Home » Bartending News » Drinks With Benefits Expands Into Two-Day Festival Highlighting the Future of Mindful Drinking
The Daily Pour’s DWB Summit brings together beverage leaders, founders, and hospitality innovators before a consumer-facing festival celebrating the growth of non-alcoholic and functional beverages.
The conversation around what belongs behind the bar continues to evolve, and Drinks With Benefits (DWB) is bringing together the people shaping that future. The annual festival from The Daily Pour is expanding into a two-day experience dedicated to the growing world of non-alcoholic, functional, and better-for-you beverages.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025 that welcomed more than 1,000 attendees and 70+ sponsors, DWB will now begin with the DWB Summit on September 16, an exclusive gathering for trade professionals, founders, and industry innovators, followed by a public-facing festival experience on September 17.
As guest expectations continue to change, bartenders and bar owners are finding new opportunities to build more inclusive beverage programs that offer thoughtful options for every guest. DWB’s trade-focused summit is designed to bring together the people driving innovation in the category, featuring discussions around entrepreneurship, investment, retail strategy, and the future of beverage.
The summit will feature leaders from across the beverage world, including founders, investors, operators, and creators who are helping define the next generation of drinking culture.
The consumer festival on September 17 will transform the Altman Building in New York City into an immersive showcase of non-alcoholic and functional beverages. The event will feature a Tasting Gallery highlighting innovative brands, a Mixology Lab where guests and industry professionals can create their own zero-proof cocktails, and additional experiences focused on wellness, culinary pairings, and hospitality.
For bartenders, the Mixology Lab represents the continued evolution of zero-proof cocktails — moving beyond simple substitutions and toward thoughtfully crafted drinks built around flavor, technique, and experience.
Founded by entrepreneur and TV personality Dan Abrams, The Daily Pour has positioned itself as a platform focused on helping modern drinkers discover new beverage experiences across categories, including whiskey, tequila, agave, rum, and non-alcoholic offerings.
As the industry continues to redefine what a “drink” can be, events like Drinks With Benefits provide bartenders with inspiration, education, and a look into where beverage culture is headed next.
Bottom Line for Bars: The future of hospitality is about choice. Whether a guest wants a classic cocktail, a low-ABV option, or a thoughtfully crafted zero-proof creation, the best bars will continue to meet guests where they are — with creativity, quality, and great hospitality at the center.