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The USBG SoCal Holiday Gala is back!
Get ready to toast the season in true Industry Fashion!
Join us for our annual Black Tie Holiday Fundraiser at the iconic @harvardandstone as we wrap up 2025 with an unforgettable night of community, cocktails, and celebration.

Last year, we packed the house with over 400+ guests and raised $15,000+ for the Bartender Emergency Assistance Fund
and this year, we’re going even bigger.
This year’s gala will benefit the USBG’s Helen David Relief Fund, named in honor of Helen David, a trailblazing bar owner who lost her life to breast cancer. The foundation offers support to bar professionals facing cancer diagnoses.

Expect:
✨ Holiday magic & one-of-a-kind cocktails,
🍸 Legendary guest bartenders and Harvard OGs holding down the front bar,
🎶 Melrose Umbrella legends Zach Patterson & Austin Melrose are taking over the back,
🎷 Live jazz, DJs, and performances all night,
♠️ Casino tables, tattoos, tarot readings, Santa, raffles, brand swag & so much more, all for a great cause.

Dress Code:
Black tie encouraged — when else do we all get to clean up and party together?

RSVPs are strongly encouraged (capacity is limited!)

Want to skip the line, lock in your entry, and support a great cause?
BUY TICKETS (link in bio)

Let’s raise a glass, raise some funds, and close out 2025 in style.

USBG: TOTC Decompression Day was everything we needed after a crazy week at Tales and more. A huge thank you to our incredible yoga instructors @pshanahan & @theyogibartender , the wonderful masseuses that helped us unwind; our generous sponsors @lyresspiritco @drinkjas @seedlip_na @mixolojuiceofficial @drinkdirtysue @martinirossius @liquiddeath for keeping us hydrated, @pouringwithheart and @artsdistrictbrewing for the space and good vibes; and of course the bartenders who came, relaxed, and continue to keep our industry alive.

Until next time (after Bartender’s Weekend 😉),

cheers friends!

After some great creative collaboration we’re happy to show off our New Chapter Logo!
Now what kind of swag should we put this on? 🤔
Huge thanks to the amazingly talented and forever patient@jaredlawrencestudios for the design work.

After some great creative collaboration we’re happy to show off our New Chapter Logo!
Now what kind of swag should we put this on? 🤔
Huge thanks to the amazingly talented and forever patient@jaredlawrencestudios for the design work.

After some great creative collaboration we’re happy to show off our New Chapter Logo!
Now what kind of swag should we put this on? 🤔
Huge thanks to the amazingly talented and forever patient@jaredlawrencestudios for the design work.

After some great creative collaboration we’re happy to show off our New Chapter Logo!
Now what kind of swag should we put this on? 🤔
Huge thanks to the amazingly talented and forever patient@jaredlawrencestudios for the design work.

After some great creative collaboration we’re happy to show off our New Chapter Logo!
Now what kind of swag should we put this on? 🤔
Huge thanks to the amazingly talented and forever patient@jaredlawrencestudios for the design work.

Repping the Los Angeles community. 🔥

Crystal Mendoza, USCC West Regional finalist, takes the stage at Lovely Rita

Originally from Texas and now behind the bar at Death & Co LA, Crystal blends a background in marketing with a passion for hospitality—bringing big energy to both service and large-scale events while building community along the way

Live competition. No filters. Just craft. 🥃

#usbg #uscc #iba #bartenders #cocktail

What up 🍊C USBG!!!

Hope to see some familiar faces on Monday, May 18th as we help to support our local Red Cross!!!

Register today for the O.C. USBG's Sean Patrick Stidham Memorial Blood Drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross. The blood drive will be going off on Monday May 18th from 12 noon - 5pm at

Santa Ana Red Cross Chapter - Classroom # 120 - 122
600 N. Parkcenter Dr.
Santa Ana, Ca 92705

If your into donating some LIFE SAVING BLOOD click the link below, after that click the "see times button" and then pick the appointment time that works best for you. One more thing, the blood drive is open to the public so feel free to share the link with your family and friends !

O.C. USBG Blood Drive Link (link in bio)
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=ocusbg

🍸✨ USBG Member Spotlight: Robert Martinez (@cocktailsandotherlies) — Los Angeles, CA

As President of @usbgsocal and a 14-year hospitality vet, Robert’s mission is simple: educate, uplift, protect, and lead our community. An LA native, he celebrates the city’s diversity through food + drink—because bars are where connections turn into communities.

