TOAST THE YEAR OF THE DOG ACROSS MORE THAN 50 SYDNEY VENUES FOR BARS MARCH 2018

• Month-long celebration sees Sydney’s best bars serve up charitable cocktails for animals in need

Canine and kitten crusaders unite, because Sydney’s only month-long celebration of bar culture in support of animal welfare is back with bite next month.

As the lunar Year of the Dog kicks off, BARS MARCH returns for a ninth year, bringing together more than 50 of the city’s most iconic venues to raise a toast in support of Animal Welfare League NSW.

Under the banner #haveadrinksaveadog, participating venues will create and sell special BARS MARCH cocktails throughout the month, with a portion of proceeds going to the worthy charity – which helps to shelter and rehome abandoned, surrendered and neglected animals.

Furry festivities are set to sprawl across Sydney and beyond - with major venue groups and funky hotspots contributing their own charitable creations.

The cheeky alternative to ‘dry’ charity months such as FebFast and Dry July has shown over the years that it’s possible to do good while having fun, with $80,000 raised so far for Animal Welfare League NSW – all through enjoyment of Sydney’s best watering holes.

Participating venues for 2018 include The Carrington (Surry Hills), Frisco Hotel (Woolloomooloo); Kittyhawk (CBD), The Lobo Plantation (CBD), Misfits Bar & Dining (Redfern), East Village Sydney (Darlinghurst), Big Poppa’s (Darlinghurst), Whirly Bird (Pyrmont), O Bar Dining (CBD), Watsons Bay Hotel, (Watson’s Bay) and The Royal Leichhardt (Leichhardt).

BARS MARCH is always popular with dog-friendly venues, which love to showcase the joys of enjoying a drink, with your four-legged friend welcome. This year, Zetland’s The Village Crown and Wollongong’s North Wollongong Hotel are among pup-loving pubs jumping on board.

And the fun’s even spread to Byron, with Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. flying the flag up in the north!

BARS MARCH 2018 invites friends to meet up, raise a toast and support Animal Welfare League NSW.

Celebrity ambassadors include TV vet Dr Katrina Warren, garden guru Jamie Durie and a squad of four-legged Instagram stars – the Kardashians of the canine world.

The annual Good Times for a Good Cause also shine a spotlight on bar culture, says BARS MARCH founder Amy Cooper: “We feel more than ever it’s important to showcase the creativity, talent and hard work that makes our bar scene truly world class. While we are all about helping animals, we’re also a hearty cheer squad for the hardworking people who drive the hospitality industry.”

Adds Cooper: “Every year the venues – and their customers – amaze us with their generosity. Last year, for example, O Bar Dining sold 799 Barking Mad cocktails over the month. This year, we’re urging everyone to head to one of our bars and toast the Year of the Dog with a BARS MARCH drink.”

Says Jamie Durie: "Bars March is a great initiative and still going strong because it's about helping our four-legged friends through benefits to Animal Welfare League NSW while enjoying yourself, and having fun responsibly."

During BARS MARCH you can show your support by visiting participating venues and buying a BARS MARCH charity cocktail, attending fundraising events and taking part in social media competitions.

Bars interested in participating can also sign-up until March 4 at www.barsmarch.com

In the name of furry, charitable fun, BARS MARCH 2018 will be the biggest celebration yet of Sydney’s top-notch bar culture. We'll drink to that!

www.barsmarch.com Instagram and Twitter: @barsmarch #barsmarch