Dry January: London’s Best Non-Alcoholic Drinking Spots
By
9 months ago
Where to go for low and no alcohol tipples in the capital
Dry January is more popular than ever, with millions of Brits giving up alcohol for the entire month after a few too many mimosas at Christmas. Yet for those looking to maintain a social life, the temptation to stray can be a struggle – particularly as many of us suffer from a serious case of FOMO. Luckily, some of London’s finest bars and restaurants are making things easier for us by including a number of creative mocktails and tasty alcohol-free drinks in their menus. Who said socialising had to be hangover-inducing?
Learn more about Dry January here.
Best Alcohol-Free Bars & Restaurants In London For Dry January 2024
(Or bars serving great alcohol-free options, at least…)
Torstig
Brighton’s famed alcohol-free bar Torstig is popping up in London for two weeks in January. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Luke Cousins and Emmi Edwards, the bar is inspired by the low and no-alcohol culture of Copenhagen, where alcohol-free drinks are given just as much care as their alcoholic counterparts. The menu is arranged to help visitors pick a drink based on their normal cocktail preference: if you usually go for a Negroni, for instance, the Tumbol is a great alternative, made with a hibiscus-based gin. Sucker for an Old Fashioned? The Orso featuers rich, deep flavours with warm, caramel notes. And if you fancy a bit of a buzz without the hangover, opt for one of the ‘mood-altering’ serves, made with active plant ingredients.
5 – 20 January 2024, 93 Kingsland Road, torstigbar.com
Swift
With outposts in Soho, Borough Market and Shoreditch, Swift always pops up in lists of London’s best bars, renowned for its cocktail menu. But sober-curious diners aren’t left out: across all branches, the menu features a wide selection of low-ABV and non-alcoholic options. That includes The Tempest, a mix of Darjeeling kombúcha, lemon, honey and elderflower; and a Blueberry Collins, made with an alcohol-free Warner’s alongside blueberry sherbert and lavender bitters.
Multiple locations, barswift.com
Club Soda Tasting Room
After a spot where you won’t be tempted to stray from your dry intentions? Head to Club Soda’s HQ, where you can not only shop over 150 low and no alcohol tipples, but also sit at the bar and have a drink. The sober bar includes Everleaf spritzes, sparkling wine and beer, plus an array of carefully crafted cocktails, such as ‘Where is the lave?’, made with Three Spirit Nightcap, cantaloupe melon and ginger foam. Check out the programme of events too: the venue hosts alcohol-free wine clubs, beer tap takeovers and more.
39 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5RR, joinclubsoda.com
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Mayfair’s ultra-chic French restaurant LPM has introduced a new menu for Dry January, La Petite Pause. Created in collaboration with Lyre’s, it includes four tipples, such as the The Nogroni Sbagliato, a twist on the Instagram-famous drink made with Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso, Lyre’s Italian Spritz, Lyre’s Classico, and Earl Grey. The Rosé Champagne Colada, meanwhile, is a fruity number made with Lyre’s Spiced Cane, Lyre’s Classico, rosé, and coconut and pineapple cordial. Pair with classic Mediterranean fare: yellowtail carpaccio, grilled langoustines, salt baked sea bass, and duck confit.
53-54 Brook’s Mews, London W1K 4EG, lpmrestaurants.com
Vesper Bar
The Dorchester’s Vesper Bar, inspired by the ‘30s and the hotel’s long-standing connection to James Bond, is suitably glamorous – think interiors from Martin Brudnizki and Cecil Beaton artworks lining the walls. Treat yourself to a trip there this January to try its non-alcoholic offering: drinks on offer include the Mrs Smith, a mix of Seedlip Garden, Granny Smith, pear and lime, and the St John’s Gold, blended with Everleaf Forest, carbon honey, lemon and grape. Enjoy alongside Italian small plates while soaking up the hotel’s beautiful new look.
The Dorchester, Park Ln, London W1K 1QA, dorchestercollection.com
Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO
Who says you can’t treat yourself to a fancy dinner in January? Enjoy a meal at the glitzy Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO and you can switch out the wine pairing for a non-alcoholic version, to be enjoyed alongside the tasting menu. Alternatively, a selection of sparkling teas and alcohol-free cocktails are available to order with the a la carte menu. Drinks include The Smokey Carrot, a blend of Crossip Dandy Smoke (a non-alcoholic spirit), carrot and seabuckthorn; and The English Garden No-Tini, made with Seedlip 108, Everleaf Marine and celeriac leaf.
57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, raffles.com
Luca
Swap Aperol Spritzes for non-alcoholic cocktails at Luca, Clerkenwell’s popular Italian restaurant – little sister to the Michelin-starred Clove Club. The eatery offers an impressive selection of mocktails year-round: The Sorbio Spritz, for instance, is a blend of Amarico Aperitivo, Blurred Vines Sharp, grapefruit and soda, while the Designated Americano is a mix of Lyre’s Italian Orange, Conviv, Rosso, blood orange and soda. Pair with fresh pastas for the perfect January treat.
88 St John St, London EC1M 4EH, luca.restaurant
JOIA
Battersea’s coolest new rooftop, JOIA is known for its top-notch cocktails (alongside the delicious Portuguese food and city views). And, luckily, sober visitors won’t miss out on the fun. Bar manager Alessandro Mannello has curated a list of 12 signature tipples which reflect precious stones from the region – and many of these are available as non-alcoholic serves. The Saffira, for instance, is made with Feragaia, butterfly pea flower tea, honey, citrus; while the Emeralada is a refreshing blend of matcha, mint, basil and Pentire Adrift. Sucker for an elderflower cocktail? The Safira Rosa, made with Adrift, elderflower, grapefruit tonic and rose petal water, is sure to fit the bill.
15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ, joiabattersea.co.uk
Nessa’s Bar
Tom Cenci’s Nessa in Soho has been a big hit since opening earlier this year. Located on the ground floor of 1 Warwick members’ club (but open to all), the eatery has a lovely bar area known for its cocktails, with a dedicated menu of no and low tipples. The Bramble Fizz is a zingy, fruity number made with Everleaf Forest, strawberry, lime and ginger beer, while Drift Me Away features Pentire Adrift, coriander, raspberry and roasted pineapple. There are also alcohol-free wines and beers on offer.
86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB, nessasoho.com
Straits Bar at Pan Pacific London
For stylish drinks in the city, Straits Bar at Pan Pacific London is a good option, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the capital. It has a 150-strong collection of different champagnes – but there are also plenty of non-alcoholic options now, thanks to a dedicated menu of signature mocktails. Expertly created by Bar Manager Alex Nieto, the alcohol-free tipples on offer include the Berry Sensation, a fruity yet smoky aromatic mix of Seedlip Spice, and the Guava Mary, made with guava juice, lime juice, fresh chilli and mint.
80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB, panpacificlondon.com
Daisy Green Collection
With outposts across London, the Daisy Green Collection is renowned for its bottomless brunches – but now you can enjoy the fun without the hangover, with an option to swap prosecco for fermented tea. That means you can still enjoy two tasty courses, but this time they’ll be served alongside unlimited sparkling teas from REAL, which crafts its drinks from hand-picked loose-leaf teas. Tuck into Daisy Green classics like The Healthy Start (chilli and maple celeriac toast with poached eggs, broccoli and spinach), and catch up with friends over a long meal – then wake up fresh as a daisy the next day.
Various locations, daisygreenfood.com