WILMINGTON — Whether you’ve clocked time in the service industry or just appreciate a good cocktail, next month’s Wilmington Bartender’s Ball might just be your kind of event.
This is the fifth year for the event, organized by Party Wilmington’s Joe Apkarian, owner of The Pour House, and Ben Shaw, president of Happy Hour Vitamins and organizer of the Cape Fear Highland Games, who have both spent plenty of time in the bar industry. And, while the event is a tribute to the region’s bartenders – and a chance for them to escape from behind the bar – it’s open to all.
“It’s really just a chance for those in the service industry to hang out,” Apkarian said. “And for people to get a chance to get to know those who have been making their drinks.”
This year’s them is ‘Night of the Living Bartender,’ or as Apkarian said, “a chance to put on a tuxedo, and then a little zombie makeup, and have a good time.”
The event is all you can eat and drink, but Apkarian said the bar – no pun intended – would be a little higher than your usual buffet and drink standard. Participating bars and restaurants will each provide a signature drink or cocktail, and restaurants will be cooking up food.
The event will feature participating establishments from around Wilmington and the surrounding area, including Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Manna, Crust, Shark Bar, with food from Husk, Buzz’s Roost, Fork’n’Cork, Pinpoint, and others.
There will also be an afterparty at Goodfellas in downtown Wilmington.
Proceeds from the event will help support The Marine Raider Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 to help support active duty and medically retired Marine Raiders and their families, as well as World War II Raiders, and the families of Raiders who have lost their lives while serving.
The event will be hosted by Party Wilmington and presented by Republic National Distributors, Boston Beer Company, and Cheetah Gentleman’s Club of Wilmington.
Event details
- What: 5th annual Wilmington Bartender’s Bar
- When: Sunday, October 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight
- Where: Coastline Convention Center, 501 Nutt Street, Wilmington
- Afterparty: Goodfellas 112 Princess Street (after midnight)
- Cost: $50 early-bird tickets before October 1
- Social: Facebook
