Fun Facts about TGI Friday’s

Fun facts about TGI Friday’s

Friday’s is known today as a casual family-friendly establishment, but it actually started out as a swinging cocktail bar on the Upper East Side.

Alan Stillman

Alan Stillman opened the first bar as a way to meet ladies

It all began quite modestly when an unmarried New York City perfume salesman named Alan Stillman wanted to meet the stewardesses that lived in his neighborhood.

FIRST EVER “Happy Hour”

The first official “Happy Hour” took place at the original TGI Friday’s on 63rd and First in New York City in 1965. Alan Stillman thought people who worked hard all day deserved discounted food and drinks after a long day’s work.

They made it easy to be single and mingle

The first Friday’s was established in 1965 in New York City. Before that, there were no places where groups of young single girls could go out for a casual meal and drinks. Now, there was a relaxed place where groups of young men and women could mingle. The first location enjoyed immediate success, and first year revenues totaled $1 million.

Almost all TGI-locations has a propeller and a rowing scull

The rowing scull was introduced in 1974, and symbolizes teamwork, meaning you can’t win if you don’t row together. The propeller symbolically “propel” the restaurant.

Friday’s was portrayed in the movie “Cocktail”

In 1975, two bartenders at the New York City TGI Friday’s decided it wasn’t enough to simply make drinks. They wanted to make it a show, so they began spinning and twirling bottles while the art of making drinks went to a new level. The crowds loved it, and later Hollywood loved it and portrayed Friday’s in the movie “Cocktail”.

They brought restaurants to the moon

Well, almost: Friday’s opened the Houston Galleria on July 24th, 1973, and seven astronauts, led by Alan Shepard – the first American in space – attended the grand opening.

First in Russia

TGI Fridays became the first American casual dining restaurant to open in Moscow, Russia in 1998.

They had recordbreaking flair

The first TGI Friday’s Bartender Championship was held in 1991. The now-massive competition involves 10.000 bartenders from around the world. On March 28, 2010, TGI Friday’s in the UK set a new Guinness World record of simultaneous bar flair. Over 100 world-class professional bartenders from Friday’s restaurants across the UK participated in this tremendous feat. They set the record with a skillful routine of 101 people flairing in sync, without dropping a bottle, for over two minutes in London’s Covent Garden.

Smoothies and non-alcoholic options

In 1984, Friday’s became one of the first chain restaurants to introduce smoothies, “flings”, and non-alcoholic drinks. They did so to celebrate the 1984 Summer Olympics, because Olympians probably shouldn't drink while their training.

TGI FRIDAY'S OFFERS A WIDE SELECTION OF DISHES, AND HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

TGI Friday’s is an informal and pleasant restaurant for the whole family, and for all occasions. Whether its a quick lunch with colleagues, a dinner with family and friends, or for celebrations of any sort. Their American-inspired menu is large and varied with everything from tasty burgers, juicy spare ribs, tender steaks, fresh salads or tasty pastas. And as a true American diner their portions are rich.

They were credited for inventing potato skins

If you love loaded potato skins, you can thank Friday’s for that. After months of testing in the kitchen, the dish was introduced in 1974, and became an all-time favorite.

Friday’s offer a lunch menu before 15:00 every weekday, a large variety of tasty desserts and a varied kids menu with puzzles and prizes.

TGI Friday’s cocktail bar is the perfect way to both start and end the night. Their bartenders are known for their friendly personality and high-quality cocktails.