Bartender Appreciation Day – December 2, 2024

History of Bartender Appreciation Day

This profession goes back to ancient times when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Just kidding! But they did exist in ancient Greece and Rome, working in public drinking houses, which doubled as social gathering places. These guys worked through the centuries, commonly called ‘innkeepers’ in the 15th century (in Europe). Bartenders were usually alehouse owners or innkeepers (male or female) and would produce their own liquor. Since alcohol was frowned upon during the early ages, the profession had an unfavorable reputation.

Over the years, taverns and the like established themselves as important places for writers and professionals to conduct their business, and bartenders gained higher social statuses. As colonization increased, bartenders began appearing in the New World.

The 19th century brought many changes to the bartending scene in America. This became a respectable profession across the country and was even one of the highest-paying. Reportedly, Jerry Thomas, a famous bartender during those times, earned more than the then Vice President of the U.S.

The 20th century saw prohibition outlaw sale, consumption, production, and transportation of alcohol in the U.S., and the nation’s famous bars were replaced by illegal speakeasies. Bartenders found other professions or migrated to big cities like London and Paris. American drinkers that missed their old haunts visited these places with such frequency that ‘American bars’ came up across these cities. Hotels like the Savoy in London and the Ritz in Paris became hotspots for cocktails; their bars served up delicious new concoctions all the time. Back in the American speakeasies, new drinks and cocktails were being invented. The gin and tonic was one such invention that came about during the Prohibition Era.

Once prohibition was overturned, bars and cocktail lounges came up all over the U.S. Bartending schools opened up, and more people began choosing bartending as a career.

Sailor Jerry Rum founded Bartender Appreciation Day to honor all the people in this profession. They specifically chose early December as Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are some of the busiest times for bartenders, and so are Fridays. Sailor Jerry has also been petitioning to have this day declared as a paid leave for bartenders. The brand also partners with other organizations to set up special events, competitions and holds voting competitions to find the nation’s best bartender. They have even previously given out free pizza, clothing, and taxi rides home for bartenders.