Not that we need an excuse to drink a stellar negroni, but imbibing for charity is a pretty decent one. Negroni Week, which starts today and continues through June 12, brings bars from around the world together to celebrate the classic negroni cocktail while raising money for charity. Bars are able to pick a cause that's near and dear to them, with a portion of the proceeds (usually $1 or $2) from their featured negroni benefitting a particular charity. The results are impressive: in 2015, more than 3,500 venues raised over $320,000 for charitable causes.
Over 160 bars in Los Angeles are participating this year—you can check out the full list here—but we narrowed down the roster to a handful of our favorites. Drink up!
The Bellwether (Studio City): Take your pick of three refreshing negronis at The Bellwether, with proceeds from each drink going toward Boxer Rescue L.A. Sip on a grapefruit negroni, white negroni or Ventura boulevardier from beverage director Ann-Marie Verdi.
The Corner Door (Culver City): This neighborhood favorite is taking Negroni Week up a notch with a Game of Thrones-inspired 7 Kingdoms Drink Menu. Order drinks like Direwolf (blended scotch, campari, walnut liqueur), Moon Door (gin, campari, sweet vermouth, genepi, mint) or Knight of Flowers (barrel-aged genever, campari, dry vermouth, cream sherry, cinnamon). Proceeds will be donated to The Forgotten Dog Foundation.
Belcampo Meat Co. (Santa Monica): One of the more inventive negronis of the bunch, the Red Light Negroni at Belcampo's Santa Monica location is made with Bols Genever, campari and sweet vermouth, and served in a hollowed-out lightbulb. Sip in style and know that your dollars are going towards a good cause: Share Our Strength.
Eveleigh (West Hollywood): Try three different negroni versions here, with proceeds benefiting Homeboy Industries. The Negroni Fantasma uses Aviation Gin, Eveleigh's house negroni uses Plymouth Navy Strength Gin and the Negroni Zapatista switches it up entirely with Vida Mezcal.
Baldoria (Little Tokyo): The new Little Tokyo cocktail and small bites bar is getting in on the Negroni Week action with a few bottled options that benefit the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club. Try Sargent Pepper's Negroni (yellow chartreuse infused with jalapeños, sweet vermouth and gin) or the White Negroni with campari caviar garnish. There's even a mezcal option for those looking for a smokier pick.
Ivory on Sunset (West Hollywood): Take advantage of the warmer weather we'll be having this week on the Ivory on Sunset's patio, all while enjoying a classic negroni. Portions of the proceeds will go towards the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
The Fiscal Agent (Studio City): A negroni slushie? Sure, why not. The Studio City lounge will be serving a Frozen Negroni Slushie to benefit PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)—perfect for the heat wave we're about to have.
Bar Toscana (Brentwood): An impressive lineup of seven different negronis are available this week at Bar Toscana, ranging from the Negroni Sbagliato made with prosecco to the Negroski featuring basil-infused vodka. Pair them with some of the restaurant's outstanding Italian dishes and you're golden. A portion of each negroni's proceeds will go towards the Gordon Brown Fellowship.
Big Bar (Los Feliz): The cozy Los Feliz bar is offering both a classic negroni and this gem: the Yes Way Negroné, made with campari, Summer Water rosé, Cocchi Aperitivo Americano and grapefruit oil. Proceeds benefit the Trevor Project.
Magnolia House (Pasadena): This bungalow-turned-cocktail-bar is offering La Caravedo pisco, Cappelletti Aperitivo, La Quintinye Rouge and grapefruit bitters; proceeds benefit The REAL Bark.
Find out more about Negroni Week and its participating bars here.