klemt
Tales of the Cocktail returns next month not only in a new format but with all-new features for 2021 and beyond.
Running from September 20 through 23, Tales of the Cocktail 2021 will be a hybrid event. The digital/in-person industry show is free for attendees this year.
Eileen Wayner, CEO of Tales of the Cocktail, and Neal Bodenheimer (a board member and operator) drop by the Bar Hacks podcast for this week’s episode to talk about the 2021 event.
Learn more below.
Hybrid Format
The 19th annual Tales of the Cocktail will offer something for everyone in the industry.
So, those who wish to visit New Orleans for Tales can do so. Also, the show will be accessible to attendees more comfortable with a digital experience this time around.
Anyone attending in person needs to know two things: First, Tales will adhere to New Orleans mask and vaccine mandates and policies.
Second, Hurricane Ida made landfall this past Sunday, knocking out power to more than a million people. In-person attendees should monitor the situation and be sensitive to what people in New Orleans are experiencing.
Intriguingly, Tales 2021 will feature brand activations not just in New Orleans but in other cities as well. Pop-ups are on the schedule for New York City and London. Tales will announce more as details emerge.
Tales Evolves
For obvious reasons, Tales will be different this year. However, that isn’t a negative—the event is evolving.
For instance, the Spirited Awards will take place this month. Acknowledging that it’s simply not fair or possible “to honor every award category for 2021,” this years awards will be different.
At this year’s event, the following categories will be awarded:
- Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
- Pioneer Award
- Timeless U.S. Award
- Timeless International Award
- Best: Cocktail & Spirits Publication; Cocktail & Spirits Writing; New Cocktail or Bartending Book; New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits; and Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
Of course, there are other new event features. On Sunday, September 19, Tales will host the Diversity Distilled Career Fair. A direct response to so many in the industry losing jobs and the current labor shortage, employers will post job listings; review resumes; and more.
Listen Today
Wayner and Bodenheimer share more details in this week’s Bar Hacks episode.
So, to find out what to expect about this year’s Tales of the Cocktail (and a bit about the future of the event), listen to episode 48 today.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor.fm, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Cheers!
Image: Adam Jaime on Unsplash