Las Vegas is more than just a mecca for gambling, gaming and, more recently, sports. It’s also a food capital of the world with over-the-top hotel buffets—such as the iconic Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace—and restaurants opened by famed chefs like Bazaar Meat by José Andrés and Amalfi by Bobby Flay, and no shortage of concepts from celebrities (think: Pinky’s by Vanderpump). Thus, it only makes sense that the Bar & Restaurant Expo descends on Sin City each year. 

In its 39th edition, the Bar & Restaurant Expo—which describes itself as a “battleground” for F&B professionals—will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 25-26. Attendance is expected to beat last year’s figure of 12,378, marking the third year of growth since the conference was renamed from the Nightclub & Bar Show to the Bar & Restaurant Expo in 2022 in an effort to support more segments of the hospitality industry, including owners, operators, general managers, and even startup F&B founders. 

Tim McLucas, vice president and market leader of Hospitality Group for the expo producer Questex, said the estimated increase in attendance at the 2025 event is attributable to “expanded programming, new immersive activations, and widened networking opportunities that [the expo has] introduced based on attendee feedback.” 

In the spirit of growth, McLucas said that exhibitors will also balloon as much as 10% from the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, when 500 exhibitors showcased their products and services. 

What’s new 

Themed activations and experiences on the show floor are among the most notable improvements to programming, said McLucas. Here are three new experiences attendees can expect to find: 

• The Cocktail Clubhouse: Designed as a hub to “sip, sample, and boost your bottom line,” the Cocktail Clubhouse will come to life as a curated, fully functional bar in the middle of the show floor. Here, “beverage professionals can sample and discover the latest innovation in beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcohol [beverages], and network with top brands and key industry buyers,” McLucas said. 
• Food & Beverage Innovation Center: It doesn't get more immersive than a test kitchen, and McLucas teased there will be one on the expo floor, equipped with “the latest electric equipment provided by Middleby.” In addition, both days of the Bar & Restaurant Expo will include live cooking demonstrations from top chefs who will also offer “thousands of samples, innovative cooking techniques, new equipment, and ways to elevate menus to boost revenue and deliver an enhanced guest experience,” said McLucas. 
• International F&B Pavilions: Expect to find areas dedicated to cuisines from Japan, Italy, and Mexico, just to name a few, as international F&B trends have increasingly become top-of-mind for expo attendees, McLucas said. “These areas highlight authentic culinary trends and international flavors as operators seek to learn about new ideas, products, and techniques that can offer their customers a fresh and unique experience,” he added. 

Speaking of international influences, the Bar & Restaurant Expo will also be welcoming back the uber-popular Italian Aperitivo Showcase, which debuted at the 2024 event in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency. “We are eager to expand our activities supporting the Italian Spirits industry to the West Coast,” Erica Di Giovancarlo, Italian Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the United States, said ahead of the showcase’s debut. 

Memorable mingling 

Networking is also a key element of the Bar & Restaurant Expo which, although it dropped “nightclub” from its name, still leans on Vegas’s bustling social scene for memorable mingling. And it’s all starting before the show’s kickoff with a “Sunday Industry Night” on March 23 at The Cosmopolitan’s Marquee Nightclub. After 10:30 p.m., any badge to the Bar & Restaurant Expo is valid for complementary access to the hotspot. 

All other afterparties during the show are available as part of the “Late-Night Networking Bundle,” which are included with Deluxe Pass and Expo Plus Passes that are going for $879 and $339, respectively. “Industry Afterparty I” on March 24 is at Wynn’s XS Nightclub, while "Industry Afterparty II” is set to cap off the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo at Caesars Palace’s OMNIA Nightclub. Expect complimentary drinks from sponsors and DJ entertainment at both events. 

It’s these industry parties that have been “a huge draw” for attendees in recent years, according to McLucas, who said that attendees "value face-to-face connections now more than ever.”  

All about the experience 

Immersion and customization are also top of mind, he said, pointing to an uptick in live demos, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities like the Future Proof Experience—another new experience this year that’s all about exploring the latest tech—as proof that Questex listens to its attendees’ preferences. 

Those preferences have changed over the years, McLucas noted. “When Questex first began operating Bar & Restaurant Expo, the event primarily focused on providing a platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services to attendees. While that foundation remains strong, the expo has evolved significantly into an immersive experience that not only showcases innovation but also provides actionable insights,” he explained.  

The “Non Alc Zone” is a great example of this evolution because it’s not only about showcasing zero-proof products, but also about how owners, operators, and bartenders alike can leverage the $30 billion segment to create a dynamic non-alcoholic menu that offers key revenue opportunities, McLucas added. 

Across everything new, noteworthy, and nostalgic at the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, McLucas expects five themes to prevail: profitability through innovation; global inspiration; sustainability and technology; career development; and networking and collaboration. “By focusing on these key themes, the Expo ensures attendees leave with actionable solutions to navigate today’s challenges while preparing for future success,” he said. 

Photos: Courtesy of Questex

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