The global UN Women theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021 is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”. This theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future.
And bars around the country have taken up that mantle and they are hosting events to promote this idea and also support various women’s charities at the same time. Here are just a few of the events that are happening around the country over the next few days.
Women in Walrus all-female bar takeover
With the support of Hendrick’s Gin, The Regatta’s underground speakeasy The Walrus Club in Brisbane is hosting this IWD from 5 pm on Sunday, March 7. This event is an all-female bar takeover featuring a cocktail competition (including a signature cocktail round and a speed round), live music and a mouthwatering menu.
It seems a fitting venue for an IWD event as The Regatta was where Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bognor held their iconic protest demanding service for women in public bars! We’ll toast to that. Entry is free. Click here for more info.
When: Sunday, 7th March @ 5pm
Where: The Walrus Club, Brisbane
Golden Girls by Rambling Rascals for International Women’s Day
Olivia Rockwell (Continental) and Claudia Morgan (RR) have put together this event to raise money for The Women and Girls Emergency Centre in Redfern, an all female run feminist, grassroots organisation and frontline service supporting women in crisis and working with the community to advocate for social change.
We will be serving fun Miami style drinks and there will be a raffle with prizes up for grabs. Stop by for your chance to be served by this amazing all-star cast: Sarah Mycock, Alissa Gabriel, Chloe Natterer, Sarah Proietti, Jasmine Pirovic, Meg Litherland, Alicia Clarke, Olivia Rockwell, Anna Nguyen, Cherish Wilkie, Claudia (Beryl) Morgan, Elsie Williams, Emily Lassila, Minna Hanson, Sofia Serje and Stephanie Haile.
When: Monday 8th March @ 6pm
Where: Ramblin’ Rascals, Sydney
Boss Babe Bar Take Over
The Good Times Only Group (with Spirits Platform) will have some of the industry’s leading bar people taking over the Howlin’ Wolf in Wollongong for this event. The idea is to host other Boss Babes from the industry, strengthen the women in hospo network and raise some money for UN Women. So who will be there? Atlanta Pahulu (Bulletin Place) Place), Alex Dahlenburg (Mjolner ), Lucy Pallet Jones (Silk and Grit) & Zoe Hookway (Four Pillars Lab) join GTO s Krips Long (Howlin Wolf), Amy Thompson (Dagwood Bar + Kitchen) and the Boss Babe Crew (Good Times Only Group). There will also be a limited edition t-shirt (design by Mint Illustrations), with all profit s from the shirt sales also going to UN Women.
When: Monday 8th March
Where: Howlin Wolf Bar, Wollongong info: accounts@goodtimesonly.com.au
Maybe Mae celebrates International Women’s Day with Taboo Sanitary Products & Needle & Pin
Maybe Mae will be showcasing a special cocktail list by Kayla Grigoriou and Grace Rawlins with $3 from each cocktail sold going to Taboo Sanitary Products to provide universal access to sanitary products – primarily to One Girls Education programs in Sierra Leone and Uganda.
Kayla Grigoriou, Head Distiller and Founder of Needle & Pin, used to work at Maybe Mae and we are showcasing her new Casa Range that has just been released with this activation. Grace Rawlins is relatively new talent at Maybe Mae and loved the idea of doing a female-powered activation for IWD.
Eloise Hall is Director and Co-Founder of Taboo Sanitary Products. GM of Maybe Mae, Nick Corletto says: “We have witnessed her determination and altruism; this annual activation is a fantastic opportunity for our organisation to contribute to a cause we have watched grow into fruition.”
When: Tuesday, 8th March
Where: Maybe Mae, Adelaide @maybemaebasement for more info
The Launch of Mix Haus
Over in Perth there is an invite-only event we thought was definitely worth a mention. This event is being hosted by the Mix Haus team and is their official launch into the Australian hospitality sector. Mix Haus is a Non-for-profit co-founded by Shirley Yeung, Pippa Canavan and Reid Gunter in Perth, Western Australia.
Launching on international womxn’s day in March, their core mission is to create an open and safe community to support all womxn in hospitality. To educate, train and nurture future and current industry leaders to sustain more opportunities for womxn in the industry. A group for womxn, founded by womxn.
Mix Haus aims to bring more exclusive workshops, trainings and networking events throughout the year, with a catalogue of exciting events highlighting female talent in our industry to everyone as well.
Mix Haus is here to bring a mix of people, with a mix of talent to open a mix of opportunities!
Mix Haus is holding a fundraiser on 8 March. Enquiries or offers of donated items to auction can be directed to Mixhaus@outlook.com
COCKTAILS WITH A CAUSE! CELEBRATING THE STANDING, ACHIEVEMENTS AND SKILLS OF FIVE INSPIRING WOMEN ACROSS THE SNEAKERS & JEANS VENUE PORTFOLIO.
With International Women’s Day fast approaching on Monday 8 March, five women from the Sneakers & Jeans venues discuss what it means to be woman in hospitality in 2021 and they have each created a cocktail suited to each of their respective venues.
Alyssa Gillon (Caballitos), Ava Grandison (Goody Two’s), Chloe Rigoll (Haqida), Eliza Rouse (The Flour Factory) and KD Adams (Varnish on King) spent their time in lockdown curating five truly inspirational cocktails – each in some way showcasing ingredients synonymous with each venues’ signature specialty across the group; everyone’s favourite tequila joint Caballitos; The “GINcredible” Flour Factory; Japanese inspired cocktails at Goody Two’s; beautiful rooftop spritzes at Hadiqa and of course all the American whiskey business that occurs underground at Varnish on King.
“We’re pumped to celebrate this day once again at S&J” says Sneakers & Jeans CEO, Andy Freeman. “Women account for half the S&J workforce – working across the group from Executive level in HQ, Marketing, Events, Venue Management and our high energy bars, restaurants and kitchens. These women are all integral to our team, our culture, and our business successes and we’re happy to herald them on this significant day – all while raising money for the Zonta House Refuge Association once again, in what has already been a crazy year for our industry!”
Each of the drinks will be pouring 8-13 March exclusively (please review revised opening hours on each venue’s website – links on final page), with $2 from each drink sold once again going to support the inspiring work of the Zonta House Refuge Association.
WOHO (Women in Hospitality) is also kicking off in 2021 a non for profit targeted at mentoring women’s hospitality careers outside their respective hospitality venue/group. It’s awesome to see the plight of equality come so far recently – especially while so immersed in it. From outlandish flavour profiles to hilarious drink titles, I’m one of many proud women working within and being supported by this industry. Your drink order is not societies defining factor on your identity unless you choose it to be…Today beer can be just as fancy as a cosmopolitan!
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ZONTA HOUSE REFUGE ASSOCIATION
For more than 37 years, Zonta House Refuge Association Inc. have supported women who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing family and domestic violence. Zonta House provides refuge and transitional accommodation, holistic support services and education to women over the age of 18. info@zontahouse.org.au
If you have an IWD event that you would like us to share simply email amy@spantonmedia.com