23/02/2026
Today is National Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day, a chance to recognise the vital contribution hospitality workers make to our communities.
It’s also an opportunity to bring attention to the impacts of drinking cultures among hospitality workers and the positive changes already underway.
Drinking during or after a shift has long been a common practice among hospitality workers. But attitudes are shifting, and many workers are finding new ways to unwind, support each other, and reduce harm.
⭐️Hospo drinking cultures project
As part of VicHealth’s Men’s Risky Drinking Initiative, “Hospo drinking cultures” seeks to amplify the positive changes already underway through a series of short, animated documentaries.
The animations feature personal stories from hospitality workers like Martin, featured in the video below – people who are changing hospitality cultures to facilitate low-risk drinking and foster care between hospitality workers.
By acknowledging this day, we can all play a role in supporting healthier workplace cultures and promote ways to unwind that protect the wellbeing of hospitality workers everywhere.
Watch all the animations: https://hospodrinkingcultures.org.au/animation/
Learn more about the research behind the Hospo Drinking Cultures project: https://www.turningpoint.org.au/about-us/news/New-campaign-challenges-the-cultures-of-high-risk-drinking-among-male-hospitality-students-and-workers
Keep an eye out for a new research project starting this year that further explores alcohol consumption and hospitality work.
