• Home
  • About PubClub.com Nightlife Pubs And Clubs
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

PubClub

Where The World Goes To Party! A Nightlife & Travel Blog

I Attended Bartender’s Weekend In San Diego For The First Time And WOW!

March 24, 2022 by kevinwilkerson Leave a Comment

Bartenders Weekend San Diego False Idol tiki bar
A False Idol bartender makes a Mount Gay rum drink during Bartender’s Week in San Diego. Photo: PubClub.com




By The PubClub.com Nightlife Blogger

Enjoying a few Mai Tais at the Grass Skirt, a San Diego tiki bar in Pacific Beach on a Sunday evening at an event hosted by Diplomatico Rum, is when I first got wind of something called Bartender’s Weekend.

That event’s host, Diplomatico’s rum ambassador Evan Charleston, mentioned that I should look into it, which was happening in San Diego that night and during the next two days.

I did and wow! Bartender’s Weekend – this year held on a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in late March – involves more events at more bars and locations than I or anyone else could ever hope to experience. It consists of pool parties, boat cruises (including a rum cruise!), bar crawls, Happy Hours and distillery tours, many taking place at the same time and all hosted by a host of spirits companies from around the world.

Including Kástra Elión, a vodka from Greece which hosted an “Escape To Greece” boat trip on San Diego Bay. Heck, I didn’t even know Greece had any vodka production and I’ve been to the Greek Islands five times.

My first event was an event called Bubbles and Brunch at barleymash bar in the Gaslamp, just a few steps from PubClub.com World Headquarters. Hosted by GH Mumm and Beefeater, Lillet and Campo Viejo, it involved bottomless champagne and cocktails – pay your $25 registration fee and usually all drinks are included – along with food.

Bartenders Weekend San Diego Coin Op bar
Several drinks were served at the Coin Op bar during Bartender’s Weekend. Photo: PubClub.com
Bartenders Weekend San Diego Coin Op bar
Bartenders get to be on the other side of the bar during Bartender’s Weekend. Photo: PubClub.com
Bartenders Weekend San Diego Coin Op bar
Off duty bartenders take advantage of the free arcade games at Coin Op bar during Bartender’s Weekend in San Diego. Photo: PubClub.com
Bartenders Weekend San Diego Coin Op bar
The marquee at Coin Op bar welcomes people to Bartender’s Weekend 2022. Photo: PubClub.com

From there, I made the short walk to Coin Op bar where I played a bunch of arcade games (again, all comped) at the Bacardi 90s party.

The next evening (due to PubClub’s busy schedule I was unable to attend any daytime events this year) I went to INFINUM and BEYOND!, at the Side Bar which included a tour of Infinum Spirit’s sleek new corporate office in the Gaslamp. Out front, the company’s double-decker bus, which often rolls through San Diego’s Gaslamp playing music from a band on the top, provided a soundtrack to the scene.

@pubclub.com PubClub.com Drinking Tip Of The Day Tiki Bar! #drinking #drinks #drinkingtips #drinkingtipoftheday #rum #rumdrinks #pubclub #tilkibar ♬ original sound – PubClub

From there, I embarked on what was supposed to be a downtown bar crawl. However, the first stop was the False Idol tiki bar with drinks provided by Mount Gay rum, and if you know anything about me then you can pretty much guess that I never left that place to go to any other bars on the crawl.

I was surprised that most of the events also included food, be it pizza or shredded pork or something else. Even more surprising is the fact that after the early scarfers ravaged through the food as soon as it was put out, the supply was replenished.

Bartenders Weekend San Diego Infinium Spirits band bus
A band plays on top of the Infinium Spirits double-decker bus during Bartender’s Weekend. Photo: PubClub.com
Bartenders Weekend San Diego False Idol tiki bar
Bartenders enjoy the drinks and atmosphere of the False Idol tiki bar during Bartender’s Weekend. Photo: PubClub.com

Being new to the event and blissfully unaware of the policies and procedures involved in it, I showed up to the first event, got a glass of champagne and then realized I was supposed to have checked in at the host Lafayette Hotel to get a welcome package of goodies and most importantly a wristband. Oops! Rookie mistake.

Fortunately, I managed to score one of the last wristbands and could freely enjoy the events.

I was kind of expecting to use the events for networking, to meet other people in the bar industry, to get contacts for the spirits brands, that kind of thing. But at least from the few events I attended it wasn’t that way; instead it was bars jammed with people partying with few conversations taking place outside their circle of friends and, I assume, co-workers.

