Liverpool’s guide to Dry January

Enjoy the relaxed vibe at Free State Kitchen and discover their HUGE secret garden at 1 Maryland Street. This is the perfect location to have a non-alcoholic bev and sample some of their award-winning burgers. Although Free State Kitchen doesn’t serve non-alcoholic beers, it more than makes up for this with their range of house lemonades; original, raspberry and strawberry. They are just as delicious, if not more so, than a boozy cocktail. If you’re more of a Baileys person than a fruity cocktail person, why not try their Hershey’s iced hot chocolate? It’s essentially a chocolate Baileys minus the hangover… We can’t recommend it enough!

If you’ve ever been into Be At One, you’re probably aware of the vast cocktail menu. Whilst you are spoilt for choice for cocktails made from different spirits, those of you taking on Dry January don’t need to feel left out. Be at One Liverpool has over seven different non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from, including a very festive Forest Fire cocktail made from Seedlip Spice 94, ginger, lemon and oak-smoked bitters. Who needs whisky to warm you up this winter? With a page of their drinks menu dedicated to low and non-alcoholic cocktails, you can choose from fruit-juice based mocktails, or something with alcohol-free spirit alternatives such as Seedlip or Lyre’s. They even have a Reformed Pornstar! You’ll forget that you’re drinking the non-alcoholic version as it tastes exactly the same. You even get served a shot of 0.0% sparkling fizz. Couple this with the vibrant, party atmosphere that Be at One is renowned for, you’ll be in for a great night!

Situated in the historic RopeWalks District, this bar dances to its own tune both in terms of the look, which is as eclectic as we have ever compiled, and in the adventurous beer selection, pouring from 30 draft lines (with a hearty bottle and can menu alongside). With a range of non-alcoholic craft beers as well, BrewDog is a great location to still feel a part of the action. One of their craft non-boozy beers is called Hazy AF. Say hello to the juiciest alcohol-free beer you will ever taste! Tropical fruits galore, this full-flavoured beer will make you forget that you’re not getting drunk… BrewDog is also one of the most wholesome bars in Liverpool. As the name suggests, it’s a dog-friendly bar and there’s always a few four-legged friends drawing attention to themselves and often taking over the BrewDog social media feed.

Head of Steam on Hanover Street offers a range of bottled, canned and draught beers and radlers. These are not normally outlined on their website, so head to the bar and have a look at the fridges and ask the staff which non or low alcoholic beers they have in stock. We recommend blowing off some ‘steam’, on the first Thursday of January. They have an open mic night, which is sure to banish those January blues. Head of Steam also offers itself to a cosy getaway, with a mixture of wooden and carpeted flooring, low hanging lights and rustic decor, it’s a great setting to spend time hanging out with friends and family.

Bakchich is a strictly non-alcohol restaurant, so it has some great alternatives. Opening in 2013, it has become a staple feature on Bold Street.
It also sells fat-free frozen yoghurt smoothies for those of you who are trying to cut the calories whilst still enjoying a social life. Customers can enjoy a range of mocktails, a personal favourite being the pomegranate ’mojito’ which is refreshing, light and tasty. The perfect complement to the Lebanese spices used in many of the dishes. There’s also a selection of freshly squeezed juices by the glass or by the jug, as well as an in-house version of a boozy pitcher! Fancy a non-alcoholic beer? You’ll find them here for those of you who miss sipping on a cold one. Bakchich means ‘Loose Change’, which not only applies to the delicious food, but the affordable non-alcoholic choices too.

Goodness Grill & Juice Bar is one of the best juice bars in Liverpool. It uses organic, Red Tractor Farm-assured fruit and vegetables for making juices and smoothies. All of them nourish your body and get the nutrition required to keep you healthy through January. Goodness Grill is bringing a new, healthy approach to takeaway and restaurant food. All of the items are prepared using fresh, locally sourced produce. There are two stores based on Childwall Fiveways and Vauxhall Road. There’s even a detox smoothie… So wash away the sins of December with this large selection of healthy juices.

If you fancy trying a mix of cuisines and mocktails, The GPO is the perfect place. Here, you can enjoy tasty street food from around the world from Greek gyros and authentic Italian pizza to traditional Japanese sushi and chocolate-filled Spanish churros. The GPO bar has an excellent selection of mocktails, which was actually inspired by a former vendor who was in recovery while serving delicious dishes to customers at The GPO. Customers love the Softcore martini which tastes like a Pornstar Martini and comes with a shot of lemonade instead of prosecco. If you like a specific cocktail, you can always ask the bartender to swap out the alcohol, so you can sip on your favourite drink without the worry of a hangover. 

Maray is the perfect place to chill with friends, enjoy some delicious eats, and soak in Liverpool’s vibes, all without the hangover. Here, you can enjoy a range of brilliant alcohol-free drinks that pair perfectly with the plant-based, Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. From tasty mocktails to unique soft drinks, you won’t miss the alcohol one bit. If you are a fan of Aperol spritz, you should try Maray’s Lyre spritz with soda, no-secco and orange or for something for lemony opt for the saffron lemonade, which is homemade and mixed with mint and soda. If you prefer a simple soda, you should try the Karma Drink Co’s summer orangeade or sugar free coca cola which are packaged in 100% recycled cans.

The Book Bar and Eatery is a cosy spot, just right for book lovers and foodies. You can spend the day reading with a cup of coffee or enjoying brunch or dinner, without a sip of alcohol. With a bunch of books to choose from and a tasty menu that includes great non-alcoholic drinks, it’s the ideal spot to unwind and get lost in a good book while sipping on your favourite coffee or mocktail. At The Book, you can choose from over 30 different cocktails and the great thing is if you’re planning to avoid alcohol, you can ask the bartender to make the cocktail of your choice sans alcohol. There’s also a great selection of soft drinks and hot drinks, so you can pair your favourite with a hash brown stack for brunch or a chorizo and chutney pizza for dinner.