Welcome to our new From the Editor column! Each month, I'll pop in to share our top stories, talk about trends, and let you know what I'm drinking.
It's hard to believe we're already at the end of February! With March on the horizon, things have been busy at Bar & Restaurant with both our Vibe Conference and Bar & Restaurant Expo taking place this month.
Here’s the latest on what we’re publishing, what to expect from our shows, and the drinks I’m recommending this month.
Did You Miss These Articles?
The country has been caught up in a whirlwind of news thanks to a new presidential administration, so I wanted to recap three of the top articles we published this month.
NYC Congestion Pricing's Impact on Restaurants: Congestion pricing went into effect in NYC at the start of the year, charging any cars south of 60th street a $9 toll. The federal government has ordered NYC to stop the tolls, but the state and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (which stands to benefit from the revenue brought in by the tolls) is fighting back. Read our story to find out how the toll is affecting city restaurants and bars.
What to Do if ICE Visits Your Restaurant: On his first day in office, President Trump signed a number of Executive Orders targeting immigration and expanding the legal authorities and infrastructures used to enforce immigration law against immigrants already in the U.S. According to the National Restaurant Association, immigrants make up over 20% of all U.S. workers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. As a result, the restaurant industry stands to be greatly affected by enforcement of, and changes to, immigration policies. In this article, we share advice from law firms on how to handle potential ICE visits.
Does DEI Belong on the Menu?: The dismantling of federal and private DEI programs was in the headlines this month. So we reached out to some industry folks and asked them: Does DEI really matter in the bar and restaurant industry? What role does it play? Get the answers in our latest article.
Vibe Conference is Next Week
The 2025 Vibe Conference takes place next week in San Diego, California at the Town & Country Resort. I’m most excited for the return of Keynote Speaker Kim Lear as she dives deeper into what the on-premise industry can expect from Gen-Z (less drinking, for sure!).
Bar & Restaurant Expo has TWO Phenomenal Keynotes
Since we’re on the subject of speakers, we have two killer keynotes for the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, which returns to Las Vegas March 24-26.
On Tuesday, Will Guidara—former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, and co-producer of FX’s hit series The Bear—will be offering actionable insights on team culture, guest experience, and scaling hospitality with heart.
And then on Wednesday we have King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff, talking about innovation and bold strategies that go beyond traditional beverage programs.
If you haven’t registered yet, do it now! It’s a rare opportunity to see these two powerhouses at the same show!
What I’m Drinking
Monin recently sent me their Flavor of the Year, Yuzu. The bright, citrus puree was a welcome addition to my bar in one of the dreariest months of the year. In an effort to trick myself into believing spring is around the corner (I live in New England, we’ve got awhile), I tried their Yuzu Lemon Drop recipe:
1 ½ oz vodka
1 oz Monin Yuzu Puree
1 oz Fresh lemon juice
Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed. Shake and strain into chilled serving glass.
If you’re looking for a simple, three-ingredient recipe to add to your menus, give it a try. The bright yellow hue is a nice touch as well!
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Plan to Attend or Participate in Our Events:
- 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 24-26, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada. Register Now!
- 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo Denver, October 26-28, 2025, Denver, Colorado
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at our events, fill out our form.
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