Dear bar family,
11 months ago, we wrote an open letter to our bar family across the globe in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. 11 months later, the light at the end of the tunnel is visible but still dim.
It’s been a fucking ride, and we’re still strapped in and hanging on.
Forget “new normal”, “unprecedented” and “pivot”. This has been a year of unrelenting adversity, devastation and unthinkable challenges.
Hospitality is the business of taking care of people and so many in the industry have been robbed of that – their passion and dreams.
However, we want you to know that we still live and breathe this industry, and we are here with you always.
With cautious optimism, I think that in some ways we are better for it. There is a stronger sense of community, collaborative efforts and closer bonds. But at what cost?
Just know that DRiNK sees your hard work, and while we don’t have the capacity to cover everything and everyone we’d like to, we still stand with you and want you to know that every day – especially on World Bartender Day, your day – that you are crucial, loved and respected. Don’t ever forget that.
Once again: please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here for you. We are all in this together.
Just think about how good that first hug is going to feel when we are reunited.
Yours in solidarity,
Holly Graham
Managing Editor
