Friday, October 30, 2026 from 6 to 9 pm (speeches at 7 pm with the burgee lowered afterwards).
Every self-respecting Manhattan Yacht Club member should know two important nautical traditions: Commissioning and Decommissioning.
The first is the Commissioning Ceremony. This is the glorious day each spring when we raise the Manhattan Yacht Club burgee, fire the cannon, and officially declare the sailing season open!
The second is the Decommissioning Ceremony. This takes place in the fall when we lower the club burgee, fire the cannon, and officially bring another wonderful sailing season to a close.
Now, you might think this would be a sad occasion. Quite the contrary! It’s one of the most spirited celebrations of the year, when members come together to toast the great sailing, memorable adventures, and friendships that make our club so special.
And Then We Drink the Bar Dry!
Of course, being the Manhattan Yacht Club, we don’t believe in ending the season quietly!
Our famous floating clubhouse, the Honorable William Wall, has been serving members and the public throughout the summer. And inevitably, when the season ends, there is still beer, wine, and our beloved Mount Gay Rum left behind the bar.
We simply cannot allow these precious supplies to go to waste!
So, in keeping with another great club tradition, we combine our Decommissioning Ceremony with the annual “Drink the Bar Dry Party!”
It’s a tough assignment, but somebody has to do it. And we’re counting on YOU to help us finish the job! After all, we need to make room for fresh supplies next spring.
So come celebrate the season we just enjoyed, raise a glass to the friendships we’ve made, and start dreaming about the sailing adventures still to come!
Dress: Dress warmly for the weather.
Guests: Members are welcome to bring guests.
RSVP: Email office@myc.org
See you at the Decommissioning Ceremony. And remember, drinking the bar dry is a team effort!
