Friends have, but I’ve never participated in “Dry January”. It’s been an official “thing” since 2013. And now we also have “Damp January”, a modified approach where alcohol intake is limited instead of cut out completely.
The idea was hatched and the term coined in the UK in 2013, but going “zero proof” really took off during covid years 2020 and 2021. Contrary to what many thought might happen during covid restrictions when folks were confined to their homes, there was actually a move towards less or no alcohol.
Why my interest in digging into the history and all things Dry January and giving up alcohol? A couple reasons: 1) a friend casually mentioned giving up alcohol during January and then continuing on because the benefits had surprised her. Among other healthy choices, she partially credits going dry for loosing thirty pounds, no more puffy face/body, and clear skin, and 2) new alcohol-free bars & club openings seem to be trending, along with non-alcohol social groups.
What’s happening is more than giving up alcohol and everything associated with it, like going out to bars with friends, having a glass of wine with dinner, a late afternoon cocktail on the deck, or hanging out at a brewery, winery, or distillery.
All those things are still in play because most breweries, wineries, distilleries, bars, and restaurants have new non-alcoholic spirits, beers, and wines that are delicious and are providing the same craft drink and cocktail experience to non-drinkers and drinkers alike.
FINDING ZERO PROOF IN ASHEVILLE AND HENDERSONVILLE
Although many of your favorite watering holes and restaurants offer a few to many Mocktails – sophisticated non-alcohol drinks made with tasty ingredients – there are a few new options of note that have launched recently or are about to open soon.
- Asheville Rooftop Tours – Choose mocktails or other non-alcohol drinks on their tours. You’ll love the “stunning birds-eye-views of Asheville along with the history of the city, while enjoying food and drinks all from Asheville’s highly acclaimed rooftop bars.”
- Devil’s Foot Beverage Company – Sample and enjoy their non-alcohol drinks in their new taproom that opened late last year. “Devil’s Foot BevCo provides locally produced, all-natural non-alcoholic craft beverages for our community. There are no additives nor preservatives – just fresh ingredients.”
Photo by Brendan Almand
- The Buzz – Hope Coalition will be opening “Henderson County’s First Sober Social Bar & Café” this Spring in Hendersonville. “Move over alcohol, there’s a new bar in town . . . 100% zero proof bar.”
Looking for other alcohol alternatives? Those that still “relax” or provide a buzz without the negative effects of alcohol?
- Shakedown Lounge (Kava Bar) – Opened late 2022 at 706 7th Ave E in Hendersonville. They offer traditionally-prepared kava, as well as herbal teas, CBD/hemp edibles, lotus drinks, and coffee. The focus is on top-quality products and community through conversation, live music, poetry, and art, in an alcohol-free environment.
See more WNC interesting alternatives in this Citizen Times article, Asheville’s abuzz with social alternatives from CBD cafes to kava bars
