Some bars get busy in the summer. Some bars slow down. Either way, Local Bartending School has created a calendar to keep things as if your bar was a beach on a hot summer day.
June is a time for summer co*cktails, personal pride, and making a lot of money in tips behind the bar.
Keep reading and you’ll discover thirty days of marketable days hand-selected just for the bar industry!
June 1 – National Olive Day
National Olive Day may seem like one of those randomly weird national celebrations.
But olives are one of the oldest fruits, so it makes sense. Olives have been used for all sorts of things: oil, soap, and of course they’re delicious with a bit of vodka.
Celebrate National Olive Day by running a drink special on dirty martinis. Hold the vermouth for me though, please!
June 2 – National Moonshine Day & National Leave the Office Early Day
Every year on June 2nd, office workers are nudged to leave a little early to enjoy the start of summer with a little rest and relaxation.
Leave the Office Early Day starts the conversation of shorter work days and the benefits that come out of them. And recent years with hybrid work being a huge topic, a bunch of people might be leaving the office early today.
That gives them a bit more downtime to visit bars just like yours. So on June 2nd, ask those office workers to come enjoy their extra horror two with you.
Plus, it’s National Moonshine Day, too! A short day of work and a big glass of moonshine? Sounds like my southern family’s everyday routine…
June 3 – World Cider Day & National Egg Day
It’s both World Cider Day and National Egg Day, which in the bar world leaves us with two marketing options – highlight ciders or co*cktails with eggs.
Drinkers either love ciders or hate them. They either love co*cktails with eggs or think they taste like drinking snot.
Sounds like a day to get the conversation going. Nothing sparks a debate quite like a dividing topic. See 2020-2021.
June 4 – National Bubbly Day
Mark the first Saturday in June down in the books! Summer weekend brunches have officially started. Let’s pop bottles, not only because it’s a great day, but also National Bubbly Day!
Champagne already sells like wildfire at brunch, imagine if you gave people even more of a reason to drink some champs.
June 5 – National Popular Delusions Day
Some of us have a bit more than others, but we all have moments of delusion. Some we’ve fully accepted as a society, like the five-second rule.
Whatever delusion you’re carrying around, today’s the day to let it shine. Talk about it with your regulars! Ask them what their favorite myth or delusion is. Just watch out for those flat earthers, they’ll get ya.
June 6 – National Yo-Yo Day
I remember using yo-yos as a weapon against my brother’s incessant attacks. Ahh, memories. But bars aren’t the place for weapons or fights with siblings.
So for National Yo-Yo Day, maybe a good old-fashioned competition is in order. Best trick gets full bragging rights for winning (perhaps the lamest competition ever) and a certificate good for a few drinks.
June 7 – VCR Day
First yo-yos now VCRs. June is taking us Millenials on a nostalgic ride!
Some of your guests who are freshly 21 might not know what a VCR is.
Celebrate VCR Day at the bar by:
● Naming co*cktails after your favorite movies on VCR
● Bringing a VCR to your bar and ask young guests what it is
● Playing 80s and 90s movie soundtracks
June 8 – National Best Friends Day & National Name Your Poison Day
Folks come into the bar with their cousins, bosses, and or parents. But there’s no combo or group that parties like a few best friends. They order endless drinks, roast each other, and laugh super loudly so it seems like your bartop is Disney, the best place on earth.
For National Best Friends Day, encourage all the besties to celebrate their friendships with a few drinks at your bar.
It’s also National Name Your Poison Day, a common phrase to ask your guest what they want to drink. To me, it sounds like how a pirate bartender would talk.
June 9 – International Dark ‘n Stormy® Day
We are celebrating International Dark ‘n Stormy® Day. It was made by an accidental collaboration of a Bermudian rum maker family and seasick sailors. Ginger beer works for nausea, and rum helps with everything else. Shipmates created a co*cktail that’s still around.
June 10 – Herbs and Spices Day & Ballpoint Pen Day
Without herbs, spices, and ballpoint pens we’d have boring co*cktails and no money.
So Herbs and Spices Day, along with Ballpoint Pen Day is an important, yet peculiar day to celebrate as a bartender.
And in honor of today, we hope not one guest jacks your favorite pen.
June 11 – National Rosé Day
This is probably the oldest variety of wines. It dates back to 600 BC. Most rose wines are made from red grapes, and they are very versatile.
The color of rosé wine will be lighter than red and deeper than white. A rosé’s color depends on how long grape skins stay in contact with juice, also called maceration.
Rose wines can also be sparkling or semi-sparkling, with varying levels of sweetness and dryness.
There’s no better day to serve rosé all day than National Rosé Day.
June 12 – National Loving Day
National Loving Day brings out the warm fuzzies in all of us.
Ask your regulars and guests to bring the people they love out for a drink. There’s really no better way to show love.
June 13 – National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
Clumsy coworkers. Behind the bar, they’re a havoc. In the kitchen, even worse.
For National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day, instead of giving them sh*t for their lack of coordination, give them a break. Without their constant entertainment, we’d be a bit bored honestly. We’d have more glassware, but that’s a different story.
June 14 – National Bourbon Day
Bourbon Day celebrates our country’s official spirit.
Bourbon must meet certain standards and be made in a certain region to earn its name, just like Scotch and Cognac. Whiskey can only be called Bourbon when it’s distilled in the United States. It’s illegal for distillers to call whiskey “Bourbon” if they don’t meet certain criteria.
Now you know a bit more about Bourbon banter. And people who drink whiskey love to banter about their drink of choice.
When marketing on socials, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalBourbonDay to bring new faces in!
