The Pub That Became a Community Watering Hole
It all started with a simple idea: what if we turned our home into an open house, where friends and strangers alike could gather for a monthly cocktail party? My wife Christina and I had been itching to learn the art of bartending, and we figured this would be the perfect excuse to hone our skills. Little did we know, our modest happy hour gatherings would soon evolve into a thriving community hub.
Overcoming Christina’s initial concern that our limited bartending repertoire (read: gin and tonics) might put a damper on things, we decided to feature a couple of new cocktails each month. That way, I’d only have to master a couple of new drinks every 30 days. We’d provide the booze and the cozy setting, and our guests would bring a small donation or some tasty snacks to share.
As Brian Brown eloquently put it, we were aiming to create a “pub-style identity as the hub of a community” – a place where people could step away from the rat race, bond over their shared passions, and enjoy each other’s company.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Community Hub
That first happy hour, as we had started calling them, drew a crowd of 30 people. In the two years since, we’ve consistently had at least 15 regulars show up each time. The guest list is a vibrant mix: tired parents, energetic entrepreneurs, heady artists, and thirsty construction workers. Some are familiar faces, while others are newcomers, drawn in by the word-of-mouth buzz about our little gathering.
We and our circle have found that happy hour is a great plug-in point when we meet new and interesting people throughout the month, Brown noted. There’s always a date on the calendar we can use to get to know them better, no matter how busy we are.
In fact, our monthly happy hours have become such a hot ticket that we’re often up until the wee hours of the morning, deep in conversation with the last call crowd. Discussing everything from art and books to theology (which, let’s be honest, really does require a couple of drinks to do well).
Bringing the Community Together, One Cocktail at a Time
As our happy hour following grew, we started to notice some unexpected benefits. People were meeting kindred spirits, business partnerships and community initiatives were blossoming, and I had expanded my bartending repertoire to include hundreds of drinks, with a bar stocked with 40 different bottles.
Every time I visit friends in San Francisco or Philadelphia or DC, they go green with envy as I tell them about what we have going on in more and more of our towns and cities, Brown shared. He’s right – the thriving pub and cocktail scene in our area has become the envy of many.
And the best part? It’s not just about the drinks. It’s about the sense of community, the connections being made, and the way these gatherings are enriching the lives of everyone involved.
The Pub Principle: Fostering a Sense of Community
As Brown eloquently explained, the key to success for nonprofits in today’s landscape is to embrace a “pub-style identity as the hub of a community.” In other words, it’s not enough to simply focus on your mission and periodically ask donors for support. Healthy nonprofits need to go the extra mile to connect people with each other, so that the support base becomes a thriving, self-sustaining organism.
This aligns perfectly with our philosophy at The Up and Under Pub. We’re not just slinging drinks – we’re cultivating a sense of community, where people can bond over their shared passions and interests. It’s about creating a space where strangers become friends, where business partnerships are forged, and where the energy of a vibrant, engaged community can truly thrive.
The Sangria Principle: Collaboration Over Competition
Another key lesson we’ve taken from the pub and cocktail scene is the power of collaboration over competition. As Brown pointed out, in any given focus area, you’ll often find a number of organizations vying for the same donors and resources. But the most successful nonprofits, much like the thriving businesses in Colorado’s craft beer and cocktail scene, have learned to embrace the “Sangria Principle.”
When you work together successfully to draw attention to your issue, everybody wins because the supporter pool grows, Brown explained. Instead of fighting over the cups, you make a bigger pitcher – a concept that’s served us well at The Up and Under.
The Pinot Principle: Building Lasting Relationships
Just as a great wine is rooted in age and place, so too are the most successful nonprofits. The “Pinot Principle” emphasizes the importance of building long-term relationships with donors and supporters, and connecting those relationships to a shared sense of place and community.
It’s an intuitive concept for a local-focused organization, Brown noted. You’re assuming you both care about your home. But even for national organizations, the principle of creating “hub cities” with a critical mass of supporters can be a game-changer, allowing them to focus their efforts strategically and create a dynamic where plugging into the organization feels like a fulfilling, hometown experience.
The Martini Principle: Rediscovering the Classics
In an era of constant change and innovation, it can be tempting to chase the latest trends and “Appletinis” of the nonprofit world. But as Brown reminds us, sometimes the best approach is to rediscover the enduring classics.
There’s a reason the perfect martini has endured, he said. Likewise in the nonprofit sector, we’ve gotten more complex – more complex than most of us can handle, to be honest. But human taste buds, so to speak, haven’t really changed.
The key is to stay grounded in the deeper realities of how people relate to each other and long to be part of something meaningful, and then apply that knowledge creatively to the challenges of new settings, technologies, and donor demographics.
The Craft Beer Principle: Bringing Supporters Closer to the Cause
Finally, the “Craft Beer Principle” speaks to the inherent human need to feel connected to the causes we support. As Brown eloquently put it, there is a real human element to giving that isn’t naturally built into most of our nonprofit business models anymore, where people consciously or not are spending money on nonprofits for a dual purpose: to accomplish a goal and to feel good about doing it.
At The Up and Under, we’ve embraced this principle wholeheartedly. We don’t just want our supporters to write a check and walk away – we want them to feel the tangible effects of their involvement, to be a part of the community they’re helping to build. And just like a craft beer enthusiast, we want them to take pride in the fruits of their shared project.
Raising a Glass to the Future of Pub Philanthropy
As I reflect on the evolution of our monthly happy hours, I’m struck by the profound parallels between the thriving pub and cocktail scene and the future of nonprofit work. By embracing the principles of community, collaboration, relationship-building, and connection, we’ve created something truly special at The Up and Under.
And I believe the same principles can be a guiding light for nonprofits looking to thrive in the years to come. So raise a glass with me, my friends – to the power of pub philanthropy, and the bright future it holds.