From behind the stick at Cole’s French Dip to Beverage Director for Michelin-starred Chef Curtis Stone at Gwen, Robert’s career has always been rooted in service.

Today, he brings that same energy to advocacy—championing everything from emergency bartender grants, women in leadership and MORE!

Read the full spotlight at bartender.com (link in bio)

#USBG #USBGSoCal #MemberSpotlight #BartenderMagazine #HospitalityCommunity LAbars

Live from Bar Summit in Philly—celebrating the chapters leading the way.

From education and outreach to wellness, charitable giving, and member engagement, tonight is about recognizing the work happening across the country.

🏆 #USBG #BarSummit #Philly

Join USBG SoCal at Bar Flores for a panel on hospitality beyond the bar, women from hospitality who are also leaders in advocacy, education, and non-profit spaces.

featuring Claire Mallet as the MC - Art Beyond the Glass and USBG SoCal Treasurer

and,

Panelist:

Amanda Gunderson - Another Round Another Rally

Erin Hayes - Black Lagoon, Bad Witch Productions

Corissa Hernandez - Independent Hospitality Coalition, Hustle and Heart Collective

Lynnette Marrero - Speed Rack

On Demand — Now available for USBG Members:

Get a preview of what USBG LEAD offers with a clip from Navigating Code-Switching in Hospitality, now available on demand. In this clip, Josh Davis, founder and operator of Brown & Balanced, tackles a thoughtful question: Do guests benefit when we code-switch—or is that a missed opportunity to show up authentically? His insights invite hospitality professionals to reflect on identity, intention, and how we show up behind the bar.
USBG members can access the full seminar, along with other LEAD Educational Seminars from the vault, as part of their membership.

Access the Full Seminar HERE: https://tr.ee/JqsfS_vEK5 (USBG members must be logged into their account to access the seminar.)

#USBG #USBGLEAD #HospitalityLeadership #CodeSwitching #Bartenders #hospitalityprofessionals

USBG LEAD online seminar: Navigating Code-Switching in Hospitality 🗣️✨

Join this star-studded panel for an engaging and thoughtful discussion exploring the complex realities of code-switching for bar and hospitality professionals. This session will examine the challenges of balancing personal identity with professional expectations—and how hospitality leaders can foster more inclusive environments where individuals can show up as their full selves.

Featuring insights from:
• Keyatta Mincey Parker, Chief Curating Officer, Pictures and Cocktails LLC
• Tiffanie Barriere, nationally recognized bartender, educator, and influencer
• Josh Davis, founder and operator of Brown & Balanced
• Nathan Reffell, Regional Brand Ambassador for the Bacardi Portfolio

📅 Tuesday, February 10
🕛 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET

Access Included with active USBG Membership. Paid registration available for non-members.

🔗 Register HERE: https://www.usbg.org/news/lead-online-seminar-navigating-code-switching-hospitality-identity-professionalism (Link in bio)

#USBG #USBGLEAD #HospitalityLeadership #CodeSwitching #Bartenders HospitalityProfessionals

What people wore to the @usbgsocal Gala ✨
Industry didn’t come to play.
#bartenderlife #ootd #whatpeoplearewearing #USBG

Announcing our next USBG LEAD seminar: Napa Valley Wine Academy– Wine Fundamentals for Bartenders 🍷

This dynamic seminar provides bartenders with a practical foundation in the world of wine. Participants will explore key grape varietals, major wine regions, and the essential principles that shape wine styles and flavor profiles. The session also covers core wine service skills and proper storage techniques—equipping bartenders to make confident recommendations, enhance guest experiences, and elevate their overall beverage knowledge.

Led by Liz Pirnat, WSET Certified Spirits Educator and Head Spirits Instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy, this seminar brings industry-tested insight from one of the most respected wine education institutions in the world.

📅 Tuesday, January 13
🕚 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET

🔗 Register here: https://tr.ee/WOihbW2oyA (Link in bio)

#USBG #USBGLEAD #NapaValleyWineAcademy #WineEducation #Bartenders #Hospitality