Participating in Dry January doesn’t mean that you have to stay home. In fact, maintaining a full social life during the challenge gives a more complete glimpse into what a low or no alcohol life looks like.
So whether you’re fully dry or damp this January, are testing out sobriety as a long-term change or just trying to avoid a few hangovers, these NYC restaurants and bars are here to support you. We’ve rounded up the best places to enjoy a killer mocktail, so you can enjoy Dry January rather than just enduring it.
See also: 10 Mocktail Recipes for Dry January
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145 Bowery / 212.481.3763 / Website
If you haven’t been to the LES’ gorgeous indoor-outdoor rooftop bar yet, the Highlight Room’s Dry January offerings are the perfect excuse to go. This gorgeous garden rooftop sits 16 stories above the city, meaning your delicious cocktail will be matched with unbelievable city views. Sip on the Some Like it Hot, made with peach, hibiscus, chili, lime, and Q mixer ginger beer while enjoying the immaculate vibes that TAO Group Hospitality always delivers.
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167 Avenue B. / 646.590.3404 / Website
Located in the East Village, this sober bar is built on the belief that socializing doesn’t have to be centered around alcohol. It is an entirely alcohol-free establishment and serves incredible zero-proof cocktail classics such as a French 75, Negroni or Old Fashioned. We also love the signature drinks, such a the Sleepy Sangria that feels "like watching a sunset through an apple orchard from the cozy confines of Alphabet City."
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551 Hudson St. / 212.982.8799 / Website
It comes as no surprise that Dante offers incredible Dry January tipples, as this West Village staple is truly the king of cocktails. Non-alcoholic offerings include the Espresso Shakerato with fresh espresso, orange juice and vanilla; the Dante spritz with Lyre’s Italian spritz, classic N/A prosecco and San Pellegrino; and the N/A blood orange spritz with Seedlip Grove, Martini Vibrante, raspberry syrup, balsamic vinegar and San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa.
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17 W. 19th St. / 212.256.1259 / Website
This Michelin-starred contemporary Korean restaurant serves a beverage program focused on combining traditional Korean ingredients with balance, depth and creative presentation. The food is incredible, so you’ll want to enjoy a meal here in addition to a few drinks. The extensive non-alcoholic offerings include zero-proof wines, house ginger beer and more.
145 Bowery / 212.481.3763 / Website
Who doesn’t love a piano bar? Silver Lining Lounge, located in Moxy NYC Lower East Side, is an intimate, dreamlike piano lounge with sultry decor (think blue velvet chairs and low lighting) paired with incredible live entertainment. Thanks to the delicious Sing Street, made with Seedlip Garden, Q Mixers hibiscus ginger beer, pink peppercorn and lemon, Dry January is the perfect time to visit this nightlife staple.
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38 W. 36th St. / 646.858.2320 / Website
For a quick and convenient bite in Midtown, Trademark Bar + Kitchen offers dependably delicious food and drinks. The American bistro menu is full of Italian signatures and twists on steakhouse classics, which pair perfectly with their robust cocktail menu. All Dry January you’ll catch us enjoying the hibiscus mule, berry lemonade and pineapple ginger fizz.
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428 W. 16th St. / 646.720.0215 / Website
Cristhian Rodriguez, formerly of Eleven Madison Park and NoMad Hotel, carefully crafted La Devozione’s bar program so that each drink features four principles: a narrative element, a culinary element, an Italian element and a New York element. Rodriguez’s non-alcoholic cocktails certainly live up to his reputation, as the Ghia spritz, which combines an N/A aperitivo and club soda, is incredible. We also love the Chinesso with ice espresso, Chinotto and Demorara.
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Multiple locations / Website
Zero-proof cocktails are great, but we also have beer lovers covered with Talea Beer Co. This local brewery offers a rotating selection of de-alcoholized versions of its beers, in addition to N/A cocktails such as the Some Like It Hot with jalapeño-infused alternative tequila, hot honey orange, lime, habanero bitters and Tajin and the Pink Lady with strawberry, lemon, grenadine and ginger ale.
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99 Hudson St. / 212.775.9000 / Website
This Tribeca haunt is beloved for its upscale Indian food, but we think its mocktails are worth a visit in of themselves. Expect inventive beverages, such as the fan-favorite Tamarind Punch, complete with tamarind sauce, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, mango juice and cranberry juice, and the Cucumber Cooler made using muddled cucumber and citrus.
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Multiple locations / Website
What goes great with Greek food? Delicious zero-proof drinks! Avra has a delicious selection of mocktails to choose from at each location, including the Avra No Fashioned featuring a blend of black tea, orange and cherries, the Hibiscus of Adonis with Joy’s Sorrel Hibiscus, lemon, mint and blackberry and the Savory Santorini a citrus mocktail with a kick of tabasco and basil.
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372 Lafayette St. / 315.367.7701 / Website
Noho mainstay ATLA has long been known for its all-day offerings and recently launched a new menu featuring delicious dishes such as braised octopus tacos with pico de gallo, morita and chicharrón and a tall parfait glass of seafood cóctel with Mexican saladitas crackers. To match, Michelin award-winning beverage director Jorsand Diaz's N/A aguas frescas in flavors like avocado and palo santo.
No matter why you're participating in Dry January, we encourage you to go out and explore the world of amazing alcohol-free concoctions that NYC has to offer. These New York City staples promise not to disappoint, so enjoy!
Photography by: courtesy of TAO Group Hospitality
