March 18, 2025 – Bar Pompette in Toronto has been announced as the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, part of the fourth annual North America’s 50 Best Bars awards, sponsored by Perrier. Created to recognize the importance of hospitality in the bar experience, the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is voted on by the 300-plus members of the North America’s 50 Best Bars Academy, who are asked to name the bar where they have received the single-best hospitality experience within the 18-month voting period. The Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is the first award in a series of special awards announced leading up to the highly anticipated awards ceremony for North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025.

Bar Pompette is a refined yet relaxed Toronto gem, known for its take on modern and classic cocktails. Located in the heart of Little Italy, the bar’s minimalist-chic design evokes the effortless charm of a Parisian café, which is juxtaposed with the creativity and inventiveness that drives the cocktail offering. Since earning a spot on the list in 2023, Bar Pompette has continued to elevate Toronto’s cocktail scene, with a seasonally rotating menu that highlights innovative flavors and expert craftsmanship. Guests can choose how they want to experience Bar Pompette, whether it’s imbibing casually or experiencing the process behind each drink, including a guided visit to the cocktail lab. With small bites from its sister French brasserie, guests are offered a taste of France while remaining grounded in the vibrant energy of Toronto. At Bar Pompette, the drinks, ambiance, and hospitality create a seamless blend of past and present, somewhere for people to linger, glass in hand, time and time again.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “It’s been incredible to see Bar Pompette’s growth since its first recognition on the list in 2023. From the expertly curated cocktail menu — where each drink tells a story of seasonal creativity and truly impressive craftmanship — to the inviting ambiance of its open-air patio and cosy, Cognac-colored banquettes, Bar Pompette creates that rare alchemy where world-class drinks and genuine, welcoming service collide. It’s a transportative destination, offering a taste of France with every sip, while managing to remain firmly rooted in the heart of Toronto’s dynamic cocktail scene. It’s that magical synergy between exceptional drinks and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back to Bar Pompette. ”

Co-founder Hugo Togni, a former chef, contributes culinary expertise to the bar's creative yet approachable drinks menu. Signature drinks like the Nitro Colada — served on tap with centrifuge-clarified pineapple juice and coconut oil-washed rum — and the Cornichon, a Martini-inspired cocktail featuring dill pickle distillate, showcase the team’s playful creativity. Even with these sophisticated methods, Bar Pompette remains a true neighborhood bar, where the focus is always on making every guest feel welcome.

Hugo Togni, Co-Owner of Bar Pompette says, “We are truly humbled and grateful to receive this award. More than just a bar, Bar Pompette is built on passion, dedication, and a genuine love for hospitality. Our team—many of whom have been together for nearly three years—has become like family, and that chemistry is what makes every service special. To us, it’s not just about making great drinks, but about creating a space where people feel at home, whether it’s their first visit or their fiftieth. Hospitality is at the heart of what we do, and we’re excited to keep sharing that experience with our guests every day.”

Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President of Michter’s Distillery, says: “Bar Pompette is a wonderful bar, and their hospitality is second to none. Congratulations to Maxime Hoerth, Hugo Togni, and the entire Bar Pompette team on this extremely well-deserved recognition.”

The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony will take place in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. This represents the first time the awards ceremony will be staged in Canada and recognizes the region’s presence on the global cocktail scene. North America’s 50 Best Bars aims to provide consumers with an exceptional list of expert-approved drinking destinations across North America.

The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars and the awards ceremony will also be broadcast to a global audience who are not able to attend in person, and bar and cocktail lovers will be invited to join through the 50 Best Bars TV channel.

VANCOUVER, BC, March 17, 2025 — The big-game experience at  is heating up and giving sports fans a chance to get a piece of the action like never before with the grand opening of its PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge at the downtown Vancouver play-and-stay destination (39 Smithe Street) on Saturday, March 22.

Located on Level 3, the  allows fans to place pre-game and live bets on nine dedicated PROLINE terminals while enjoying gameday eats and watching all the excitement unfold on a 50-foot screen showing up to 10 games at once.

The PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge terminals offer single-event betting, improved odds and same-day payouts with an array of leagues, games and markets — including TOTO, Oddset-2 and -3, Money Line, Point Spread, Total (Over/Under) and Props — to bet on, and is one of only two in-person sportsbook lounges in BC.

The PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge is just the latest addition to an already unbeatable gaming lineup at Parq Casino that includes a Level 2 Stadium Gaming setup that combines electronic table games, live dealer play and interconnected stations, new slot machine options on Levels 2 and 3 featuring hundreds of the most popular machines from around the globe, and a newly revamped table games area on Level 3 that includes a dozen new baccarat terminals as well as the Luna High Limits Slots Salon.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, guests can also enjoy live music with Pianos at Parq, featuring performances in the Sportsbook Lounge every Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. This entertainment experience adds to the fan-fueled atmosphere, making it the perfect place to keep the excitement going long after the game ends.

“Our new PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge further cements Parq’s status as Vancouver’s ultimate hotspot for game-day entertainment, giving guests the feeling of being part of every play,” says Parq Casino VP of Marketing, Karen Gray. “Whether you’re hanging out with friends or cheering on your favourite team, there’s no better place to be than in the heart of the excitement.”

Parq continues to set the standard for best practices in terms of responsible gambling, consistently earning top-five rankings in Canada and internationally, and currently holding the #1 and #2 rank for Canada and international casinos, respectively.

In addition to offering world-class casino gaming, Parq Casino is home to two luxury hotel properties — The JW Marriott and The DOUGLAS Autograph Collection — as well as The Spa by JW and numerous restaurants and amenities.

For more information about Parq Casino or to stay on top of all the developments and receive exclusive offers available only to members of Parq’s e-newsletter, please visit .

