Perhaps more than most industries, bars exist in a constant state of evolution. Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic brought them to a standstill, drinking establishments are embracing new tactics and weathering industry-wide disruptions at a faster pace than ever before. As the owner of multiple New York City bars with 15 years' experience, my job is to stay on top of where things are heading — and predict where they'll go next. Beyond my own observations, I consulted trusted colleagues to learn which trends are shaping the industry today. Here are just a few of the most notable ways bars have changed so far this year.