Parched March Launch Party 2012 at the Winery, Surry Hills

Done with FebFast? Thought as much. Time to get your cocktail on and celebrate Sydney’s bar culture throughout the month of March.

Dubbed as “30 Bars in 30 Days”, Parched March was founded by Sun-Herald columnist Amy Cooper as an antidote to dry campaigns such as FebFast and Ocsober, and promotes the enjoyment of responsible drinking. And it’s all in the name of animal charity.

Amy Cooper (R) with Manny

On February 22, Parched March launched in style at the Winery in Surry Hills  and will see a month of daily calendar of activity and entertainment across Sydney’s bars.

The Winery Bar, Jason Williams, Keystone Group Cocktail Manager

Dr Katrina Warren (L) and Amy Cooper (R)

Throughout the coming month, participating bars* will have a special Parched March cocktail on their menus and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Animal Welfare League (AWL) of NSW, a registered charity that has been caring for surrendered, neglected and abandoned animals for over 50 years. People can also sign up for sponsorship and undertake the 30 Bars in 30 Days challenge.

Pepe Le Pew in coupette glass with clove and rosewater spray

Guests at the launch enjoyed a variety of cocktails made with José Cuervo Tequila, Ketel One Vodka, Tanqueray, Chambord along with Strongbow Cider. Pepe Le Pew, a cocktail made with Ketel One Vodka, Chambord, blood orange, lemon juice and clove syrup with a clove and rosewater spray appealed to those who prefer their drink on the sweet side.

Speedy Gonzales

For those who like their cocktails a little stronger, the Speedy Gonzales, made with Tequila, strawberry liqueur, white creme de cacao, dry white wine, Cognac and Hellfire Habanero Shrub was a surprise hit on the night.

The Eager Beaver was a crowd pleaser, a crisp and floral cocktail made with Tanqueray Gin, violet liqueur, apple and lemon, finished with dandelion and burdock bitters.

Eager Beaver

The Eager Beaver was created for Parched March and will be available at the following Keystone venues throughout March: Theloft, Kit & Kaboodle, Gazebo Wine Garden, The Winery, Manly Wine and Cargo Lounge where $2.00 of every cocktail sold will go to the Animal Welfare League charity.

Airlie Walsh with “Baxter”

Manny and Sara Bray PR

The launch party saw live music by Elle May FT Jordan Millar, and a special guest performance by Elias ‘Elvis’ Jamhour.

Elle May FT Jordan Millar 

Elias ‘Elvis’ Jamhour

Some of the events planned for Parched March 2012:

March 11 – Cause for Paws: Gazebo, from 12pm
March 13 – Merivale Xchange ‘The Bar Pick Up’
March 14 – Cocktail V Wine, Battle of the Booze: TheLoft, King Street Wharf, from 6pm
March 15 – Puppy Love Party: Cargo Lounge, from 7pm
March 25 – LL Sunday Yum Cha Session, BYO Dog!: LL Wine & Dine, from 11am-4pm
March 25 – Pets in the Pub at The Alexandria: The Alexandria Hotel, Everleigh, from 1pm
March 27 – Merivale Xchange ‘Dress Them Up & Strip Them Down!’: The Den, ivy
April 3 – Parched March Wrap Party, Bucket List

* Participating Bars: The Alexandria Hotel, Cargo Lounge, The Winery, Gazebo Wine Garden, Minsky’s @ Hotel Cremorne, The Roosevelt, LL, 30 Knots, 4 Pines, Bar 100, Bavarian Beer Café Bondi Beach, (also Parramatta, Chatswood, Manly Wharf, York St), Beresford Hotel, Blu Bar on 36 at the Shangri La, Bridgeview Hotel, Bucket List, Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Cohibar, Cruise Bar, Eau de Vie, Globe Bar at Observatory Hotel, Grandmas Bar, Hemmesphere, Hugos Bar Pizza, Hugos Manly, Island Bar, Jacksons on George, Kit and Kaboodle, Longrain, Low 302, Manly Wine, Mrs Sippy’s, Ms G’s, Pocket Bar, Sake, Small Bar CBD & Crows Nest, Stitch, The Anchor, The Argyle, The Belvedere Hotel, The Club, The Deck, The Greengate Hotel, the Marlborough Hotel, The Watershed Hotel, Vessel Bar, The Village, Time to Vino, Twenty One, The Victoria Room, York Lane.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the Parched March website.

Parched March
http://www.parchedmarch.com

The Winery
285A Crown Street
Surry Hills
http://www.thewinerybygazebo.com.au

Parched March 2013 Launch here.