Bar Louie will continue its Cocktails for a Cause initiative with their newest cocktail, Ruby & Rose, benefitting the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (BEAP) at the USBG Foundation, a national grant fund focused on being a financial safety net for bartenders in the U.S. and its Territories. Made with Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose, Aperol, simple syrup, lemon, Fever Tree Grapefruit Soda, and garnished with a grapefruit wedge and black Hawaiian sea salt, this innovative twist on a classic salty dog is not only refreshing but is also a low ABV cocktail to promote mindful drinking as we enter 2021. Now through March 31st, for each Ruby & Rose cocktail sold, Bar Louie will donate $1 to the BEAP. Guests can also make a $1, $5, or $10 donation during order checkout, in-store and online.
The BEAP was created in 2015 and has since operated continuously to assist qualified bartenders, bar backs, and bar servers who need financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship. This year, the BEAP has helped over 32,000 hospitality professionals in their time of need and will continue to help as many in our industry as possible pending funding.
Donate now online by visiting: www.usbgfoundation.org/barlouie
As an arm of Bar Louie’s charitable giveback program, Louie Loves, Cocktails for a Cause is their year-round give back program benefiting national and local charitable organizations. Bar Louie’s goal is to raise a minimum $20,000 to the BEAP which will go directly to funding scholarships and grants for individuals in the hospitality industry. “Bar Louie frequently partners with charitable organizations in our communities, and this particular partnership is extremely gratifying. The pandemic has affected the lives of those in the hospitality industry especially hard. We are honored to be able to support our brothers and sisters in the industry. It seemed fitting that we raise support by raising a glass and saying “cheers” with a refreshing new cocktail made especially for our fellow bartenders across the industry,” states Jonathan Ehrhart, Chief Financial Officer at Bar Louie.
“The USBG Foundation’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program exists to serve as many in our industry as possible in their time of need,” adds Aaron Gregory Smith, Executive Director of the USBG National Charity Foundation. “We are very grateful to Bar Louie and to all of our donors for their commitment to lifting up people from all corners of the bar industry. As an organization, we will remain diligent in our fundraising efforts on behalf of those who work in every kind of bar imaginable, from craft cocktail spots, the neighborhood local around the corner, and sports bars to bowling alleys, chain restaurants, the VFW, and more.”
As of today, 17 percent of restaurants—more than 110,000 establishments—are closed permanently or long-term. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with the USBG for our Cocktails for a Cause initiative. Our team members, and team members from other brands across the industry have been tirelessly serving the community during a very hard 2020. Through it all, one thing remained constant; their hard work and dedication to serving our communities and delivering outstanding hospitality. I think it’s our turn to serve them and make a positive difference in the lives of others as much as we can,” says Damian Mazza, Senior Vice President of Operations at Bar Louie. In an industry built on service to others, many of the people who work in the industry need assistance now more than ever.
