Christmas Behind the Bar at The Butcher’s Arms 🎄🍻
For our customers, Christmas at The Butcher’s Arms is about good company, great drinks and a proper festive atmosphere.
For our bartenders, it’s one of the busiest, most demanding — and most rewarding — times of the year.
Here’s what really goes on behind the bar during the Christmas period.
Christmas Starts Long Before the Lights Go Up
At The Butcher’s Arms, Christmas planning doesn’t start in December — it starts when the diary begins to fill.
Our bartenders prepare by:
Learning festive drinks, winter ales and seasonal specials Understanding party bookings, reserved tables and timings Knowing what’s on every night: quizzes, karaoke, live music, football and charity events Getting ready for bigger crowds, bigger orders and busier shifts
Opening Up: Setting the Pub for a Great Day
Before the first pint is poured, the work has already begun.
A Christmas opening shift includes:
Checking tills, floats and opening readings Stocking the bar, fridges and back shelves Polishing glassware (a lot of glassware) Prepping fruit, garnishes and mixers Setting up boards, offers and reserved signs Checking toilets, heating, music levels and lighting Making sure everything is clean, safe and welcoming
All before the doors even open.
The Rush: Fast Service, Friendly Faces
December brings full bars, work parties, family reunions and festive catch-ups — often all at once.
Behind the bar, our team are:
Pouring perfect pints under pressure Serving spirits and mixers consistently and responsibly Remembering regulars’ usuals Welcoming new faces and first-time visitors Keeping the bar moving while staying calm and professional
At the same time, they’re constantly:
Restocking fridges and shelves Changing barrels and gas Clearing glass and wiping surfaces Making sure everyone is served fairly
Stock, Cellar & the Christmas Juggle
Christmas is when drinks disappear fast.
Our bartenders are quietly managing:
What’s running low — before it runs out Cask quality, temperature and condition Premium spirits and mixers Fresh stock rotation so nothing is wasted
It’s teamwork, communication and experience keeping everything flowing.
Looking After Everyone
A great Christmas night is a safe one.
Bartenders at The Butcher’s Arms are responsible for:
Monitoring alcohol levels and refusing service when needed
Supporting customers who may need help
Defusing situations early and calmly
Following Challenge 25 and licensing rules Making sure the pub stays friendly, relaxed and welcoming
All without dampening the festive spirit.
Events, Entertainment & Atmosphere
Christmas at The Butcher’s Arms means something different every night.
Our bartenders help run:
Quiz nights and charity events Karaoke and live music evenings Big football matches and derby days Buffets, free suppers and party bookings
They’re not just serving drinks — they’re helping create the atmosphere.
Closing Time: The Job Isn’t Finished
When the doors close, the work continues.
End-of-night jobs include:
Full bar clean-down Washing and polishing glassware Emptying bins and recycling Restocking for the next day Cashing up and logging reports Securing the pub and final safety checks
Often well after the last customer has gone home.
What Christmas Behind the Bar Really Means
Over Christmas, a bartender is:
A host A problem-solver A stock manager A cleaner A peacekeeper And a big part of what makes the pub feel like home
At The Butcher’s Arms, our team work incredibly hard to make sure every visit feels special — even on the busiest nights of the year.
So if you’ve had a great night with us this Christmas, a smile, a thank you, or a kind word at the bar goes a very long way ❤️
And in case you were wondering… here’s what you drank over Xmas
Butchers Arms Mossley 