That was fine, of course, and it reminded me of the good ‘ol days of the Nightclub & Bar Show in Las Vegas (now called the Bar & Restaurant Expo), which I covered several times. It had a show floor of beer and spirits companies pouring samples from Noon-5 but was more known for its legendary over-the-top sponsored parties at Las Vegas bars and nightclubs.

So now I know about Bartender’s Weekend and can be better prepared for it in the future, including clearing my schedule so I can enjoy a lot more of its events.

Cheers!



Filed Under: From The Bar Stool Tagged With: Bartender's Weekend, PubClub.com, San Diego bars, The Nightlife Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Unfinished Man

Search

Today On PubClub.com

EVENTS CALENDAR:
• Sept. 16-Oct. 3 – Oktoberfest, Munich

LET’S BE SOCIAL!
 
PubClub.com is a member of the Travel & Tourism Marketing Association, Inc.​, and the Travel Massive chapters in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County (CA).

Instagram

Follow on Instagram

PubClub (@pubclub) • Instagram photos and videos

Destinations

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Destinations (2,268)
    • Africa (1)
    • Asia (18)
      • Japan (5)
        • Tokyo (3)
      • Taiwan (1)
      • Thailand (7)
    • Australia (19)
      • Surfer's Paradise (3)
      • Sydney (5)
    • Brazil (7)
      • Rio (2)
    • Camping (1)
    • Canada (21)
      • Montreal (2)
      • Niagara Falls (5)
      • Toronto (2)
    • Caribbean (63)
      • Cuba (1)
      • San Juan (7)
      • Virgin Islands (24)
    • Central America (1)
      • Costa Rica (1)
    • Europe (106)
      • Amsterdam (14)
      • Britain (1)
      • France (3)
      • Germany (6)
      • Ibiza (2)
      • Kiev (1)
      • London (6)
      • Malta (1)
      • Monaco (1)
      • Moscow (1)
      • Munich (5)
      • Paris (5)
      • Poland (3)
        • Krakow (2)
      • Prague (6)
      • Sweden (1)
      • Switzerland (33)
        • Basel (5)
        • Bern (3)
        • Swiss Alps (1)
        • Zermatt (3)
        • Zurich (4)
    • Greek Islands (29)
      • Corfu (3)
      • Ios (2)
      • Mykonos (7)
      • Santorini (5)
    • Mexico (13)
      • Baja (1)
      • Cabo San Lucas (1)
      • Puerto Vallarta (1)
      • Tijuana (2)
    • Ski Resorts (73)
      • Aspen (1)
      • Austria (5)
      • Big Bear (15)
      • Big Sky (6)
      • Mammoth (18)
      • Squaw Valley (4)
      • Whistler (3)
    • Tokyo (1)
    • USA (1,907)
      • Alabama (3)
      • Alaska (1)
      • Arizona (8)
        • Lake Havasu (1)
        • Scottsdale (3)
        • Sedona (1)
      • Boston (6)
      • California (1,429)
        • Carmel (24)
        • Central Coast (9)
        • Lancaster (16)
        • Los Angeles (830)
          • Catalina Island (12)
          • Culver City (1)
          • El Segundo (4)
          • Hermosa Beach (177)
            • Fourth Of July (12)
            • Smackfest Events (23)
          • Hollywood (17)
          • Huntington Beach (3)
          • Lake Arrowhead (2)
          • Long Beach (43)
            • Grand Prix (12)
          • Manhattan Beach (78)
          • Marina del Rey (6)
          • Newport Beach (44)
          • Orange County (29)
          • Party Report (16)
          • Redondo Beach (82)
          • Santa Monica (4)
          • South Bay (93)
          • Sunset Strip (5)
          • Temecula (13)
          • Venice Beach (5)
        • Mendocino (13)
        • Monterey (30)
          • Restaurant Reviews (10)
        • Napa (5)
        • Oakland (7)
        • Palm Springs (9)
        • Paso Robles (9)
        • San Clemente (1)
        • San Diego (348)
          • Balboa Park (1)
          • Del Mar (14)
          • Events (83)
          • Gaslamp (56)
          • Imperial Beach (6)
          • La Jolla (1)
          • Lifestyle (4)
          • Music (1)
          • Ocean Beach (6)
          • Oceanside (1)
          • Pacific Beach (5)
        • San Francisco (75)
          • Events (15)
        • Santa Barbara (1)
      • Chicago (10)
      • College Towns (1)
      • Colorado (4)
        • Denver (4)
      • Florida (87)
        • Daytona Beach (1)
        • Ft. Lauderdale (4)
        • Jacksonville (1)
        • Key West (24)
        • Keys (8)
        • Miami (10)
        • Panama City Beach (3)
      • Hawaii (25)
        • Waikiki Beach (15)
      • Indiana (1)
      • Indianapolis (3)
      • Las Vegas (173)
      • Michigan (2)
        • Traverse City (2)
      • Nevada (2)
      • New Jersey (1)
      • New Orleans (43)
      • New York City (16)
      • Newport, R.I. (1)
      • North Carolina (1)
      • Oregon (9)
        • Portland (8)
      • Seattle (2)
      • South Carolina (4)
        • Charleston (4)
      • St. Louis (1)
      • Tennessee (51)
        • Franklin (4)
        • Gatlinburg (6)
        • Knoxville (13)
        • Nashville (5)
        • Smoky Mountains (3)
      • Texas (7)
        • Austin (6)
        • San Antonio (1)
      • Utah (2)
      • Virginia (1)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Hong Kong (1)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Events

