Guest Bartender

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Members sign up to be a guest bartender, and every first Friday of the month at our Member Mixer a name is drawn to be our "guest bartender". On the 3rd Saturday of that month the lucky member, with the help of our bar and communications team, showcase a special drink that is advertised ahead of time. The idea was to get members have a chance to experience being on the other side of the bar, and drum up support from their fellow yachtsmen. Since the first simple drink our "guest bartender" night, in true member form, has evolved into dramatic performances put on to upstage the previous liquor slinger.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

When the idea was originally rolled out in the summer of 2017 we had little interest in it for the first few months. However, our December winner had the idea of dressing up as Santa and arriving in his sleigh. A red convertible corvette. The drink was holiday inspired, but the production would set the stage for how future winners would approach their moment in the spotlight. Since then it has grown to include a premier photoshoot complete with costumes and theatrics fit for a star. Of course this program did not escape the setback brought on by Covid, and came to a halt in early 2020. The return of our guest bartender night is scheduled for this March, and the buzz surrounding it has picked up right where it left off.