You may have heard of it or even participated in it. “Dry January” is the annual month-long period when people decide to refrain from drinking any sort of alcohol. Some see it as a challenge but with the right friends and support, anyone can do it.
To make it even easier, there are several local spots in town that offer non-alcoholic beverages while serving beer, cocktails, and wine for the folks you’re hanging out with — folks that aren’t partaking in Dry January.
Also, Martha Stewart has some tips to keep you busy this January:
Here are a few that we gathered (some have their very own beverages while others are serving out-of-state NA options). This isn’t every spot in town but it oughta help you out throughout your Dry January journey.
Plus, it’s a great way to keep supporting these local businesses during dry times.
Borderlands Brewing Company
119 E. Toole Ave.
While Borderlands Brewing Company hasn’t brewed a non-alcoholic beer, the taproom at 119 E. Toole Ave. has a couple of Athletic Brewing Company’s beers on tap. Everything from that specific brewery is NA so if you see it anywhere else in town, grab a can and drink it worry-free.
For more information, visit borderlandsbrewing.com.
Caps & Corks
3830 W. River Rd. #100
Over on the northwest side of town, Caps & Corks has an incredible beer selection, a nifty wine variety, and then even some NA drinks to enjoy in their cozy environment. They’ve got lemonade and tea and a Presta nitro cold brew coffee.
For more information, visit capsandcorksaz.com.
Casa Video & Film Bar
2905 E. Speedway Blvd.
A beer and a movie is a wonderful combination but so is an ice-cold non-alcoholic beverage and a mouthful of movie theater-style popcorn. Go on, make a mess with that popcorn, too. Casa Film Bar has an entire fridge full of NA beverages to enjoy while your friends are pounding beers. You’ll likely find Lagunitas Hop Water, various teas, and sometimes a few Tepache flavors.
Also, Casa Marana, located at 8225 N. Courtney Page Way #191, has similar options if you’re on the northwest side of town.
For more information, visit casafilmbar.com.
The Century Room
311 E. Congress St.
In between finger snaps and foot taps, enjoy a non-alcoholic cocktail while you’re at it. The Century Room has a very special “temperance” menu you need to check out.
- The Cynic’s Dilemma – Desert Forager Prickly Pear & Peach Shrub, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vanilla, Topo Chico, Apple & Cinnamon
- Fun Bird – Carrot and Parsley Cordial, Lemon, Pineapple, Ginger Beer
- Participation Trophy – Beet, Local Honey, Lemon, Mango, and Chili Tepache
For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
The Coronet
198 W. Cushing St.
For a classy night in downtown Tucson, stop by The Coronet because they’ve got at least four NA cocktails to wet your whistle.
- The Antidote – mesquite, Ras el Hanout, lemon, and soda
- Solid Ground – tonic, sage, simple, and lime
- Sourpuss – pineapple, tamarind, lemon, and lime
- Hurricane Harvey – jamaica, ginger beer, and lime
For more information, visit coronettucson.com.
The Kava Bar
4376 E. Speedway Blvd.
If you’ve yet to try kava, the roots are ground into a pulp and added to cold water. This then results in a thick brew. Over time, it’s been compared to the social equivalent of having glasses of wine in France.
Also, in the earlier months of 2023, keep an eye out for the Kava Bar’s second location at 63 E. Pennington St. The new downtown spot is currently in the works under a new name, The Kava Den.
For more information, visit tucsonkavabar.com.
MotoSonora Brewery
1015 S. Park Ave.
Bring your dog along if you need some support throughout January (they need alcohol to have a good time). MotoSonora usually has at least one craft soda on tap and they’ve got Tepache in the fridge. Hey, make it a double whammy and go meat-free throughout January because Substance Diner (parked out in front of MotoSonora) makes it super easy to do so.
For more information, visit motosonora.com.
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company
115 E. Broadway Blvd.
Pueblo Vida Brewing Company went all out and made its very own NA beverage — the Vida Spritz.
“We have found it is nice to have a beverage that is hop-forward and bubbly that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere,” Pueblo Vida Brewing shared on Instagram. “This is one of the brews we keep available year-round for you. It is brewed with the same ingredients as our usual beers, with malt, yeast, and hops.”
For more information, follow Pueblo Vida Brewing on Instagram.
Sidecar
139 S. Eastbourne
The cocktail lounge near Falora and Bisbee Breakfast Club on Broadway has a few “softails” to hold you over throughout January.
- Orange Almond Julias – fresh juice and house almond milk
- Electric Barnyard Heaven – cider vinegar, honey, lemon, cayenne, and ginger
- Southside Patio Cooler – ginger, lime, salt, mint, and soda
For more information, visit barsidecar.com.
Tucson Hop Shop
3230 N. Dodge Blvd. Unit H
When visiting Tucson Hop Shop, a drink isn’t required to have a great time. You’ve got the patio (with heaters during colder temperatures), the bar area, the upstairs area above that where you can feel like a scholar as you read a book in the corner, or the newest area, which has a lounge area with couches on the first level and then an upstairs fancy seating area with a balcony.
Oh, and they offer non-alcoholic drinks in one of the fridges so pop your head in an have a great time.
For more information, visit tucsonhopshop.com.
Some other options that offer some great options are Flora’s Market Run, which serves NA canned cocktails and specialty drinks, and then Pearly Baker Fermentables has a few NA options to take home. Also, breweries like Crooked Tooth Brewing Company and craft beer taprooms like Arizona Beer House have plenty of flavors and options that don’t contain alcohol (like Tepache and Lagunitas Hop Water).
Again, this is just to name a few in Tucson. There are plenty of great spots in town that offer non-alcoholic beverages when the majority of their revenue comes from drinks consisting of alcohol. So, if you’ve got the chance, show these local businesses some support throughout the month of January.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
