Dry January is in full swing and many a Bristolian will be aiming to cut out booze from their lives for the month – and even beyond. With pubs, bars and other venues in the city now experts at creating non-alcoholic beverages, like mocktails, and alcohol brands investing more into the world of zero per cent alcoholic drinks, there’s plenty of places to explore and drinks to try for the occasion.
But if you’re after something a little quirkier, something to add a bit of pizazz to your Dry January efforts, then there are a few events that you can partake in this month…
And, for one in particular, you’ll need to bring your running gear and your competitive spirit. Read on to find out more…
The Ravers2Runners Dry Run 2025
When: Saturday, January 25
Where: Lost Horizon, 1-3 Elton Street, St Jude’s, BS2 9EH
What: Described as Bristol’s annual navigational pub run with a twist, ravers and runners will unite for the second instalment of this event. Between 11am and 2pm on the day, Dry Run will see small teams of runners head from venue to venue following their own route, collecting points and sampling an alcohol-free or low ABV drink, instead of a boozy beverage.
An inclusive event accessible to all fitness levels, ages and musical tastes, entry proceeds will be donated to local homeless charity, Caring in Bristol, and the event will be sponsored by Arbor Ales.
All you need to do is:
- Sign up via the registration link here – second release tickets are currently priced at £28 per person, or five for £110.
- Meet at Lost Horizon for a briefing, warm-up and to assemble your crew
- Create your routes and try to get to as many points on the list of independent venues as possible, within the given time frame.
- At each venue you’ll sample a low ABV or non-alcoholic drink and collect your points
- Once you’ve visited as menu of the venues as you can, run back to Lost Horizon before the time runs out for prizes and music.
The official event page says: “We believe that raving is important and we want to promote low and non-alcoholic bevs within the city for a healthier and more sustainable approach to partying and socialising as well as raising money for a great cause.”
Each participant will get a reusable cup for sampling your drinks on the run, at running events or festivals. There will also be prizes for the top three winners and best creative content.
You’ll have somewhere between one to one-and-a-half hours to complete the run. Times and locations will be announced closer to the date.
Other events taking place this Dry January in Bristol – as well as menus for the occasion
Cocktail Club unveils the UK’s first ‘legal highs’ menu
The Cocktail Club has unveiled the UK’s first ever ‘legal highs’ menu and promises Dry January parties with ‘an extra buzz’. The Cocktail Club claims to be the first in the hospitality industry to ‘redefine Dry January’ with the launch of its exciting new Mocktail Club – a menu that has created ten of their most loved cocktails and added in a mood boosting twist.
Not only is this fresh spin on Dry January available as non-alcoholic and low calorie, The Cocktail Club have partnered with Smiling Wolf, who are trailblazers in non-alcoholic spirits that deliver an authentic cocktail experience through adding a mood boosting element to the mix. Together, they say they’re all about flavour, quality, and ‘proving that whether you’re taking a breather from the booze or just looking for something new, a good time doesn’t need alcohol to go all night’.
From the Pornstar Puff and WoodStock to The Drug Mule and L.S.D (Liquid Strawberry Delight), this first of its kind menu will be available across all 16 of The Cocktail Club Bars with a special takeover of The Cocktail Club Monument becoming London’s only mocktails first bar.
But you can visit Bristol’s Cocktail Club venues this January on Corn Street (BS1 1HT) and The Triangle (BS8 1ER).
Rick’s alcohol free cocktail menu
Rick’s, which is located on Prince Street (BS1 4QF), has put together a new menu of alcohol-free cocktails to try. Created in partnership with Franklin & Son’s, each cocktail is £10, and there’s a 2-4-1 offer daily until 7pm.
Drinks on the menu include the Banana & Coffee Tonic, The Dandy Crossip, Pina Colada Spritz, Silk Road, and Coastal Drive, each using a different variety of juices, sodas, tonic waters, syrups, and even fresh coffee and ginger beer in places.
Flight Club’s booze-free bottomless brunch (where it’s the pizza that’s bottomless, not the booze)
Flight Club on Corn Street (BS1 1HT) promises all the ingredients needed for an ‘epic booze-free experience’ this Dry January. The fairground-inspired bar boasts Social Darts (a high-tech version of the classic game for up to 12 people per play space), a resident DJ, and an impressive selection of low and no-alcohol options on the menu.
And if you’re a fan of bottomless brunch, Flight Club’s take on the weekend pastime is a ‘great shout’ if you’re avoiding alcohol. Flight Club’s ‘bottomless’ refers to the unlimited pizza that is continuously brought to your table over the course of the two-hour session.
There’s alcohol-free prosecco (and standard prosecco for those who want to make it a boozy affair) and mocktails on offer throughout, plus 60 minutes of Social Darts, all from £30. Book here.