Locals gathered at The Commercial Hotel to catch up with friends and neighbours and join in a sing-along with musical help from Marg Amos and Jamie Brown.

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Mrs Amos said Belt Out the Big Dry made for "a happy night" and raised spirits, allowing people to "forget about the drought for a bit".

"People appreciated the fact that we'd come there to give back," she said.

The event drew residents from Curlewis, Breeza and Gunnedah and pub owner Kevin Edmonds was thrilled to see the pub full.

"It was an excellent result ... and they all seemed to enjoy themselves," he said.

It's the first time the pub has hosted a big dry event so Mr Edmonds wasn't sure how it would go but said it was "better than I expected".

"There were a lot of laughs ... [and] it just relaxed everyone," he said.

It was also a financial boost for the pub as locals stayed to eat and drink.

Curlewis CWA tripled their takings in raffle sales and the proceeds will flow back into the community through drought relief.

The concept was launched in Gunnedah in September by former local Lucy Ravenwood (nee Amos) to bring locals together for a few hours of stress-free social fun.