On Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, exactly 1,969 people gathered at Recess in the West Loop to simultaneously take shots of Jeppson’s Malört, establishing a new world record for the largest mass of people downing the polarizing Chicago liqueur at the same time, according to local reports.
The event, dubbed “Bad Decision for a Good Cause,” brought together over 1,000 ticketed attendees at the West Loop venue located at 838 W. Kinzie St., while dozens of participating bars ranging from California to Maryland joined in by hosting their own simultaneous toasts, as reported by Block Club Chicago. Organizers from Everleigh Entertainment and Jeppson’s Malört structured the gathering to vie for a first-time appearance in the Guinness Book of World Records, directing $10 from every ticket sold to Ravenswood Community Services.
## Crowds, Costumes, and a Gubernatorial Pour
Doors opened at 5 p.m. to a line that wrapped around the block as participants arrived in elaborate themed attire, according to Block Club Chicago reporting. Attendees sported custom outfits, including hats molded into the shape of Malört bottles and shirts featuring the logo of the wormwood-flavored liqueur. Lisa Golbeck, a local attendee, told Block Club Chicago that she wore a Malört T-shirt complemented by Malört-shade eyeliner, noting her lifelong familiarity with the record book. Another attendee, Blake Nagel, appeared in a homemade “Malört Man” costume originally created for a 2018 couples costume that paired the liqueur with Old Style beer to represent a traditional Chicago Handshake.
Inside the venue, guests received a shooter marked with a tag reading “save for the world record attempt,” according to Block Club Chicago. Entertainment included a burlesque show and a “wheel of doom” featuring various Malört-themed challenges. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also made a surprise appearance behind the bar, pouring and handing out shots to patrons, according to local coverage.
“Carl Sandburg said, ‘Chicago was a stormy, brawling, husky city of big shoulders,’” Pritzker told the crowd at Recess, according to Block Club Chicago. “We are, and he said it because we put our blood, sweat and tears into fighting for others, fighting for the city of Chicago, and it’s blood, sweat and tears that make up Malört. So everybody should have a great time tonight for a truly great cause.”
## Virtual Reach and Logistical Growth
While tickets to the physical event sold out quickly, a free livestream carried the proceedings, according to Block Club Chicago. Franky Everleigh, director of Everleigh Entertainment, noted that the concept originated a year prior when he hosted about 100 out-of-town Midwestern colleagues and introduced them to the local spirit.
Proceeds from the ticket sales benefit Ravenswood Community Services.
