I’m back at Bartender’s Weekend this year.
For those not familiar, Bartender’s Weekend is a gathering of epic proportions for bartenders and others of us in the nightlife and bar industry. It is three days and nights of being hosted and toasted by just about every spirits manufacturer and distributor in the USA.
It consists of more than 50 hosted events at various bars – plus a beach party put on by Patron – and the really great thing is that it takes place right in own town, San Diego. The 2024 dates are April 13-15, which actually makes it beyond the weekend but the events will have the bars as packed as they are on weekends.
Bartenders, staff, waiters, waitresses, bar managers and spirits and beer representatives make up the attendees. Rums, vodkas, gins, bourbons and other spirits are liberally poured, often in fancy cocktails with lavish settings, bars turned into jungles and such. DJs usually pump out music to add to the upbeat party atmosphere.
The host location is the beautiful Lafayette Hotel, which was just named Esquire magazine’s Hotel of the Year.
For those in the industry you can sign up on the Bartender’s Weekend official wesbite. The cost is $35 and you must verify that you are in the bar, nightlife or alcholic beverage industry.