World Bartender Day is a holiday that’s observed annually on February 24th. It’s a day that celebrates the men and women who formulate and serve alcoholic (or sometimes non-alcoholic) beverages from behind a bar.

They work in licensed establishments that operate as pubs, taverns, bars, nightclubs, private parties, or restaurants. Bartenders do more than just serve drinks, however. They also act as impromptu therapists, listening to their customers’ problems and complaints.

That alone should be a good enough reason for everyone to celebrate these professionals and show them some appreciation on this holiday. So, everyone should give their bartender a thank-you and a nice big tip on this day.

The History of World Bartender Day

Bartending is a profession that dates back to antiquity, all the way to ancient Asia, Roman, and Greek societies. These bartenders would work in public bars and at private inns. However, at that time, bartending wasn’t considered an official profession.

It was something that was grouped into the category of hired help. It wouldn’t be until the 18th century that bartenders would be recognized as professionals performing a much-needed service for their patrons.

As for the origins of this holiday, it appears to have started during a cocktail competition that took place a few years ago in Australia and New Zealand. This holiday then spontaneously took on a life of its own after this event and has been observed ever since.

Some Quick Facts About Bartenders

Below are some quick facts about bartenders and bartending that we think our readers might find interesting. We came up with the following bulleted facts after conducting a considerable amount of research for this holiday. Let’s take a quick look at them before we explore how World Bartender Day is observed.

• In some U.S. states, 18-year-olds can tend bars, even though they still can’t legally drink.
• Many bartenders are required to work 10-12 hour shifts on a regular basis.
• Bartending involves not only dealing with customers but also with routine tasks such as taking inventory, stocking the bar, and washing dishes.

Observing World Bartender Day

On this day, everyone who regularly visits their local pub, restaurant, or bar is encouraged to show their hardworking bartender a little bit of love. This can be done simply by saying thank you to them, or even better, by giving them a big tip. People can also give all bartenders a shout-out on social media using the hashtag #WorldBartenderDay.