Bars March returns in 2020, and Australia’s only annual charity celebration of bar culture in support of animal welfare is set to mark its 10 year anniversary (70 dog years!) this month.
Bars March 2020 – Photo Supplied
Established in 2010 by Amy Cooper, Bars March 2020 will bring together some of Australia’s most iconic venues for a month-long celebration under the banner #haveadrinksaveadog where most of the participating venues will create and sell a special Bars March cocktail all month. Some venues are doing ‘Pints 4 Paws’ or a Puppy Parma, with proceeds going to the Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL) and Save a Dog Scheme (SADS) in Victoria.
Bars March has shown for a decade that it’s possible to do good while having fun responsibly, with $90,000 raised so far for animal charities – all through enjoyment of some of Australia’s best bars. The special Bars March cocktails will be sold by venues ranging from craft cocktail bars to big lively pubs, urban breweries and distilleries.
New to Bars March this year are Melbourne’s Newmarket Hotel who have created a special Puppy Parma, Sydney’s The Phoenix, venues across the Laundy Group, plus regular supporters Bartolo, Lobo Plantation and Applejack group venues including The Botanist (Kirribilli) Bopp & Tone, Socal, plus CBD bars such as Old Mates Place and Bancho.
Fon Hah, Arden, Tyson & Amy Cooper Bars March – Photo Supplied
“We’re excited to be celebrating ten years of Bars March next month. We fundraise and shine the light on the ‘adopt don’t shop’ message, and have a lot of fun along the way. This year, the push to change the laws to allow dogs in pubs is threatening the very essence of what Bars March is all about – so we’re also going to do whatever we can to fight that,” said Bars March founder and organiser Amy Cooper.
Bars March celebrity ambassadors include TV vet Dr Katrina Warren, garden guru Jamie Durie and a squad of four-legged Instagram stars – these pouting pooches and dapper doggos will be out and about strutting their stuff at participating bars during March.
In Sydney, the doggone good celebrations kicked off from 12pm at The Erskineville Hotel in Sydney on Sunday March 1 with a special public ‘Pints 4 Paws’ launch, with $1 from every 4 Pines beer sold going to Bars March fundraising for the AWL.
Also supporting Bars March this year is the UK’s Warner’s Distillery and their Rhubarb Gin. Husband and wife co-founders, distillers and gin farmers Tom and Tina Warner are travelling to Sydney in March so there will be bespoke Bars March Warner’s cocktails on pour at Sydney’s The Duke of Clarence, The Barber Shop and Madame Brussels in Melbourne throughout March.
e annual Good Times for a Good Cause also shines a spotlight on bar culture, says Bars March founder Amy Cooper. “While some of our participating venues welcome dogs and others are human-only, each one supports the cause. And each represents the dog-loving spirit of Bars March- a celebration of communities joining to eat, drink and connect in their favourite locals.
All our venues serve amazing drinks made by talented staff in inviting surroundings and we urge everyone to check out the list on our website and head to these big-hearted venues in support of the doggos for Bars March 2020!” added Amy Cooper.
During Bars March 2020, members of the public can show their support by visiting participating venues and buying a Bars March charity cocktail, attending fundraising events and taking part in social media competitions.
Venues wishing to support Bars March can sign up on the online registration at https://www.barsmarch.com/rego/