June 15 – Smile Power Day
Smile Power Day is all about showing off those pearly whites, which we do plenty of. But we’ve also seen bartenders who don’t smile. Actually, I had a regular who never wanted me to smile and talk down to him in a Russian accent, but hey that’s not the type of power we’re talking about.
We’re talking about the power behind the smile you serve, day in and day out. And really, that’s what today celebrates!
June 16 – Nursing Assistants Day
Traditionally, National Career Nurse Assistants Day kicks off National Nursing Assistants Week, which takes place in the second week of June. Let’s take this chance to say thank you to these entry-level staff who serve as a link between patients and doctors, and who devote their lives to helping others with a drink!
June 17 – National Take Back the Lunch Break Day
Lunch breaks, while we’re used to not getting them, the rest of the world is focused on getting theirs back today.
You should let those nine-to-fivers know that the real lunch break is just a trip to the bar.
Nothing like a quick beer and shot to get them through ‘till 5 o’clock rolls around. Just don’t tell their boss at happy hour their entire sales team was grabbing snake bites during lunch!
June 18 – National Splurge Day & International Panic Day
Encourage your bar guests to splurge on their favorite high-end drinks! I mean, it’s National Splurge Day, people!
And if their little moment of self-care (albeit in the form of expensive liquor) ends up causing a panic when they get their bill, reassure them that it’s also International Panic Day so it’s only fitting.
June 19 – Father’s Day
Without dad’s none of us would be here. We wouldn’t be behind the bar trying to prove to him that, “Yes, dad, this is a real job!”
We also probably wouldn’t serve as much draft beer or whiskeys. So on that note, we’re saying Father’s Day should be a date to markdown.
Here are a few ideas to celebrate daddy’s day:
● Run a promotion for stereotypical dad-like drinks
● Crack dad jokes
● Host a Father’s Day event, encouraging your audience to BYOD (bring your own dad, duh)
● Post pictures of you and your staff’s father figures
June 20 – National Take Your Cat to Work Day
Yesterday, people brought their dads to the bar. Today, you’re bringing your cat. Why? It’s National Take Your Cat to Work Day, of course.
Do you think you’d get fired if you brought your cat to work?
June 21 – Summer Solstice
It’s officially summer, kids. Your bar might be slowing down for the season or gearing up for peak. One thing that people want, no matter how busy the bar might be, is a co*cktail that screams, “Summer is here!”
Check out the top summer co*cktail recipes, hand-picked like ripe fruits by the team at Local Bartending School.
June 22 – National Kissing Day
Did you know some people don’t like to kiss? Yep, they think all that mouth spit is worse than licking a dirty, sticky well.
That makes the bar the perfect place to make out. For those who don’t like it, they can grab a drink to make things a bit easier. And for those that do, well then a good drunk makeout is just the thing for National Kissing Day.
Turn down the lights and give your guests the perfect spot for smoochin’.
June 23 – National Hydration Day
Here’s a tip for National Hydration Day.
Keep your guests hydrated. Not only will they feel better, but they’ll also be able to stay longer, order more drinks, and probably come back tomorrow for more.
June 24 – National Take Your Dog to Work Day
Dogs didn’t last too long before they got their day to go to work with the humans. Jealous little beasts, aren’t they?
I’m thinking that dogs at work might be a tad more well-received by bosses than our feline friends. Bar owners, you can solve the debate! Comment below, would you let your staff bring their pets to work?
June 25 – National Catfish Day
Imagine how many catfish are caught at the bar! On National Catfish Day, be extra cautious of people pretending to be who they aren’t. And to be the best bartender ever, always warn a regular if they’re about to be catfished. You can be the lookout, know what I’m saying?
June 26 – Forgiveness Day
Forgiving someone is hard to do, but June 26th comes around every year and asks us to forget.
So in honor of Forgiveness Day, preach forgiveness to your guests, regulars, and social media audience, but of course, remind them forgiveness is easier with a bit of help from their bartender.
June 27 – National Orange Blossom Day
Kick rocks, mimosa. Sayonara, screwdriver. It’s National Orange Blossom Day and the only thing going in orange juice today is gin.
Don’t know basic co*cktails like an orange blossom? Get fully trained on all the classics and become certified as a bartender with Local Bartending School.
June 28 – Paul Bunyan Day
Described as a giant and a lumberjack of unusual skill, Paul Bunyan is one of the most famous North American folklore heroes.
The story of Paul Bunyan is a tall tale, a description of sorts that’s a bit hard to believe. And honestly, during my bartending career, I’ve told plenty of tall tales where I was the main character.
So, watch out Paul Bunyan, us bartenders are coming after your legend.
June 29 – Hug Holiday
Imagine a world where instead of a beverage napkin, we greet stranger guests with a hug. Try it out on June 29th, Hug Holiday and let us know how that goes for you.
June 30 – National Bomb Pop Day & Social Media Day
Bomb pops scream “Amurica!” They taste like running toward the ice cream truck on a hot summer day.
Grenadine, vodka, and blue curacao can be layered in a shot glass and it’ looks exactly like a bomb pop! It’ll be super IG-worthy, and since it’s both National Bomb Pop Day and Social Media Day too, we think a post is most definitely in order.
Summer Days, Sippin’ Away
Here’s to June! May it bring you more than perfectly timed LGBTQ ads.
Use all of these wacky, fun holidays in your conversations with regulars, marketing strategy for your bar business, or keep them in your back pocket for trivial knowledge.
And remember, if you need help from our team at Local Bartending School with training, their instructors are ready to answer whatever questions you might have. Contact us today!
