A few Ballard restauranteurs will be joining in on the 16th year of Seattle's Dining Out for Life, an annual dining fundraiser to raise money for AIDS service organizations.

“Lifelong (Aids Alliance) with Dining Out International, team up to produce the event and we approach a lot of restauranteurs every year,” Trevor Dewitt, communication relations of Lifelong Aids Alliance said. “There are no national chains they’re all local and the community coming together. It turns out to be a big win for everyone involved.”

Created in 1991 by an ActionAids volunteer in Philadelphia, Dining Out is now produced in more than 55 cities through the United States and Canada, according to the Dining Out For Life Web site.

This year the event falls on April 30.

“Supporters and diners basically go out to involved restaurants and in return restaurants donate back 30 percent of their sales that night,” Dewitt said.

Susan Ward, a part owner of the Balmar cocktail lounge, said this will be their third year participating.

“This year I expect more, there’s more promotion behind it and we’re also more connected with that community so I think the response is going to be even better this year,” she said.

They will be offering a specialty cocktail called the “Life Long Livation,” comprised of Daddy Moonshine, Pinot Grigio, grapefruit juice and fresh mint.

Bringing in about a quarter of a million dollars each year in Seattle and about $3.1 million nationwide, Dewitt said they’ve had a great response despite the climate of the economy.

“It’s a testimony of how great the local restaurants are,” he said. “A lot of those involved have pulled out of other charitable events but they’ve still decided that they want to be involved with Dining Out.”

King’s Hardware General Manager, Mike Leifur, said the amount bar and restaurant owners who get involved has definitely increase and more have come out to show support.

In the greater Ballard area, participating establishments include, Balmar, King’s Hardware, Alexa’s Garden Cafe, Costa Opa, Hattie’s Hat, Pasta Bella Ristorante, Ray’s Boathouse, Volterra, Red Mill Burgers, Mae's Phinney Ridge Cafe, Cafe Vita and 74th Street Ale House.