What’s the Worst Day to Be a Bartender? (Spoiler: It’s Not When You Think)

Picture this: the lights are low, the music’s upbeat, and the drinks are flowing. You’d think every day is a party behind the bar, right? Wrong. While bartending might seem like a dream gig to those of us on the receiving end of a perfectly shaken cocktail, it’s no secret that certain days bring a special kind of chaos. Ask any bartender, and they’ll tell you—there’s one day in particular that makes them want to toss the shaker in the trash. So, which day is the worst? Let’s dive into what bartenders really think.

The Usual Suspect: New Year's Eve

If you guessed New Year’s Eve, you’re not far off. It’s the busiest night of the year, with crowds packed in like sardines, all demanding champagne and specialty cocktails in the last five minutes of the year. Bartenders face a frenzy of customers with grand expectations (and low tolerance), making it a challenge to keep everyone happy while avoiding a champagne catastrophe. But, surprisingly, NYE isn’t the unanimous pick for "worst day." Sure, it’s hectic and over-the-top, but there’s an unspoken agreement that comes with it—it’s supposed to be busy, and everyone knows it.

The Real Answer? Sunday Funday

So what day does rank as the worst? According to bartenders, it’s not what you might expect: Sunday. Specifically, "Sunday Funday." The seemingly innocuous day of brunch cocktails and lazy afternoon beers turns into a nightmare for bartenders. Why? Because the vibe on a Sunday is unpredictably exhausting. While customers may think of it as a relaxed end to their weekend, for bartenders, it’s a marathon of endless mimosas, half-price appetizers, and people who refuse to believe the weekend is over. Customers linger for hours, sipping slowly, while the bartenders silently pray for a break.

Amateur Hour: St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo

Another major contender in the "worst day" category? St. Patrick’s Day and its cousin, Cinco de Mayo. While both holidays are filled with fun (or, at least, that's what we tell ourselves), bartenders dread them. These days bring out the amateurs—the once-a-year drinkers who believe Guinness and tequila shots are the height of sophistication. The result? A tsunami of orders, a parade of sloshed revelers, and more than a few questionable decisions from customers trying to channel their inner Irishman or mariachi.

Why Tuesdays Are Worse Than Fridays

Now, here’s the twist. Ask any bartender about regular days of the week, and you won’t hear "Friday" or "Saturday" in their list of grievances. Instead, it’s the quieter nights like Tuesdays or Wednesdays that drive bartenders up the wall. On these slower days, the customers that show up tend to be more demanding or just plain weird. The vibe can be more awkward, with fewer people in the bar, making the one-on-one interactions with overly chatty or awkward patrons feel like an eternity. Plus, the tips on a slow Tuesday? Let’s just say they’re not paying off any student loans.