In the run up to Christmas it can feel like every social event revolves around drinking. Whether it’s the office party, catch-ups with friends who are home for the holidays, or a glass or two at a festive market, it’s certainly front and centre.
However, as we enter a new year, people’s priorities somewhat shift as they set out to achieve goals and resolutions. For some it’s about overhauling their diet, while for others it’s about abstaining from something like meat or alcohol.
If it’s the latter, then you might be taking part in Dry January. The annual event sees thousands avoid alcohol for the entirety of the first calendar month of the year.
There’s a host of benefits you can reap by giving up alcohol for four weeks, from improved mood and sleep, to weight control and the lowering of blood pressure. It can also be a great boost for mental wellbeing, giving those who take part in it a sense of achievement and pride.
That said, it can be challenging to give up booze for an extended period of time, especially if socialising revolves around it. But, at least in January there’s more people abstaining from certain food and drink, and setting out to healthier lifestyle habits.
Over the last decade too, the range of non-alcoholic drinks has grown massively, so you never have to feel like you’re missing out. And here in Greater Manchester there’s a number of bars and venues serving up signature mocktails, low- and no-alcohol beers and even non-alcoholic wine flights.
Here we take a look at some of the places in Manchester where you can enjoy a non-alcoholic drink this Dry January.
Hinterland
The team behind Hinterland in the Northern Quarter
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
It’s the Manchester district known for its pubs and bars, but nestled in the middle of the Northern Quarter is the first ever sober bar in the area. Hinterland is situated in the basement of Manchester Buddhist Centre on Turner Street and serves up a selection of alcohol-free cocktails and beers that have been sustainably and ethically sourced.
The concept comes from three friends who wanted to create a space where people could meet up and socialise in an alcohol-free and friendly environment. The venue also features Conscious Connection Cards on each table offering guests a chance to ponder over and discuss a series of thought-provoking questions.
Basement, 16-20 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DZ
Red Light
Red Light is located opposite Canal Street within the Kampus garden neighbourhood
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
For a long time, the cobbled Little David Street was tucked away out of view, neglected and overrun with weeds. But a couple of years again the Kampus neighbourhood sprung up and brought with it a host of bars and restaurants. One of those is Red Light, an inclusive LGBTQ+ cocktail bar with some seriously good tipples.
You might think a cocktail bar isn’t the best place to avoid alcohol, but like so many of the top players in the city, they’re able to craft drinks with all the same imagination and flavour as alcoholic tipples. Red Light’s current mocktail offer includes Dark & Hop-Less with fresh ginger, Lucky Saint Lager and lime; and No No Americano with Lyre’s Italian Spritz, cherry juice and soda.
4-2 Little David St, Manchester M1 3GL
20 Stories
20 stories in Manchester
(Image: promo pics from the PR company)
You might think that perching high above the city in one of Manchester’s best rooftop bars would be a little too tempting for a cold one, but the team at 20 Stories have devised a menu with plenty of non-alcoholic options.
Not only are there non-alcoholic cocktails such as the Salar with mango, cream, coconut, pineapple and gomme, but there’s a whole section of the drinks list dedicated to non-alcoholic aperitifs featuring brands like Everleaf and Caldeno, as well as Crodino – the latter perfect for supping when the sun comes back out.
No. 1, 1 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3EB
Blinker
Cocktails at Blinker in Manchester
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The team at Blinker take their drinks very seriously. The bar’s name comes from a forgotten classic cocktail blending rye, grapefruit and raspberry, and every cocktail they serve is influenced by seasonality.
Heading into a bar that prides itself on its cocktail making and trying not to drink may seem like a fool’s errand, but top mixologists are both adaptive and creative so can conjure up non-alcoholic options in an instant. Its signature cocktail, The Blinker, is available in non-alcoholic form, while it has a whole section on its menu dedicated to non-alcoholic serves. We can suggest the No-Groni, which tastes just as good as the original.
