Colorado Bartenders' Guild Hosts Annual Benefit at Baur's — and You're Invited

For the bartenders who worked everyone else's holiday party, it’s time to celebrate the season. On Monday, the Colorado Bartenders’ Guild hosts its fourth annual Holiday Hangover, a yearly fundraiser and membership drive — and a chance to mingle and de-stress after a busy holiday season. “It’s a great opportunity for our membership of more than 200 people,” says Chad Michael George, president of the organization, “and also for prospective new members and the general public to come out and and have some fun.”

The event, held at Baur’s Restaurant and Listening Lounge this year, begins at 6 p.m. and will raise money to help fellow bartenders in need. “This year we’re raising money for the United States Bartenders’ Guild National Charity Foundation,” George says. “Its goal is to support our bartending community, and those in need of financial assistance in times of crisis.” The Colorado Bartenders’ Guild is the local chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild, a non-profit organization.

The event is free for current Guild members, and while the main goal is the raising of funds, it’s also a celebration. “There should be some laughs,” George says.

Over 20 distributors will be on hand to showcase their products, offering tastings of beer, wine and spirits, including Jim Beam, Golden Moon Distillery, Patron, Blue Nectar Tequila, Four Roses, Distillery 291, Suerte Tequila, Avery Brewing Co. Don Q Rum, Death’s Door Spirits, Jagermeister, St. George Distillery and Breckenridge Distillery. “The bar staff at Baur’s is putting together some great cocktails using our featured sponsors’ ingredients,” George says. Admission for non-members is $12, which includes access to all the tasting tables, plus two free cocktails.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun, including something new this year,” George continues. “We’re going to do a bad Yelp! review reading contest. The contest features bartenders reading negative reviews of their restaurant — and of them — which will be read by the bartenders.

Another part of the event is the annual awards ceremony. Bartenders will be presented with trophies for best mentor, best beard, best newcomer, best female bartender, most knowledgeable and more.

“I’m really excited because it’s our biggest event of the year,” George says. “We had over 200 people there last year. I’m excited to get everybody together and unwind after a long holiday season and get a chance to have a drink with friends and hopefully make some new ones.”