The first month of the year brings a renewed sense of hope and commitment to New Year’s goals. For many, it also marks the start of “Dry January,” a month free from alcohol aimed at shaking off holiday indulgences, experiencing mental and physical benefits, and starting the year fresh.
About 27% of Americans planned to abstain from alcohol last January, according to a Civil Science report, with Gen Z leading the charge.
For Brooklynites, sticking to Dry January has never been easier. New places and events offering fun without alcohol are popping up across the borough. Whether you’re sober for the month, curious about a sober lifestyle, or fully committed to sobriety, now is the time to fill your social calendar.
Here are ten ways to celebrate Dry January in Brooklyn:
Nightlife
“Dionysus is Dead” at Under Minerva Gallery
Dionysus is Dead is a series of events throughout the month to celebrate the diversity of the sober art and nightlife scene. Creator Jason Mezydlo wanted to provide space for sober and sober curious individuals who still want to experience the energy of a big night out. Hosted at the Under Minerva Gallery, the events range from burlesque to DJs, dancing, drag queens, and intimate music shows. All events highlight artists who are within the sober community.
Events include: Thursday, Jan. 9, Burlesque Masquerade; Saturday, Jan. 11, DJ Great Ghost with Drag Queen Pop Up; Sunday, Jan. 19, Sunday Funday with singer-songwriter showcases; Friday, Jan. 31, Farewell event.
Under Minerva Gallery, 656 Fifth Ave., between 19th and 20th streets in Park Slope.
Bars and cafés
Mockingbird
Opening on Jan. 10, Mockingbird is the newest edition of spirit-free cocktail bars located in Park Slope. The bar will offer bites, experimental zero-proof cocktails, and twists on old classics. Co-owners Evan Clark and Coulton Vento want to differentiate their space from other non-alcohol locations like cafes and meeting places by creating an adult and nightlife bar feel. Vento is excited to debut some mixology magic with the Ember’s Flight cocktail with Ritual Rum (zero-proof), warm spices, pineapple, Giffard Aperitif, and oak smoke. Look out for their grad opening in mid-January.
Mockingbird, 213 7th Ave. between 3rd and 4th streets in Park Slope.
Misfit Kava Bar
Sip drinks that have a euphoric kick at Misfit Kava Bar in Bushwick. Kava tea comes from the roots of the Kava kava (Piper methysticum) plant, which has been used for thousands of years by Pacific Islanders. While overindulgence in the plant is not advised, in moderation, the tea offers light inebriating effects, similar to alcohol. The bar provides events that match their exciting libations, including a Shakira “sound-a-like” contest on the 22nd and a monthly collage night where you can create a vision board for the new year.
Misfit Kava Bar, 82 Central Ave. at Jefferson Street in Bushwick.
Brooklyn High Low
Looking for a cozy place to spend the afternoon? Brooklyn High Low offers afternoon tea at two locations within walking distance of each other in Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Step into The Parlour, tucked away under a Brownstone, to find a dreamy tea paradise that gives the vibe of a speakeasy combined with a sweet grandmother’s living room. The Little Tea Room & Secret Garden is filled to the brim with trinkets and antiques stuffed between blush pink painted walls. Both locations offer tea service ranging from $30 to $70 a person, accompanied by an array of scones, biscuits, and finger sandwiches.
The Parlour, 69 7th Ave. between Berkley Place and Lincoln Place in Prospect Heights; The Little Tea Room & Secret Garden, 611 Vanderbilt Ave. between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street in Prospect Heights.
Soft Bar + Café
Some may know the owner of Soft Bar from the popular Bravo reality show “Summer House.” Carl Radke has been teasing the opening of his alcohol-free bar and cafe in Williamsburg for a few months now. The booze free bar is slated to open later this year. Radke and Soft Bar are still celebrating Dry January with pop-up events in Brooklyn in collaboration with The Clover Club and Hiyo, a spirit-free beverage company. Dubbed “Soft January,” four events will be held this month, offering mental health and sobriety panels, happy hours, tastings, and live music.
The Cover Club, 210 Smith St. between Baltic and Butler streets in Cobble Hill.
High & Dry
Peeking out from under the JMZ line, late-night coffee lovers can spend their time at High & Dry in Bushwick. The spot proudly advertises itself as a no-booze environment that welcomes patrons into a third space to work, relax, and enjoy spirit-free cocktails, including drinks like the “NY Egg Creams” and their “Laura Palmer”. Compared to regular cocktails and other mocktails, their drinks are offered at a relative bargain with prices around $6-$8.
High & Dry, 899 Broadway between Arion Place and Belvidere Street in Bushwick.
Activities
Xanadu Roller Arts
Looking to get the same feeling as dancing in a club all night? Try skating at Xanadu, located in the heart of Bushwick. While there is a bar on the premises, it is easy to skip by focusing on the excitement of the rink. Xanadu offers themed skate nights throughout the month, like their gospel skate night, R&B, disco, and vinyl nights. If Dry January is a month to explore a new hobby, Xanadu offers skating lessons so you can hit the rink with confidence.
Xanadu Roller Arts, 262 Starr St., between Wyckoff and St. Nicholas avenues in Bushwick.
Brooklyn Renaissance
Go with a group or show up solo to the community-centered art space at Brooklyn Renaissance. The studio opened in April 2024 to uplift local artists and generate artistic creativity in Downtown Brooklyn. Art sessions are hosted on weeknights, offering instructor-guided lessons on different mediums like watercolor, embroidery, figure drawing, and more. For a more free-form artistic practice, the Art Lounge is available on weekends for people who want to craft art projects at their own speed and creative freedom.
Brooklyn Renaissance, 66 Willoughby St. between Bridge and Lawrence streets in Downtown Brooklyn.
Gotham Archery
Excitement, a sense of adventure, and an arm workout? Gotham Archery offers the opportunity to try your hand at using a bow and hitting a bullseye. Safety First! Before dabbing in more advanced classes or joining the archery league, all participants must complete at least one introductory archery class. Intro classes are offered daily.
Gotham Archery, 480 Baltic St. between Nevins and Bond streets in Gowanus.
NYC Resistor
NYC Resistor is a private event and studio space offering crafting and tech workshops galore for artists and beginners alike. The collective hosts free public craft nights almost every Monday and Thursday for art lovers to gather and explore creatively. More technical workshops are held throughout the month, including a laser cutter workshop, coding, ham radio club, and synthesizer night for audio nerds. NYC Resistors offers a space to share your skills and pick up new ones.
NYC Resistor, 87 Third Ave. between Bergen and Dean streets in Boerum Hill.
