Gone are the days when “not drinking” meant nursing a sad glass of tap water while your friends clink champagne flutes. London‘s best restaurants and bars have transformed the no-alcohol experience from a dreary afterthought to a vibrant, flavour-packed adventure. From creative mocktails to zero to low drink lists to 0% beers that taste (almost) like the real deal, Dry January in London is set to be a fun one at these must-visit spots.
Whether you’re nursing a holiday hangover, hoping to improve your sleep quality, or simply wanting to give your wallet a much-needed break, the capital’s dining and drinking landscape has your back. Soho is home to an award-winning French cocktail bar, perfect for sipping a no-regrets spritz while enjoying live music. Hackney boasts a sustainable, community-focused hub known for its 0% punchy punch and cool events. In Notting Hill, a beautiful and cosy pub serves one of the best Sunday roasts in town, perfectly paired with a low-to-no-wine program. So put down those holiday leftovers, step away from the mulled wine, and get ready to discover a whole new world of socialising without the morning-after regrets.
Read on for the best bars to check out this Dry January in London – and book your night out on OpenTable.
The best spots to visit for a fun Dry January in London
For a fun night out with a group – gather your mates at Jazu Bar London in Deptford
Tucked away in the eclectic streets of Deptford, Jazu Bar London is the neighbourhood sanctuary you never knew you needed. Expect more than just drinks here, but instead, come to a relaxed listening bar and cocktail haven that is rewriting the rules of social drinking without a hefty price tag. At the heart of their revolutionary drink lineup is Sentia Spirits, a game-changing non-alcoholic marvel that promises the mood-boosting magic of a good drink without the next-day doom scroll. Their drink menu is a playground of creativity too, like the Ginger Mule – a zesty symphony of house-made ginger syrup that’s been fresh-pressed within an inch of its life, mingled with lime and soda. And then there’s the Honey Lemonade – a liquid love letter to simplicity. Honey syrup and lemon juice topped with soda, just like sunshine in a glass. One sip and you’ll be wondering why you ever settled for boring beverages.
Best with: padron peppers or a crispy chicken burger.
For one of the best cocktail bars in London with live music – try hangover-free delights at Coupette in Bethnal Green and Soho
The next time you are in Bethnal Green or Soho, be sure to visit Coupette – where a Parisian daydream comes to life, minus the transatlantic flight. Complete with soft, sultry lighting and paired with the gentle caress of live piano music, you no longer need to look up a place to celebrate your next date night. Plus, their cocktail menu is an ode to guilt-free indulgence. Savour the Pinada, a perfectly crafted mix of pineapple, coconut sorbet and London essence roasted pineapple soda or opt for the No Regrets Spritz with a hint of elderberry. The bartenders here don’t just mix drinks; they compose liquid poetry that just happens to be alcohol-free or low-alcohol, proving that flavour knows no proof. Enjoy these concoctions alongside French snacks and some cheeky banter for a night out. Santé, indeed!
Best with: a croque monsieur and a side of blue cheese fries.
📍 Bethnal Green — Check availability
📍 Soho — Check availability
For one of the coolest bars to visit for Dry January in London – enjoy drinks that save the planet (and your Monday morning) at Grow in Hackney
Picture a canalside space that’s part urban jungle, part community hub, and entirely committed to proving that saving the planet can be an absolute blast. Welcome to Grow, a venue that transforms from a daytime sanctuary of sustainability ethos and cool vibes to a nighttime hotspot that buzzes with live music and events. Togetherness is the objective at Grow and is represented in the cosy atmosphere, all day sharing platters and daily freshly prepared brunches. Sure, they’re known for their signature cocktails, but they’ve also got a showstopper for the non-drinking crowd: a sparkling non-alcoholic fruit punch that’s basically a party in the glass. Alongside their punchy punch, they offer a range of soft drinks and comforting hot beverages that prove staying sober is still trendy.
Best with: a spiced vegan butternut Wellington or Grow’s handmade falafel with a side of harissa fries.
For a fancy night out at one of the best private clubs in London – try award-winning mocktails at The Library Bar at the Lanesborough in Knightsbridge
Imagine a space that whispers old-world elegance where cocktails are curated like rare manuscripts, and the spirit collection is less a menu and more a hallowed “liquid museum.” This is what to expect at The Library Bar at the Lanesborough which has a number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions. For a delicious twist, indulge in the mocktail cream tea experience, where for a mere £37 you’ll get a full-blown sensory expedition. Choose a signature non-alcoholic cocktail like The Blooming Wallflower – a cherry aficionado’s dream – or the non-alcoholic negroni that’s more complex than a Shakespearean plot, paired with plain and raisin scones that come adorned with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Best with: if you’re not opting for the mocktail cream tea experience, choose a non-alcoholic mocktail with a side of rock oysters or seasonal crudites.
For one of the best pubs in London to visit for Dry January – feast on Sunday roast with zero regrets at The Princess Royal Pub & Boutique Hotel in Notting Hill
Credit: The Princess Royal Pub
The Princess Royal Pub & Boutique Hotel Notting Hill is a quintessential British pub that understands your Sunday lunch goals: maximum relaxation with minimum regret. With a large horseshoe bar that beckons like a leather-clad embrace, this spot is rewriting the rules of lazy afternoon socializing. More than just comfortable seats, the plush leather bar stools are suitable for your personal wellness throne for a long afternoon highlighted by a stellar non-alcoholic wine selection. Think bottles you can share with friends without that looming Monday morning dread. Plus, their pub lunch and Sunday roast is deemed one of the best in the neighbourhood. Just call up your mates and tell them to meet you there ASAP.
Best with: the family-style Sunday roast served with beef fat roast potatoes and Madeira gravy.
For one of the best date night spots for Dry January in London – sip like James Bond at Silverleaf Bar in Liverpool Street
Credit: Silverleaf Bar
Credit: Silverleaf Bar
Silverleaf Bar is the sophisticated grown-up of the non-alcoholic bar scene – think James Bond, minus the hangover, with a dash of West End glamour featuring sleek interiors in an intimate atmosphere. Situated on the third floor of Devonshire House, this sleek establishment adjacent to the Pan Pacific London hotel is redefining what it means to have a drink in the financial district. Their masterstroke? A highball cocktail menu that proves non-alcoholic doesn’t mean non-exciting. Take their Blackcurrant and eucalyptus creation. Priced at £12, immerse in a sensory journey featuring seedlip spice with a hint of caraway seeds, and pirouetting with blackcurrant and eucalyptus water. For beer lovers, Lucky Saint Lager (a cheeky 0.5%) and non-alcoholic Heineken are also available for your after-work scene.
Best with: focaccia bread and mini beef burgers.
