Worthy Pop-Up Bar benefiting Newhouse aims to raise $200,000 this year

Worthy Pop-Up Event // Photo courtesy of Newhouse

For the third year in a row, Newhouse will be hosting their “Worthy” pop-up bar event March 1 and 2 at The Maverick. The two-day event by Newhouse will raise money for survivors of domestic violence. The event aims to bring awareness to the importance of self-care, maintaining healthy relationships, and empowerment.

Newhouse is a domestic violence shelter that started over 50 years ago and is Kansas City’s first domestic violence shelter. They have an 88-bed emergency shelter that can house both children and adults. Now, they strive to go beyond housing and work to better the lives of survivors through their various resources. They have their own legal team, counselors, and therapists, as well as substance abuse recovery resources.

The event was crafted by Newhouse staff member Chris Stibbs in 2021 and has been growing exponentially since as one of three events Newhouse currently hosts each year. According to Newhouse CEO Courtney Thomas, the event raised $28,000 in its first year and $162,000 in 2023. This year, they hope to double that.

2024 participating bartenders. // Photo courtesy of Newhouse

The fundraiser allows Newhouse the opportunity to spread incredibly important information. The Maverick will be peppered with decorations containing messages that promote healthy relationships and worthiness. Guests will also have the chance to write notes to survivors who are currently in their shelters.

“It’s one of the things that survivors so often struggle with. They’ve been told by their abusers that they can’t do things or that no one is going to love them. No one is going to believe them. This just reinforces that everybody’s voice matters and that relationships are not supposed to hurt,” says Thomas.

General admission tickets are $50 and include three drink tickets for the night. VIP admission starts at $100 and includes complimentary beverages, as well as a food truck voucher.

Austin Miller is one of this year’s participating bartenders and is a co-owner of The Maverick. This will be the second year The Maverick has hosted the fundraiser and Miller’s first year bartending at it. He will be joined by bartender Garrett Fugate.

Each year, there is a friendly competition among each team of bartenders to see who can raise the most money for Newhouse. Bartender teams can raise money through ticket sales and tips on the night of the event. Tickets can be purchased under a selected team of bartenders to add towards their total.

Last year, Miller said the event brought out around 600 people between the two days, all from different walks of life. He believes the pop-up brings awareness to the public, which can help support domestic violence survivors.