Latest news with #TraderVics
Associated Press
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Golden State Gears Up for a Rum Renaissance: San Francisco Rum Festival & Congress Returns for its 10th Anniversary
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2025 / / -- The West Coast's most spirited celebration is back. The 10th annual San Francisco Rum Festival & Congress, also known as the California Rum Fest NoCal Edition, will take over Trader Vic's Emeryville for two days of tastings, education, and celebration—featuring more than 85 acclaimed rum brands and nearly 200 unique expressions from around the world. Organized by TheRumLab, this milestone year promises not just world-class rum, but also a deep dive into the culture, craftsmanship, and community behind it. Attendees will swirl, sip, and savor their way through sunset tastings, expert-led seminars, and brand-new features—including DaiquiríMania, a cocktail-and-music showcase celebrating creative twists on the classic daiquirí. 'California is the second-largest rum market in the country, and the San Francisco Bay Area is a hub for cocktail culture,' said Federico J. Hernández, founder and producer of the San Francisco Rum Festival & Congress. 'This event is where trade professionals, rum aficionados, tiki enthusiasts, and curious newcomers can connect, learn, and discover the next chapter in rum's story.' A Proven Recipe for Success The 2024 edition drew hundreds of participants, with more than 5,000 rum samples poured from top-tier international brands. Last year's highlights included: - 40+ Rum Congress attendees - 157 trade professionals - 140 VIP rum experts and enthusiasts - 290 first-time attendees - Over 150 premium rum expressions showcased New in 2025: DaiquiríMania Presented by REAL Ingredients, DaiquiríMania will feature live music, inventive cocktails, and the artistry of bartenders reimagining one of rum's most iconic serves. Both seasoned rum fans and casual cocktail drinkers seeking a festival-within-a-festival vibe will enjoy this lively program. Ticketed Experiences Guests can choose from multiple ticket options, including: - VIP Rum Experts Session – 5.5 hours with early admission, exclusive tastings, and seminars - Industry Trade Session – Networking, tastings, and trade-focused programming for bar, restaurant, and retail professionals - VIP Rum Enthusiast Session – 4 hours with early admission and premium access - Intro to Rum General Admission – 3-hour tasting session including access to DaiquiríMania - Rum Congress – A full day of advanced seminars and discussions led by global rum authorities Rum's California Comeback According to Park Street, rum made up 7.4% of total U.S. spirits consumption in 2023, with California ranking second nationwide in 9-liter case sales. This surge is fueling demand for new expressions, styles, and knowledge—making the Bay Area an ideal stage for the festival's 10th anniversary. About TheRumLab TheRumLab is a creative production agency specializing in events that celebrate rum culture. Founded by Federico J. Hernández, TheRumLab produces major rum festivals in Puerto Rico, California, Chicago, New York, Texas, Spain, and Miami, attracting industry leaders, spirits enthusiasts, and curious consumers alike. Event Details & Tickets: Federico Hernández The Rum Lab by EmpresasFH [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
First Look: The Beverly Hilton Unveils Its Most Ambitious Renovation Yet
The star-studded hotel is preparing for a head-turning makeover. The Beverly Hilton As The Beverly Hilton celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer, the legendary hotel revealed exclusively to Forbes Travel Guide its plans for the most comprehensive renovation in its storied and star-studded history — a sweeping transformation that will honor its past while embracing contemporary luxury. Set to be completed in 2027, the ambitious project is led by David Collins Studio (whose projects include suites by David Beckham at The Londoner Hotel in Macau; Mandarin Oriental, Doha; and Café de Paris Monte-Carlo) and will touch nearly every corner of the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel, including a revamped lobby where countless stars have made their grand entrances; renovated event spaces, guest rooms and suites; and new restaurants and luxury boutiques. The property will honor the past while embracing contemporary luxury. The Beverly Hilton The Beverly Hilton opened to much fanfare in 1955. Conrad Hilton, the founder of the eponymous hotel, had women sit atop pink-painted elephants at the entrance. Beyond the theatrics, the property established itself as an innovator, pioneering hotel technology with high-speed elevators and individual air-conditioning thermostats in guest accommodations. The hotel also housed an outpost of the famous Trader Vic's — owner 'Trader' Vic Bergeron claimed to have invented the rum-spiked mai tai in 1944 — which quickly became a favored haunt of the Rat Pack and Hollywood's elite. The renovation seeks to honor the Beverly Hills hotel's glamorous heritage while introducing contemporary sophistication. The property will retain its white mid-century modern Welton Becket façade, featuring a cherry-red 'The Beverly Hilton' sign, but it will receive a reimagined porte-cochère. The hotel will serve as a cultural and architectural anchor of One Beverly Hills, a 17.5-acre destination devised by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster, in collaboration with Kerry Hill Architects, that will connect the property and next-door neighbor Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills to Aman's forthcoming urban hotel, its first on the West Coast (the East Coast urban outpost opened in 2022); luxury residences; a private members' club; and lush botanical gardens with more than 200 species of California native and water-wise plants and trees. The centerpiece of the redesign will be the iconic Aqua Star Pool. Swimming champion and Old Hollywood starlet Esther Williams christened Beverly Hills' largest pool when hotelier Conrad Hilton debuted his flagship property. The pool also made a splash when Angelina Jolie took a plunge in it wearing a silver sequined Randolph Duke gown after winning a Golden Globe for Gia in 1999. The iconic Aqua Star Pool will be a part of the transformation. The Beverly Hilton 'The Beverly Hilton has long been the stage for Hollywood's most unforgettable moments, from red carpet triumphs to legendary celebrations,' said general manager David Ecija. 'As we celebrate this remarkable anniversary, we're proud to invite guests into a year of exceptional experiences.' One of these experiences will start in August. The property will host Decades Dinners, a series of invitation-only meals in the Presidential Suite meant to help guests travel back in time with menus and cocktails inspired by different eras from the hotel's history, with vintage-looking tablescapes and more. You can also relive moments from the hotel's glory years with the 70th Anniversary Package, which includes a Penthouse Suite (where you will find some surprise nostalgic amenities), a rental from Hollywood Classic Cars and a seven-course Decades Dinner drawn from the hotel's archival menus. Toast the hotel's milestone with the limited-edition Beverly Hilton Reserve. Made in partnership with Beverly Spirits, the 100-proof American whiskey blends 60% bourbon and 40% rye. The spirit will be available in a cocktail at the property's CIRCA 55 Rooftop Restaurant + Lounge as well as served as part of the Decades Dinners. The ambitious project should be complete by 2027. The Beverly Hilton The Beverly Hilton also teamed up with local artist Henry Kaye to create original illustrations and designs that honor its legacy. You can see his work across the hotel, from keepsakes to the special Iconic Decades cocktails menu at the Decades Dinners and CIRCA 55. You can experience the hotel's glitzy past in the lobby, where a selfie station features a piece of the red carpet from the Golden Globes — the hotel's International Ballroom has hosted the famed awards ceremony since 1961, one of 175 red-carpet events the property holds each year (Forbes Travel Guide even held its annual invitation-only Summit, the preeminent luxury travel conference, at the property in 2018 and 2019). For another photo op, head to the CIRCA 55 Rooftop and step into the only operating analog film photo booth in Beverly Hills. The restored 1950s-era booth from Photomatica spits out black-and-white photo strips on film for a personalized keepsake. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 27 Hotels With Luxury Car Collaborations By Melinda Sheckells Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Wynn Las Vegas Gathers Culinary Icons, Including Ducasse And Lagasse, For A Once-In-A-Lifetime Dinner By Jennifer Kester
