These Meatpacking Bars Are Raising Money For The ACLU In February

MEATPACKING DISTRICT, NY — If you're looking to grab a pint and support civil liberties in February, here's where you can tipple for a cause this month.

Nine bars in the Meatpacking District are fundraising for the American Civil Liberties Union in February through a program organized by the neighborhood's business improvement district (BID). Organizers with the Meatpacking BID originally launched the initiative in January, but are extending it for another month amid continued interest from local bars and restaurants.

Lauren Danziger, executive director of the Meatpacking BID, noted that the nonprofit was not a political organization, but said they wanted to find a way to both incentivize patrons and support the ACLU. The ACLU declared itself a leader in demanding accountability from Donald Trump even before the new president was sworn in. Last month, the ACLU and other groups filed suit against the White House to challenge an executive order that blocked travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, among other actions.

"I think a lot of people in New York City felt a bit challenged after the election," Danziger told Patch. "We were looking for a way that could connect something meaningful and heartfelt and go beyond just, 'I'm heading out for a drink.'"

Danziger said she didn't yet have fundraising totals from January, but that she's gotten a lot of positive feedback from participating bars and patrons.

"I think the reason why this program resonates so much is that you don't have to change your life," she said. "They can just go about their normal life and contribute to this protection of human rights and civil liberties."

During February, nine bars in the area will donate $1 for every select drink ordered. Here are the participating bars and restaurants, and the drinks you can order to support the cause:

• Brass Monkey, 55 Little W 12 St.: Order the "Stronger Together," a mix of Tecate and shot of Wild Turkey.

• Bubby’s, 120 Hudson St.: Order the "Rolling Stones," made with fig-infused vodka, mint, and bitters.

• Foragers Table, 300 W 22nd St.: Order the "Domaine Vens-le-Haut Mondeuse Rouge."

• Fig & Olive, 420 W 13th St.: Order the "Fig & Walnut Julep," a mix of Bourbon, elderflower liqueur, Port, muddled black mission figs, mint, and lime garnished with shaved walnuts.

• Sons & Daughters, 85 10th Ave.: Order the "End of the Maze," which has LeMorton Calvados, Angostura Amora, ginger, cinnamon, bigallet thyme, lemon, and hot water.

• The Green Table, 75 9th Ave.: Order the winter sangria, made from organic red wine, brandy, blood orange liqueur, apple cider, spiced syrup and fruit.

• The Tippler, 425 W 15th St.: Order the old-fashioned.

• Toro, 85 10th Ave.: Order the Iberian old-fashioned.

• Untitled at the Whitney, 99 Gansevoort St.: Order the "Golden Ticket," made with gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, suze, and yellow chartreuse.

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