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Events (521)
    • BVI Interline Regatta (5)
    • Carnival (5)
    • Cinco de Mayo (2)
    • Exercise and Socalize (2)
    • Fourth of July (8)
    • Halloween (9)
    • Holidays (19)
      • Thanksgiving (7)
    • Indy 500 (10)
    • Kentucky Derby (12)
    • Memorial Day Weekend (5)
    • New Year's Eve (43)
    • Oktoberfest (11)
    • Party Report (46)
    • Running Of The Bulls (5)
    • Spring Break (7)
    • St. Patricks Day (8)
    • Sundance Film Festival (8)
    • Super Bowl (16)
    • Valentine's Day (10)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Sports

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Sports (527)
    • Baseball (9)
    • Beach Volleyball (3)
    • College Football (297)
    • Golf (13)
    • NFL (45)
    • Olympics (13)
    • Racing (27)
    • Soccer (8)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Lifestyle

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Lifestyle (1,661)
    • Beach Reads (1)
    • Cannabis (4)
    • Celebrity Sightings (6)
    • Entertainment (22)
    • Mr. Sorehead (3)
    • Music (295)
      • Bands (3)
      • Festivals (59)
      • Jimmy Buffett (47)
      • Trop Rock (13)
    • Party Stories (2)
    • People Profiles (10)
    • Singles Life (7)
      • Men Vs Women (2)
      • Relationships (2)
    • Social Media (2)
    • Spirits (27)
    • Travel (665)
      • Airlines (32)
      • Airports (1)
      • Blogger (369)
      • Cruise Ships (28)
      • Hotels (15)
      • Product Reviews (3)
      • RV (1)
      • Singles Travelers (1)
      • Solo Travel (2)
      • Touring Blog (12)
      • Weather (17)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

From the Bar Stool

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • From The Bar Stool (321)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Bars

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Bars (279)
    • Bars & Food (27)
    • Bars & Nightlife (205)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

News

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Business News (4,815)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • News (7)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Colleges

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Colleges (30)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Food and Drinks

  • 72 Hours (5)
  • Food and Drinks (429)
    • Beer (99)
    • Bourbon (2)
    • Cocktails (59)
    • Foddie Blog (27)
    • Restaurants (2)
    • Rum (10)
    • Singles Cooking (1)
    • spirits (10)
    • Spirits & Beer Industry (79)
    • Tequila (22)
    • Vodka (3)
    • Wine (83)
  • Homepage Fun Stuff (7)
  • Homepage Lifestyle (4)
  • Men's Stuff (4)
  • Party Report (3)
  • Virtual Happy Hour (8)

Subscribe To The Party Report

About PubClub.com

PubClub.com is a content-oriented nightlife tourist guide dedicated to social-minded travelers with articles on worldwide destinations such as Amsterdam, the Greek Islands, Prague, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Canada, and more. Top keywords for search are pubclub, pub club, party pubs, club pub, travel pub, pub club night, pubs and clubs and the pub club.
Read More...
Our Terms | Privacy

Legal

Ads

Powered by imFORZA