64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ
Zouk
Inside Zouk
(Image: Anthony Moss | Manchester Evening News)
As well as its tasty Indian and Pakistani menu, Zouk has gone to a lot of effort to provide diners with some non-alcoholic options during their meal. It’s become known for its many varieties of mojitos, as well as daiquiris, virgin pina coladas, and watermelon crush.
Providing the same drama and experience as if you were having an alcoholic cocktail, two of its mocktails are served in a mystery box surrounded by aromatic vapour. There’s the Fantasia with fresh lychee, lemon, cranberry and sugar; and the Summer Dream with lemongrass, strawberry, red apple juice and vanilla.
5, The Quadrangle, Chester St, Manchester M1 5QS
Society
A non-alcoholic cocktail at Society food hall and beer garden
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
This independent food and drink hall is known for its wide selection of craft beers, but it also serves plenty of low-and-no options. Vocation Brewery is behind the taps and known for providing a good stock of alternatives.
The menus have featured everything from a Lervig Mango Pale Ale to Schneider Weisse Alkoholfrei beer, Mash Gang Stoop American Lager, and a Lucky Saint – making it much easier for beer lovers to find a non-acholic alternative during Dry January.
Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD
Dishoom
Dishoom Manchester has been hailed as one of the best Indian restaurants in the UK
(Image: Dishoom)
Enter Dishoom on Bridge Street and you’re instantly hit by the thick smell of incense before being whisked inside to sit down in a dark-panelled dining room styled on the old Iranian cafes of Bombay. It’s here you can snack on a bacon naan roll and piping hot cups of chai, or perhaps grab a big spoonful of the delicious black daal.
It’s a beautiful spot and while it does offer a range of slings, coolers and fizzes, there’s also their range of ‘Teetotal Tipples’ to keep things interesting. Here, you can find the Non-Permit Collins with sparkling Darjeeling green tea and smoky Lapsang, as well as the Teetotal Espresso Martini and No-Hafta Colada. They also serve a range of lassis, coolers and refreshing sodas.
32 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT
Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor on Deansgate in Manchester
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
If you’re spending the big bucks on an impeccably cooked steak, a glass or red is surely a must. Well that’s certainly still an option at Hawksmoor, the London export with one of the most beautiful restaurant spaces in Manchester with its frosted glass and mid-century touches.
However, those wanted the steak but without the wine will be happy to hear about their lo-and-no range. There’s the delectable Stivo Spritz with strawberry and lime flavours; the Steady Pete’s Ginger Brew; and thirst-quenching Water St Fizz with sour watermelon, yuzu and coast soda. There’s also some lovely sodas in mango and matcha flavours.
184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3WB
Schofield’s
Schofield’s Bar in Manchester has been named the best bar in the UK and North.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Established by brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, this award-winning drinking spot stands out for its impeccable attention to detail. From the warm welcome at the door and personalised table service, to the regularly topped up water, and the cocktails shaken, stirred, blended and strained to perfection it’s a classy establishment.
It shouldn’t surprise you then, that every element is carefully considered – this includes the non-alcoholic options too. Their ‘Temperance’ section is a well-crafted selection of tipples prepared with the same love and affection as their other cocktails and includes Helter Skelter with pineapple, coconut, lime, ginger, rose and soda, and a fantastic Virgin Mary.
3 Little Quay Street, Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ
Tattu
Tattu Restaurant on Spinningfields, Manchester
(Image: Dominic Salter)
This high-end, contemporary Chinese restaurant opened its doors in Spinningfields almost ten years ago and has become a go-to for its colourful Chinese-inspired cuisine and meticulously crafted cocktails, which often reflect the seasons and landscapes of China.
Proving a meal out doesn’t have to involve booze, Tattu have devised their drink menus to include a curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages. This spans the Tropic Sour with Everleaf Mountain, lychee and line; The Melissa Cobbler mixing Bax Botanicals verbena, lemon balm and agave; and Sweet Skullduggery, an assortment of kiwi, blueberry and lychee.
Address: 3 Hardman Square, Gartside St, Manchester M3 3EB