Bar AIDS is Back

Get your drink on (and not just at the bars) for a great cause

There’s a great way to quench your thirst this Thursday during Bar AIDS (Aug. 25). For the second year in a row, local AIDS organizations – including Mazzoni Center, Action AIDS, Philadelphia FIGHT and the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania – benefit from the all-day event.

Bars are giving more than 30 percent of sales tomorrow for every drink purchased (Thursday is the new Friday, right?). It all got started in Chicago six years ago to bring attention to HIV and AIDS issues. Last year the event was a success here in Philly, the city where Dining Out for Life first got started. And with even more venues participating this year – including coffee shops and cafes that service non-alcoholic beverages – charities are expected to raise even more money.

A few new organizations are also participating, including the City of Brotherly Love Softball League (CBLSL) which has adopted a few locations where members can lend their support. CBLSL is one of the organizers of the ASANA World Series, which overlaps with Bar AIDS, bringing hundreds of softball players into Philly for several days of events.

“In spite of the tremendous success to our knowledge of and treatment for HIV and AIDS, there is still so much more that needs to be accomplished,” says Bob Lenahan, commissioner for the CBLSL and co-chair of the ASANA World Series 2011.

In addition to a percentage of proceeds being donating to the AIDS organizations, volunteers will be at venues selling raffle tickets. Folks will have a chance to win prizes – like a trip for two to Riviera Maya through Apple Vacations. WMMR’s Pierre Robert will also be meeting and greeting Bar AIDS goers around town.

Here’s the list of participating bars:

The Bike Stop: 206 S. Quince St.
City Tap House: 3925 Walnut St.
Field House: 1150 Filbert St.
Knock: 225 S. 12th St.
London Grill: 2301 Fairmount Ave.
PYT: 1050 N. Hancock St.
Square 1682: 121 S 17th St.
Tabu: 200 S. 12th St.
Tavern on Camac: 243 S. Camac St.
Uncle’s: 1220 Locust St.
Voyeur: 1221 St. James St.
Woody’s: 202 S. 13th St.
XIX (Nineteen): 200 S. Broad St.

And coffee shops:

Café Cret, 110 N. 16th St.
Café Twelve, 212 S. 12th St.
La Colombe, 130 S. 19th St.
La Colombe, 1414 S. Penn Square