The Alcohol Change UK, a British non-profit organization, kicked off the first Dry January campaign in 2013. The one-month booze-free challenge, which has rapidly spread from the UK to the US, aims to help imbibers to reset their relationship with alcohol every year with the goal of healthier drinking year-round.
While London is home to many of the world’s greatest bars, these hotspots are offering impressive zero proof cocktail options made with non-alcoholic spirits for the month-long, booze-less break but can be enjoyed any time of year.
Tayēr+Elementary
Tayēr+Elementary, co-owned by multi-award-winning bartender Alex Kratena and his partner Monica Berg, are two bar concepts sharing a minimalistic industrial space, and an ever-changing bar menu. At the front is Elementary, the casual all-day bar serving pre-batched drinks and bites, including a legendary ‘sando’ (sandwich), while, Tayēr, the bar at the back, serves more sophisticated plates and cocktails.
I’m Not Drinking This Month
Everleaf (a bright, bittersweet non-alcoholic aperitif), Paragon White Penja Pepper Cordial and Mandarin Syrup.
152 Old Street (near Shoreditch/Hoxton), London; tayer-elementary.com; @tayer_elementary
Lyaness
Spearheaded by award-winning barman Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan) and one of the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’, Lyaness features an experimental cocktail program from its ground floor location at the Sea Containers London Hotel (formerly Mondrian London) on the South Bank.
Piña Leaf Highball
(booze-free version)
Seedlip Grove 42 (a citrus-forward, distilled non-alcoholic spirit), Purple Pineapple, Gooseberry, Salted Pineapple Leaf and Soda.
20 Upper Ground (South Bank), London; lyaness.com; @lyanessbar
CUB
Cub is a restaurant collaboration with Mr Lyan (of White Lyan, Dandelyan, Super Lyan), Doug McMaster (of pioneering zero-waste Silo, London), Krug Champagne, Belvedere and LVMH, to name the prominent few. London’s newest hyper-sustainable hotspot offers booze less alternatives of every drink to pair with the plant-led tasting menu.
Spritz
(booze-free version)
Everleaf, light tonic, served with plenty of ice and a wedge of orange in a wine glass.
153 Hoxton Street (Hoxton), London; lyancub.com; @lyan.cub
FAM
This cozy, orange-hued and vinyl record-walled neighborhood bar features a ‘chummy’ atmosphere, comfort food, and craft cocktails.
King Of Carrot Flowers
Everleaf, freshly pressed Carrot Juice, Rooibos Tea and Verjus (the pressed juice of unripened grapes); topped with Botanical Soda.
31 Duke Street (Marylebone), London; fam.bar; @fam.bar
Swift
An unpretentious, award-winning cocktail bar on two levels, the downstairs whisky bar-featuring live jazz on the weekend, and the upstairs bar with a short menu of light cocktails and small bites.
The Tempest
Darjeeling Kombucha Tea (non-alcoholic), Lemon, Elderflower, Honey and Celery.
12 Old Compton Street ( Soho), London; barswift.com; @barswift
Hacha
A bright and airy neighborhood bar with pink tile floors and a tiny bar, but, plenty of table seating, that specializes in Tequila and Mezcal based cocktails and Mexican street food.
Hacha Tommy’s Margarita
(booze-free version)
Seedlip Spice 94 (an aromatic distilled non-alcoholic spirit with cardamom spice notes), Rosemary Smoked Lime and Pistachio Agave Syrup.
TIP: Come back after Dry January for their famous, clear-colored Mirror Margarita.
378 Kingsland Road (Dalston), London; hachabar.com; @hachabar
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