'Sip and Suds' Pub Crawl Next Saturday Night

Don't look now, but pub crawls are suddenly becoming all the rage in Safety Harbor.

The number of successful crawls in town over the past several months has led other organizations to explore the idea of hosting the fun bar-hops in order to raise money for a cause while promoting local businesses.

The latest example of such an endeavor is the 'Sip and Suds' Pub Crawl, a joint effort between the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor that will take place on Saturday, May 11 beginning at 6 p.m.

"The purpose of the pub crawl is to benefit our charities, chamber members as well as the local businesses in town," Rotary Club President Bob McClure said.

"We had been thinking about doing one for about a year, and after seeing some of the other successful ones in town lately, we finally got one organized."

This crawl is a bit different from some of the others.

For example, the route will be divided into two halves: east and west. Crawlers will start at the John Wilson park Gazebo and then break into groups that will head down opposite ends of Main Street.

Four establishments make up each half of the crawl. They will supply drinks for the participants, who must pay $20 for two drink tickets plus a tee shirt or $25 for four drink tickets and a shirt.

"The participating bar owners donated the alcohol, so we need to thank them and repay them for their generosity," Rotary and chamber official Janet Hooper said. 

"And you can only use one drink ticket per bar. That will prevent everybody from congregating in one place and help spread the wealth along the route."

While pub crawls are notoriously fun and sometimes crazy affairs, McClure said the purpose of this particular crawl goes deeper than drinks and tee shirts.

"This is not only a great way to support our charities  but it's a way to help support our local bars and restaurants."

"Plus we get to have a good time!"

What To Know If You Go:

• What: Sips and Suds Safety Harbor Pub Crawl
• When: Saturday, May 11 2013 from 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Where: The event begins at the John Wilson park Gazebo at 400 Main Street and will proceed east and west from there. Eight area bars and restaurants are participating in the crawl:
• Nolan's Pub
• Bar Fly
• Southern Fresh
• Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
• Copperheads Tap House
• Whistle Stop
• Tapping the Vine
• 8th Avenue Pub
• Cost: Tickets are $20 for two drink vouchers, $25 for four drink vouchers. each ticket comes with a free tee-shirt.
• Beneficiaries: Rotary Eradicate Polio; Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center summer literacy program; Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce members befit program and building renovations for the chamber.
• Contact: For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Sip and Suds Pub Crawl website, or visit the chamber office at 200 Main St.

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