Photos: Brides of March 2025 bar crawl invades Phoenix

Just in time for wedding season, the Brides of March bar crawl invaded downtown Phoenix on March 15. Dozens of men and women wore flowing white gowns as they participated in a wild afternoon of drinking and revelry not unlike a rowdy wedding.

The annual bar crawl – which is organized by the Arizona Cacophony Society and spoofs wedding traditions – involves participants of every gender identity dressing up as blushing brides and drinking their way across downtown.

A marriage of a flash mob, an urban prank and a satire of wedding traditions, the Brides of March benefits St. Mary’s Food Bank and has taken place almost every year since 2009.

More than 100 metro Phoenix residents joined this year’s Brides of March bar crawl, where everyone said “yes” to the dress. Some wore basic white wedding gowns. Others were bold and creative by adding vibrant color or getting arty, like one Brides of March participant who crafted an abstract dress from a series of fabric-covered hoops. Another person’s dress resembled a tiered wedding cake.

Some Brides of March participants got arty with their dresses.

Benjamin Leatherman

The 2025 Brides of March crawl visited a total of four bars throughout the afternoon and evening, starting with a meetup at landmark Phoenix LGBTQ+ nightspot Charlie’s near Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road.

After a few hours of drinking, conversation and shenanigans – including the Brides of March’s annual high-heel footrace in the parking lot – participants boarded a Valley Metro Rail train to head for Kobalt Bar at Park Central Mall. There, more libations awaited along with dancing and other social rites occurred.

This year’s bar crawl wrapped up with a stop at Cornish Pasty Co. near Monroe Street and Central Avenue, followed by a visit to 808 Billiards & Bowling at CityScape. Here’s a look back at photos capturing the boozy bliss of the 2025 Brides of March in Phoenix.