By Rachel Ayres
During the nineteenth century, temperance bars were plentiful on the high streets of England, and in recognition of the prohibition movement in America, many establishments opted against serving alcohol. As years progressed, many of the alcohol-free venues closed and in more recent times a new culture of binge drinking came about.
However, a new emergence of dry bars is establishing itself around the country. Venues such as The Brink in Liverpool or Redemption in London provide the same experience one might expect from a bar or pub; great food, excellent live music and a varied drinks selection. The only exception being, all of those drinks are alcohol-free!
Encouragingly new dry bars are opening up around the country, with the Birmingham organisation Changes due to open their venue in May 2016.
So why go to a dry bar?
Dry bars aren’t just for those who choose not to drink alcohol for whatever reason, and with the popularity of fundraising months such as Alcohol Concern’s Dry January, and Go Sober for October in support of Macmillan, a dry bar is an ideal way to maintain the social aspect of drinking, without the temptation.
They encourage new conversations surrounding alcohol, questioning whether it needs to be a routine part of people’s lives. The new unit guidelines for alcohol also encourage drinkers to assess the quantities of alcohol they are drinking. If someone who drinks alcohol feels they want to give their body a break from alcohol, there are now alternative dry venues which can still offer an enjoyable night out.
There are now even several shops dedicated to selling only alcohol-free beverages, such as The Alcohol Free Shop in Manchester which stocks a massive variety of alcohol-free and de-alcoholised wines and beers.
Ordinary high street bars are also identifying the importance of having a wide choice of alcohol-free drinks on offer. Bars such as All Bar One and Pitcher and Piano have been short-listed in the Zero Alcohol Awards (hosted by Alcohol Concern) in recognition of their range of alcohol-free drinks on offer. Proving that their option for people who choose not to drink alcohol, for whatever reason, can extend beyond an orange juice or a fizzy soft drink. Interesting mocktails can make the experience of not drinking alcohol just as exciting!
It’s too early to make assumptions whether these changes will affect the culture of drinking in this country. Or whether it will become the new ‘norm’ not to drink in a pub.
What it does suggest, is that the demand for alcohol-free options is on the rise. Someone who chooses not to drink alcohol doesn’t need to miss out on social experiences or change their lifestyle. The choice of alternatives is finally increasing!