On February 19th, the city's hard-working nightlife pros—bartenders, barbacks, bussers, bouncers, servers, DJs, dancers, doormen, coat check, hat check, clothes check, greeters, promoters, hosts, hostesses, sound guys, and other service industry workers—were treated to a night of their own, honoring their contributions to our own regular decompressions. Host venue Cafe du Nord welcomed revelers with a generous buffet from their hearty menu, while partners Maker's Mark, Stella Artois, and Bud Light Platinum provided the liquid courage necessary for the traditional barworker challenges, hosted by Barworkers Ball creator and beloved impresario Stephen Torres.

Industry folks mingled with paying partiers—proceeds benefited the nonprofit California Music & Culture Association—and cheered a bevy of barworkers participating in the infamous Blind Whiskey Tasting, Mixology Contest with Secret Ingredients, and Irish Car Bomb Competition. Discriminating, eagle-eyed and palate-wise judges included Marke B. from the San Francisco Bay Guardian; Katy St. Clair from SF Weekly; media maven Broke-Ass Stuart; and 7x7's own man-about-town Riley Manlapaz.

Funky soundscapes were provided by some of San Francisco's best DJs, including Sonny Phono (Rock the Spot Wednesdays at Madrone), Bus Station John (Tubesteak, Love Will Fix It), and Sergio Fedasz (Go BANG!, The SyntheTigers, M2 moulton media, KALX).

Frisky fun-timers also posed for the lovely photo station Snap Fiesta's camera, capturing moments from one of the season's most vibrant annual traditions.
More Barworkers Ball photos from Snap Fiesta here.

Full photos: Tara Luz Stevens for Drew Altizer Photography