As the new year unfolds, many individuals seek fresh starts and resolutions promoting personal growth and well-being.

One increasingly popular trend gaining momentum across the globe is “Dry January,” a commitment to abstain from alcohol for the entire month.

The movement originally gained momentum in the United Kingdom behind the guidance of Alcohol Change UK. In its inaugural year 2013, the movement garnered 4,000 participants. Eleven years later, the initiative has witnessed remarkable growth, with over 175,000 individuals worldwide committing to abstain from alcohol throughout the month of January 2024.

The Mile High City has likewise embraced this movement with several local businesses and communities participating.

Here’s a look at some of the ways you can partake in a “Dry January” throughout the Denver metro area:

Drink water!

Dry January offers up a prime opportunity to refocus on a health goal that’s always important, no matter what time of year it is: hydration. Drinking water is always important in Denver’s high elevation and dry climate and Dry January offers an easy excuse to refocus on making sure your body gets this important life substance.

For those who struggle with drinking water throughout the day, time marker “motivation” water bottles are readily available from retailers like Target and Amazon. Water tracking apps are also available for download for your mobile devices in both the Google and Apple app stores.

Go to bars

Yes, you read that correctly. You can still go out to a lot of the hot spots in Denver, without partaking in alcohol, however practicing self-restraint and managing peer pressure is, of course, key. Several bars and breweries around the metro area are making it easy, offering non-alcoholic versions of wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails.

At gastrobar chain Bar Louie, which has several locations throughout the metro area, offers non-alcoholic mocktails including the “Island Hopper”, which contains orange, passion fruit, sparkling water and lime.

Forget Me Not in Cherry Creek offers several non-alcoholic mocktails including the “Perfect Vision”, consisting of seedlip grove (a citrus forward non-alcoholic spirit), coconut water, verjus and rose water.

Upstairs Circus in LoDo is a combination DIY workshop and bar where you can order a variety of non-alcoholic options including the “Pepper Pantomime”, a “spicy margarita” with lime, ginger beer, pineapple and jalapeno.

Sip on non-alcoholic beer

O’Doul’s has been long known for its non-alcoholic beer, but now several major manufacturers are trying to gain a segment of the market. Local brewers Molson Coors, alongside competitors Budweiser and Pabst, each offer non-alcoholic beers and are available locally at retailers like Argonaut.

Fans of IPAs can find non-alcoholic offerings from brands like Lagunitas and Brooklyn Brewery.

Better yet, Boulder-based Hoplark has been gaining in popularity with its hop-infused drinks with no calories and no alcohol — but that same “tastes like drinking a salad” flavor IPA lovers crave. 

There are even non-alcoholic offerings from non-domestic breweries such as Guinness, Corona and Heineken.

Exercise and/or join a community

For those struggling sobriety, an activity like exercise can help, as well as joining a community of like-minded individuals with the same goals.  

Places like the Phoenix Gym in Denver offer both.

The Phoenix bills itself as a sober active community that “fuels resilience and harnesses the transformational power of connection.”

One of the best parts? Membership isn’t cost prohibitive. Per their website, the only cost of membership is 48 hours of continuous sobriety.

Beyond the initial challenges of abstaining from alcohol, Denver offers unique opportunities to engage in a healthier lifestyle during this month-long commitment. For many, Dry January marks a journey towards holistic well-being, community engagement, and a fresh start for the new year.

Cheers to a healthier, alcohol-free January in the Mile High City!