Bartenders from Steuben's, Vesta Dipping Grill, Colt & Gray, TAG, Root Down, H Burger, Green Russell, and the the Bitter Bar in Boulder garbed themselves in tropical tiki beachwear and poured alcohol-fueled drinks for $5 each until 2 a.m. -- and every drink slinger in attendance donated their tips to the Salvation Army.
"It was a hugely successful event with great bartenders from all over the city helping out and pitching in," says Steuben's/Vesta Dipping Grill owner Josh Wolkon, who estimates that more than 450 toys were donated and $2,000 in cash tips collected to benefit the non-profit. "Out of all the charity events that we do every year, this one may be the most rewarding. There's tremendous gratification and satisfaction from seeing that hill of toys getting bigger and bigger throughout the night."
The toys and cash were officially donated to the Salvation Army on Tuesday. "They were so excited when we dropped everything off on Tuesday morning, and I can't wait to do it again next year," says Randy Layman, the Steuben's bartender who spearheaded the event.
Happy Christmas, kids.