EDITOR L
THE FUTURE OF THE HAPPY HOUR
AI CONVERSATION WITH BAR OWNER ISHMAEL ARVELO
we asked the AI to envision the future of the happy hour, and we had a conversation with the fictional bar owner Ishmael Alvero, who gave us his professional point of view
MR ARVELO, WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE HAPPY HOUR BAR?
The future of the happy hour bar is about transcending its original concept—a brief evening interlude—into a curated experience that adapts to people’s evolving lives. It will be a space where every detail feels intentional: a playlist evolving with the sunset, food designed not just for taste but for the way it complements the drink, and cocktails that tell personal stories. This is no longer a “pause” in the day; it becomes the highlight, where time slows, connections deepen, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Design and menu should act as a cultural bridge, honoring the spirit of the locale while speaking to a global audience. In my bar, the walls feature textures reminiscent of Caribbean beaches, but the lines are modern, reflecting an international sensibility. On the menu, traditional Caribbean ingredients like sorrel or allspice meet global techniques like molecular foams or Japanese ice carving. It’s about crafting a dialogue—locals feel proud, and visitors feel intrigued. When done right, the space itself becomes a cultural ambassador.
In today’s world, we crave connection and authenticity, and happy hour bars can fill that gap as “third places”—neutral zones between home and work. To achieve this, the bar needs to feel welcoming and functional: modular seating for group dynamics, alcoves for intimate moments, and perhaps even quiet corners for reading or solo relaxation. My bar also incorporates elements like personal touches in service—guests can have a “signature drink” logged on our system, reinforcing their sense of belonging. It’s about creating a tactile, emotional refuge where people feel seen, known, and at ease.
The notion of luxury is shifting from being untouchable to being deeply personal. My philosophy is that luxury is in the thoughtfulness—single-origin spirits, handmade garnishes, or bespoke glassware that enhances the sensory experience of every sip. The bar itself reflects this ethos: warm lighting, locally crafted furniture, and a layout that feels intimate, not imposing. True luxury doesn’t intimidate; it embraces. By focusing on the details that elevate comfort, we can create spaces that redefine exclusivity—not as who’s allowed in, but as how special every guest feels.
“The notion of luxury is shifting from being untouchable to being deeply personal. My philosophy is that luxury is in the thoughtfulness”
Bars are at the crossroads of culture, and every detail can tell a story. In my bar, the materials in the decor—the woven fibers, polished shells, or dark woods—speak to a Caribbean ancestry, while the cocktails narrate a global journey, blending my heritage with inspirations from my travels. For instance, a rum-based cocktail with Japanese yuzu and French elderflower becomes a story of migration and exchange. Every element, from the scent of spices in the air to the choice of music, works together to immerse the guest in a cultural narrative that leaves a lasting impression.
HOW MIGHT THE BOUNDARIES OF SENSORY ENGAGEMENT EXPAND IN HAPPY HOUR EXPERIENCES?
The future of sensory engagement is about creating environments that spark emotion at every level. Imagine entering a bar where the lighting mimics the shifting hues of a sunset or where a faint breeze carries the scent of citrus groves as you sip your cocktail. Drinks can go beyond taste—they can evoke memories through their aroma, texture, or presentation. I experiment with elements like edible flowers that bloom in cocktails or glassware that cools your hand just so. The experience becomes not just about consumption but transformation—a place where every sense is delighted, and you leave with more than you came for.
THE DIGITAL TRAIL
We decided to dive into the modern tools and harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to explore how technology, with no human boundary, can help us show and put into context the new world we are imagining with our products, challenging the familiar and reshaping the future of our market.
Follow along with a series of AI-generated interviews to fictional architects, chefs and experts in the field, that will let you explore our new point of view on the world and let us show our ideas through a digital lens.
Together with AI we are exploring the challenges of our vision