TORONTO, March 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Crown Royal is raising a glass to the Manitoba community with an unforgettable road trip across the province. From March 25 to 27, the Crown Royal Rig — a larger-than-life, whisky barrel-inspired purple 18-wheeler — will roll through iconic locations, giving back to the communities that fuel its legacy of craftmanship and community. With each stop, Crown Royal will spread its message of generosity, celebrating the people who make it Canada's no. 1 whisky.2

True to the Crown Royal spirit of giving back, this legendary road trip isn't just about toasting to the brand's roots, it's also about supporting the community that fuels it. Each Crown Royal Rig stop will serve as a hub, rallying the community to help pack boxes with non-perishable food items donated by Crown Royal for Harvest Manitoba, a not-for-profit, community-based organization dedicated to nourishing the province.

1 Association of Canadian Distillers January 2025 R12M Crown Royal trademark in value and volume
2 Association of Canadian Distillers January 2025 R12M Crown Royal trademark in value and volume

The multi-stop tour will kick off in Winnipeg on March 25, with a pre-game tailgate experience at True North Square to celebrate and watch the Winnipeg Jets vs. Washington Capitals game live. On March 26, the rig will make its way to Gimli, home of the Crown Royal Distillery to connect with local community members and pack boxes for Harvest Manitoba. The rig will wrap up its Canadian journey with a tailgate at Crown Royal partner and multi-platinum country music artist Kane Brown's 'The High Road Tour' Winnipeg tour stop on March 27. At each stop, the local community is invited to check out the rig, sample complimentary Crown Royal cocktails, music, and vibes, and enter for a chance to win prizes. As part of the celebration, Crown Royal will be donating non-perishable food items to support Harvest Manitoba, and guests are encouraged to join in by bringing their own contributions to help those in need. Each experience will be open to all 18+ visitors in Manitoba.

"At Crown Royal, we are incredibly proud of our Canadian heritage," says Nadia Niccoli, head of marketing at Diageo Canada. "Our iconic distillery in Gimli, Manitoba has been the beating heart of Crown Royal for decades, and this journey is an opportunity to raise a glass to the incredible people who continue to shape our legacy, and to the Crown fans who fill our cup on the daily."

"We are very grateful to Crown Royal for their support. Their partnership is helping us make a meaningful impact in our community, ensuring that those in need have access to food and resources," says Vince Barletta, President and CEO of Harvest Manitoba. "The Crown Royal Rig tour not only raises awareness for our mission here at Harvest Manitoba but also encourages the local community to come together and make a real difference."

Since 1968, Gimli, Manitoba has been home to Crown Royal whisky. Nestled along the shores of Lake Winnipeg, the 360-acre facility operates 24/7 with close to 80 skilled workers who craft and age more than 2 million barrels of whisky each year. For years, the people of Gimli have powered up Crown Royal with their craftsmanship and dedication, inspiring Canadians with the idea that home is where the Crown is. This road trip is an opportunity to inspire Crown fans to give back, spread generosity in our communities, and raise a glass to the incredible people who continue to shape our legacy.

Joining the road trip is TSNBarDown podcast host, life-long Winnipeg Jets fan, and proud Manitoban Jesse Pollock, who takes part in the Crown Royal Rig celebrations on March 25 at True North Square, helping to pack boxes for Harvest Manitoba and greeting fans visiting the rig.

"As a proud Manitoban and a die-hard Jets fan, I'm pumped to be part of Crown Royal's community tour," says Jesse Pollock, host of the TSN BarDown podcast. "This province holds a very special place in my heart, and it's amazing to see a brand like Crown Royal celebrate not just its Canadian roots, but also the communities that make Manitoba so unique."

Celebrating small acts of generosity is nothing new for Crown Royal. The Crown Royal Rig's community tour is part of the brand's larger Generosity platform and underscores its ongoing mission: Crown Royal live generously and life will treat you royally.

Here's How You Can Join the Celebration

Manitobans can join the Crown Royal community tour by visiting the Crown Royal Rig at any of the following stops, open to all visitors in Manitoba.

• March 25 – True North Square, Winnipeg: Pre-game tailgate and watch the live Winnipeg Jets vs. Washington Capitals game at True North Square from 4:30-10:00 PM
• March 26 – Gimli Recreational Centre: An opportunity to connect with local community members and pack boxes for Harvest Manitoba from 4:00-8:00 PM
• March 27 – True North Square, Winnipeg: Kane Brown High Road Tour pre-concert tailgate at True North Square 4:30-8:00 PM

For more information, visit CrownRoyal.ca

(Louisville, KY) March 18, 2025 – Today, Old Forester® releases its latest expression in the 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye - This release marks the first Bottled in Bond Rye Whisky handcrafted by Old Forester.

The 1897 Bottled in Bond Act required that each bottling be composed of barrels filled during a single distillation season. This small batch of Rye Whisky reflects the unique flavor of the unusually cool and wet Spring of 2015.

117 Series Bottled in Bond Rye is bottled at 100-proof in a 375 mL bottle.

“This 117 Series release is unique because it holds a tie to our 1897 Bottled in Bond, our tribute to the Bottled in Bond Act,” said Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. “This release is a first for Old Forester, and stays true to our historical promise of quality, consistency and balance.”

Bottled in Bond Rye marks the latest expression in the 117 Series, which launched in 2021.

Old Forester 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye is available starting today at the retail shop at Old Forester Distillery Co. and will be available for shipping (to D.C., KY, NE, NH, ND only) in our online store at shop.oldforester.com. The suggested retail price for the 375 ml bottle is $64.99.

The product is also available at select Kentucky retailers.

For more information on Old Forester, please visit OldForester.com