PUBS SAY CHEERS TO COCKTAILS AND CANINES FOR CHARITY

2020 10^th Anniversary Celebrations for Bars March

BARS MARCH, Australia’s only annual charity celebration of bar culture in support of animal welfare, is set to mark its 10 year anniversary.

Established in 2010, BARS MARCH will once again bring together some of Australia’s most iconic venues for a month-long celebration under the banner #haveadrinksaveadog

Most of the participating venues will create and sell a special cocktail all month – while some 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.

The cheeky alternative to dry charity months, this event 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 cocktails will be sold by big-hearted bars, with venues ranging from craft cocktail bars to big lively pubs, urban breweries and distilleries.

New to the event 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 stellar supporters Bartolo, Lobo Plantation and Applejack group venues including The Botanist (Kirribilli) Bopp & Tone, Socal, plus cool little CBD bars such as Old Mates Place and Bancho.

“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 will kick off from 12pm at The Erskineville Hotel in Sydney this 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 famed Rhubarb Gin. Tom and Tina Warner are mad doggy people – and their pooch Leia is also their Executive Morale officer.

They are travelling down this way in March and although their gins are a relatively recent arrival to Australia, still wanted to support the cause… So there will be bespoke BARS MARCH Warner’s cocktails on pour at Sydney’s The Duke of Clarence and The Barber Shop, plus Madame Brussels in Melbourne.

The 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 the event, members of the public can show their support by visiting participating venues and buying a charity cocktail, attending fundraising events and taking part in social media competitions.

Instagram: @barsmarch #barsmarch

About Bars March:

The concept was born in 2010 and is all about Good Times for a Good Cause. Founder Amy Cooper created the campaign as a fun alternative to dry campaigns such as FebFast and October. It celebrates sensible drinking and Sydney’s fabulous array of world-class bars. 

About Animal Welfare League NSW:

Reliant on donations, Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL) is a dynamic and high impact organisation, working to save and improve the lives of pets that have been surrendered, neglected or abandoned. AWL protects animals through regulatory work with various Government bodies and helps to enforce legislation with a team of Inspectors who are on the ground every day. For pets in need, AWL provides customized care through a foster care and branch network, three shelters and veterinary hospital, working to find loving forever homes for animals in their care.

About Save a Dog Scheme VIC:   

Save-A-Dog Scheme (SADS) is an incorporated, not-for-profit animal welfare organisation based in Melbourne that save hundreds of dogs and cats from being killed every year.

SADS was established in 1985 with the intention of changing the culture of killing companion animals to a culture of saving them. Their SADS no-kill philosophy has saved thousands of dogs and cats providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals.