10 Places to Eat and Drink in Support of Australia’s Bushfire Relief

In the wake of the devastating bushfires in Australia, restaurants and bars around the world have been crafting creative ways to collect donations. Whether you are traveling to meetings and events or attending some in your own city, keep an eye out for bushfire relief efforts at the places you dine and drink.

Here are a few upcoming and ongoing fundraisers where your food and beverage purchases (and even that pre-meeting haircut you need!) can contribute to the cause. 

On Feb. 8

Truck Bar in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

In collaboration with Golden Road, 4 Pines Brewing Company will hold a fundraiser and launch “Dingo Pup Beer” on Feb. 8 at Truck Bar in suburban Sydney. Proceeds will be donated to WIRES Wildlife Rescue, Wildlife Victoria and the Australian Red Cross. 4 Pines Brewing has also pledged to match donations dollar for dollar through the month. 

Free Market, Denver

Shave and sip to support Australia at Rosemont Barbershop & Grooming Supply, located at Dairy Block inside Free Market in Denver. All proceeds from shaves, beard trims and haircuts will be donated to the NSW Rural Fire Service, WIRES Wildlife Rescue, and the Australian Red Cross. Proceeds from the cocktails poured by Run for the Roses during the Cut-a-Thon for Australia (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.) will also be donated to the organizations. 

Through Feb. 19

Precinct Kitchen + Bar, Boston

Your “Boomerang” (a specialty cocktail made with Ketel One Grapefruit, Rose Vodka, blood orange purée, tarragon syrup and soda water) at Precinct Kitchen + Bar can help Australia bounce back. All funds from Boomerang purchases will be sent to the World Wildlife Fund’s relief efforts in Australia. 

On Feb. 20

Montecito Restaurant, Toronto

Join sommelier Heather McDougall from 7-10 p.m. at Montecito’s By The Glass for an introduction to and guided tasting of Australian wines paired with dishes prepared by executive chef Guillermo Herbertson. There will also be a silent auction. All proceeds from this special event will be donated to Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal and the Australian Red Cross. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Through the end of February 

Dirty Habit, San Francisco 

Dirty Habit bar and restaurant is offering an Australian Bushfire Relief Menu. One of the menu items, the “Fallen Leaves” cocktail, is made with Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, a modern Australian Gin made with traditional and native Australian botanicals. All proceeds from the Australian Bushfire Relief Menu are being donated to WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue and the Australian Red Cross. 

SX Sky Bar, Chicago

SX Sky Bar created a cheeky little Megxit-themed GoFundMe campaign and cocktail menu (care to try a “Spill the Royal Tea,” anyone?) to support bushfire relief efforts. Any donations collected from the GoFundMe and a portion of the proceeds from Megxit cocktail purchases will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Through March 

Maude, Beverly Hills, California 

Maude restaurant’s new nine-course South Australia tasting menu and wine pairing were inspired by the bounty and flavors of Australian chef-owner Curtis Stone’s home country. All profits from this menu—that runs through the end of March—benefit Drought Angels, a female-founded nonprofit providing assistance and relief for producers in Australia’s agricultural industry affected by disasters like the recent bushfires. Reservations for Maude’s South Australia menu are available through March 28.  

Ongoing

Gran Tivoli, New York City

Gran Tivoli is the first U.S. restaurant by Australian restaurateurs Jason Scott and Robert Marchetti. They created the “Aussie Mates Fundraiser Flight,” a cocktail flight made with Australian liquors. All proceeds from the cocktail flights are being donated to the Australian Red Cross. In addition, Scott’s restaurant in New South Wales is only 10 miles from the fires; his staff has been providing free meals to firefighters and volunteers. 

Temple Court, New York City

For every glass of Australian wine poured at Temple Court, a downtown Manhattan restaurant owned by acclaimed chef Tom Colicchio, $1 is being donated directly to the Australia Wildfire Fund.

Living Roots Winery, Rochester, New York

Make a donation to any bushfire relief charity then bring your receipt into Living Roots. You’ll receive a free wine flight as a token of thanks for your support. Living Roots has a special connection to Australia: The winery is owned by husband and wife team Sebastian and Colleen Hardy. Colleen is a Rochester native and Sebastian is a sixth-generation winemaker from Australia. Many of his family and friends are still there and affected by the fires. Living Roots features wines from both the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York and the Adelaide Hills of Australia.