Dry January 2024: Where To Drink When You’re Not Drinking
Searching for the best London bars to drink in when you’re not drinking? If you’re resisting alcohol for Dry January, need a break from Christmas festivities, or you’re kicking the booze for good, start 2024 as your healthiest self with some of the best mocktails in London.
If you’re sober curious, but still looking to maintain a social life this Dry January, here’s where to find the best non-alcoholic drinks in London.
Dry January 2024: London’s Best Bars For The Sober Curious
Nightjar
Beyond an unassuming wooden door in Shoreditch lies a speakeasy-style bar capturing the essence of the roaring twenties. Embrace the golden era with live jazz in January, whether you’re sipping cocktails or staying sober. Nightjar’s diverse menu caters to everyone, with a dedicated page of low and no-alcohol cocktails too.
Don’t miss the tropical Virgin Mai Tai, blending Seedlip Grove, Three Spirit Nightcap, Nightjar Pistachio & Walnut Orgeat, fresh lime and honey.
Where: 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB
Website: www.barnightjar.com
Manzi’s
If you’re steering away from the booze this month, you can still have a great time at Manzi’s, the all-day seafood and fish restaurant in the heart of Soho, complete with four mermaids propping up the first floor bar. Here you can go old-school or contemporary with a menu of retros revisited or the selection of Manzi’s signatures – including a choice of non-alcoholic serves.
Whether it’s their Pink Tea with Lyre’s Italian spritz, green tea cordial, and naughty rose; their Manzi’s Spritz Di Crodo combining Tanqueray 0.0, Lyre’s orange sec, grapefruit juice, and crodino; to the Coffee & Tonic with Lyre’s coffee originale, orgeat, pineapple juice, light tonic water, these mischievous mocktails will have you converted in no time.
Where: 1-8 Bateman’s Buildings, London W1D 3EN
Website: www.manzis.co.uk
Club Soda
Club Soda is the ultimate spot for an unwavering commitment to sobriety. With over 150 low and no-alcohol choices, the bar offers everything from Everleaf spritzes to sparkling wine and cocktails, like the ‘I Just Called To Say I Love Brew’, an alcohol-free twist on an espresso martini blending Three Spirit Social Elixir, Good Koffee Green Kakao, Big Drop Galactic Stout and All The Bitter Aromatic.
Beyond beverages, explore a vibrant event lineup, including alcohol-free wine clubs and beer tap takeovers. Sober socialising at its finest.
Where: 39 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5RR
Website: www.joinclubsoda.com
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese
Created by The Maestro, Salvatore Calabrese and his team of mixologists, Dry January has never tasted so good at Velvet, where the innovative menu, fondly named ‘The Quote Book’, draws its inspiration from the profound words of historical icons.
For something refreshing, try the Atomic Alchemy, a mix of herb all spirit washed with Sour Cream, Acqua Bianca, Amontillado Sherry and Garden Soda, inspired by a quote from Marie Curie: “Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.”
Where: 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com
Straits Bar
Not only is Straits Bar the place to go for over 150 carefully curated champagnes and champagne-based Asian-inspired cocktails, it’s also the perfect spot for teetotalers to spoil themselves with a selection of 12 taste tantalising Signature Mocktails, all priced at £12 each.
Expect spectacular creations that are 0% alcohol but every bit as delicious as their alcoholic alternatives, such as the Berry Sensation, a unique fruity yet smoky aromatic mix of alcohol free Seedlip Spice with lemon juice, blackberry syrup, cranberry juice and soda water; and a Not Negroni made with Everleaf Marine aperitif, Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso, and Lyre’s Italian Spritz, topped with rosemary, black olives and tonic water.
Where: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
Website: www.panpacific.com
Hutong
Fancy an inventive teetotal experience at the world’s highest hotel bar? Hutong’s Ling Jiujing Menu is just the thing. A collaboration with Everleaf, with drinks priced at £11 each, the lineup features concoctions like ‘Haiyang’ made with Everleaf Marine, cardamom, Thai basil, cucumber, elderflower, and egg white.
From sweet and tropical to herbaceous and foamy, there’s four refreshing options to choose from as you take in views over London.
Where: 33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Website: www.hutong.co.uk
Torstig
Named the Official Bar of Dry January, Brighton’s iconic low-and-no establishment, Torstig, is making a splash on Kingsland Road with a two-week pop-up from 5th-20th January.
The husband and wife-founded bar redefines low-alcohol drinks, crafting signature serves that embody beloved classics. It’s an alternative night out that’s breaking norms, perfect for dipping your toe into sobriety.
Where: 93 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AE
Website: www.torstigbar.com
Norma
Fitzrovia-based Norma has a lineup of five mocktails priced from £6 to £9 each to bring some affordable flair to your Dry Jan.
Try the virgin version of a Negroni featuring Seedlip 108, High Point, and Lyre’s Italian orange; or the zesty Red Pepper Spritz, a fusion of red pepper, basil, lemon agave, and ginger beer.
Where: 8 Charlotte St., London W1T 2LS
Website: www.normalondon.com
The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych
Head down to One Adlwych this Dry where they have a range of mocktails from their Gallery Menu to quench your thirst. The menu is a reflection of their private collection of contemporary art pieces from incredible British Artists and international rising stars that reside in the Lobby Bar.
Both the cocktails and the artworks are original and modern, and the depth and breadth of the curation is impressive. Our favourite is the refreshing Carrot Fizz, made with Lyre’s Italian Spritz, Carrot Cordial, Orange, Ginger, Lemon, and Prosecco Zero. Yum!
