Dry January is here! Six places to find mocktails and nonalcoholic drinks in Louisville

There are many ways to welcome in the new year, and for some that includes a goodbye to booze and a hello to “Dry January.”

It’s a challenge that has been picking up steam since its inception in 2013 when Alcohol Change UK started the public health campaign as part of its efforts to reduce the societal and health effects of alcohol, a USA TODAY story reported.

"Dry January is something that has gained a lot of popularity and there are a lot of positive outcomes that come from it," Andrea Bell, a Bay Area life and health coach who runs a Dry January challenge at Oakland Hills Tennis Club in Oakland, California, told USA TODAY. "And there's a lot of momentum in the sober curious movement."

The month-long challenge has trickled down to the Louisville food scene, where several bars and restaurants have posted about their participation in the effort, whether they offer non-alcoholic options year-round or created special menus for the month.

Read on for details about what some bars in Louisville are offering for #DryJanuary.

Bar Vetti

727 E. Market St., barvetti.com, Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 5-9 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5-9 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5-11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5-11 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m, to 2 p.m., 5-9 p.m.

“Participating in Dry January? We’ve got you covered,” Bar Vetti posted Wednesday on Instagram.

The Italian restaurant in NuLu offers a few mocktails, including, “Impostore Spritz,” “Bianca Spritz” and the “N.A.-Groni.” Non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing and Lagunitas Brewing Company are also available. Enjoy a pizza or pasta dish while vibing, instead of imbibing.

Canary Club

1247 Shelby St., canaryclub.us, Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.

On this natural wine bar’s expansive menu, you’ll find a section of non-alcoholic cocktails all year round. Priced at $9, the six options include a drink billed as the “best riff on an NA Old Fashioned you’ll ever have.” There’s also the “Italian Pony,” which is made with in-house apple cider syrup and nonalcoholic Prosecco. The bar stocks booze-free beers and wine. Plus, among several weekly specials, non-alcoholic drinks are half off on Mondays.

Darling's

1765 Bardstown Road, darlingsbar.com, Hours: Open daily, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

This Highlands bar known for flowery wallpaper and gin cocktails might not have a dedicated nonalcoholic menu, but co-owner Calvin Philley told the Courier Journal the bar “always has ongoing NA options.”

Patrons are encouraged to request nonalcoholic versions of any drink on the menu, according to Philley, and bartenders are trained for such requests.

The most popular option, he said, is a booze-free Aperol Spritz. His favorite concoction is the bar’s house-made tonic mixed with cold brew, usually reserved for espresso martinis.

Even in the first few days of January, Philley said he has noticed an uptick in sales of mocktails.

“We want to have a level of inclusivity,” he said. “I want you to bring all your friends here and I want to have something for everyone.”

The Merryweather

1101 Lydia St., themerryweather.net, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The popular Schnitzelburg bar, which opened in 2019, dropped a special Dry January menu during the first week of the month. The menu was designed “for any of you taking a break from the hard stuff,” read a post on The Merryweather’s Instagram page. “We promise these are all sober and delicious.”

The menu features drinks including, “Dry Tai,” “Nada Colada,” “Mock-Scow Mule” and “Not Toddy.” You might be able to tell from the names where each drink’s inspiration comes from. The “Not Toddy,” for example, is reminiscent of a hot toddy and made with foxtrot tea, lemon and passionfruit.

Seviche

1538 Bardstown Road, sevicherestaurant.com, Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

If you’re looking for something nice and light to sip on while enjoying a meal at this Latin restaurant, you’re in luck. Seviche has two unique mocktails on the menu, called “When Life Gives You Kiwis” and “Mango Bite.”

ShopBar

950 Barret Ave., shopbarlouisville.com, Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 4 p.m. to midnight, Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.

ShopBar promises plenty of options for those participating in Dry January. The perks of this place involve rotating food trucks, a patio and the chance to shop no matter what month it is.

“We do know lots of folks are doing dry January and have a booze free menu coming this week,” Shopbar posted recently on its social media. “If you are staying dry this month, know that we can make mocktails, booze free hot cider, and have NA beers as well!”

Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where to find mocktails, nonalcoholic drinks in Louisville Dry January