In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world. It is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. Regionally, it is also called men's day, Männertag, or gentlemen's day, Herrentag. It is tradition to do a males-only hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, Bollerwagen, pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer (according to region) and traditional regional food, Hausmannskost, which could be Saumagen, Leberwurst (Liverwurst), Blutwurst (Blood Sausage), vegetables, eggs, etc. Many men will use this holiday to get very drunk, so usually groups of drunk people roam the streets all day. These traditions are probably rooted in Christian Ascension Day's processions to the farmlands, some of which reportedly took on the character of drinking sprees as early as in the 17th century. In the streets of urban regions, especially Berlin, "gentlemen parties" take place since the 19th century, excluding women and going along with alcohol consumption. However, several fathers also spend the day with their families and refrain from getting drunk.Come to the Blind Lady tonight (May 13th) and ask for the Vatertag Pitcher Special and we'll give you a Schwartzbier or Prima Pils pitcher for $14.
