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D.C.-area bars and restaurants are uniting in a city-wide fundraiser for Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas. Bartenders at participating locations are creating Caribbean-inspired cocktails and donating anywhere from $1 to $3 off the sale of each drink to support organizations helping with relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts including World Central Kitchen, Global Giving, and Team Rubicon. The fundraiser lasts from now through Oct. 31.
The Category 5 hurricane that hovered over Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands was the strongest storm on record to occur east of Florida in the Atlantic and so far north. It claimed the lives of at least 45 people. CNN is reporting that 70,000 people are now homeless and in need of food and water.
Tail Up Goat Co-owner Jill Tyler is leading the efforts of the “#dcdrinksforbahamas” fundraiser. It’s her second time in such a position. She and her colleagues sprung into action after Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017. That’s where Tyler grew up.
“I was so impressed after Hurricanes Maria and Irma hit,” she says. “Everyone jumped on board with a thing that felt personal to me. It was my home. My parents are still there. I just felt really helpless not being able to do anything or talk to anyone and check in. I wanted to harness some of that nervous energy. It was really successful.”
After Hurricane Dorian reached the Bahamas, she spoke with her mother on the phone. “She said, ‘I can’t imagine something sitting on us for 25 hours. Twelve hours were so terrifying.’ This seemed like an easy way to help since we already had the framework in place from last time.”
She’s been especially moved by Chef José Andrés‘ efforts in the region, which is why Tail Up Goat is choosing to direct its donations to World Central Kitchen. Her Adams Morgan restaurant is also no stranger to giving back.
Tyler is excited to see a range of participants from casual restaurants like Lucky Buns and cocktail bars like Archipelago to fine dining bastions like Fiola Mare sign on.
See the list of participating restaurants and bars below. This list is as of Sept. 9. A significant number of others are expected to join in. Continue to check this page for updates.
Bresca
All-Purpose Pizzeria
The Ren Hen
Whaley’s
Doi Moi
Free State Bar
The Salt Line
Exiles Bar
Lucky Buns
ANXO Cidery & Pintxos Bar
Espita Mezcaleria
A Rake’s Progress
The Berliner
LaPop
Central Michel Richard
Grand Central
The Dabney
Boundary Stone
Fiola
Sfoglina
Fiola Mare
Del Mar
Ellē
Dos Mamis
Archipelago
Thompson Italian
Flight Wine Bar
Duke’s Grocery
Beuchert’s Saloon
The Tabard Inn
Tail Up Goat
Chaia
Bourbon Steak
Rocklands Barbeque
The Passenger
Coconut Club
Chez Billy Sud