Where: One Aldwych Hotel, 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Website: www.onealdwych.com
Long Bar at Sanderson London
If you’re looking for tasty mocktails and a buzzing atmosphere, visit the iconic Long Bar at Sanderson London. Choose from the ‘Guajito’ or the ‘Tonic & Remedy’ from their stunning menu, and don’t forget to pair your mocktail with a cheeky snack too – there’s truffle fries, hummus and pitta bread, and beef burger sliders to name a few.
Where: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG
Website: www.book.ennismore.com
INCA London
Not only is INCA London the place to go for South American influenced dining and performances from singers, dancers and acrobats – it’s the perfect place to mark Dry January in style with brand new mocktail, Tropicana.
The velvety, non-alcoholic serve is mixed with Seedlip Spice 94, pineapple, passionfruit, mango, citrus and cream, and is every bit as delicious as its alcoholic alternatives.
Where: 8-9 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
Website: www.incalondon.com
Wacky Wombat
Start your Dry January journey at Wacky Wombat, curated by award-winning bartender Nico de Soto. In the heart of Soho, this subterranean bar is a testament to Parisian chic with downtown New York vibes in its low-lit corners.
Explore non-alcoholic specials, like the innovative Dry Sunday for Brad, made with Strawberry Gum, Horseradish and white Chocolate Hydrosol, Fermented Raspberry, Tomato and Verjus. Each concoction is crafted with native Australian ingredients, and promises a taste of sophisticated chic this Dry January.
Where: Manette St, London W1D 4AL
Website: www.instagram.com
Lyaness
Rather than inventing entirely new mocktails, Lyaness, the flagship bar from the award-winning Mr Lyan, crafts non-alcoholic renditions of its iconic cocktails, without compromising on quality.
The star of the show? The Goldblum Whiptail, featuring tree caramel, burnt pea pods, lime, and lime blossom – a citrusy masterpiece priced at just £8, making it one of London’s most affordable sips.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
Website: www.lyaness.com
Puttshack
Swing into January, putter in hand, with a mini golf experience and mocktails at Puttshack. Forget paper scorecards – their seamless tech system takes playtime to a whole new level, doing the math for you while you sip on cocktails.
For Dry January, Grab a Raspberry No Martini, Not Amaretto Sour, or any of their other booze-free delights for a swingin’ good time.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.puttshack.com
Aqua Shard
The Aqua Botanica Menu at Aqua Shard, crafted in collaboration with Everleaf, takes teetotal tipples to new heights.
Priced at £13.50 each, non-alcoholic selections include the Not-So-Groni with Everleaf Mountain, strawberry purée, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and orange blossom water; and the Day N’Night with Everleaf Forest, pineapple juice, agave, hibiscus, lime Juice, fresh ginger and soda. Sip in style against the breathtaking backdrop of the city.
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Website: www.aquashard.co.uk
Berners Tavern
Get stuck into Dry January at Berners Tavern with their attractive low and no-alcohol cocktail menu. Priced at £12 each, these mocktails are as close as you can get to the real thing.
Try the likes of the Quarter Negroni or the refreshing Wild Mountain Fizz with Everleaf Mountain, strawberry, Jasmin, apple, lime, and Wild Idol Rose. Packed with so much flavour you won’t miss the booze.
Where: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP
Website: www.bernerstavern.com
The Library Bar at The Lanesborough
Dry January becomes a luxury affair at The Lanesborough’s Library Bar. Renowned mixologist Cesar Correia has created a quartet of non-alcoholic masterpieces, each mirroring iconic beverages.
From the refreshing Genuine & Tonic to the Non-Alcoholic Negroni and the ‘Into The Wild’, a tropical fusion of mango and coco, mixed with sage, chili, and soft agave syrup, these incredible creations offer a health-conscious, alcohol-free alternative without compromising on sophistication.
Where: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
The LaLee Bar
The opulent LaLee Bar pays homage to the glamorous socialite Lillie Langtry, and here, Dry January doesn’t mean compromising on style or taste as their exquisite cocktails, expertly crafted with the finest ingredients, are now available in non-alcoholic renditions.
Enjoy the Cobalt & Tonic, a floral drink in Lillie’s favourite colour, or try The LaLee in Bloom, a mix of Salcombe Gin, Cointreau, and Chambord.
Where: 75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG
Website: www.thelalee.co.uk
3Bar
As we say goodbye to festive indulgence, January is a fresh start for embracing the healthy spirit with an exclusive booze-free cocktail menu at 3Bar at South Place Hotel.
Sip on the Bergamot Fizz with Everleaf Marine, elderflower, grapefruit soda and lime zest; or the delicate Cherry Blossom using Everleaf Mountain infused with rose petals, jasmine and white sparkling tea. The most refreshing way to start an alcohol-free January
Where: 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
Website: www.southplacehotel.com
Hawksmoor
Toast to Dry January in style at Hawksmoor, where they’ve partnered with Three Spirit to craft a tantalising trio of non-alcoholic tipples. Priced at just £5 each, these mocktails are available at all Hawksmoor bars in London, as well as Manchester, Liverpool, and Edinburgh.
Enjoy the refreshing Water St Fizz, the tropical Winter Sun, or the invigorating Social Swizzle. Proof that January can be both dry and delicious.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.thehawksmoor.com
Silverleaf
Indulge the senses at Silverleaf, Liverpool Street’s premium destination dedicated to elevating your drinking experience. The ‘Under The Lens’ cocktail menu is a visual spectacle, illustrated by Karl Gaff’s microscopic imagery which unveils the DNA of each drink.
All highball cocktails can be crafted without alcohol, ensuring a delightful experience for all drinkers this Dry January.
Where: 3rd Floor, Devonshire House, 3 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4JX
Website: www.panpacific.com