Where to go for Dry January in Manchester

This bar makes us feel like a scientist. Located near the Manchester Art Gallery (in the Spinningfields area and another in MediaCityUK), The Alchemist produces the finest scientific cocktails. The non-alcoholic variations include the Virgin Italian Spritz, Virgin Popstar and Dark Fruits cocktails. They’re made with the highest of cocktail-making quality, as the ingredients of the Dark Fruits cocktail shows, which includes ‘Dark Fruits Fizz Bomb, London Essence Peach & Jasmine, and Bristol Syrup Passionfruit’. Made with great mythological intentions, the drinks and bars are stylised in Greek myth. But as they say, this is a bar… and that’s all that really matters.

This famous establishment on Tib Street, Northern Quarter has been well known for its healthy eating for some time. This chic open-space contemporary café does the best brunches. With many vegetarian options like Za’atar Mushrooms or Avocado Eggs to vegan dishes like the Bircher, the options are wide and varied. Plus, there are some great chicken dishes as well as fish and chips if you fancy a non-vegetarian option. The Superfood Bowl and Tofu Laska make mouthwatering options for dinner, too. Meanwhile, there are health shots and two smoothies: the Green Smoothie and the Berry and Charcoal. In addition, you’ll find two wonderfully named mocktails: Staghorn Fizz and Hibiscus – perfect non-alcoholic options.

Now if you’re looking for luxurious healthy dining, we’ve found you the spot! Vermilion is situated not too far from the Etihad Stadium. The menu has been devised by MasterChef finalist Bobby Geetha and cooked by amazing chefs from Bangkok, Delhi and Dubai. Furthermore, you can eat this gorgeous food in the rooms designed by the famous Miguel Cancio Martins. The menu combines the culinary flavours and dishes from English, Thai, Chinese, French and Korean cuisine to make a very special menu. Some great healthy lunch options include a renowned Mumbai street food dish, Pav Bhaji and the best-selling Vada Pav, another Mumbai dish. For dinner, Dal Tarka and vegetable Karahi are brilliant vegetarian options. This is the place for high-quality, healthy eating.

This independent restaurant, bar and wine shop is situated by the impressive Fletcher Moss Gardens and is an amazing place for an alcohol-free drink. From Lyre’s Italian and also Dry London Spritz to the many soft drinks, there are plenty of options besides the low-alcohol beers to choose from. The Schofferhofer Grapefruit Wheat is a tasty and juicy beer that only has 2.5% alcohol, so it’s a great option for a smaller buzz. The Estrella Free Damm is the main alcohol-free beer and there’s also some great options with 0.5% alcohol in the Thornbridge Zero Pale Ale and the South West Orchards Craft Cider. A rare find with this amount of low or zero-alcohol options!

Elnecot is a minimalistic neighbourhood bar and kitchen that is British dining at its very best. Located in Ancoats, this is another gem in the area. Elnecot is an excellent choice for low-alcohol drinks and mocktails. From the Virgin Mary, which has Sheffield’s very own Henderson’s Relish, Tabasco sauce, tomato, celery salt, rosemary and black pepper to the tasty ‘the earl of Ancoats’. This cocktail has a beautiful mix of the juicy ruby grapefruit, lime and Earl Grey syrup. 

Dimitri’s is a Mancunian Greek institution that specialises in tapas. This establishment sits in the heart of Deansgate and is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. Dimitri’s is an independent, family-run restaurant, so you can expect them to know how to give families and groups a good time, especially as they’ve been doing so for more than 30 years! There are some wonderful Greek burgers, such as the halloumi burger, and plenty of food that comes fresh off the grill. In terms of non-alcoholic drinks, the mocktail is sublime because of the combination of passionfruit, pineapple, grenadine and lots of other fruit making a concoction of fantastic flavours. There’s also alcohol-free San Miguel and 0.4% Brooklyn Special FX in a good mix of great non-alcoholic drinks. 

The Bay Horse Tavern is a stalwart of the Northern Quarter – a strong, reliable and fun spot. Laid back but full of character, The Bay Horse Tavern is a very friendly, architecturally Victorian-styled pub with a 21st century twist on its design. Expect classic Sunday roasts alongside fish and chips, burgers and plenty more. If you’re looking for non-alcoholic drinks that feel like alcohol, The Bay Horse Tavern has you covered. This place serves one of the best non-alcoholic beers in the world, Erdinger and are more than happy to make any classic cocktail sans alcohol. 

The food at Turtle Bay is inspired by laid back beach shacks and street vendors of the Caribbean. You can wash down the delicious food with a mocktail (or two), and here you’ll be spoiled for choice. There are half a dozen to choose from, including the Guava Punch and the Virgin Kolada. There’s also Heineken Zero if you prefer beer.