BARS MARCH is all about good times for a good cause. We love great bars, delicious drinks, fun... and animals. Every March we bring all these together in a month-long celebration around Australia's finest venues. We raise money by encouraging people to enjoy their favourite bars responsibly. Our nine-year-old campaign is the first of its kind, and proves that doing good doesn't always mean depriving yourself. We'll drink to that!

HAVE A DRINK, SAVE A DOG!

Throughout March each of our participating bars creates a special drink, adds it to their menus and donates a portion of the drink’s price to our partner charity. At the same time, we run events and competitions to boost those coffers. 

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 2010, Sun-Herald social columnist Amy Cooper became perplexed by the number of invitations crossing her desk for launches of 'dry' charity months. While applauding those causes, bar-loving Amy worried that three whole months in the calendar was an eternity for people to be absent from their favourite watering holes. Surely doing good didn’t always have to mean deprivation?

She decided to redress the balance with a charity month devoted to encouraging responsible drinkers back out on the town. The aim: to celebrate the talent, creativity and originality that personify Sydney’s bar scene, while raising money for animals - who bring to our lives even more pleasure than our favourite bars and drinks.

Nine years on, Bars March has evolved into an annual month-long party and favourite event on Sydney’s social calendar. It has been supported by more than 400 bars and raised $80,000 for Animal Welfare League NSW.

Special events and celebrity appearances have added extra excitement to the array of fundraising drinks sold across participating venues. Highlights have included the inaugural Mr CBD beauty pageant for blokes in suits, the Bars March sculpture Pup-Up and a galaxy of events. It’s a little different each year and there’s always something new in the mix – but our message remains constant: have a drink, save a dog!