There is a specific kind of relief that comes from the right cold drink on a hot July afternoon, and one summer holiday is devoted entirely to that feeling. National Refreshment Day falls on the fourth Thursday in July, landing this year on July 23, right in the thick of the season when a great drink hits hardest. At Lucky Strike, where the bar puts as much thought into a glass as the kitchen puts into a plate, it is an easy occasion to get behind.
Drink menus can differ from one center to the next, so it is worth a quick look at your local lineup through the Location Finder before you visit. Once you see what is on offer, the only real question is what to pour first.
How National Refreshment Day started
For a holiday about kicking back, the origin is fittingly laid-back. A Vermont craft brewery called the Traveler Beer Company created National Refreshment Day in 2015, choosing the fourth Thursday in July to spotlight the light, easy-drinking flavors that taste best when the sun is high. The brewery made its name on shandies, the citrusy blend of beer and fruit built for exactly this weather, so a summer holiday about refreshment was a natural extension.
The date has held to the fourth Thursday ever since, which plants it firmly in the dog days of summer. It is less a formal observance than a standing reminder to slow down, cool off, and enjoy something good in a glass, which is a philosophy we happen to share.
Three ways to cool down
Our summer drink lineup covers every mood.
For something playful and alcohol-free, the Dirty Sodas take a familiar fizz and load it with flavor, in options like Cherry Lime, Vanilla Dr Pepper, and Sour Apple, each finished with the right topping. They are sweet, a little nostalgic, and remarkably easy to keep sipping.
If you prefer something bright and fruit-forward, the craft lemonades deliver, with flavors like Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, and Cotton Candy that stay cool and refreshing with no alcohol at all.
And when the occasion calls for a little more, our signature cocktails bring the bar's full personality to the table, bold and made for a proper night out.
Between the three, there is a refreshment here for everyone in the party. Explore the full Lucky Strike menu.
Raise a glass and stay a while
A great drink is even better with something to do, and that is where the evening opens up. Settle in for a few frames, order a round, and let a quick stop become a full summer night. When you know you are coming in, reserve a lane ahead of time so your table is set the moment you arrive.
Since July is prime season for exactly this kind of outing, a Summer Season Pass is worth considering if you plan to make a habit of it before the heat fades. And for a bigger celebration, a social event gives your group its own space to toast the season together. On July 23, there is no wrong way to cool off.